bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A metabolomics pipeline enables mechanistic interrogation of the gut microbiome
Authors: Han Shuo , Treuren Will Van , Fischer Curt R. , Merrill Bryan D. , DeFelice Brian C. , Sanchez Juan M. , Higginbottom Steven K. , Guthrie Leah , Fall Lalla A. , Dodd Dylan , Fischbach Michael A. , Sonnenburg Justin L. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractGut microbes modulate host phenotypes and are associated with numerous health effects in humans, ranging from cancer immunotherapy response to metabolic disease and obesity. However, difficulty in accurate and high-throughput functional analysis of human gut microbes has hindered defining mechanistic connections between individual microbial strains and host phenotypes. One key way the gut microbiome influences host physiology is through the production of small molecules1–3, yet progress in elucidating this chemical interplay has been hindered by limited tools calibrated to detect products of anaerobic biochemistry in the gut. Here we construct a microbiome-focused, integrated mass-spectrometry pipeline to accelerate the identification of microbiota-dependent metabolites (MDMs) in diverse sample types. We report the metabolic profiles of 178 gut microbe strains using our library of 833 metabolites. Leveraging this metabolomics resource we establish deviations in the relationships between phylogeny and metabolism, use machine learning to discover novel metabolism in Bacteroides, and employ comparative genomics-based discovery of candidate biochemical pathways. MDMs can be detected in diverse biofluids in gnotobiotic and conventional mice and traced back to corresponding metabolomic profiles of cultured bacteria. Collectively, our microbiome-focused metabolomics pipeline and interactive metabolomics profile explorer are a powerful tool for characterizing microbe and microbe-host interactions.
Salmonella Typhimurium uses anaerobic respiration to overcome propionate-mediated colonization resistance
Authors: Shelton Catherine D. , Yoo Woongjae , Shealy Nicolas G. , Torres Teresa P. , Zieba Jacob K. , Calcutt M. Wade , Foegeding Nora J. , Kim Dajeong , Kim Jinshil , Ryu Sangryeol , Byndloss Mariana X. 
Published: May 2021

