bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Constructing an ethanol utilization pathway inEscherichia colito produce acetyl-CoA derived compounds
Authors: Liang Hong , Ma Xiaoqiang , Ning Wenbo , Liu Yurou , Sinskey Anthony J. , Stephanopoulos Gregory , Zhou Kang 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEngineering microbes to utilize non-conventional substrates could create short and efficient pathways to convert substrate into product. In this study, we designed and constructed a two-step heterologous ethanol utilization pathway (EUP) inEscherichia coliby using acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (encoded byada) fromDickeya zeaeand alcohol dehydrogenase (encoded byadh2) fromSaccharomyces cerevisiae. This EUP can convert ethanol into acetyl-CoA without ATP consumption, and generate two molecules of NADH per molecule of ethanol. We optimized the expression of these two genes and found that ethanol consumption could be improved by expressing them in a specific order (ada-adh2) with a constitutive promoter (PgyrA). The engineeredE. colistrain with EUP consumed approximately 8 g/L of ethanol in 96 hours when it was used as sole carbon source. Subsequently, we combined EUP with the biosynthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable polymer derived from acetyl-CoA. The engineeredE. colistrain carrying EUP and PHB biosynthetic pathway produced 1.1 g/L of PHB from 10 g/L of ethanol and 1 g/L of aspartate family amino acids in 96 hours. We also engineeredE. colistrain to produced 24 mg/L of prenol from 10 g/L of ethanol in 48 hours, supporting the feasibility of converting ethanol into different classes of acetyl-CoA derived compounds.HighlightsEngineeredEscherichia colistrains to grow on ethanol as sole carbon sourceDemonstrated that ethanol was converted into acetyl-CoA (AcCoA) through two pathways (acetaldehyde-acetate-AcCoA and acetaldehyde-AcCoA)Converted ethanol into two acetyl-CoA derived products with low structural similarity (polyhydroxybutyrate and prenol)Discovered that supplementation of the aspartate family amino acids can substantially improve cell growth on ethanol
Butyrate producing Clostridiales utilize distinct human milk oligosaccharides correlating to early colonization and prevalence in the human gut
Authors: Pichler Michael Jakob , Yamada Chihaya , Shuoker Bashar , Alvarez-Silva Maria Camila , Gotoh Aina , Leth Maria Louise , Schoof Erwin , Katoh Toshihiko , Sakanaka Mikiyasu , Katayama Takane , Jin Chunsheng , Karlsson Niclas G. , Arumugam Manimozhiyan , Fushinobu Shinya , Hachem Maher Abou 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe early life human gut microbiota exerts life-long health effects on the host, but the mechanisms underpinning its assembly remain elusive. Particularly, the early colonization of Clostridiales from theRoseburia-Eubacteriumgroup, associated with protection from colorectal cancer, immune- and metabolic disorders is enigmatic. Here we unveil the growth ofRoseburiaandEubacteriummembers on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) using an unprecedented catabolic apparatus. The described HMO pathways and additional glycan utilization loci confer co-growth withAkkermansia muciniphiliavia cross-feeding and access to mucinO-glycans. Strikingly, both, HMO and xylooligosaccharide pathways, were active simultaneously attesting an adaptation to a mixed HMO-solid food diet. Analyses of 4599Roseburiagenomes underscored the preponderance of HMO pathways and highlighted different HMO utilization phylotypes. Our revelations provide a possible rationale for the early establishment and resilience of butyrate producing Clostridiales and expand the role of specific HMOs in the assembly of the early life microbiota.
Capital structure dynamics: China and India (Chindia) perspective
Authors: Bajaj Yukti , Kashiramka Smita , Singh Shveta 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamics of capital structure for businesses in China and India. Whether and how they adjust their capital structures to witness the trade-off behaviour in the light of different macro-level factors.

