bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of bacterial surface attachment by a network of sensory transduction proteins
Authors: Reyes Ruiz Leila M. , Fiebig Aretha , Crosson Sean
Published: February 2019

Bacteria are often attached to surfaces in natural ecosystems. A surface-associated lifestyle can have advantages, but shifts in the physiochemical state of the environment may result in conditions in which attachment has a negative fitness impact. Therefore, bacterial cells employ numerous mechanisms to control the transition from an unattached to a sessile state. TheCaulobacter crescentusprotein HfiA is a potent developmental inhibitor of the secreted polysaccharide adhesin known as the holdfast, which enables permanent attachment to surfaces. Multiple environmental cues influence expression ofhfiA, but mechanisms ofhfiAregulation remain largely undefined. Through a forward genetic selection, we have discovered a multi-gene network encoding a suite of two-component system (TCS) proteins and transcription factors that coordinately controlhfiAtranscription and surface adhesion. The hybrid HWE-family histidine kinase, SkaH, is central among these regulators and forms heteromeric complexes with the kinases, LovK and SpdS. The response regulator SpdR indirectly inhibitshfiAexpression by activating two XRE-family transcription factors that directly bind thehfiApromoter to repress its transcription. This study provides evidence for a model in which a consortium of environmental sensors and transcriptional regulators integrate environmental cues at thehfiApromoter to control the attachment decision.

Author summary

Living on a surface within a community of cells confers a number of advantages to a bacterium. However, the transition from a free-living state to a surface-attached lifestyle should be tightly regulated to ensure that cells avoid adhering to toxic or resource-limited niches. Many bacteria build adhesive structures at their surfaces that enable attachment. We sought to discover genes that control development of theCaulobacter crescentussurface adhesin known as the holdfast. Our studies uncovered a network of signal transduction proteins that coordinately control the biosynthesis of the holdfast by regulating transcription of the holdfast inhibitor,hfiA. We conclude thatC. crescentususes a multi-component regulatory system to sense and integrate environmental information to determine whether to attach to a surface, or to remain in an unattached state.
Gene-Set Enrichment with Mathematical Biology
Authors: Cochran Amy L , Nieser Kenneth , Forger Daniel B , Zöllner Sebastian , McInnis Melvin G
Published: February 2019

Gene-set analyses measure the association between a disease of interest and a set of genes related to a biological pathway. These analyses often incorporate gene network properties to account for the differential contributions of each gene. Extending this concept further, mathematical models of biology can be leveraged to define gene interactions based on biophysical principles by predicting the effects of genetic perturbations on a particular downstream function. We present a method that combines gene weights from model predictions and gene ranks from genome-wide association studies into a weighted gene-set test. Using publicly-available summary data from the Psychiatric Genetics Consortium (n=41,653; ~9) million SNPs), we examine an a priori hypothesis that intracellular calcium ion concentrations contribute to bipolar disorder. In this case study, we are able to strengthen inferences from a P-value of 0.081 to 1.7×10−4 by moving from a general calcium signaling pathway to a specific model-predicted function.
Chromosomal rearrangements at hypomethylated Satellite 2 sequences are associated with impaired replication efficiency and increased fork stalling
Authors: Delpu Yannick , McNamara Thomas , Griffin Patrick , Kaleem Suhail , Narayan Shubhada , Schildkraut Carl , Miga Karen , Tahiliani Mamta
Published: February 2019

Cancer cells, aging cells, and cells from patients with the developmental disorder Immunodeficiency, Centromeric instability, and Facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome frequently display a striking loss of DNA methylation (hypomethylation) that is accompanied by increased DNA damage and chromosomal rearrangements. Despite the robust link, the mechanism by which hypomethylation leads to genomic instability is poorly understood. We report that the human pericentromeric repeat sequence Satellite 2 (SAT2) poses challenges to the DNA replication machinery when hypomethylated. Loss of methylation at SAT2 is associated with increased frequencies of chromosomal abnormalities and DNA damage. Hypomethylation of SAT2 is associated with elevated levels of replication stress signaling, and chromosomal abnormalities involving SAT2 are enhanced by low levels of aphidicolin-induced replication stress. To investigate the basis for these chromosomal abnormalities, we developed a single-molecule approach employing DNA combing to examine the progress of replication forks through SAT2 at the resolution of a single DNA molecule. Our analysis of replicating SAT2 molecules provides in vivo evidence that hypomethylation of SAT2 strongly decreases the efficiency of replicating these sequences suggesting that hypomethylation results in the formation of barriers to the replication machinery. Consistent with increased frequency of fork stalling at these sequences, we find increased levels of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein RPA2 as well as asymmetric progression of sister replication forks within hypomethylated SAT2 sequences. Together these findings indicate that impaired replication triggers the formation of chromosomal aberrations observed at hypomethylated SAT2 sequences and also suggests a mechanistic basis for how the loss of DNA methylation may contribute to genomic instability in diverse pathological conditions.
dbMTS: a comprehensive database of putative human microRNA target site SNVs and their functional predictions
Authors: Li Chang , Swartz Michael D. , Yu Bing , Bai Yongsheng , Liu Xiaoming
Published: February 2019

microRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that can repress the expression of protein coding messenger RNAs (mRNAs) by binding to the 3’UTR of the target. Genetic mutations such as single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the 3’UTR of the mRNAs can disrupt this regulatory effect. In this study, we presented dbMTS, the database for miRNA target site (MTS) SNVs, which includes all potential MTS SNVs in the 3’UTR of human genome along with hundreds of functional annotations. This database can help studies easily identify putative SNVs that affect miRNA targeting and facilitate the prioritization of their functional importance. dbMTS is freely available at: https://sites.google.com/site/jpopgen/dbNSFP.
Cholangiocarcinoma presents a distinct myeloid-derived suppressor cell signature compared to other hepatobiliary cancers
Authors: Bayik Defne , Lauko Adam J. , Roversi Gustavo A. , Serbinowski Emily , Acevedo-Moreno Lou-Anne , Lanigan Christopher , Orujov Mushfig , Lo Alice , Alban Tyler J. , Silver Daniel J. , Brown J. Mark , Allende Daniela S. , Aucejo Federico N. , Lathia Justin D.
Published: February 2019

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immunosuppressive cells that are increased in patients with numerous malignancies including viral-derived hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we report an elevation of MDSC in other hepatobiliary malignancies including non-viral HCC, neuroendocrine tumors (NET), colorectal carcinoma with liver metastases (CRLM), but not cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Investigation of myeloid cell infiltration in HCC, NET and intrahepatic CCA tumors further established that the frequency of antigen-presenting cells was limited compared to benign lesions suggesting that primary and metastatic hepatobiliary cancers have distinct peripheral and tumoral myeloid signatures. Bioinformatics analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas demonstrated that a high MDSC score in HCC patients predicted poor disease outcome. Mechanistic studies indicated that the oncometabolite D-2-hydroxyglutarate resulting from isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation could be a limiting factor of MDSC accumulation in CCA patients. Given our observation that MDSCs are increased in non-CCA malignant liver cancers, they may comprise suitable targets for effective immunotherapy approaches.
Evaluating brain cell marker genes based on differential gene expression and co-expression
Authors: Dai Rujia , Chen Yu , Jiao Chuan , Dai Jiacheng , Chen Chao , Liu Chunyu
Published: February 2019

Reliable identification of brain cell types is necessary for studying brain cell biology. Many brain cell marker genes have been proposed, but their reliability has not been fully validated. We evaluated 540 commonly-used marker genes of astrocyte, microglia, neuron, and oligodendrocyte with six transcriptome and proteome datasets from purified human and mouse brain cells (n=125). By setting new criteria of cell-specific fold change, we identified 22 gold standard marker genes (GSM) with stable cell-specific expression. Our results call into question the specificity of many proposed marker genes. We used two single-cell transcriptome datasets from human and mouse brains to explore the co-expression of marker genes (n=3337). The mouse co-expression modules were perfectly preserved in human transcriptome, but the reverse was not. Also, we proposed new criteria for identifying marker genes based on both differential expression and co-expression data. We identified 16 novel candidate marker genes (NCM) for mouse and 18 for human independently, which have the potential for use in cell sorting or other tagging techniques. We validated the specificity of GSM and NCM by in-silico deconvolution analysis. Our systematic evaluation provides a list of credible marker genes to facilitate correct cell identification, cell labeling, and cell function studies.
On the front line of Klebsiella pneumoniae surface structures understanding: establishment of Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy as a capsule typing method
Authors: Rodrigues Carla , Sousa Clara , Lopes João Almeida , Novais Ângela , Peixe Luísa
Published: February 2019

Genomics-based population analysis of multidrug resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) motivated a renewed interest on capsule (K) types given their importance as evolutionary and virulence markers of clinically relevant strains. However, there is a gap between genotypic based predictions and information on capsular polysaccharide structure and composition. We used molecular genotypic, comparative genomics, biochemical and phenotypic data on the cps locus to support the usefulness of Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy as a phenotypic approach for K-type characterization and identification. The approach was validated with a collection of representative MDR Kp isolates from main lineages/Clonal Groups (CGs) involved in local or nationwide epidemics in 6 European and South American countries. FT-IR-based K-type assignments were compared with those obtained by genotypic methods and WGS (cps operon), and further complemented with data on the polysaccharide composition and structure of known K-types.

