bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probing Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) targeting two gene-fragments of rose rosette virus
Authors: Salazar Andrea , Ochoa-Corona Francisco M. , Olson Jennifer D. , Babu Binoy , Paret Mathews 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis study explores the development of Loop-mediated isothermal amplification of DNA (LAMP) for detection of rose rosette emaravirus (RRV), a technique with the potential to be translated to rose nurseries. RRV is a negative-sense single-stranded RNA Emaravirus and causal agent of the rose rosette disease (RRD). Transmission of RRV is by Phyllocoptes fructiphilus, an eriophyid mite. Although RRV symptoms are characteristics, early visual diagnosis of RRD can be misleading and confusing since it may appear similar to herbicide damage. Two sets of RRV gene sequences composed of twenty-two accessions of RRV-P3 (RNA 3) and another twenty-four from RRV-P4 (RNA 4) were analyzed and two sets of four LAMP primers were designed for broad-range detection of RRV isolates. The direct antigen-capture method for direct trapping of RRV in plastic was used for RNA extraction followed by cDNA synthesis. LAMP reactions were optimized for Bst 2.0 DNA polymerase using the outer RRV-F3/RRV-B3 primers, and internal RRV-FIP/RRV-BIP primers. LAMP reactions were for 1 hour at 64°C (RRV-P3) and 66.5°C (RRV-P4) using either a thermocycler or a portable dry bath. LAMP was also optimized using DNA polymerase GspSSD LD using the same RRV sets of primers. RRV was detected in symptomatic and non-symptomatic RRD tissue from Oklahoma. The limit of detection (LoD) using Bst 2.0 LAMP was 1pg/μL and 1 fg/μL with GspSSD LD quantitative LAMP. The LoD of pre-reaction hydroxy naphthol blue (HNB, 120 μM) for colorimetric (visual) reactions was 10 pg/μL and 0.1 pg/μL using SYBR green I (1:10 dilution) in colorimetric post-reactions. No cross-reactivity was detected in LAMP reaction testing cDNAs of eight commonly co-infecting rose viruses (INSV, ArMV, MSpV, TSWV, ApMV, PNRSV, ToRSV, and TMV), and one virus taxonomically related to RRV (HPWMoV). RNA from healthy rose tissues and non-template controls (water) were included in all LAMP assays.
Metabolic engineering ofBacillus subtiliswith an Endopolygalacturonase gene Isolated fromPectobacterium. carotovorum; a Plant Pathogenic Bacterial Strain
Authors: Rafique Nagina , Bashir Saiqa , Khan Muhammad Zubair , Hayat Imran , Willium-Orts  , Wong Dominic W. S. 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTPectinolytic enzymes (pectinases) produced by microbes are highly important for their biotechnological use in processing of vegetables and fruits beverages and use in pulp and paper industry. A pectinase, namely endo-polygalacturonase (endo-PGase), encoding gene isolated fromPectobacterium carotovorum, a plant pathogenic strain of bacteria was successfully cloned into a secretion vector pHT43 having σA-dependent promoter Pgrac. For enhanced expression analysis, competent cells ofBacillus subtilis(WB800N) were prepared at stationary phase using high salt medium. The recombinantB. subtiliscompetent cells, harbouring the engineered pHT43 with the endo-PGase gene were cultured in 2X-yeast extract tryptone medium. The recombinant endo-PGase enzyme was secreted directly into the medium after 72 hours of the first IPTG induction. The recombinant endo-PGase was screened for its activity at various temperatures and pH ranges. Optimal activity was found at pH 5.0 and a temperature of 40°C with a stability ranging from pH 5.0-9.0. For detection of metal ion effect, recombinant enzyme was incubated with 1mM concentration of; Ca++, Mg++, Zn++, EDTA, K++for 45 minutes. Resultantly, Ca++, EDTA and Zn++strongly inhibited the enzyme activity. The chromatographic analysis of enzymatic hydrolysate of polygalacturonic acid (PGA) and pectin substrates using HPLC and TLC revealed that tri and tetra-galacturonates were the end products of hydrolysis. The study led to the conclusion that endo-PGase gene from the plant pathogenic strain was successfully expressed inBacillus subtilisand could be assessed for enzyme production using a very simple medium with IPTG induction. These findings proposed that theBacillusexpression system might be safe for commercial enzyme production as compared to yeast and fungi to escape endotoxins.