SUMMARYThe gut microbiota benefits the host by limiting enteric pathogen expansion (colonization resistance) partially via the production of inhibitory metabolites. Propionate, a short-chain fatty acid produced by microbiota members, is proposed to mediate colonization resistance against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Tm). Here, we show that S. Tm overcomes the inhibitory effects of propionate by using it as a carbon source for anaerobic respiration. We determined that propionate metabolism provides an inflammation-dependent colonization advantage to S. Tm during infection. Such benefit was abolished in the intestinal lumen of Salmonella-infected germ-free mice. Interestingly, S. Tm propionate-mediated intestinal expansion was restored when germ-free mice were monocolonized with Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (B. theta), a prominent propionate producer in the gut, but not when mice were monocolonized with a propionate production-deficient B. theta strain. Taken together, our results reveal a novel strategy used by S. Tm to mitigate colonization resistance by metabolizing microbiota-derived propionate.
Secreted Proteases Control the Timing of Aggregative Community Formation in Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Jemielita Matthew , Mashruwala Ameya A. , Valastyan Julie S. , Wingreen Ned S. , Bassler Bonnie L. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBacteria orchestrate collective behaviors using the cell-cell communication process called quorum sensing (QS). QS relies on the synthesis, release, and group-wide detection of small molecules called autoinducers. In Vibrio cholerae, a multicellular community aggregation program occurs in liquid, during stationary phase, and in the high-cell-density QS state. Here, we demonstrate that this aggregation program consists of two subprograms. In one subprogram, which we call void formation, structures form that contain few cells but provide a scaffold within which cells can embed. The other subprogram relies on flagellar machinery and enables cells to enter voids. A genetic screen for factors contributing to void formation, coupled with companion molecular analyses, showed that four extracellular proteases, Vca0812, Vca0813, HapA, and PrtV control the onset timing of both void formation and aggregation, and moreover, proteolytic activity is required. These proteases, or their downstream products, can be shared between void-producing and non-void-forming cells and can elicit aggregation in a normally non-aggregating V. cholerae strain. Employing multiple proteases to control void formation and aggregation timing could provide a redundant and irreversible path to commitment to this community lifestyle.ImportanceBacteria can work as collectives to form multicellular communities. Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes the disease cholera in humans, forms aggregated communities in liquid. Aggregate formation relies on a chemical communication process called quorum sensing. Here we show that, beyond overarching control by quorum sensing, there are two aggregation subprograms. One subprogram, which we call void formation, creates a scaffold within which cells can embed. The second subprogram, which allows bacteria to enter the scaffold, requires motility. We discovered that four extracellular proteases control the timing of both void formation and aggregation. We argue that, by using redundant proteases, V. cholerae ensures the reliable execution of this community formation process. These findings may provide insight into how V. cholerae successfully alternates between the marine environment and the human host: transitions that are central to the spread of the disease cholera.
Pulse-Width Modulation of Gene Expression in Budding Yeast
Authors: Machné Rainer , Murray Douglas B. , Bernhart Stephan H. , Axmann Ilka M. , Stadler Peter F. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMetabolic oscillations are characterized by alternating phases of high and low respiratory activity, associated with transcription of genes involved in biosynthetic pathways and growth, and in catabolism and stress response. However, the functional consequences of transcriptome oscillations remain unclear, since most proteins are too stable to be affected by oscillatory transcript abundances. In this work, we investigate a transcriptome time series during an unstable state of the oscillation. Our analyses confirm previous suggestions that the relative times spent in the alternative transcription states are coupled to growth rate. This pulse-width modulation of transcription provides a simple mechanism for the long-standing question of how cells adjust their ribosome content and growth rate to environmental conditions. A mathematical model of this idea reproduces both the almost linear relation of transcript and protein abundances and the non-linear relation of oscillation periods to growth rate.
Electronic customer relationship management (E-CRM), customer experience and customer satisfaction: evidence from the banking industry
Authors: Kumar Pushpender , Mokha Anupreet Kaur , Pattnaik Subash Chandra 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to examine the relationship between electronic customer relationship management (E-CRM) and customer satisfaction through the mediating role of customer experience in the banking industry.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from customers of 10 banks (5 public and 5 private sector banks) of Delhi, India. In total, 836 useable structured questionnaires were filled, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) through AMOS.FindingsThe results revealed that customer experience mediated the relationship between E-CRM and customer satisfaction confirming well with the hypothesized model.Research limitations/implicationsThe model was tested in the domain of banking industry; future results may be conducted in different domains for improving generalizability. A comparative study between public and private sector banks in terms of E-CRM, customer experience and customer satisfaction could also be conducted.Originality/valueThe study was the first to unequivocally analyze the influence of the E-CRM on customer satisfaction through customer experience in the banking industry. The study also introduced stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model as a theoretical support to associate E-CRM to customer satisfaction through customer experience. Thus, this study will enhance the current knowledge base and will also aid E-CRM managers amid decision-making process.
Identification and assessment of the unionization factors of the US electrical construction trade
Authors: Said Hisham , Mali Aishwarya , Deshmukh Ajay 
Published: May 2021