We demonstrate that our FT-IR-based spectroscopy approach can discriminate all 21 K-types identified with a resolution comparable (or even higher) to that provided by WGS, considered gold-standard methodology. Besides contributing to enlighten K-type diversity among a significant MDR Kp collection, the specific associations between certain K-types and Kp lineages identified in different geographic regions over time support the usefulness of our FT-IR-based approach for strain typing. Additionally, we demonstrate that FT-IR discriminatory ability is correlated with variation on the structure/composition of known K-types and, supported on WGS data, we were able to predict the sugar composition and chemical structure of new KL-types. Our data revealed an unprecedent resolution at a quick and low-cost rate of Kp K-types at the phenotypic level. Our FT-IR spectroscopy-based approach might be extremely useful not only as a cost-effective Kp typing tool, but also to improve our understanding on sugar-based coating structures of high relevance for strain evolution and host adaptation.
Magnitude and Correlates of Caesarean Section in Urban and Rural Areas: A Multivariate Study in Vietnam
Authors: Loenzien Myriam de , Schantz Clémence , Luu Bich Ngoc , Dumont Alexandre
Published: February 2019

Caesarean section can prevent maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. However, it involves risks and high costs which can be a burden, especially in low and middle income countries. The international healthcare community considers the optimal caesarean rate to be between 10% and 15%. The aim of this study is to assess its magnitude and correlates among women of reproductive age in urban and rural areas in Vietnam. We analyzed microdata from the national Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted in 2013-2014 using representative sample of households at the national level as well as regarding the urban and the rural areas. A total of 1,378 women who delivered in institutional settings in the two years preceding the survey were included. Frequency and percentage distributions of the variables were performed. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were undertaken to identify the factors associated with caesarean section. Odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were used to ascertain the direction and strength of the associations. The overall CS rate among the women who delivered in healthcare facilities in Vietnam is particularly high (29.2%) with regards to WHO standards. After controlling for significant characteristics, living in urban areas more than doubles the likelihood of undergoing a CS (OR = 2.31; 95% CI 1.79 to 2.98). Maternal age at delivery over 35 is a major positive correlate of CS. Beyond this common phenomenon, distinct lines of socioeconomic and demographic cleavage operate in urban versus rural areas. The differences regarding correlates of CS according to the place of residence suggest that specific measures should be taken in each setting to allow women to access childbirth services appropriate to their needs. Further research is needed on this topic.
Disease spectrum and outcomes among elderly patients in two tertiary hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Tumaini Basil , Munseri Patricia , Pallangyo Kisali
Published: February 2019

Background

There has been an increase in the number of individuals aged ≥60 years in Tanzania and in sub Saharan Africa in general due to improved survival. However there is scarcity of data on the disease burden, patterns and outcomes following admission in this population. We therefore describe the pattern of diagnoses, outcomes and factors associated with the outcomes among elderly patients admitted at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) and Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) medical wards.

Methodology

We prospectively enrolled patients aged ≥60 years (elderly) admitted through MNH Emergency Medicine to the MNH medical wards and JKCI. ICD 10 was used to code for disease diagnosis at discharge or death. Modified Barthel index was used to assess for functional activity on admission and at discharge.

Results

We enrolled 336 elderly participants, who comprised 30.1% of all medical admissions. The mean age was 70.6 years; 50% were female and 263 (78.3%) had comorbidities with an average of 2 diagnoses per participant. The most common diagnoses were: hypertension (44.9%), stroke (31.5%), heart failure (18.5%), pneumonia (17.9%), diabetes mellitus (17.3%) and chronic kidney disease (16.4%). The median duration of hospital stay was 5 days and in-hospital mortality was 25.6%. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 65% of the deaths and 50% of the deaths occurred within 72 hours of hospitalization. A modified Barthel score of ≤20 on admission was associated with 15 times increased risk of death (p<0.001).

Conclusion

NCDs were the most common diagnoses and cause of death among patients aged ≥60 years admitted to the medical wards. In-hospital mortality was high and occurred within 72 hours of hospitalization. A modified Barthel score <20 on admission was associated with mortality.
Nystagmus in patients with congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) originates from synchronously firing direction-selective retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Winkelman Beerend H.J. , Howlett Marcus H. , Hölzel Maj-Britt , Joling Coen , Fransen Kathryn H. , Pangeni Gobinda , Kamermans Sander , Sakuta Hiraki , Noda Masaharu , Simonsz Huibert J. , McCall Maureen A. , De Zeeuw Chris I. , Kamermans Maarten
Published: February 2019