Enabling metagenomic surveillance for bacterial tick-borne pathogens using nanopore sequencing with adaptive sampling
Authors: Kipp Evan J. , Lindsey Laramie L. , Khoo Benedict S. , Faulk Christopher , Oliver Jonathan D. , Larsen Peter A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractTechnological and computational advancements in the fields of genomics and bioinformatics are providing exciting new opportunities for pathogen discovery and surveillance. In particular, single-molecule nucleotide sequence data originating from Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing platforms can be bioinformatically leveraged, in real-time, for enhanced biosurveillance of a vast array of zoonoses. The recently released nanopore adaptive sampling (NAS) pipeline facilitates immediate mapping of individual nucleotide molecules (i.e., DNA, cDNA, and RNA) to a given reference as each molecule is sequenced. User-defined thresholds then allow for the retention or rejection of specific molecules, informed by the real-time reference mapping results, as they are physically passing through a given sequencing nanopore. Here, we show how NAS can be used to selectively sequence entire genomes of bacterial tick-borne pathogens circulating in wild populations of the blacklegged tick vector, Ixodes scapularis. The NAS method provided a two-fold increase in targeted pathogen sequences, successfully enriching for Borrelia (Borreliella) burgdorferi s.s.; Borrelia (Borrelia) miyamotoi; Anaplasma phagocytophilum; and Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis genomic DNA within our I. scapularis samples. Our results indicate that NAS has strong potential for real-time sequence-based pathogen surveillance.
Longitudinal monitoring of individual infection progression in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Ramirez-Corona Bryan A. , Love Anna C. , Chandrasekaran Srikiran , Prescher Jennifer A. , Wunderlich Zeba 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe innate immune system is critical for host survival of infection. Infection models in organisms like Drosophila melanogaster are key for understanding evolution and dynamics of innate immunity. However, current toolsets for fly infection studies are limited in their throughput and their ability to generate longitudinal measurements of infection progression in single animals. Here we report a novel bioluminescent imaging strategy enabling non-invasive characterization of pathogen load over time. We demonstrate that photon flux from autobioluminescent reporter bacteria can be used to monitor relative pathogen loads in individual animals. Escherichia coli expressing the ilux operon were imaged in whole, living flies at relevant concentrations for immune study. Because animal sacrifice was not necessary to estimate pathogen load, stochastic responses to infection were characterized in individuals over time for the first time. The high temporal resolution of bioluminescence imaging also enabled visualization of the fine dynamics of microbial clearance on the hours time-scale. Overall, this non-invasive imaging strategy provides a simple and scalable platform to observe changes in pathogen load in vivo over time.
Housing bubbles and land planning corruption: evidence from Spain’s largest municipalities
Authors: Koumpias Antonios Marios , Martínez-Vázquez Jorge , Sanz-Arcega Eduardo 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to quantify to what extent the housing bubble in the early-to-mid 2000s in Spain exacerbated land planning corruption among Spain’s largest municipalities.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors exploit plausibly exogenous variation in housing prices induced by changes in local mortgage market conditions; namely, the rapid expansion of savings banks (Cajas de Ahorros). Accounting for electoral competition in the 2003–2007 and 2007–2009 electoral cycles among Spanish municipalities larger than 25,000 inhabitants, the authors estimate a positive relationship between housing prices and land planning corruption in municipalities with variation in savings bank establishments using instrumental variables techniques.