PurposeConstruction trade unions have been a vital force in improving the job standards and wellbeing of trade workers. However, the union membership in the construction industry has dropped by half between 1983 and 2017. The objective of this study is to identify and assess the controlling factors of construction electrical trade unionization in the United States.Design/methodology/approachThe study involved four main steps. Literature review and industry townhall meetings were conducted to identify the electrical trade unionization factors. A new unionization trend metric was developed using available union market share data to quantify the growth and decline of local unions. Mixed-mode surveying was used to collect questionnaire and interview data on the unionization factors in different local units of the electrical trade union. Finally, the survey data from the questionnaire and interviews were merged and their correlation with the unionization trend data was assessed.FindingsThe study found that the unionization of this specialty trade is dependent on increasing the crew ratio, expanding the non-apprenticeship union membership program, organizing larger contractors, and continuing the union focus on public and heavy industrial projects.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the construction management body of knowledge by providing a data-driven industry-wide assessment of the factors that affect electrical construction unionization. The study advances the understanding of construction trade unions by narrowing the theory-practice knowledge gap, illustrating the use of macro quantitative empirical research methods, and developing a new unionization trend metric.
Effects of corporate reputation and social identity on innovative job performance
Authors: Frare Anderson Betti , Beuren Ilse Maria 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThis study analyzes the indirect effects of corporate reputation and social identity on innovative job performance, through organization engagement.Design/methodology/approachA single entity survey was conducted with the employees of a unicorn startup, which is the largest financial services startup (fintech) in Brazil, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA).FindingsThe results present empirical evidence that corporate reputation and social identity (employee-company identification) are able to stimulate innovative job performance, mediated by organization engagement. In addition to these symmetrical relationships, asymmetrically, combinations of these constructs with different education levels, age and tenure promote high innovative job performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has theoretical implications to the extent that the precepts of the social identity theory are observed, by verifying the direct influence of corporate reputation and employee-company identification on organization engagement. It also has implications for presenting an indirect positive effect of corporate reputation and employee-company identity on innovative job performance.Practical implicationsIt contributes by providing subsidies for the company to find to keep employees engaged and prone to innovation, which represents an important managerial parameter and competitive advantage.Originality/valueThe literature points to the need to identify antecedents of innovative job performance. It is postulated that corporate reputation and social identity can indirectly reflect on innovative job performance, mediated by organizational engagement.
Open letters about health dialogues reveal school staff and students' expectations of school health promotion leadership
Authors: Kostenius Catrine , Lundqvist Catarina 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThis study explores to what extent health promotion policy in practice and leadership engagement is reflected in school actors' experiences of health dialogues (HDs) and their ideas about promoting health and learning in schools.Design/methodology/approachThe 93 participants consisted of 44 school nurses, 37 students in grades 4, 7 or the first year of high school and 12 teachers, who shared their experiences with HDs by writing open letters.FindingsThe qualitative content analysis resulted in four themes: Putting health on the agenda, Finding a common goal, Walking side by side and Pointing out a healthy direction. The participants' expectations of school health promotion leadership are revealed in suggestions on how the HDs can fulfill both the educational assignment and promote student health.Practical implicationsBased on the findings, we argue that for successful school health promotion leaders need to acknowledge the field of tension where leadership has to take place, anchor health promotion policy and administer “a Sandwich approach” – a top-down and bottom-up leadership simultaneously that facilitates school-based health promotion.Originality/valueWhen different school actors (school nurses, teachers and students) are given a voice, a collective picture of HDs can emerge and help develop health promotion practices.
Examination of roles performed by public sector organizations in the procurement of public-private partnership projects
Authors: Olojede Betty Oluwafunso , Opawole Akintayo , Jagboro Godwin Onajite , Alao Oluwaseyi Olalekan 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThe clarity of requisite roles of public sector organizations (PSOs) for successful procurement of public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure in Nigeria is not well-established as the country is portrayed with the rising statistics on the haphazard pattern of operation of PPP model for infrastructure procurement. This has greatly beset the expected performance of a number of PPP projects which were intended to bridge the infrastructural deficit in the country. This study therefore examined roles the performed by PSOs in PPP infrastructure procurement with a view to delineate PSOs obligations and consequently improve project success.Design/methodology/approachThe study was based on structured questionnaire survey of professionals in PSOs who have been involved in PPP infrastructure procurement in Southwestern Nigeria. The sampled professionals were drawn from a build-up of network through a referral chain by the adoption of respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method. The data collected were subjected to mean score analysis and Kruskal–Wallis test.FindingsThe study found that roles pertaining to management of variation, apportionment of penalties and abatements, select preferred bidders, establish management approaches for PPP risks are infrequently performed by PSOs in Nigeria. Whereas these roles are critical to successful procurement of PPP infrastructure as they are prerequisites for PPP infrastructural project success.Originality/valueThe study provides information that would be useful for developing countries with evolving PPP markets for enhanced project delivery.
Gender inequalities in perceived stress and the factors affecting it in infertile couples in Iranian society: a case in one of the provinces of Iran
Authors: Mirzaei Moghadam Sima , Mahmoodi Hassan , Zaheri Farzaneh , Shokri Azad 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
The aim of this study is to investigate the gender inequalities in perceived stress and the influencing factors in infertile couples in Iranian society.

Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study was conducted on infertile couples who were referring to Kurdistan Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment Medical Center in 2019. Demographic and clinical information questionnaire, Newton's Infertility perceived stress questionnaire, Rosenberg's standard self-confidence questionnaire and the multidimensional scale of social support were used. Multiple linear logistic models were also used.