Congenital nystagmus, involuntary oscillating small eye movements, is commonly thought to originate from aberrant interactions between brainstem nuclei and foveal cortical pathways. Here we investigated whether nystagmus associated with congenital stationary nightblindness (CSNB) can result from primary deficits in the retina. We found that CSNB patients as well as an animal model (nob mice), both of which lack functional nyctalopin protein (NYX, nyx) in ON bipolar cells (ON-BC) at their synapse with photoreceptors, showed oscillating eye movements at a frequency of 4-7Hz. nob ON direction selective ganglion cells (ON-DSGC), which detect global motion and project to the accessory optic system (AOS), oscillated with the same frequency as their eyes. In the dark, individual ganglion cells (GC) oscillated asynchronously, but their oscillations became synchronized by light stimulation. Likewise, both patient and nob mice oscillating eye movements were only present in the light. Retinal pharmacological manipulations that blocked nob ON-DSGC oscillations also eliminated their oscillating eye movements, and retinal pharmacological manipulations that reduced oscillation frequency of nob ON-DSGCs also reduced oscillation frequency of their eye movements. We conclude that, in nob mice, oscillations of retinal ON-DSGCs cause nystagmus with properties similar to those associated with CSNB in humans. These results show that the nob mouse is the first animal model for a form of congenital nystagmus paving the way for development of therapeutic strategies.
Elevated CO2 induces age-dependent restoration of growth and metabolism in gibberellin-deficient plants
Authors: Gasparini Karla , Costa Lucas C. , Brito Fred A. L. , Pimenta Thaline M. , Cardoso Flávio Barcellos , Araújo Wagner L. , Zsögön Agustín , Ribeiro Dimas M.
Published: February 2019

Main conclusion The effect of elevated [CO2] on the growth of tomato plants with reduced GA content is influenced by developmental stage.

The increase of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere during the last decades has aroused interest in the function of this gas in the growth and development of plants. Despite the known association between elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]) and plant growth, its effects in association with gibberellin (GA), plant hormone that regulates de major aspects of plant growth, are still poorly understood. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of elevated [CO2] on growth and primary metabolism in tomato plants with drastic reduction in GA content (gib-1) at two different growth stages (21 and 35 days after germination, dag). Disruption on growth, photosynthetic parameters and primary metabolism were restored when gib-1 plants were transferred to elevated [CO2] at 21 dag. Elevated [CO2] also stimulated growth and photosynthetic parameters in Wild type (WT) plants at 21 dag, however, minor changes were observed in the level of primary metabolites. At 35 dag, elevated [CO2] did not stimulate growth in WT plants and gib-1 mutants showed their characteristic stunted growth phenotype.
New guidelines for DNA methylome studies regarding 5-hydroxymethylcytosine for understanding transcriptional regulation
Authors: Li Le , Gao Yuwei , Wu Qiong , Cheng Alfred S.L. , Yip Kevin Y.
Published: February 2019

Many DNA methylome profiling methods cannot distinguish between 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). Because 5mC typically acts as a repressive mark whereas 5hmC is an intermediate form during active demethylation, the inability to separate their signals could lead to incorrect interpretation of the data. Is the extra information contained in 5hmC signals worth the additional experimental and computational costs? Here we combine whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and oxidative WGBS (oxWGBS) data in various human tissues to investigate the quantitative relationships between gene expression and the two forms of DNA methylation at promoters, transcript bodies, and immediate downstream regions. We find that 5mC and 5hmC signals correlate with gene expression in the same direction in most samples. Considering both types of signals increases the accuracy of expression levels inferred from methylation data by a median of 18.2% as compared to having only WGBS data, showing that the two forms of methylation provide complementary information about gene expression. Differential analysis between matched tumor and normal pairs is particularly affected by the superposition of 5mC and 5hmC signals in WGBS data, with at least 25%–40% of the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) identified from 5mC signals not detected from WGBS data. Our results also confirm a previous finding that methylation signals at transcript bodies are more indicative of gene expression levels than promoter methylation signals. Overall, our study provides data for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of some experimental and analysis options in the study of DNA methylation in normal and cancer samples.
Standing wave approach in the theory of X-ray magnetic reflectivity
Authors: Andreeva M. A. , Baulin R. A. , Repchenko Yu. L.
Published: February 2019

An extension of the exact X-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity theory has been developed, taking into account the small value of the magnetic terms in the X-ray susceptibility tensor. It is shown that squared standing waves (fourth power of the total electric field) determine the output of the magnetic addition to the total reflectivity from a magnetic multilayer. The obtained generalized kinematical approach essentially speeds up the calculation of the asymmetry ratio in the magnetic reflectivity. The developed approach easily explains the peculiarities of the angular dependence of the reflectivity with the rotated polarization (such as the peak at the critical angle of the total external reflection). The revealed dependence of the magnetic part of the total reflectivity on the squared standing waves means that the selection of the reflectivity with the rotated polarization ensures higher sensitivity to the depth profiles of magnetization than the secondary radiation at the specular reflection condition.
Hydrogen and halogen bonding in the haloetherification products in chalcone
Authors: Asgarova Aytan R. , Khalilov Ali N. , Brito Ivan , Maharramov Abel M. , Shikhaliyev Namiq G. , Cisterna Jonathan , Cárdenas Alejandro , Gurbanov Atash V. , Zubkov Fedor I. , Mahmudov Kamran T.
Published: February 2019

