bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient breeding of industrial brewing yeast strains using CRISPR/Cas9-aided mating-type switching
Authors: Krogerus Kristoffer , Fletcher Eugene , Rettberg Nils , Gibson Brian , Preiss Richard 
Published: July 2021

AbstractYeast breeding is a powerful tool for developing and improving brewing yeast in a number of industry-relevant respects. However, breeding of industrial brewing yeast can be challenging, as strains are typically sterile and have large complex genomes. To facilitate breeding, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate double-stranded breaks in the MAT locus, generating transformants with a single specified mating type. The single mating type remained stable even after loss of the Cas9 plasmid, despite the strains being homothallic, and these strains could be readily mated with other brewing yeast transformants of opposite mating type. As a proof of concept, we applied this technology to generate yeast hybrids with an aim to increase β-lyase activity for fermentation of beer with enhanced hop flavour. First, a genetic and phenotypic pre-screening of 38 strains was carried out in order to identify potential parent strains with high β-lyase activity. Mating-competent transformants of eight parent strains were generated, and these were used to generate over 60 hybrids that were screened for β-lyase activity. Selected phenolic off-flavour positive (POF+) hybrids were further sporulated to generate meiotic segregants with high β-lyase activity, efficient wort fermentation and lack of POF; all traits that are desirable in strains for the fermentation of modern hop-forward beers. Our study demonstrates the power of combining the CRISPR/Cas9 system with classic yeast breeding to facilitate development and diversification of brewing yeast.Key PointsCRISPR/Cas9-based mating type switching was applied to industrial yeast strainsTransformed strains could be readily mated to form intraspecific hybridsHybrids exhibited heterosis for a number of brewing-relevant traits
A bacterial derived plant- mimicking cytokinin hormone regulates social behaviour in a rice pathogen
Authors: Deb Sohini , Kumar Chandan , Kumar Rahul , Kaur Amandeep , Ghosh Palash , Jha Gopaljee , Patil Prabhu B. , Chatterjee Subhadeep , Patel Hitendra K. , Sonti Ramesh V. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMany plant-associated bacteria produce plant- mimicking hormones which are involved in modulating host physiology. However, their function in modulating bacterial physiology has not been reported. Here we show that the XopQ protein, a type-III effector of the rice pathogen, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is involved in cytokinin biosynthesis. Xoo produces and secretes an active form of cytokinin which enables the bacterium to maintain a planktonic lifestyle and promotes virulence. RNA-seq analysis indicates that the cytokinin produced by Xoo is required for the regulation of several genes which are involved in biofilm formation. We have also identified the Xoo isopentenyl transferase gene, which is involved in the cytokinin biosynthesis pathway and is required for maintaining planktonic behaviour and virulence. Furthermore, mutations in the predicted cytokinin receptor kinase (PcrK) and the downstream response regulator (PcrR) of Xoo phenocopy the cytokinin biosynthetic mutants, but are not complemented by supplementation with exogenous cytokinin. Cytokinin biosynthetic functions are encoded in a number of diverse bacterial genomes suggesting that cytokinin may be a widespread signalling molecule in the bacterial kingdom.
Differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Authors: Heyman Michelle , Ledoux Galligan Megan , Salinas Giselle Berenice , Baker Elizabeth , Blacher Jan , Stavropoulos Katherine 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
Professionals working with community populations are often presented with complicated cases where it is difficult to determine which diagnosis or diagnoses are appropriate. Differentiating among neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and intellectual disability can be a complex process, especially, as these disorders have some overlapping symptoms and often co-occur in young children. This series of case studies aims to present commonly overlapping symptoms in children who present to clinics with developmental concerns.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents three case studies that were completed at a free community ASD screening clinic in Southern California.

Findings
The case studies have common presenting behaviors and symptoms (e.g. social communication difficulties) that often co-occur across diagnoses; explanations for the final diagnoses are given in each case.

Research limitations/implications
Conclusions from these three cases cannot generalize to all children being seen in clinics for neurodevelopmental concerns.

Practical implications
This series of case studies highlights commonly overlapping symptoms in children who present for differential diagnosis with social and/or behavioral concerns. Implications for educational placement and intervention are discussed.

Social implications
These cases highlight the challenges involved in the differential and dual diagnostic process for young children with developmental concerns. Diagnostic considerations can affect later educational placement and opportunities for socialization.

