bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The KSHV ORF20 Protein Interacts With The Viral Processivity Factor ORF59 And Promote Viral Reactivation
Authors: Hoffman D. , Rodriguez W. , Macveigh-Fierro D. , Miles J. , Muller M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractUpon KSHV lytic reactivation, rapid and widespread amplification of viral DNA (vDNA) triggers significant nuclear reorganization. As part of this striking shift in nuclear architecture, viral replication compartments are formed as sites of lytic vDNA production along with remarkable spatial remodeling and relocalization of cellular and viral proteins. These viral replication compartments house several lytic gene products that coordinate viral gene expression, vDNA replication, and nucleocapsid assembly. The viral proteins and mechanisms that regulate this overhaul of the nuclear landscape during KSHV replication remain largely unknown. KSHV’s ORF20 is a widely conserved lytic gene among all herpesviruses suggesting it may have a fundamental contribution to the progression of herpesviral infection. Here, we utilized a promiscuous biotin ligase proximity labeling method to identify the proximal interactome of ORF20, which includes several replication-associated viral proteins, one of which is ORF59, the KSHV DNA processivity factor. Using co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays, we confirmed the interaction between ORF20 and ORF59 and tracked the localization of both proteins to KSHV replication compartments. To further characterize the function of ORF20, we generated an ORF20-deficient KSHV and compared its replicative fitness relative to wild type virus. Virion production was significantly diminished in the ORF20-deficient virus as observed by supernatant transfer assays. Additionally, we tied this defect in viable virion formation to a reduction in viral late gene expression. Lastly, we observed an overall reduction in vDNA replication in the ORF20-deficient virus implying a key role for ORF20 in the regulation of lytic replication. Taken together, these results capture the essential role of KSHV ORF20 in progressing viral lytic infection by regulating vDNA replication alongside other crucial lytic proteins within KSHV replication compartments.
THAP9 transposase cleaves DNA via conserved acidic residues in an RNaseH-like domain
Authors: Sharma Vasudha , Thakore Prachi , Majumdar Sharmistha 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe catalytic domain of most ‘cut and paste’ DNA transposases have the canonical RNase-H fold which is also shared by other polynucleotidyl transferases like retroviral integrases and the RAG1 subunit of V(D)J recombinase. The RNase-H fold is a mixture of beta sheets and alpha helices with three acidic residues (Asp, Asp, Glu/Asp - DDE/D) that are involved in metal-mediated cleavage and subsequent integration of DNA. Human THAP9 (hTHAP9), homologous to the well-studied Drosophila P-element transposase (DmTNP), is an active DNA transposase that, although domesticated, still retains the catalytic activity to mobilize transposons. In this study we have modelled the structure of hTHAP9 using the recently available cryo-EM structure of DmTNP as a template to identify an RNase-H like fold along with important acidic residues in its catalytic domain. Site-directed mutagenesis of the predicted catalytic residues followed by screening for DNA excision and integration activity, led to the identification of candidate Ds and Es in the RNaseH fold that appear to constitute the catalytic triad of hTHAP9.Significance statementMany DNA transposases execute DNA excision via a catalytic domain, which has a canonical RNase-H fold. Despite the similar nature of the catalytic domain, these transposases exhibit mechanistically different strategies of transposition. We identify a potential RNase-H fold in hTHAP9 with a conserved DDE motif required for cutting DNA. Additionally, we have found a residue, which when mutated, leads to an increase in hTHAP9’s transposition activity. Such hyperactive transposase mutants can be exploited as tools in genome engineering and gene therapy. This study has helped widen our knowledge about the catalytic activity of a functionally uncharacterized transposon-derived gene in the human genome.
Organisational cultures and the evoked effects of leader ability on employee creativity
Authors: Ogbeibu Samuel , Senadjki Abdelhak , Gaskin James 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThis study seeks to investigate how leader ability and diverse organisational cultures (OC) act to influence employee creativity in manufacturing organisations. By leveraging the multifaceted nature of the competing values framework (CVF), this study examines the growing deterioration of employee creativity through the lens of four OC quadrants within the Nigerian manufacturing industry and further investigates how distinct OCs and leader ability can aid to bolster employee creativity. The CVF is a model used to assess organisational cultures, irrespective of their industry, for the overarching purpose of improving organisational performance.Design/methodology/approachThe target population consists of employees of research and development (R&D) and information technology (IT) in the headquarters of 21 manufacturing organisations. Our useable sample consisted of 439 responses from the Nigerian manufacturing industry.FindingsResults indicated that leader ability and adhocracy OC have positive effects on employee creativity. Market and clan OC have negative effects on employee creativity. Likewise, leader ability dampens the effects of adhocracy OC on employee creativity and reinforces the market OC effect on employee creativity.Originality/valueThis study provides novel insights that challenges several controversial and contemporary postulations of extant research which theorise the OC–employee creativity relationships. By leveraging the construct of leader ability, unique contributions are also made to provoke congruence.