Cooperative action of hydrogen and halogen bonding in the reaction of 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one with HCl or HBr in alcohol medium under microwave irradiation (20 W, 80 °C, 10 min) allows the isolation of the haloetherification products (2S,3S)-3-(3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-chloro-3-ethoxy-1-phenylpropan-1-one, C21H24Cl2O3, (2S,3S)-2-bromo-3-(3-tert-butyl-5-bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methoxy-1-phenylpropan-1-one, C20H22Br2O3, and (2S,3S)-2-bromo-3-(3-tert-butyl-5-bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-ethoxy-1-phenylpropan-1-one, C21H24Br2O3, in good yields. Both types of noncovalent interactions, e.g. hydrogen and halogen bonds, are formed to stabilize the obtained products in the solid state.
Isolation and structure of an 18-membered macrocycle containing two diselenide linkages and its precursor
Authors: Raju Saravanan , Butcher Ray J. , Singh Harkesh B.
Published: February 2019

The structures of the 18-membered diselenide-linked macrocycle 10,27-di-tert-butyl 11,28-dioxo-2,3,19,20-tetraselena-10,12,27,29-tetraazapentacyclo[28.4.0.04,9.013,18.021,26]tetratriaconta-1(30),4(9),5,7,13,15,17,21,23,25,31,33-dodecaene-10,27-dicarboxylate, C36H34N4O6Se4, and its precursor di-tert-butyl 2,2′-[diselane-1,2-diylbis(2,1-phenylene)]dicarbamate, C22H28N2O4Se2, are reported. The precusor to the macrocycle contains two tert-butyl phenylcarbamate arms connected to a diselenide group, with Se—C and Se—Se bond lengths of 1.914 (4) and 2.3408 (6) Å, respectively. The macrocycle resides on a crystallographic center of inversion in space group P\overline{1} with one molecule in the unit cell (Z′ = 1 \over 2). It contains an 18-membered macrocyclic ring with two diselenide linkages. In this macrocycle, there are two free and two protected amino groups.
Crystal structure of potassium [4-amino-5-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-6-(methylsulfanyl)pyrimidin-2-yl](phenylsulfonyl)azanide dimethylformamide monosolvate hemihydrate
Authors: Azzam Rasha A. , Elgemeie Galal H. , Osman Rokia R. , Jones Peter G.
Published: February 2019

The title compound, K+·C18H14N5O2S3
−·C3H7NO·0.5H2O, was obtained in a reaction designed to deliver a neutral 2-pyrimidylbenzothiazole. The anion is deprotonated at the sulfonamide nitrogen. The asymmetric unit of the title compound contains two potassium cations, two anions, two molecules of DMF and one of water. The anions display some conformational differences but each contains an intramolecular N—H...Nbenzothiazole hydrogen bond. The potassium ions both display a highly irregular six-coordination, different for each potassium ion. The anions, together with the DMF and water molecules, are linked by four classical hydrogen bonds to form chains parallel to the b-axis direction.
Marketing communications via celebrity endorsement: an integrative review
Authors: Rocha Patrícia Ianelli , Caldeira de Oliveira Jorge Henrique , Giraldi Janaina de Moura Engracia
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to perform an integrative analysis, mapping the main areas of the celebrity endorsement literature of the last 20 years, offering a taxonomy of subject subareas and a research agenda for the topic.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was divided into two stages: the first was a systematic review of literature, and the second consisted on complementary information based on the generation and analysis of the maps elaborated by the VOSviewer software based on the data collected. The searches for the data occurred between the months of January and March of 2017.

Findings

The paper provides a decentralization framework in terms of authors regarding the celebrity endorsement. The country with the largest number of research works in the area is the USA; also, the paper reveals the most cited document, also the main journals about the theme, the main keywords, the main authors and their discussions. Thereafter, the paper presents tables containing the main author’s and respective theme inside celebrity endorsement.

Research limitations/implications

One possible limitation of the research is that it was performed only in the Scopus database, and it may be suggested as future searches that other databases are included as well.

Practical implications

The results of this paper can serve as a facilitating guide for researchers and for managers that want to know more about the topic.

Originality/value

A categorization table was proposed containing the subthemes of celebrity endorsement that were discussed in the last 20 years and a list of their respective authors, including the following subjects: cultural comparison, congruence, adverse effects, efficacy and intention to purchase, marketing destinations, social media, models and reviews, multiple endorsements, social policy, values of brand/economic.
Improvement of the inspection-repair process with building information modelling and image classification
Authors: Zhan Jian , Ge Xin Janet , Huang Shoudong , Zhao Liang , Wong Johnny Kwok Wai , He Sean XiangJian
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Automated technologies have been applied to facility management (FM) practices to address labour demands of, and time consumed by, inputting and processing manual data. Less attention has been focussed on automation of visual information, such as images, when improving timely maintenance decisions. This study aims to develop image classification algorithms to improve information flow in the inspection-repair process through building information modelling (BIM).