Findings
A 1% increase in housing prices leads to a 3.9% points increase in the probability of land planning corruption. Moreover, absolute majority governments (not needing other parties’ support) are more susceptible to the incidence of corruption than non-majority ones. Two policy implications to address corruption emerge: enhance electoral competition and increase scrutiny over land planning decisions in sparsely populated.

Originality/value
First empirical evidence of a formal link between the 2000s housing bubble in Spain and land planning corruption.
Multiplicity of solutions for the discrete boundary value problem involving the p-Laplacian
Authors: El Amrouss Abdelrachid , Hammouti Omar 
Published: August 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is the study of existence and multiplicity of solutions for a nonlinear discrete boundary value problems involving the p-laplacian.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is based on variational methods and critical point theory.FindingsTheorem 1.1. Theorem 1.2. Theorem 1.3. Theorem 1.4.Originality/valueThe paper is original and the authors think the results are new.
Linking ownership acquired in Chinese firms to post-acquisition innovation performance: role of institutional distance
Authors: Hanif Nadia , Wu Jianfeng , Babar Ahmad Bilal 
Published: August 2021

PurposeThe primary purpose of this study is to explore the impact of acquired ownership in Chinese target firm on the innovation performance of developed economies (DE) acquiring firms. Furthermore, the study aims to empirically investigate the moderating influence of institutional distance between two parties’ home countries.Design/methodology/approachFor the empirical investigation of the hypotheses, the authors identified cross-border technological acquisitions from the Securities Data Company between 1995 and 2015. A hierarchical negative binomial regression technique was used to analyze 177 technological acquisitions completed by DE acquiring firms in China.FindingsAnalysis of technological acquisition deals confirmed that acquired ownership undertaken in the Chinese target firms increases the DE acquiring firms’ post-acquisition innovation performance. The authors found that DE acquiring firms underperform in innovation in institutionally distant host countries.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the international business literature by explaining the importance of acquired ownership undertaken in the Chinese target firms for the DE acquiring firm’s innovation performance. Second, institutional theory defines how institutional uncertainty in terms of distance modifies the positive impact of acquired ownership on acquiring firm’s innovation performance.
Direct Torque Control for a Bearingless Induction Motor Based on Model prediction
Authors: Wang Ding , Yang Zebin , Sun Xiaodong , Sun Weiming , Mei Haitao 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to address the large stator flux linkage ripple and electromagnetic torque ripple caused by the hysteresis comparator in traditional direct torque control for a bearingless induction motor (BIM).

Design/methodology/approach
Model predictive direct torque control (MPDTC) strategy is adopted. On the basis of the mathematical model of BIM, the stator current and stator flux observational values are obtained, and the electromagnetic torque and stator flux at the next moment are predicted. Then, based on the relationship between the stator flux and the electromagnetic torque, the predicted stator flux can be transformed into an equivalent flux linkage vector, which eliminates the weighting coefficients problem among multiple variables in traditional objective functions. The objective function and torque PI controller will output the optimal stator flux linkage and the increments of the torque phase angle. Through the phase angle increments, the space voltage vector can be obtained by the reference flux linkage controller instead of the stator flux linkage and the torque hysteresis controller.

Findings
The proposed MPDTC method can effectively improve the stator flux linkage and the torque ripple. It can implement the stable suspension of the rotor and improve the dynamic performance and steady-state accuracy of the BIM system.

Originality/value
A MPDTC strategy is proposed to reduce the ripple of stator flux and electromagnetic torque. The phase angle increment angle of stator flux linkage and electromagnetic torque is optimized by model prediction, and the optimal space voltage vector is obtained by designing the reference flux controller.
Exploring the communication skills of Indian engineering undergraduates: a partial ethnographic study
Authors: Kaushal Urvashi , Talwar Toran 
Published: August 2021