Education in agricultural entrepreneurship: training needs and learning practices
Authors: Pliakoura Alexandra , Beligiannis Grigorios , Kontogeorgos Achilleas 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe purposes of this study are: first, to conceptualize entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education in agriculture; second, to highlight the role and necessity of entrepreneurship education in enhancing entrepreneurship; and third, to formulate relevant research proposals.Design/methodology/approachThe quantitative data were collected through a survey (structured questionnaire) distributed to 412 agricultural enterprises in the region of Aitoloakarnania in Greece. The responses were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods.FindingsThe findings of the study indicate that farmers/landowners have low levels of entrepreneurship education (only 30.6% have received relevant education) and thus have higher needs. The 50.2% of respondents declare that they are willing to pay in order to attend an entrepreneurship education program.Research limitations/implicationsExisting entrepreneurship education research is useful in delineating the body of knowledge of what, when and how farmers need it, giving policymakers and researchers the opportunity to evaluate and build on research findings.Originality/valueGiven the shortage of identified research data, particularly at national level, on the role of education in agricultural entrepreneurship, this study contributes significantly to this research field, as the recognition of educational needs that affect the effectiveness of “agri-business” appears to be a crucial event for the future of agricultural entrepreneurship.
Research on financing efficiency of China's strategic emerging industries based on super efficiency DEA and tobit model
Authors: Chen Xiangyuan , Wang Ying 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to explain the financing dilemma of China's strategic emerging industries and improve their financing efficiency, seize the commanding heights of economic science and technology to provide theoretical support.Design/methodology/approachThis paper selects the companies listed under strategic emerging industry during the period of 2010–2017 as the research object and used the data envelopment analysis method (DEA) to evaluate the financing efficiency of China's strategic emerging industries and selects the tobit analysis method to find out the factors affecting its financing efficiency.FindingsThe results show that the average financing efficiency of listed companies in strategic emerging industries between 2010 and 2017 is 0.7792, and the level of financing efficiency of strategic emerging industries is still at a low level. Among them, the bio-pharmaceutical industry and the energy-saving and environmental protection industry have the highest comprehensive level, and the high-end equipment manufacturing industry and the new energy industry have the lowest level of financing efficiency. Among the factors affecting the financing efficiency of strategic emerging industries, the asset-liability ratio, financial expenses and cash ratio and financing efficiency are negatively correlated, and the net asset income is positively correlated with the growth rate of the main business income.Originality/valueThis paper measures the financing efficiency of China's strategic emerging industries, then explores the influencing factors of the financing efficiency of strategic emerging industries and tries to provide important reference values for the improvement of the financing efficiency of China's strategic emerging industries at a practical level.
Association of performance with quality initiatives and quality awards: quality initiatives' effect
Authors: Upadhyaya Gururaj , Bhat K Subrahmanya 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this empirical study intends to explore the contingency effect of the adoption of some specific quality initiatives (QI), on the correlation of some performance measures (PMs) with the “interacting” QI and quality award (QA) models through the continuous improvement (CI) journey of Indian QA winners.Design/methodology/approachA survey questionnaire was administered to the Indian Quality Award winners. Data collected from a survey were followed by validity and reliability analyses of the instrument. Hypotheses were tested using Spearman's correlation test and Fisher's Z-test.FindingsSome specific QI that affected the correlation between PMs and research questions representing the interaction among QI and QA models during different stages of the CI journey of organizations were identified. PMs that correlated with interacting QI and QA models through the above stages of CI journey were also identified.Practical implicationsA preliminary inference on QI to be adopted and the PMs to be focused upon during the different periods of CI journey of Indian organizations was arrived at. This could help practitioners in proper choice of QI and to focus upon “realistic” PM through different stages of the CI journey of organizations.Originality/valueThis study attempts to fill the gap of scarce holistic studies on the long-term performance implications of interacting QI and QA through the CI journey of organizations.