Findings
A total of 560 couples (1,120 people) participated in the study. The average perceived infertility-related stress, self-esteem scores and social support and social-emotional loneliness were 173.95 ± 41.87, 13.99 ± 2.29 and 27.81 ± 7.33, respectively, which were significantly different scores across infertility cause and sex (P < 0.05). Males compared to females had lower perceived infertility-related stress (169.93 ± 42.51 vs 177.97 ± 40.86, P = 0.001) and self-esteem scores (14.33 ± 2.29 vs 13.66 ± 2.24, P < 0.001) and social support and social-emotional loneliness (32.92 ± 9.31 vs 30.94 ± 9.04, P < 0.001). The partners who reported themselves as infertile, compared significantly higher in perceived infertility-related stress than those who reported their spouse being infertile (194.24 ± 35.33 vs 141.90 ± 39.28), lower self-esteem scores (12.77 ± 2.21 vs 13.94 ± 1.56) and social support and social-emotional loneliness score (27.81 ± 7.33 vs 30.11 ± 7.70). Also, after taking potential confounders into account with increase in each score of self-esteem, 12.19 units of stress decreases (P < 0.001, 95% CI: 11.40–12.99) and with increase in each score of social support and social-emotional loneliness, 3.45 units of stress decreases (P < 0.001, 95% CI: 3.28–3.63).

Originality/value
There is perceived stress among infertile couples, and this rate is higher among infertile people and women. Therefore, it seems that specific intervention programs for infertile couples should be implemented based on the results of this study, and their stress levels in a way that self-esteem and support for both partners be increased and the perceived stress among women and infertile individuals be decreased.
In or out? A field observational study on the placement of entertaining robots in retailing
Authors: De Gauquier Laurens , Brengman Malaika , Willems Kim , Cao Hoang-Long , Vanderborght Bram 
Published: May 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the role of the placement (i.e. location) of humanoid service robots (HSRs) for entertainment applications in retailing by inspecting a multitude of performance metrics along the point-of-sale conversion funnel.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted using unobtrusive observations at a Belgian chocolate store. In total, 42 h of video observation material was collected and analyzed, with an even spread over three conditions: (1) an HSR placed outside, (2) an HSR inside the store and (3) a control condition (no robot stimuli). All passersby and their interactions with the robot and the store were systematically coded and compared.FindingsThe study found that the better placement of HSRs (inside or outside the store) is contingent on the goals the retailer prioritizes. When the goal is to create awareness and interest toward the store, the HSR should be placed outside, as it has double the stopping power. To induce consumers to enter the store, placement of the HSR inside the store is the better option. Ultimately, however, in terms of the number of transactions and total amount spent, outside placement of the HSR outperforms inside placement.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was not able to verify the internal emotional/cognitive state of the passersby, as the method relied on unobtrusive camera observations. A longitudinal research design would be desirable to exclude potential bias due to the novelty effect.Originality/valueWhile research on robots in retail services is emerging, this study is the first to provide insights on how retailers can decide on the placement of robots inside or outside the store, depending on the particular goals they are aiming to reach at the point of purchase.
Collaborative knowledge sharing in developing and evaluating a training programme for health professionals to implement a social intervention in dementia research
Authors: Leung Phuong , Csipke Emese , Yates Lauren , Birt Linda , Orrell Martin 
Published: May 2021

Purpose
This study aims to explore the utility of collaborative knowledge sharing with stakeholders in developing and evaluating a training programme for health professionals to implement a social intervention in dementia research.

Design/methodology/approach
The programme consisted of two phases: 1) development phase guided by the Buckley and Caple’s training model and 2) evaluation phase drew on the Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model. Survey and interview data was collected from health professionals, people with dementia and their supporters who attended the training programme, delivered or participated in the intervention. Qualitative data was analysed using the framework analysis.

Findings
Seven health professionals participated in consultations in the development phase. In the evaluation phase, 20 intervention facilitators completed the post one-day training evaluations and three took part in the intervention interviews. Eight people with dementia and their supporters from the promoting independence in dementia feasibility study participated in focus groups interviews. The findings show that intervention facilitators were satisfied with the training programme. They learnt new knowledge and skills through an interactive learning environment and demonstrated competencies in motivating people with dementia to engage in the intervention. As a result, this training programme was feasible to train intervention facilitators.

Practical implications
The findings could be implemented in other research training contexts where those delivering research interventions have professional skills but do not have knowledge of the theories and protocols of a research intervention.

Originality/value
This study provided insights into the value of collaborative knowledge sharing between academic researchers and multiple non-academic stakeholders that generated knowledge and maximised power through building new capacities and alliances.