Originality/value
This series of case studies provide practical information for clinicians about how to effectively differentiate between commonly occurring neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly given recent changes to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition (DSM-5).
In women, we trust! Exploring the sea change in investors’ perceptions in equity crowdfunding
Authors: Cicchiello Antonella Francesca , Kazemikhasragh Amirreza , Monferra Stefano 
Published: July 2021

PurposeWomen’s entrepreneurial activity can significantly impact economic and social development globally, particularly in developing countries. The significant challenges entrepreneurial women face draw the attention of researchers and policymakers. This paper aims to analyse the impact of gender disparity on the likelihood of obtaining equity financing through crowdfunding. The equity crowdfunding industry was selected because it is a non-traditional financial market where gender bias may act differently for women.Design/methodology/approachTo investigate the relationship between gender and equity financing through crowdfunding, this paper applies ordinary least squares regression. The analysis is based on a unique data set of 492 equity crowdfunding campaigns launched between 2013 and 2017 on all existing platforms in Brazil, Chile and Mexico.FindingsThe analysis reveals that the involvement of at least one woman on the board of firms seeking equity financing increases campaign success rates in terms of the investors’ average pledge, the target amount reached at the end of the campaign and the percentage raised at the end of the campaign exceeding the initial fundraising goal. Altogether, this suggests that equity crowdfunding campaigns should be based on gender equality in the firms’ boards. The research finds evidence that there is no gender disparity in the likelihood of a campaign being financed by a greater number of investors.Practical implicationsThese findings have implications for Latin American female entrepreneurs when selecting funding sources and policymakers when defining political actions to remove the barriers at the root of this historic inequality in female entrepreneurs’ access to finance.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this document analyses the gender disparity in the Latin American equity crowdfunding market, shedding light on women’s access to crowdfunding financing for the first time.
Drivers of multiple eco-innovation and the impact on sustainable competitive advantage: evidence from manufacturing SMEs in Egypt
Authors: Mady Khalid , Abdul Halim Muhammad Abi Sofian , Omar Khatijah 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the drivers of three main eco-innovation types within the manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Egypt, as well as to examine the impact of these types in sustaining competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach
The positivist methodological paradigm is adopted in this study, with 183 valid questionnaires collected from the owners and executives of manufacturing SMEs. The SmartPLS has been used to analyse the data.

Findings
Results show that internal drivers (organisational capabilities, absorptive capacity and strategically environmental orientation) affect eco-innovation types. External drivers (regulation, eco-friendly products demand and competitive advantage) do not significantly affect eco-innovation types. The results also reveal that both eco-organisational and eco-process innovations significantly affect sustainable competitive advantage.

Practical implications
This study has presented valuable insights for owners and executives of SMEs and policymakers in the business and manufacturing industry.

Originality/value
This study has presented valuable insights for literature on eco-innovation, owners and executives of SMEs and policymakers manufacturing industry to depth-understanding of drivers of eco-innovation types. in addition, the role of eco-innovation types in sustaining competitive advantage for SMEs has been a significant contribution to eco-innovation literature.
What drives an innovative behaviour of sustainable community-based enterprises? Insights from a qualitative case study
Authors: Phukrongpet Pimporn , Daovisan Hanvedes , Satsanasupint Panarat 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the drivers of innovative behaviour of sustainable community-based enterprises (SCBEs) in the Mahasarakham province, Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on insights from a qualitative case study method, this paper uses a purposive sampling technique with 30 SCBEs from December 2019 to December 2020. This study uses in-depth interviews and applied content analysis (e.g. theme, categorisation, quotation and coding), using the ATLAS.ti software.

Findings
This case study shows that transforming the community into an enterprise is related to creation, venture and innovative management, sustained in community-based enterprises. The findings reveal that innovative behaviour is associated with intention, thinking, orientation, product development, service, collaboration, competition and technology, which drives SCBEs.

