bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thiamine pyrophosphate riboswitches inBacteroidesspecies regulate transcription or translation of thiamine transport and biosynthesis genes
Authors: Costliow Zachary A. , Degnan Patrick H. , Vanderpool Carin K. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThiamine (vitamin B1) and its phosphorylated precursors are necessary for decarboxylation reactions required in carbohydrate and branched chain amino acid metabolism. Due to its critical roles in central metabolism, thiamine is essential for human and animal hosts and their resident gut microbes. However, little is known about how thiamine availability shapes the composition of gut microbial communities and the physiology of individual species within those communities. Our previous work has implicated both thiamine biosynthesis and transport activities in the fitness ofBacteroidesspecies. To better understand thiamine-dependent gene regulation inBacteroides, we examined thiamine biosynthesis and transport genes in three representative species:Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides uniformis, andBacteroides vulgatus. All three species possess thiamine biosynthetic operons controlled by highly conservedcis-acting thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) riboswitches.B. thetaiotaomicronandB. uniformishave additional TPP riboswitch-controlled operons encoding thiamine transport functions. Transcriptome analyses showed that eachBacteroidesspecies had a distinct transcriptional response to exogenous thiamine. Analysis of transcript levels and translational fusions demonstrated that inB. thetaiotaomicron, the TPP riboswitch upstream of biosynthesis genes acts at the level of transcription, while TPP riboswitches upstream of transport operons work at the level of translation. InB. uniformisandB. vulgatus, TPP riboswitches work at the transcriptional level to control downstream operons. The varying responses to exogenous thiamine and use of varied regulatory mechanisms may play an important role in niche establishment by the Bacteroidetes in the complex and constantly shifting gut environment.ImportanceBacteroidesspecies are important and abundant members of human gut microbiome communities. Their activities in the gut are influenced by constant changes in nutrient availability. In this study, we investigated the genetic basis of thiamine (Vitamin B1) uptake and biosynthesis in three representativeBacteroidesspecies. We found species-specific differences in the response to exogenous thiamine, and distinct mechanisms for regulation of uptake and biosynthesis gene expression. Our work implies that gutBacteroideshave evolved distinct strategies for making or acquiring an essential nutrient. These mechanisms may play an important role in the success ofBacteroidesin establishing a niche within complex gut microbiome communities.
Overcoming barriers for building energy efficiency retrofits: insights from hotel retrofits in Sri Lanka
Authors: Fasna M.F.F. , Gunatilake Sachie 
Published: December 2019

Purpose
Despite the pressures around the world to retrofit existing buildings to have higher energy performance, still the level of adoption and implementation of Building Energy Efficiency Retrofits (BEER) appear comparatively low. The purpose of this paper is to explore the barriers that affect the successful implementation of BEER in actual project level executions and identify strategies to overcome such barriers.

Design/methodology/approach
In total, two case studies were conducted in selected hotel buildings to explore the barriers that hamper the adoption and implementation of BEER in the local context and in turn identify the strategies to overcome them. Altogether 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted with respondents involved in different phases of these BEER projects. The data were analysed using code-based content analysis.

Findings
Altogether 38 barriers were identified under the three main project phases. Furthermore, the study revealed 77 strategies to overcome the identified barriers, classified as individual, organisational and national level strategies.

Originality/value
This paper has made a unique contribution to the field by identifying the barriers in each phase of BEER projects and proposing strategies to be taken at different levels to overcome them. The findings of this study will provide a basis for setting up country-wide and organisation-wide strategies for successfully improving the energy efficiency of existing hotel buildings.
Investment apportionments among participants of PPP rental retirement villages
Authors: Liu Shijing , Jin Hongyu , Liu Chunlu , Xie Benzheng , Mills Anthony 
Published: December 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine public–private partnership (PPP) approaches for the construction of rental retirement villages in Australia and to allocate the investment proportions under a certain project return rate among three investors which are the government, private sectors and pension funds. The apportionment will achieve a minimum overall investment risk for the project.

Design/methodology/approach
Capital structure, particularly determination of investment apportionment proportions, is one of the key factors affecting the success of PPP rental retirement villages. Markowitz mean-variance model was applied to examine the investment allocations with minimum project investment risks under a certain projected return rate among the PPP partners for the construction of rental retirement villages.

Findings
The research findings validate the feasibility of the inclusion of pension funds in the construction of PPP rental retirement villages and demonstrate the existence of relationships between the project return rate and the investment allocation proportions.