PurposeEngineers graduating from premier institutions of India look for global opportunities that will provide a chance to work with the best and the most innovative minds in the world. Nevertheless, to compete in the global job market, they require added competence in English. However, it is seen that despite exemplary hard skills, lack of good communication skills has obstructed the growth of engineers. This study aims to find a viable tool to enhance engineering students' communication skills despite many limitations. The purpose of this study is to explore how presentations can be used to address problems of low levels of English ability in highly skilled, high-functioning engineering professions.Design/methodology/approachThis paper discusses a study conducted in India's premier institution where around 240 first-semester engineering students were the sample. It uses partial ethnographic research to verify its hypothesis that presentations compel students to plan, prepare, practise and perfect their communication skills. It presents an ethnographic experiment conducted by the researchers and data collected using the qualitative research method of interviews.FindingsThe results of the paper indicate that making engineers plan, prepare and make presentations can explore their ability to communicate in English. It also concludes that presentation helps students explore all four language skills, that is, reading the information collected, listening to peers, writing or preparing their presentation and finally speaking in front of the audience.Practical implicationsThis paper argues that presentation can be made a practice even in a large class of multi-level second language (L2) learners as it will generate interest in students and will develop many qualities such as team spirit, confidence and public speaking.Social implicationsThis study will help to address problems of low levels of English ability in highly skilled, high-functioning engineering professions.Originality/valueSince engineering classes in Indian institutes often comprise 80–120 students, the English teachers face immense challenge of simultaneously improving communication skills of a large number of students who are multi-lingual, multi-level L2 learners. Therefore, this paper presents an effective and interesting way of involving all the students and using presentation to improve their communication skills.
Investor protection: effects of takeover convergence
Authors: Dixit Jyoti , Singh Poonam , Haldar Arunima 
Published: August 2021

PurposeTakeovers play a critical role as an external corporate governance mechanism to ensure investor protection. There is a long-standing debate on whether the convergence of corporate governance to global standards can enable emerging economies to ensure investor protection. This paper aims to analyse the evolution of the takeover code, namely, Securities Exchange Board of India’s Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers (2011) in India from the lens of investor protection. It then compares the takeover provisions in India, the USA, the UK, Singapore and Australia to examine the extent of convergence and its implications for investor protection.Design/methodology/approachUsing a cross-national comparative analysis of takeover mechanisms in common law countries, the study analyses the extent and relevance of convergence in form. The focus of the comparison is on regulations governing offer size, offer price, creeping acquisition and initial trigger limit for the mandatory open offer.FindingsThe findings suggest that certain provisions such as the initial trigger threshold for the mandatory offer and the offer prices of the Indian takeover code are converging with the standards in common law countries. However, the offer price determination based on market prices may not reflect true market value in an inefficient market like India. Other provisions such as creeping acquisition and offer size are not only diverging from the international standards but are also inconsistent with the key objective of investor protections of the Indian regulator.Research limitations/implicationsIndian takeover regulation needs to converge to higher global standards to ensure adherence to improved investor protection. This needs to be done for the initial trigger limit for mandatory bid and offer prices, after accounting for the differences in institutional structure. The Indian regulators need to revisit provisions on the initial trigger, creeping acquisition to converge to the broader principle of investor protection.Originality/valueThis technical paper provides a comprehensive depiction of takeover mechanisms in an emerging economy context as a means of investor protection. Further using a comparative lens, it analyses the relevance of convergence of takeover laws. Thus, advances the theoretical knowledge of limited extant work on external corporate governance mechanism in an emerging economy context.
A hybrid approach to sustainable development competencies: the role of formal, informal and non-formal learning experiences
Authors: Caldana Adriana Cristina Ferreira , Eustachio João Henrique Paulino Pires , Lespinasse Sampaio Bárbara , Gianotto Maria Luiza , Talarico Aurora Contiero , Batalhão André Cavalcante da Silva 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to explore whether formal, non-formal, and informal learning experiences contribute to developing sustainable development competencies (SDCs) among students in a Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) signatory business school.