Design/methodology/approach
Firms listed on the National Stock Exchange and Shanghai Stock Exchange over the period of 2009-2018 are used for the study. System generalized method of moments proposed by Blundell and Bond (1998) is deployed due to the use of dynamic short panel data.

Findings
Indian firms revert to their target leverage ratios at a higher rate as compared to Chinese firms (30 and 20 per cent, respectively). Further, the inflation rate, bond market and stock market development are significant factors impacting leverage in the case of India, whereas bond market development significantly impacts leverage in the case of China. These results are robust across various definitions of leverage and other firm and institutional control variables.

Research limitations/implications
This study has implications for various stakeholders. The study highlights that development in financial markets and economy impact the financing decisions and should be a cause for concern for the financial managers and policymakers. Thus, managers can use the findings of the study if they desire to maintain their target capital structures for better firm valuation and the policymakers can support them in achieving the same. Even, the investors can make informed investment decisions considering macro-level factors impacting firms’ financing choices.

Originality/value
It is believed to be the first piece of research effort to consider the novel paradigm of the macro-level factors impacting the target leverage to estimate the adjustment speed. Secondly, it is a pioneering study, which attempts to compare the trade-off behaviour of the top two emerging economies of the world.
It’s not all about price. The determinants of occupancy rates in peer-to-peer accommodation
Authors: Leoni Veronica , Figini Paolo , Nilsson Jan Olof William 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to identify the key drivers of occupancy rates in peer-to-peer accommodation.

Design/methodology/approach
The applied methodology fits the specific characteristics of this market segment: the peculiar distribution of the occupancy rate (a ratio characterised by a large share of zeros) requires the adoption of a mixed discrete-continuous model; the insidious issue of price endogeneity is dealt with a control function approach; the econometric specification takes into account the monopolistic competition, the relevant market regime in the hospitality industry. The model is tested on Airbnb listings in the Balearic Islands (Spain).

Findings
The occupancy rate of peer-to-peer properties in the Balearic Islands strongly depends on their geographical location and online reputation. There is a qualitative difference between two groups: listings with positive occupancy rates, which demand tends to be inelastic, and listings with zero occupancy. The authors found that the price is a not a statistically significant determinant of the latter group membership.

Originality/value
This paper applies a zero-inflated beta model, never used in previous analyses of occupancy rates, to provide a benchmark for future studies. This procedure allows the estimation of unbiased marginal effects. It, thus, offers important technical and managerial implications, as a wrong understanding of how occupancy depends on price would deliver ineffective managerial decisions. This paper highlights the importance of methodological choices, as coefficients are highly sensitive to misspecifications of the model.
Fuel the service fire
Authors: Wu Long-Zeng , Ye Yijiao , Cheng Xuan-Mei , Kwan Ho Kwong , Lyu Yijing 
Published: April 2020

PurposeDrawing from self-determination theory, this study aims to examine the effect of leader humor on frontline hospitality employees’ service performance and proactive customer service performance (PCSP) via harmonious passion (HP) for work with employee neuroticism as the moderating mechanism.Design/methodology/approachThis study controlled for the nested effect and tested all the hypotheses with Mplus 7.0 using a time-lagged three-wave survey of 232 Chinese supervisor–subordinate dyads.FindingsThe results indicated that leader humor promotes frontline hospitality employees’ service performance and PCSP by enhancing their HP. Furthermore, neuroticism was shown to strengthen the direct impact of leader humor on employee HP and its indirect impact on employee service performance and employee PCSP through HP.Originality/valueFirst, this research contributes to the leader humor literature through exploring its impact on the service performance and PCSP of frontline hospitality employees. Second, this research develops a new framework to explain the leader humor-employee service outcomes relationship using self-determination theory. Finally, the focus on the moderating role of neuroticism helps to explain the “when” question of leader humor.
Consequences of corporate sustainability reporting: evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Swarnapali RMNC 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discover whether corporate sustainability disclosure has a potential impact on the market value and earnings quality of firms in an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected from 220 companies listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in Sri Lanka during the period 2012-2016. Firm value proxies by Tobin’s Q, while earnings quality proxies by discretionary accruals (DAC). The study is premised on value-enhancing theory for firm value and transparent financial reporting perspective for earnings quality. Regression analyses are executed on the panel data to achieve the study objectives.