Design/methodology/approach

To improve and automate the inspection-repair process, image classification algorithms were used to connect images with a corresponding image database in a BIM knowledge repository. Quick response (QR) code decoding and Bag of Words were chosen to classify images in the system. Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were developed to facilitate activity collaboration and communication. A pilot case study in an inspection-repair process was applied to demonstrate the applications of this system.

Findings

The system developed in this study associates the inspection-repair process with a digital three-dimensional (3D) model, GUIs, a BIM knowledge repository and image classification algorithms. By implementing the proposed application in a case study, the authors found that improvement of the inspection-repair process and automated image classification with a BIM knowledge repository (such as the one developed in this study) can enhance FM practices by increasing productivity and reducing time and costs associated with ecision-making.

Originality/value

This study introduces an innovative approach that applies image classification and leverages a BIM knowledge repository to enhance the inspection-repair process in FM practice. The system designed provides automated image-classifying data from a smart phone, eliminates time required to input image data manually and improves communication and collaboration between FM personnel for maintenance in the decision-making process.
Determinants of working capital behavior: evidence from Egypt
Authors: Moussa Amr Ahmed
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze and identify key factors affecting working capital behavior of companies listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

Working capital requirement and cash conversion cycle were used to proxy working capital behavior. The study explored nine main factors widely discussed in previous research to explain working capital behavior: operating cash flow, growth opportunities, performance, firm value, age, size, leverage, economic conditions and industry type. The study employed a panel data analysis for 68 listed Egyptian industrial firms for the period 2000–2010. Different techniques of the generalized method of moments were used to test the validity of the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that working capital behavior is affected by various factors related to firm characteristics, economic conditions and industry type.

Originality/value

This study provides financial managers with a better understanding of the impact of different internal and macroeconomic factors on working capital behavior in an emerging market, such as Egypt’s.
The impact of WSARA on the cost of air force weapon systems
Authors: Ritschel Jonathan D. , Lucas Brandon , White Edward , Mrla Danielle
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act (WSARA) was enacted in 2009 to improve Department of Defense public procurement processes and limit cost overruns in major acquisition programs.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven years later, the authors investigate the effects of WSARA on cost overruns for major Air Force acquisition programs and then conduct an exploratory case study specifically targeting WSARA impacts on the Operations and Support phase of a program’s life cycle.

Findings

The authors find that while there are some positive impacts on cost overruns in limited areas, the majority of the models demonstrate either no statistically significant effect from WSARA or an increase in cost overruns post implementation.

Originality/value

These findings are consistent with much of the literature on the historical ineffectiveness of previous acquisition reforms to ameliorate cost overruns.
Domains of influence: exploring negative sentiment in social media
Authors: Cooper Tony , Stavros Constantino , Dobele Angela R.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the manner in which companies mitigate negative sentiment in social media and to map the forces that may lead to pre-emptive strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies were drawn from the retail fashion industry using data collected from semi-structured, in-depth interviews with practitioners and a netnographic examination of company artefacts and social media conversations.

Findings

The findings identify five principal domains of influence upon which the firms based their approach to social media negativity. The authors suggest that these domains can be fundamentally categorised as either relational domains built on human exchanges or transformational domains rooted in less tangible elements of corporate culture and operational practices that can have a significant impact upon a brand’s socially mediated exchanges.

Practical implications

The research provides guidance based on empirical observation of effective strategies utilised by firms, emphasising robust systems integration, a holistic management ethos, and leveraging of third-party alliances.

Originality/value

Bringing together disparate cross-disciplinary elements, the research contributes to knowledge by highlighting opportunities for the development of a proactive rather than reactive approach to online brand negativity and deepens the understanding of applied brand management techniques adopted to address negative social media encounters. The authors provide a series of contemporary and empirically grounded recommendations for practitioners that offer substantive insights.
Work intensification and health outcomes of health sector workers
Authors: Chowhan James , Denton Margaret , Brookman Catherine , Davies Sharon , Sayin Firat K. , Zeytinoglu Isik
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of stress between work intensification and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) focusing on personal support workers (PSWs) in home and community care.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis sample of 922 comes from the 2015 survey of PSWs employed in Ontario, Canada. The endogenous variable is self-reported MSDs, and the exogenous variable is work intensification. Stress, measured as symptoms of stress, is the mediating variable. Other factors shown in the literature as associated with stress and/or MSDs are included as control variables. Structural equation model regression analyses are presented.

Findings

The results show that stress mediates the effect of work intensification on PSW’s MSDs. Other significant factors included being injured in the past year, facing hazards at work and preferring less hours – all had positive and significant substantive effects on MSDs.