Design/methodology/approach
An online survey based on the students’ learning experiences and a questionnaire on sustainability competencies already validated in the literature were given to a sample of 274 bachelor students at a PRME signatory business school. Nominal variables representing students’ categories were created to test a set of hypotheses developed according to the literature. Because the data was not normally distributed, non-parametric independent-samples Mann–Whitney U test was conducted, and descriptive statistics was used to help the analysis.

Findings
The results suggest that a hybrid format with a combination of formal, non-formal and informal learning experiences is essential to maximising the development of SDCs and raising students’ sustainability literacy.

Research limitations/implications
This study is one of the first attempts to understand the importance of a hybrid approach in developing sustainable competencies (SDCs). Future studies could adopt longitudinal analysis to check the development of these competencies over time, assess students from different PRME signatory schools or comparing students to those in non-signatory business schools.

Practical implications
This study provides insight into how business schools could address challenges in developing sustainable competencies through redirecting their educational systems by balancing formal, informal and non-formal learning approaches to educate future responsible leaders.

Originality/value
This research provides evidence on how a hybrid learning approach could maximise the development of sustainable development competencies and, therefore, generating insights for educational policies.
A study on time models in graph databases for security log analysis
Authors: Hofer Daniel , Jäger Markus , Mohamed Aya Khaled Youssef Sayed , Küng Josef 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
For aiding computer security experts in their study, log files are a crucial piece of information. Especially the time domain is very important for us because in most cases, timestamps are the only linking points between events caused by attackers, faulty systems or simple errors and their corresponding entries in log files. With the idea of storing and analyzing this log information in graph databases, we need a suitable model to store and connect timestamps and their events. This paper aims to find and evaluate different approaches how to store timestamps in graph databases and their individual benefits and drawbacks.

Design/methodology/approach
We analyse three different approaches, how timestamp information can be represented and stored in graph databases. For checking the models, we set up four typical questions that are important for log file analysis and tested them for each of the models. During the evaluation, we used the performance and other properties as metrics, how suitable each of the models is for representing the log files’ timestamp information. In the last part, we try to improve one promising looking model.

Findings
We come to the conclusion, that the simplest model with the least graph database-specific concepts in use is also the one yielding the simplest and fastest queries.

Research limitations/implications
Limitations to this research are that only one graph database was studied and also improvements to the query engine might change future results.

Originality/value
In the study, we addressed the issue of storing timestamps in graph databases in a meaningful, practical and efficient way. The results can be used as a pattern for similar scenarios and applications.
Graph rewriting rules for RDF database evolution: optimizing side-effect processing
Authors: Chabin Jacques , Eichler Cédric , Halfeld Ferrari Mirian , Hiot Nicolas 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
Graph rewriting concerns the technique of transforming a graph; it is thus natural to conceive its application in the evolution of graph databases. This paper aims to propose a two-step framework where rewriting rules formalize instance or schema changes, ensuring graph’s consistency with respect to constraints, and updates are managed by ensuring rule applicability through the generation of side effects: new updates which guarantee that rule application conditions hold.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes Schema Evolution Through UPdates, optimized version (SetUpOPT), a theoretical and applied framework for the management of resource description framework (RDF)/S database evolution on the basis of graph rewriting rules. The framework is an improvement of SetUp which avoids the computation of superfluous side effects and proposes, via

SetUpoptND, a flexible and extensible package of solutions to deal with non-determinism.

Findings
This paper shows graph rewriting into a practical and useful application which ensures consistent evolution of RDF databases. It introduces an optimised approach for dealing with side effects and a flexible and customizable way of dealing with non-determinism. Experimental evaluation of

SetUpoptND demonstrates the importance of the proposed optimisations as they significantly reduce side-effect generation and limit data degradation.

Originality/value
SetUp originality lies in the use of graph rewriting techniques under the closed world assumption to set an updating system which preserves database consistency. Efficiency is ensured by avoiding the generation of superfluous side effects. Flexibility is guaranteed by offering different solutions for non-determinism and allowing the integration of customized choice functions.