Originality/value
This paper provides a quantitative approach for determination of the investment proportions among PPP partners to enrich the theory of PPP in relation to the construction of rental retirement villages. This has implications for PPP partners and can help these stakeholders make vital contributions in developing intellectual wealth in the PPP investment area while providing them with a detailed guide to decision making and negotiation in relation to investment in PPP rental retirement villages.
An integrated approach of Lean-Green construction: Sri Lankan perspective
Authors: Pandithawatta T.P.W.S.I. , Zainudeen N. , Perera C.S.R. 
Published: December 2019

PurposeConstruction industry hesitates to associate Green concepts on building projects mainly due to its high initial investment cost. Even if it is economical in the long run, often the benefits are suppressed with the costs generated through non-value-adding activities in the construction process. Lean construction principles have proved to eliminate such waste while enhancing the construction process. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of the integration of Lean and Green concepts in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThe fundamental principles of both Lean and Green construction were evaluated through an extensive literature survey. A qualitative approach was adopted, and thus, based on the literature findings, expert interviews were conducted with professionals having experience in both Green and Lean concepts. Furthermore, the findings were validated through experts to analyse the adaptability of the integration. Content analysis technique was utilised with NVivo software programme to analyse the findings.FindingsThe integration of the Green concept was found to alter the traditional application of Lean concept, considering the social and environmental aspects without limiting to economic considerations. The study revealed that the perception of the Sri Lankan stakeholders towards the application of integrated Lean-Green concept is focussed on a positive direction. As a result, the identified enablers to implementing the integrated concept supersede the barriers by confirming the appropriateness of the application in the local construction industry.Originality/valueA framework was developed through the findings to guide the implementation of integrated Lean-Green application in Sri Lankan context.
Manpasand Beverages Ltd: Agile Capabilities for Sustained Growth
Authors: Banerjee Arindam 
Published: December 2019

The case tells the story of a first generation entrepreneur, Dhirendra Singh, and his struggle for 15 years to establish a mango pulp based beverage marketing company without any external support and funding. The case highlights the travails that Dhirendra goes through in marketing an undifferentiated product, a mango drink. He survives, largely due to his grit and some lucky breaks, until an external funding agency notices him 15 years after he started his journey.With growth and stability (in 2017, it was the fourth largest packaged beverage in India) come new issues for the enterprise to grapple with. The case leaves the reader to reflect upon these challenges that the company encounters. Can the company overcome these hurdles and thrive? How, is the question that remains unanswered.
Reflections on women’s career responsibilities in neoliberally driven universities
Authors: Asirvatham Sheeba , Humphries-Kil Maria 
Published: December 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reflect on career aspirations and experiences explored with senior women organizational scholars employed in neoliberally driven public universities in Aotearoa (New Zealand) legally mandated to serve as a critic and conscience of society.Design/methodology/approachOver the 18 months period, three sequential research conversations were conducted with each of 12 participants known for their commitment to social justice and planetary well-being. The conversational approach allowed for spontaneous participant-lead development of ideas. Sequencing of conversations allowed for reflection on matters raised in previous conversations.FindingsVitality and creativity deemed essential to scholarly careers were reportedly under pressure. Career concepts in use indicate a protean commitment to self-direction but also recognized constraints of institutionally driven neoliberal output regimes. Detrimental impacts of neoliberal values permeating their employing institutions were offered spontaneously often in radical feminist terms but paradoxically given liberal feminist remedies.Research limitations/implicationsThe 12 diverse transcripts of participant conversations generated remarkable similarities that indicate the influence of career articulations on the social construction of reality. The implications of this interpretation invite further reflection on the consequences of normalization of career metaphors and their implication in the intensification of institutional control, the weakening of professional autonomy and the system preserving restriction of career-related responsibilities.Practical implicationsHighlighting constraints to creativity and vitality necessary for scholarly work can inform further research into professional influences on justice and environmental matters in and beyond the Academy.Social implicationsIn this paper a short review of Aotearoa (New Zealand) as in vanguard of neoliberal intensification globally, the implication of this doctrine in neoliberally driven universities and the impacts on career opportunities, degradations and responsibilities of scholars are explored.Originality/valueThe conversational research process contrasts with more tightly framed empirical research methods by generating spontaneous participant-led articulations of career-related dynamics explored and expanded over subsequent conversations.
Effects of family encouragement on migrant workers’ return-to-hometown intention and turnover
Authors: Li Guoliang , Fang Yanran , Song Yifan , Chen Jingqiu , Wang Mo 
Published: December 2019