Research limitations/implications

The survey is cross-sectional and not longitudinal or experimental in design, and it focuses on a single occupation in a single sector in Ontario, Canada and, as such, this can limit the generalizability of the results to other occupations and sectors.

Practical implications

For PSW employers including their human resource managers, supervisors, schedulers and policy-makers, the study recommends reducing work intensification to lower stress levels and MSDs.

Originality/value

The findings of this study contribute to the theory and knowledge by providing evidence on how work intensification can affect workers’ health and assist decision makers in taking actions to create healthy work environments.
The English language factor as a litmus test for placement with luxury hotel brands in India
Authors: Singh Anmole
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Travel and tourism has played an instrumental role in the growth of a progressive Indian economy. Contributing 6.3 per cent to the total Indian gross domestic product in 2015 and expected to rise by 7.3 per cent in 2016, the sector has exhibited positive signs of growth and is delivering to its forecasted potential (WTTC, 2017). To manage this growth, it is estimated that there is an incremental need of 4.9 million people to take up varied job roles. To cater to the growing need and take advantage of being the youngest economy, Skill India mission was launched with a view to training 400 million people by 2022. This paper aims to explore the recruitment of Skill Initiative-certified candidates for Luxury Hotels in India, identify the challenges in recruiting Skill Initiative candidates and explore whether the knowledge of the English language is important to the recruitment of skilled personnel by employers.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary information was gathered via conversations with industry practitioners to gauge the effectiveness of the hospitality-based curriculum design and to explore the concept of employability and the challenges they face. To measure the effectiveness of a course designed to develop English language proficiencies, interviews were conducted with language trainers.

Findings

Skill India initiative is not delivering the promise that was expected. The key findings were that the initiative is being perceived as a program for those not willing to help themselves or the marginalized who would have opted out or failed to complete formal education. There should be structural changes in primary education to develop English language skills in particular. The program needs to reconsider the time it allocates to developing soft skills. The biggest barrier to the absorption of candidates after being skilled and certified via the Government’s skilling agenda is poor English language communication, especially verbal expression.

Originality/value

Although the issue discussed is a genuine bottleneck, there has been no prior formal research on this topic in relation to the Skill India initiative. There is an abundance of literature on the topic of communication skills as it relates to employment and growth, but there is very limited work in the Indian context, especially in relation to the Skill India Initiative. The research forms a platform for various stakeholders, government planners/agencies (for understanding gaps and making necessary changes), training providers (to identify requisite profile of trainers), researchers and industry specialists (to recognize their role and contribution) to build upon and develop.
Enhancing heritage tourism in small and medium towns by leveraging their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and skills
Authors: Munjal Parul G.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The Gurgaon district in Haryana represents a region that has little-known remains from the past and craft traditions that are under threat because of the rapid pace of urban development and changing demography. The heritage resources of the towns in the district, such as Farrukhnagar and Sohna, are neither integrated in the development agenda nor acknowledged appropriately in formal hospitality and tourism planning. Local knowledge in the form of traditional crafts, food and building techniques has dwindled over the recent decades. Stories about the heritage resources are embedded in public memory and personal histories, though not necessarily explicit. The purpose of this study is to reveal the possible connections between sustenance of the cultural resources and skill development in the context of these small and medium towns.

Design/methodology/approach

The skills, stories, knowledge and historic built form are examined as a part of this research to establish existing and potential community connections. The research entails identification of areas where capacity building is required, to enhance visitor experience and to develop heritage tourism, drawing from existing skill sets and traditional knowledge systems rather than looking outwards.

Findings

One of the challenges is the discontinuation of use of traditional building techniques for the physical conservation of historic structures/buildings into heritage hotels/bed-and-breakfast locations and tourism visitation spots. Tackling this gap can help development of homestays or heritage hotels, offering a unique experience for visitors who appreciate historic built form. Poor appreciation and interpretation of the heritage resources by the local community is another significant issue, as is the lack of skills that can help increase the appeal of these towns for the visitor interested in heritage tourism. The question is whether these skills are accessible for the residents of these towns and how this gap is being addressed.

Research limitations/implications

These explorations can result in informed approaches to capacity building and community engagement that are the key to establishing heritage-oriented hospitality and tourism in historic small and medium towns.

Originality/value

The paper brings the heritage of small and medium towns into focus and suggests an integrated approach for hospitality and tourism development through skill development, an area that has been neglected and disconnected till now.
Trophic consistency of supraspecific taxa in below‐ground invertebrate communities: Comparison across lineages and taxonomic ranks
Authors: Potapov Anton M. , Scheu Stefan , Tiunov Alexei V.
Published: February 2019

Animals that have similar morphological traits are expected to share similar ecological niches. This statement applies to individual animals within a species and thus species often serve as the functional units in ecological studies. Species are further grouped into higher‐ranked taxonomic units based on their morphological similarity and thus are also expected to be ecologically similar. On the other hand, theory predicts that strong competition between closely related species may result in differentiation of ecological niches. Due to high diversity and limited taxonomic expertise, soil food webs are often resolved using supraspecific taxa such as families, orders or even classes as functional units.