Findings
The results reveal a positive relationship between sustainability reporting (SR) and firm market value, accepting the value-enhancing theory while rejecting the value-destroying theory. This finding suggests that investors pay a premium in the financial markets for firms that perform in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, compared to firms that do not perform in a similar manner. In the same vein, the results reveal that sustainability disclosure and DAC are negatively and significantly associated, resulting in high-quality earnings. The result is consistent with the transparent financial reporting hypothesis, which is also in line with the managers’ integrity motivation.

Originality/value
This is the first study investigating the consequences of SR that is specific to the Sri Lankan context. Owing to the sparse studies on consequences of SR, this study contributes significantly to the extant literature by broadening the geographical coverage to include a developing country setting.
Wine consumers in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Lembke Svan , Cartier Lee 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to redirect wine producer marketing strategies in British Columbia (BC) to better market their wine to the next generation of local consumers and compete against foreign imports.

Design/methodology/approach
This study was conducted using representative data collected from BC wine consumers through a survey of 500 participants and subsequent focus groups to better understand and interpret the findings.

Findings
The findings confirm that the growth of wine sales in BC is driven by the Millennial generation. This generation shows some different wine purchasing and consumption behaviours than previous generations. BC wine producers compete against foreign imports by using their direct-to-consumer sales channel (s) and could also use their superior understanding for the next generation of wine consumers to better sell their local wines across multiple channels.

Practical implications
To onboard the next generation of Millennial consumers to BC wines, BC wine producers are advised to use the tasting room environment to learn more about their local consumers and also sell via other channels. Some gaps in consumer needs across generations are identified and BC producers are advised to further target this new consumer and meet the needs of the local Millennials better than the competition.

Originality/value
The study is unique in its location. BC wine producers have often used US research or anecdotal data from their own tasting rooms to inform marketing decisions. The researchers argue that this carries significant risk, especially as the next generation of BC wine consumers displays different purchasing behaviours than those reported in US research.
Parametric review of food supply chain performance implications under different aspects
Authors: Sharma Janpriy , Tyagi Mohit , Bhardwaj Arvind 
Published: April 2020

PurposePresented work gives comparative review of food supply chain (FSC) under various notions related to its conceptualisation, operationality and technological advancements in lieu with Industry 4.0 revolution. In Indian scenario, the impression of FSC seems in a scattered way that cannot be directly useful for an organisation, to overcome this scattering, a framework has been developed to consolidate the previous research works and exploration of new trends in food supply chain management (FSCM) in context to Indian scenario.Design/methodology/approachThis article encapsulates the essence of various research articles and reports retrieved from databases of Emerald and Elsevier's Science direct, clustering the various notions related to FSC in Indian context. To visualise the one-sight view of related works, a pictorial representations have also been appended.FindingsThis article explains the general aspect of FSC and its linkage in context to Indian system. Presented work outlays both empirical and theoretical approaches trending from last 15 years. As research count in context to Indian FSC is lacking, so this work will be a road map for expedition in direction of FSCM, in era of research.Practical implicationsFindings and suggestion in this work can expanded in various industries related to food, helping to turn their fortune and enrichment of Indian FSC.Social implicationsFood is binding word for all the commodities, and its effective supply chain management is a big boon for economy of country along with large employment generation for people directly/indirectly associated with this industry. This article covers a generalise approach from ground level framework to a level of advancement which fulfil technological aspects, future needs and upcoming trends in lieu to need of developing nation.Originality/valueAs limited research is done in Indian FSCM, this work to bridge this gap along with a well-defined framework which going to explore FSC. This work is going to be facilitation for researchers of this area as no major review for Indian context has not been published.
Reverse genetics system for human rotaviruses
Authors: Komoto Satoshi , Fukuda Saori , Murata Takayuki , Taniguchi Koki 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA reverse genetics technology is an incredibly useful technique both for a proper understanding of different aspects of virus biology and for the generation of complementary DNA (cDNA)‐derived infectious viruses, which can act as safe and effective vaccines and viral vectors. Rotaviruses (RVAs), especially human RVAs (HuRVAs), had been very refractory to this technology until very recently. Here, we describe the historical background of the development of a long‐awaited HuRVA reverse genetics system, culminating in the generation of replicative HuRVAs entirely from cloned cDNAs.
Perilipin LDP1 coordinates lipid droplets formation and utilization for appressorium‐mediated infection in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Cai Xuan , Yan Jingjing , Liu Caiyun , Xing Junjie , Ren Zhiyong , Hendy Ahmed , Zheng Lu , Huang Junbin , Chen Xiao‐Lin 
Published: April 2020