Design of an intelligent decision-making system for maintenance practices using fuzzy inference system in northern Indian SMEs
Authors: Sidhu Simranjit Singh , Singh Kanwarpreet , Ahuja Inderpreet Singh 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe paper aims to analyze the significance of key maintenance practices in effective implementation of the performance parameters in Northern Indian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThe present study deploys a fuzzy inference approach (fuzzy logic toolbox) to test the effective implementation of maintenance practices in SMEs. The significant maintenance factors are defined from applicable literature for this reason and validated by industry experts.FindingsA model built into a fuzzy rule viewer and a surface view tool built into a fuzzy toolbox in MATLAB has highlighted the successful implementation of maintenance practices in Indian SMEs. The study highlights that corrective maintenance, general maintenance, preventive maintenance and breakdown maintenance problems have emerged as important indicator variables for effective synergistic implementation of maintenance practices in northern Indian SMEs.Originality/valueAn output assessment model is developed using a fuzzy set theory for maintenance practices, where performance evaluation is significant to the overall performance of SMEs.
Interfering with neighbouring communities: Allelopathy astray in the tundra delays seedling development
Authors: Pilsbacher Anna Katharina , Lindgård Bente , Reiersen Rigmor , González Victoria T. , Bråthen Kari Anne 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Altered species composition caused by environmental and climatic change can affect the transfer of plant residues among communities. Whereas transferred residues are typically considered a resource in recipient systems, residues of allelopathic species may instead cause interference.

Evergreen dwarf shrubs, specifically the allelopathic species Empetrum nigrum are increasing in abundance in response to a warming climate. Empetrum has small, evergreen leaves that can be transferred to other communities when withered and lost from the plant.

We hypothesize that Empetrum can have allelopathic effects in the recipient communities of the withered leaves. We call this allochthonous allelopathy as opposed to autochthonous allelopathy, which is well documented in communities where the plant grows.

We measured influx of allochthonous Empetrum leaves onto snow‐covered snowbeds, where they are easily identified within the debris. Next, we compared the bioactivity of allochthonous withered leaves with that of green Empetrum leaves. Finally, we conducted an experiment testing the germination and seedling growth of 10 tundra species in snowbed soil supplemented with no (control) and three densities of allochthonous Empetrum leaves.

We found Empetrum leaves to be common on the snow cover of snowbeds. We found Empetrum leaves collected on snowbeds to be as bioactive as green leaves. Finally, we found forb species to have reduced germination and all 10 species to have delayed seedling development when growing in snowbed soil supplemented with withered Empetrum leaves. Seedlings under the control treatment were 2.3 times longer and had 3.2 times more leaves in comparison to seedlings grown under the strongest allochthonous leaf treatment.

Results from our study imply that Empetrum is allelopathic in recipient systems of its allochthonous leaves. The abundant nature of Empetrum in the tundra suggests that allochthonous allelopathy is a common phenomenon, causing biotic stress in snowbeds and potentially other parts of the tundra. Exemplifying the ability of a plant to interfere in neighbouring communities, our study demonstrates a plant trait that may provide insight to other study systems.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
High‐deductible health plans and low‐value imaging in the emergency department
Authors: Chou Shih‐Chuan , Hong Arthur S. , Weiner Scott G. , Wharam J. Frank 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the effect of an employer‐mandated switch to high‐deductible health plans (HDHP) on emergency department (ED) low‐value imaging.Data SourcesClaims data of a large national insurer between 2003 and 2014.Study DesignDifference‐in‐differences analysis with matched control groups.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsThe primary outcome is low‐value imaging during ED visits for syncope, headache, or low back pain. We included members aged 19‐63 years whose employers offered only low‐deductible (≤$500) plans for one (baseline) year and, in the next (follow‐up) year, offered only HDHPs (≥$1000). Contemporaneous members whose employers offered only low‐deductible plans for two consecutive years served as controls. The groups were matched by person and employer propensity for HDHP switch, employer size, baseline calendar year, and baseline year quarterly number of total and imaged ED visits for each condition. We modeled the visit‐level probability of low‐value imaging using multivariable logistic regression with member‐clustered standard errors. We also calculated population level monthly cumulative ED visit rates and modeled their trends using generalized linear regression adjusting for serial autocorrelation.Principal FindingsAfter matching, we included 524 998 members in the HDHP group and 5 448 803 in the control group with a mean age of approximately 42 years and 48% female in both groups. On visit‐level analyses, there were no significant differential changes in the probability of low‐value imaging use in the HDHP and control groups. In population‐level analyses, compared with control group members, members who switched to HDHPs experienced a relative decrease of 5.9% (95% CI − 10.3, −1.6) in ED visits for the study conditions and a relative decrease of 5.1% (95%CI −9.6, −0.6) in the subset of ED visits with low‐value imaging.ConclusionThough HDHP switches decreased ED utilization, they had no significant effect on low‐value imaging use after patients have decided to seek ED care.