Here, we tested the trophic differentiation and consistency of supraspecific taxa across major lineages of temperate forest soil invertebrates: Annelida, Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea and Hexapoda. Published data on stable isotope compositions of carbon and nitrogen were used to infer basal resources and trophic level, and explore the relationship between taxonomic and trophic dissimilarity of local populations.

Genera and families had normal and unimodal distributions of isotopic niches, suggesting that supraspecific taxa are trophically consistent. The isotopic niche of local populations varied considerably resulting in large overlap of niches among species. Within the same genus, the effect of species identity on stable isotope composition of populations was not significant in 92% of cases. More than 50% of the variability in Δ15N values (trophic level) across lineages was explained by classes and orders, while the variability in Δ13C values (basal resources) was explained mostly by families and genera. The variability in stable isotope composition in Chelicerata and Hexapoda was explained by lower taxonomic ranks than in Myriapoda.

We compiled a comprehensive list of mean Δ13C and Δ15N values of invertebrate taxa from temperate forest soils allowing to refine soil food web models when measurements of trophic niches of local populations are not feasible. Supraspecific taxa are meaningful as trophic nodes in food web studies, but the consistency varies among taxa and the choice of taxonomic resolution depends on the research question; generally, identification of taxa should be more detailed in more diverse taxonomic groups.

Aplain language summaryis available for this article.
Higher fat stores contribute to persistence of little brown bat populations with white‐nose syndrome
Authors: Cheng Tina L. , Gerson Alexander , Moore Marianne S. , Reichard Jonathan D. , DeSimone Joely , Willis Craig K. R. , Frick Winifred F. , Kilpatrick Auston Marm
Published: February 2019

The persistence of populations declining from novel stressors depends, in part, on their ability to respond by trait change via evolution or plasticity. White‐nose syndrome (WNS) has caused rapid declines in several North America bat species by disrupting hibernation behaviour, leading to body fat depletion and starvation. However, some populations of Myotis lucifugus now persist with WNS by unknown mechanisms.

We examined whether persistence of M. lucifigus with WNS could be explained by increased body fat in early winter, which would allow bats to tolerate the increased energetic costs associated with WNS. We also investigated whether bats were escaping infection or resistant to infection as an alternative mechanism explaining persistence.

We measured body fat in early and late winter during initial WNS invasion and 8 years later at six sites where bats are now persisting. We also measured infection prevalence and intensity in persisting populations.

Infection prevalence was not significantly lower than observed in declining populations. However, at two sites, infection loads were lower than observed in declining populations. Body fat in early winter was significantly higher in four of the six persisting populations than during WNS invasion.

Physiological models of energy use indicated that these higher fat stores could reduce WNS mortality by 58%–70%. These results suggest that differences in fat storage and infection dynamics have reduced the impacts of WNS in many populations. Increases in body fat provide a potential mechanism for management intervention to help conserve bat populations.
Assessing voice health using smartphones: bias and random error of acoustic voice parameters captured by different smartphone types
Authors: Jannetts Stephen , Schaeffler Felix , Beck Janet , Cowen Steve
Published: February 2019

Background

Occupational voice problems constitute a serious public health issue with substantial financial and human consequences for society. Modern mobile technologies such as smartphones have the potential to enhance approaches to prevention and management of voice problems. This paper addresses an important aspect of smartphone‐assisted voice care: the reliability of smartphone‐based acoustic analysis for voice health state monitoring.

Aim

To assess the reliability of acoustic parameter extraction for a range of commonly used smartphones by comparison with studio recording equipment.

Methods & Procedures

Twenty‐two vocally healthy speakers (12 female, 10 male) were recorded producing sustained vowels and connected speech under studio conditions using a high‐quality studio microphone and an array of smartphones. For both types of utterance, Bland–Altman analysis was used to assess overall reliability for mean F0, cepstral peak prominence (CPPS), Jitter (RAP) and Shimmer %.

Outcomes & Results

Analysis of the systematic and random error indicated significant bias for CPPS across both sustained vowels and passage reading. Analysis of the random error of the devices indicated that that mean F0 and CPPS showed acceptable random error size, while jitter and shimmer random error was judged as problematic.

Conclusions & Implications

Confidence in the feasibility of smartphone‐based voice assessment is increased by the experimental finding of high levels of reliability for some clinically relevant acoustic parameters, while the use of other parameters is discouraged. We also challenge the practice of using statistical tests (e.g., t‐tests) for measurement reliability assessment.