SummaryLipid droplets (LDs) serve as one of the major reservoirs in conidia of Magnaporthe oryzae and are quickly utilized during appressorium formation. Here, we identified a gene, LDP1, encoding a perilipin that is important for LD formation and utilization during appressorium maturation. LDP1 is highly expressed in conidium and immature appressorium. Disruption mutants of LDP1 were significantly reduced in virulence, due to appressorial turgor reduction and difficulty in penetration. LDs were significantly reduced in the Δldp1 mutant, indicating LDP1 was required for LDs formation. LDP1 was colocalized with the LDs in conidium and immature appressorium but was gradually separated during appressorium maturation. A typical intracellular triacylglycerol lipase, TGL1‐2, was clearly separated with LDs in conidium and immature appressorium but was well colocalized with LDs during appressorium maturation. The subcellular localization of TGL1‐2 was affected by LDP1. These data suggested that LDP1 was bound to LDs for protecting from utilization in conidia and at the early appressorium stage but was separated from LDs for lipase entering and degradation. LDP1 was phosphorylated by CPKA at Thr96, which was essential for its localization and functions. These data indicate perilipin LDP1 can coordinate LD formation and utilization for appressorium‐mediated infection of M. oryzae.
The novel and transferable erm(51) gene confers macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramins B (MLSB) resistance to clonal Rhodococcus equi in the environment
Authors: Huber Laura , Giguère Steeve , Slovis Nathan M. , Álvarez‐Narváez Sonsiray , Hart Kelsey A. , Greiter Maggie , Morris Ellen Ruth A. , Cohen Noah D. 
Published: April 2020

SummaryThe use of mass antimicrobial treatment has been linked to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in human and animal pathogens. Using whole‐genome single‐molecule real‐time (SMRT) sequencing, we characterized genomic variability of multidrug‐resistant Rhodococcus equi isolated from soil samples from 100 farms endemic for R. equi infections in Kentucky. We discovered the novel erm(51)‐encoding resistance to MLSB in R. equi isolates from soil of horse‐breeding farms. Erm(51) is inserted in a transposon (TnErm51) that is associated with a putative conjugative plasmid (pRErm51), a mobilizable plasmid (pMobErm51), or both enabling horizontal gene transfer to susceptible organisms and conferring high levels of resistance against MLSB in vitro. This new resistant genotype also carries a previously unidentified rpoB mutation conferring resistance to rifampicin. Isolates carrying both vapA and erm(51) were rarely found, indicating either a recent acquisition of erm(51) and/or impaired survival when isolates carry both genes. Isolates carrying erm(51) are closely related genetically and were likely selected by antimicrobial exposure in the environment.
Vacuolar H+‐ATPase is involved in preventing heavy metal‐induced oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Techo Todsapol , Jindarungrueng Supat , Tatip Supinda , Limcharoensuk Tossapol , Pokethitiyook Prayad , Kruatrachue Maleeya , Auesukaree Choowong 
Published: April 2020