Originality/value
This study contributes to the understanding of community-based group and cooperative community-based enterprise with innovative behaviour, which can drive SCBEs growth.
Financing employee healthcare: fusing the preferences of employees in decision-making
Authors: Ochieng'a George Ouma , Ogada Maurice 
Published: July 2021

Purpose Good health is important for the happiness and productivity of employees of any organization and a nation. With the declining government funding for public Universities in Kenya, providing health cover for employees is a real challenge. Thus, the universities have to explore widely acceptable and sustainable options. This study aims to explore the correlations of employee preferences for health care schemes and evaluated the cost implications of each of the available Schemes.Design/methodology/approach The study applied a multinomial probit analysis on cross-sectional data from Taita Taveta University (TTU) in Kenya's coastal region. Cost-benefit analysis was used to rank alternative healthcare schemes. For triangulation of information, individual interviews were supplemented with key informant interviews.Findings Two sets of factors, personal attributes of employees and the attributes of the health care provider, were found to drive employee preferences for health care schemes. Thus, the universities need to consider these attributes in their choice sets of health care schemes to gain employee support.Research limitations/implications The study was based on a cross-sectional survey that may not capture the dynamic elements in institutional management. Thus, future research may build panel data on the current one for further analysis.Practical implications The study found that household characteristics and the perceived attributes of the healthcare providers are key drivers of the preferences. Thus, it is important to consider the characteristics of the employees (for example, age, family sizes, etc.) and attributes of healthcare providers before selecting a healthcare scheme for the workersOriginality/value This is a pioneer study on the choice of healthcare scheme for institutions of higher learning in Kenya. Universities are made aware of what informs employee's preferences for health schemes. This is important for tailoring health care schemes to match employee preferences for greater satisfaction.
Preparation and tribological characteristics of graphene/triangular copper nanoplate composites as grease additive
Authors: Wang Jing , Mi Hongying , Zhou Weigui , Yang Xin , He Yan 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
This study aims to the preparation and tribological characteristics of graphene/triangular copper nanoplate composites (abbreviated as GN/Cu nanoplates) as grease additive and clarifies the growth mechanism and tribological mechanism of GN/Cu nanoplates by different analysis methods. In this paper, it is expected to alleviate the problems of easy aggregation and poor dispersion stability of graphene in lubricants and provide theoretical support for the application of graphene and its composites in the tribology field.

Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the GN/Cu nanoplates have been successfully prepared by the electrostatic self-assembly method. The structural characteristics of GN/Cu nanoplates were analyzed via transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Then the tribological properties of GN/Cu nanoplates were investigated under different loads with SRV-IV [Schwingung, Reibung, Verschleiß (German); oscillating, friction, wear (English translation)] tribotester. White-light interferometry was applied to quantify the wear loss of the disk. The element chemical state on worn surfaces was analyzed by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscope to clarify the tribological mechanism of graphene composites.

Findings
The electrostatic force between the negative charge of graphene and the positive charge of triangular copper nanoplates promotes the self-assembly of GN/Cu nanoplates. With the addition of GN/Cu nanoplates, the wear loss and average friction coefficient under the load of 200 N have been decreased by 72.6% and 18.3%, respectively. It is concluded that the combined action of graphene deposition film and the copper melting film formed on the worn surface could effectively improve the antiwear ability and friction reduction performance of the grease.

Originality/value
This manuscript fulfills a new approach for the preparation of GN/Cu nanoplates. At the same time, its tribological properties and mechanism as a lubricating additive were studied which provide theoretical support for the application of graphene and its composites in the tribology field.
Evaluating key capabilities for developing global collaborative networks using a multi-layer decision-making approach
Authors: Amoozad Mahdiraji Hannan , Hafeez Khalid , Abbasi Kamardi Ali Asghar , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThis paper proposes a multi-layer hybrid decision-making approach to evaluate the capability alternatives for developing a collaborative network to operate in the international market.Design/methodology/approachThe present study is contextualised in the Iranian pistachio export industry. An extensive review of the state-of-the-art literature on supplier collaboration was conducted to identify key capabilities that are essential to establish a collaborative network. The set of defined capabilities were then optimised through interviews with 14 experts from the relevant industry, academics and export authorities. A combination of the fuzzy Delphi method and the best–worst method (BWM) approach was, respectively, used to reduce the number of capability alternatives and assign priority weights to these alternatives. Subsequently, a weighted aggregated sum product assessment method (WASPAS) was employed to rank and evaluate the ability to creating a collaborative network for the export of pistachio.FindingsFrom the extant literature review, 18 capabilities for the formation of coordination networks in the international markets were identified. Then, the prominent indicators in forming a global network were extracted. After ranking the top pistachio export countries/regions to formalise an efficient collaborative network, it was revealed that although Iran exports approximately 30% of the global market, it falls behind the USA and European Union. The competitors have scored higher in critical criteria, including “trust and commitment”, “strategy and management”, “managerial control and standardization” and “financial resources”.Originality/valueThe proposed hybrid approach encompassing fuzzy Delphi–BWM–WASPAS offers to solve the capability evaluation and selection as well as ranking the possible alternative to formalise a collaborative network in an integrated fashion. This combination of methods is capable to first identify the most important factors, then measuring their importance and eventually rank the possible alternatives. The suggested framework provides an approach to deal with the uncertainty of global collaborative network formation.
From lifelong learning to later life self-employment: a conceptual framework and an Israeli enterprise perspective
Authors: Eppler-Hattab Raphael 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight important aspects of adopting a lifelong learning mindset as a way to improve entrepreneurial employability and self-employment capabilities among older workers, and to examine their practicality in enterprise services.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper takes a two-method research approach that synthesizes an original conceptual framework based on current gerontological and work psychology literature with qualitative organizational case study in the Israeli labor market.