PurposeGiven migrant workers’ critical role in the Chinese economy, the increasing number of migrant workers who leave their organizations and return to their hometown has caused severe socioeconomic issues in China. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to migrant worker literature by revealing the micro-mechanism underlying migrant workers’ return-to-hometown intention and turnover.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a convenience sample from seven Chinese companies that employed migrant workers (n=147). The authors used path analysis to test the hypotheses.FindingsMigrant workers’ family encouragement of returning to hometown was positively related to their return-to-hometown intention, which subsequently predicted their turnover decision in six months. Further, migrant workers’ perceived career sacrifice associated with returning to hometown weakened the effect of family encouragement to return.Practical implicationsFor organizations that need to retain migrant workers, the findings indicate that it is particularly important to take migrant workers’ family needs and their career-related concerns into account. For migrant workers, the study highlights the importance of assessing gains and losses in the process of making turnover-related decisions.Originality/valueThis study contributes to migrant worker literature by investigating psychological processes underlying migrant workers return-to-hometown intention and the subsequent turnover from a micro perspective.
The diversification benefit of Islamic investment to Chinese conventional equity investors
Authors: Saiti Buerhan , Ma Yusuf , Nagayev Ruslan , Yumusak İbrahim Güran 
Published: December 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which Chinese equity investors can benefit from diversifying their portfolio into Shariah-compliant (Islamic) indices. It examines three Islamic stock indices (FTSE Shariah China price index, MSCI China Islamic IMI price index and the DJ Islamic Greater China price index) and ten sectoral indices in Shanghai Stock Exchange as a sample.

Design/methodology/approach
The multivariate GARCH dynamic conditional correlations (MGARCH-DCC) is deployed to estimate the time-varying linkages of returns of the selected indices, covering approximately eight years daily data starting from 28 August 2009 to 29 September 2017.

Findings
In general, in terms of volatility, the results indicate that all Islamic Indices are less volatile than the conventional indices. From the correlation analysis, the results imply that Chinese conventional equity investors would benefit from Islamic stock indices, especially when they include DJ Islamic Greater China in their portfolio.

Originality/value
The findings of this paper may have several significant implications for the Chinese equity investors and fund managers for better understanding about co-movements of the Chinese conventional sectoral indices with the Shariah-compliant stock indices with the purpose of gaining higher risk-adjusted returns through portfolio diversification.
A comparative analysis of contemporary 155 mm artillery projectiles
Authors: Brady Matilda R. , Goethals Paul 
Published: December 2019

Purpose
To recover the growing deficit between American and near-peer mobile artillery ranges, the US Army is exploring the use of the M982 Excalibur munition, a family of long-range precision projectiles. This paper aims to analyze the effectiveness of the M982 in comparison to the M795 and M549A1 projectiles to further the understanding of what this new asset contributes.

Design/methodology/approach
Based upon doctrinal scenarios for target destruction, a statistical analysis is performed using Monte Carlo simulation to identify a likely probability of kill ratio for the M982. A values-based hierarchical modeling approach is then used to differentiate the M982 from similar-type projectiles quantitatively in terms of several different attributes. Finally, sensitivity analyzes are presented for each of the value attributes, to identify areas where measures may lack robustness in precision.

Findings
Based upon a set of seven value measures, such as maximum range, effective range, the expected number of rounds to destroy a target, and the unit cost of a munition, the M982 1a-2 was found to be best suited for engaging point and small area targets. It is noted, however, that the M795 and M549A1 projectiles are likely better munition options for large area targets. Hence, an integrated targeting plan may best optimize the force’s weapon systems against a near-peer adversary.

Originality/value
The findings provide initial evidence that doctrinal adjustments in how the Army uses its artillery systems may be beneficial in facing near-peer adversaries. In addition, the values-based modeling approach offered in this research provides a framework for which similar technological advances may be examined.
The effect of knowledge management, e-learning systems and organizational learning on organizational intelligence
Authors: Soltani Zeynab , Zareie Batool , Rajabiun Leila , Agha Mohseni Fashami Ali 
Published: December 2019

Purpose
Nowadays, organizations are facing fast markets’ changing, competition strategies, technological innovations and accessibility of information. In such highly dynamic situations, many factors must be coordinated to realize effective decision-making. In addition, the definition of organizational intelligence is as follows: intellectual ability to answer organizational issues and focus on the unification of human and mechanical abilities for solving problems. This paper aims to investigate important factors (organizational learning, knowledge management and e-learning systems) that influence organizational intelligence.

Design/methodology/approach
Data have been collected from 290 personnel of tax administration of East Azarbaijan, Iran. For measuring the model’s elements, a questionnaire has been proposed. Surveys have been reviewed by experts with significant experiences in the organizational intelligence field. For statistical analysis of questionnaires, the statistical package social sciences 25 and SMART-partial least squares 0.3 have been used.