SummaryIn Saccharomyces cerevisiae, vacuolar H+‐ATPase (V‐ATPase) involved in the regulation of intracellular pH homeostasis has been shown to be important for tolerances to cadmium, cobalt and nickel. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the protective role of V‐ATPase against these metals remains unclear. In this study, we show that cadmium, cobalt and nickel disturbed intracellular pH balance by triggering cytosolic acidification and vacuolar alkalinization, likely via their membrane permeabilizing effects. Since V‐ATPase plays a crucial role in pumping excessive cytosolic protons into the vacuole, the metal‐sensitive phenotypes of the Δvma2 and Δvma3 mutants lacking V‐ATPase activity were supposed to result from highly acidified cytosol. However, we found that the metal‐sensitive phenotypes of these mutants were caused by increased production of reactive oxygen species, likely as a result of decreased expression and activities of manganese superoxide dismutase and catalase. In addition, the loss of V‐ATPase function led to aberrant vacuolar morphology and defective endocytic trafficking. Furthermore, the sensitivities of the Δvma mutants to other chemical compounds (i.e. acetic acid, H2O2, menadione, tunicamycin and cycloheximide) were a consequence of increased endogenous oxidative stress. These findings, therefore, suggest the important role of V‐ATPase in preventing endogenous oxidative stress induced by metals and other chemical compounds.
Microbial community development on model particles in the deep sulfidic waters of the Black Sea
Authors: Suominen Saara , Doorenspleet Karlijn , Sinninghe Damsté Jaap S. , Villanueva Laura 
Published: April 2020

SummaryMicroorganisms attached to particles have been shown to be different from free‐living microbes and to display diverse metabolic activities. However, little is known about the ecotypes associated with particles and their substrate preference in anoxic marine waters. Here, we investigate the microbial community colonizing particles in the anoxic and sulfide‐rich waters of the Black Sea. We incubated beads coated with different substrates in situ at 1000 and 2000 m depth. After 6 h, the particle‐attached microbes were dominated by Gamma‐ and Alpha‐proteobacteria, and groups related to the phyla Latescibacteria, Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes and Firmicutes, with substantial variation across the bead types, indicating that the attaching communities were selected by the substrate. Further laboratory incubations for 7 days suggested the presence of a community of highly specialized taxa. After incubation for 35 days, the microbial composition across all beads and depths was similar and primarily composed of putative sulfur cycling microbes. In addition to the major shared microbial groups, subdominant taxa on chitin and protein‐coated beads were detected pointing to specialized microbial degraders. These results highlight the role of particles as sites for attachment and biofilm formation, while the composition of organic matter defined a secondary part of the microbial community.
The Effect of Credit Ratings on Disclosure: Evidence from the Recalibration of Moody's Municipal Ratings
Authors: GILLETTE JACQUELYN R. , SAMUELS DELPHINE , ZHOU FRANK S. 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThis paper examines how credit rating levels affect municipal debt issuers’ disclosure decisions. Using exogenous upgrades in credit rating levels caused by the recalibration of Moody's municipal ratings scale in 2010, we find that upgraded municipalities significantly reduce their disclosure of required continuing financial information, relative to unaffected municipalities. Consistent with a reduction in debtholders’ demand for information driving these results, the reduction in disclosure is greater when municipal bonds are held by investors who relied more on disclosure ex ante. However, we also find that the reduction in disclosure does not manifest when issuers are monitored by underwriters with greater issuer‐specific expertise and when issuers are subject to direct regulatory enforcement through the receipt of federal funding. Overall, our results suggest that higher credit rating levels lower investor demand for disclosure in the municipal market, and highlight the role of underwriters and direct regulatory enforcement in maintaining disclosure levels when investor demand is low.