Findings
The process of lifelong learning and accumulation of employability underpins a fulfilling career in self-employment later in life, through continuous self-acquisition of necessary knowledge and complementary skills. Adopting a lifelong learning mindset may contribute to older workers developing lifelong employability by self-realizing their meaningful life wisdom alongside becoming lifelong learners, and consequently, by becoming protean career owners capable of acquiring entrepreneurial competencies and skills. Program analysis of social and business enterprises established in Israel to meet the demand for the acquisition of later life skills demonstrates the various ways in which they play a role in supporting this process.

Research limitations/implications
The need for future research and practice on the conceptual framework presented in this paper is analyzed and discussed in the Israeli context.

Originality/value
This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion on third-age entrepreneurship, by conceptually linking the core concept of lifelong learning to entrepreneurial employability, and demonstrating its application in the Israeli work culture.
The role of green practices toward the green word-of-mouth using stimulus-organism-response model
Authors: Hameed Irfan , Hussain Hamid , Khan Kamran 
Published: July 2021

PurposeConsumer's environmental awareness and friendliness have been growing, and consumers are increasingly concerned about the impact of hotel operations on the environment. This study evaluated the effect of green practices on the customer's green word-of-mouth (GWOM) intention for hotels with environment-friendly operations.Design/methodology/approachThe data have been collected from tourists by using the judgmental sampling technique, and a usable sample size of 257 respondents has been achieved. The data analysis has been performed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThere is a strong relationship between green practices adopted by hotels and the green image of hotels. This study also found that the green image of a hotel positively impacts consumer green satisfaction and green trust, and these two variables have significant influence over the GWOM.Practical implicationsThe study can be helpful in the promotion of environmentally sustainable consumer behavior in response to a stimulus being generated by the marketers and policymakers.Social implicationsThis study will further help society to share and discuss favorable information about environmental sustainability through GWOM.Originality/valueThe study investigated the effect of green hotels on GWOM approximately after one year of the COVID-19 outbreak. Hence, the results can ascertain to be the basis of the new policies of the hotels in post-COVID world.
Development of innovation ecosystem framework for successful adoption of industry 4.0 enabling technologies in Indian manufacturing industries
Authors: Pasi Bhaveshkumar Nandanram , Mahajan Subhash K. , Rane Santosh B. 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an industry 4.0 (I4.0) innovation ecosystem framework by exploring the essential components of the same to ensure the collaborative efforts of different stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach
In this research work, important perspectives and their sub-components for the I4.0 innovation ecosystem framework are identified by performing a systematic literature survey of peer-reviewed journal articles. Then, I4.0 challenges among higher education (HE) institutions students and industries in India are explored by adopting the questionnaire-based research approach. Finally, the importance of the identified perspectives and their sub-components and causal relations among components are analyzed by using the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method.

Findings
From the literature survey, three perspectives and their 45 sub-components are identified for the I4.0 innovation ecosystem framework. The outcomes show that the industry has a direct impact on HE institutions and the government. While HE institutions are most influenced by the industry and government.

Research limitations/implications
I4.0 innovation ecosystem framework is developed by analyzing responses received through questionnaires. There are other methods also available for ecosystem framework development, which are beyond this study.

Practical implications
This research work will facilitate policy formulation by the government. It will also help the managers to develop strategies for the adoption of I4.0 enabling technologies in their business.

Originality/value
This research study gives an idea about the innovation ecosystem framework for the successful adoption of I4.0 enabling technologies in Indian Manufacturing Industries.