Findings
Findings from the study verify the validity of the design for an organizational intelligence assessment. The outcomes indicate that e-learning systems positively affected organizational intelligence. In addition, they show that the influence of knowledge management and organizational learning on organizational intelligence is important.

Originality/value
Organizational intelligence’s multidimensional nature makes it a very useful and essential management tool. Therefore, it provides beneficial results for the organizations’ managers to study the important factors affecting it.
Novel environmentally friendly tannin-cyclohexanone formaldehyde resin for high performance applications
Authors: Kızılcan Nilgun , Sert Selda 
Published: December 2019

Purpose
Cyclohexanone-formaldehyde resin (CFR) was in situ modified with tannin (T) in the presence of sodium hydroxide. The purpose of this study is to produce eco-friendly tannin-modified cyclohexanone resins (TCFR) with a one-step method that has higher decomposition temperature than CFR. The solubility, molecular weight and thermal properties of the product were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach
Cyclohexanone, formalin (37 per cent aqueous solution) and tannin were mixed and 20 per cent aqueous NaOH solution was added to produce the resin. Tannin has environmentally friendly bio-based phenolic compounds that the tannin structure has been incorporated into the structure of the cyclohexanone formaldehyde resin during the in situ modification of resin, such as resole resin.

Findings
The improvement of the properties of the TCFRs produced from condensed tannin. TCFRs were soluble in common organic solvents. The product TCFR has a dark red colour.

Research limitations/implications
The reaction mixture must be stirred continuously. Subsequently, 37 per cent formalin was added drop-wise in total while refluxing. The amount of aqueous NaOH solution of it is limited, as the formed resin may become insoluble in common organic solvents. At the end of the reaction, a water-soluble resin is obtained. Then, the water of water phase was removed from TCFR reaction system, successively by evaporating with rotary evaporator.

Practical implications
This study provides the application of ketonic resins. The TCFR containing tannin groups may also promote the adhesive strength of a coating.

Social implications
These resins may be used for the preparation of adhesive. Condensed tannin, with a large amount of Catechol groups was considered for reducing the formaldehyde emission level on the adhesive system.

Originality/value
TCFR has been synthesised in the presence of a base catalyst. Environmental and ecological concerns have increased the attention paid by chemical industry to renewable raw materials.
Interspecific differences and ecological correlations of energy metabolism traits in freshwater fishes
Authors: Pang Xu , Shao Feng , Ding Shi‐Huan , Fu Shi‐Jian , Zhang Yao‐Guang 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Metabolic energy fuels all biological processes, and thus, energy metabolism is vitally important for organisms. It has been suggested that interspecific variation in physiological functions is associated with the energetic metabolism of organisms, which varies considerably due to selection, adaptation and evolution.

Thus, the present study aimed to clarify the relationship between the interspecific diversification of maintenance energy expenditure and two forms of anaerobic capacity (in terms of exercise and hypoxia tolerance) in freshwater fishes. Moreover, in the context of environmental adaptation, we hypothesized that selection for increased locomotor performance in species with a fast‐flow lifestyle favours a high aerobic and anaerobic capacity and, consequently, a high maintenance metabolism, whereas selection for strong hypoxia tolerance in species with a slow‐flow lifestyle favours a reduced maintenance metabolism and a reduced aerobic capacity.

We examined these topics among 30 species of freshwater fish with different lifestyles based on the flow regimes of their habitats (fast, intermediate and slow flow). The resting metabolic rate of each species was measured, and then, the fish were subjected to two treatments: (a) exercise to exhaustion, after which we measured the maximum metabolic rate, excess post‐exercise oxygen consumption and metabolic recovery rate; and (b) hypoxia to the point of loss of equilibrium (LOE), after which we measured the metabolic response to recovery from hypoxia, including the peak metabolic rate (PMRh) and the excess post‐hypoxia oxygen consumption (EPOCh).

We found that the resting metabolic rate was positively correlated with both the aerobic and anaerobic capacity of the fishes and that species from fast‐flow habitats have higher aerobic and anaerobic capacity with concomitantly increased resting metabolism. However, neither EPOCh nor LOE was correlated with resting metabolic rate.

In summary, we suggest that selection for increased aerobic and anaerobic capacity to facilitate the demands of exercise has occurred in fast‐flow species, that selection for hypoxia tolerance may have favoured a reduction in this capacity in intermediate and slow‐flow species, and that specialized adaptations (such as flexibility in gill morphology and altered metabolic pathways) play important roles in hypoxia tolerance in some species.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.