Resolvable and Near‐epistemic Uncertainty in Stated Preference for Olive Oil: An Empirical Exploration
Authors: Scarpa Riccardo , Bazzani Claudia , Begalli Diego , Capitello Roberta 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe elicit subjective probabilities of choice using a choice experiment designed to study preferences of German consumers for high quality Italian extra‐virgin olive oils. We develop an econometric framework to address the issues of resolvable and near‐epistemic uncertainty. Focussing on behaviourally meaningful quantities linked to changes in oil attributes, such as marginal probabilities and marginal willingness to pay, we found estimates of these quantities to be robust to both types of uncertainty from both discrete and fractional elicitation formats of the response variable. The frequency and presence of potentially near‐epistemic responses are explained by socio‐economic covariates, but their effects are not always in the same direction as in models of heteroskedastic choice, suggesting the existence of different sources. Rounding behaviour in subjective probabilities statements conforms with previous findings in the literature.
Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium co‐fermented feed regulates lactating sow's performance, immune status and gut microbiota
Authors: Wang Cheng , Wei Siyu , Xu Bocheng , Hao Lihong , Su Weifa , Jin Mingliang , Wang Yizhen 
Published: October 2020

SummaryFermented feed (FF) is widely applied to improve swine performance. However, the understandings of the effects of FF on the immune status and gut microbiota of lactating sows and whether probiotics are the effective composition of FF are still limited. The present study aimed to investigate the performance, immune status and gut microbiota of lactating sows fed with a basal diet supplemented with Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium co‐fermented feed (FF), with the probiotic combination (PRO) of B. subtilis and E. faecium and control diet (CON) as controls. Compared with the CON group, FF group remarkably improved the average daily feed intake of sows and the weight gain of piglets, while significantly decreased the backfat loss, constipation rate of sows and diarrhoea incidence of piglets. The yield and quality of milk of sows in FF group were improved. Besides, faecal acetate and butyrate were promoted in FF group. Additionally, FF increased the level of IgG, IgM and IL‐10 and decreased the concentration of TNF‐α in serum. Furthermore, FF reduced the abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and increased the level of Lactobacillus and Succiniclasticum, which were remarkably associated with growth performance and serum immune parameters. Accordingly, microbial metabolic functions including DNA repair and recombination proteins, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, mismatch repair and d‐alanine metabolism were significantly upregulated, while amino acid metabolism was downregulated in FF group. Overall, the beneficial effects of FF were superior to PRO treatment. Altogether, administration of FF during lactation improved the performance and immune status, and modulated gut microbiota of sows. Probiotics are not the only one effective compound of FF.
Foliar spraying of calcium acetate alleviates yield loss in rice (Oryza sativa L.) by induced anti‐oxidative defence system under ozone and heat stresses
Authors: Lakaew Kittisak , Akeprathumchai Saengchai , Thiravetyan Paitip 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOzone (O3) and heat stresses induce oxidative damage of plant cells; consequently, this causes reductions in yield of crop plants. As one of the most important staple crops, rice also suffers from these stresses. The aims of this study were to explore the effect of the growing season (rainy and summer season) on rice yield and the effect of calcium acetate (CA) on rice via foliar spraying, under both O3 and heat stresses experienced in the summer season. Results showed that O3‐induced cell damages are indicated by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level as well as rice yield losses. Moreover, it was found that rice yield under O3 exposure was reduced, around 88.72%, when comparing between rice grown in the summer and rainy season. Pretreatment of rice with 5 mM CA under O3 and heat stresses stimulated activity and expressions of ascorbate peroxidase (APX); consequently, this mitigated oxidative damage by lowering MDA content. In addition, CA pretreatment in rice under the ozone and heat stresses enhanced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) contents and chlorophyll content resulting in higher rice yield in comparison with non‐CA pretreatment. Thus, foliar application of CA on rice relieved yield losses caused by the combined O3 and heat stresses by modulating the major antioxidant enzyme, APX and contents of NADPH, which are important compounds for cell growth and detoxification.