bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydrogenotrophic methanogens of the mammalian gut: functionally similar, thermodynamically different - A modelling approach
Authors: Muñoz-Tamayo Rafael , Popova Milka , Tillier Maxence , Morgavi Diego P. , Morel Jean-Pierre , Fonty Gérard , Morel-Desrosiers Nicole 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMethanogenic archaea occupy a functionally important niche in the gut microbial ecosystem of mammals. Our purpose was to quantitatively characterize the dynamics of methanogenesis by integrating microbiology, thermodynamics and mathematical modelling. For that,in vitrogrowth experiments were performed with pure cultures of key methanogens from the human and ruminant gut, namelyMethanobrevibacter smithii, Methanobrevibacter ruminantiumandMethanobacterium formicium. Microcalorimetric experiments were performed to quantify the methanogenesis heat flux. We constructed an energetic-based mathematical model of methanogenesis. Our model captured efficiently the dynamics of methanogenesis with concordance correlation coefficients of 0.94 for CO2, 0.99 for H2and 0.97 for CH4. Together, experimental data and model enabled us to quantify metabolism kinetics and energetic patterns that were specific and distinct for each species despite their use of analogous methane-producing pathways. Then, we testedin silicothe interactions between these methanogens under anin vivosimulation scenario using a theoretical modelling exercise.In silicosimulations suggest that the classical competitive exclusion principle is inapplicable to gut ecosystems and that kinetic information alone cannot explain gut ecological aspects such as microbial coexistence. We suggest that ecological models of gut ecosystems require the integration of microbial kinetics with nonlinear behaviours related to spatial and temporal variations taking place in mammalian guts. Our work provides novel information on the thermodynamics and dynamics of methanogens. This understanding will be useful to construct new gut models with enhanced prediction capabilities and could have practical applications for promoting gut health in mammals and mitigating ruminant methane emissions.
Nanoscale organization of rotavirus replication machineries
Authors: Garcés Yasel , Martínez José L. , Hernández David T. , Hernández Haydee O. , Méndez Mayra , Wood Christopher D. , Rendón Mancha Juan Manuel , Silva-Ayala Daniela , López Susana , Guerrero Adán , Arias Carlos F. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractRotavirus genome replication and assembly take place in cytoplasmic electron dense inclusions termed viro-plasms (VPs). Previous conventional optical microscopy studies observing the intracellular distribution of rotavirus proteins and their organization in VPs have lacked molecular-scale spatial resolution, due to inherent spatial resolution constraints. In this work we employed super-resolution microscopy to reveal the nanometric-scale organization of VPs formed during rotavirus infection, and quantitatively describe the structural organization of seven viral proteins and viral dsRNA within and around the VPs. The observed viral components are spatially organized as 6 concentric layers, in which NSP5 localizes at the center of the VPs, surrounded by a layer of NSP2 and NSP4 proteins, followed by an intermediate zone comprised of the VP1, VP2, VP6 proteins and the dsRNA. In the outermost zone, we observed a ring of VP4 and finally a layer of VP7. These findings show that rotavirus VPs are highly organized organelles.
Nitrogen starvation induces persister cell formation inEscherichia coli
Authors: Brown Daniel R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTo cope with fluctuations in their environment bacteria have evolved multiple adaptive stress responses. One such response is the nitrogen regulation stress response, which allows bacteria such asEscherichia colito cope with and overcome conditions of nitrogen limitation. This response is directed by the two-component system NtrBC, where NtrC acts as the major transcriptional regulator to activate the expression of genes to mount the response. Recently we showed that NtrC directly regulates the expression of therelAgene, the major (p)ppGpp synthetase inE. coli, coupling the nitrogen regulation stress and stringent responses. As elevated levels of (p)ppGpp have been implicated in the formation persister cells, here we investigated whether nitrogen starvation promotes their formation and whether the NtrC-RelA regulatory cascade plays a role in this. The results reveal that both nitrogen starvedE. coliform a higher percentage of persister cells than non-starved cells, and that both NtrC and RelA are important for this process. This provides novel insights into how the formation of persisters can be promoted in response to a nutritional stress.ImportanceBacteria often reside in environments where nutrient availability is scarce and therefore they have evolved adaptive responses to rapidly cope with conditions of feast and famine. Understanding the mechanisms that underpin the regulation of how bacteria cope with this stress is a fundamentally important question in the wider context of understanding the biology of the bacterial cell and bacterial pathogenesis. Two major adaptive mechanisms to cope with starvation are the nitrogen regulation (ntr) stress and stringent responses. Here I describe how these bacterial stress responses are coordinated under conditions of nitrogen starvation to promote the formation of antibiotic tolerant persister cells by elevating levels of the secondary messenger (p)ppGpp.
Ecological niche modeling the potential geographic distribution of fourCulicoidesspecies of veterinary significance in Florida
Authors: Sloyer Kristin E. , Burkett-Cadena Nathan D. , Yang Anni , Corn Joseph L. , Vigil Stacey L. , McGregor Bethany L. , Wisely Samantha M. , Blackburn Jason K. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractEpizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a viral arthropod-borne disease affecting wild and domestic ruminants. EHD virus (EHDV) is transmitted to vertebrate animal hosts by biting midges in the genusCulicoides. Culicoides sonorensisLatreille is the only confirmed vector of EHDV in the United States but is considered rare in Florida and not sufficiently abundant to support EHDV transmission. This study used ecological niche modeling to map the potential geographical distributions and associated ecological variable space of fourCulicoidesspecies suspected of transmitting EHDV in Florida, includingCulicoides insignis, Culicoides stellifer, Culicoides debilipalpisandCulicoides venustus.Models were developed with the Genetic Algorithm for Rule Set Production in DesktopGARP v1.1.3 using species occurrence data from field sampling along with environmental variables from WorldClim and Trypanosomiasis and Land use in Africa. For threeCulicoidesspecies (C.insignis, C. stelliferandC. debilipalpis) 96 – 98% of the presence points were predicted across the Florida landscape (63.77% – 72.53%). ForC. venustus, models predicted 98.00% of presence points across 27.42% of Florida. Geographic variations were detected between species.Culicoides insigniswas predicted to be restricted to peninsular Florida, and in contrast,C. venustuswas predicted to be primarily in north Florida and the panhandle region.Culicoides stelliferandC. debilipalpiswere predicted nearly statewide. Environmental conditions also differed by species, with some species’ ranges predicted by more narrow ranges of variables than others. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was a major predictor ofC. venustusandC. insignispresence. ForC. stellifer, Land Surface Temperature, Middle Infrared were the most limiting predictors of presence. The limiting variables forC. debilipalpiswere NDVI Bi-Annual Amplitude and NDVI Annual Amplitude at 22.45% and 28.09%, respectively. The model outputs, including maps and environmental variable range predictions generated from these experiments provide an important first pass at predicting species of veterinary importance in Florida. Because EHDV cannot exist in the environment without the vector, model outputs can be used to estimate the potential risk of disease for animal hosts across Florida. Results also provide distribution and habitat information useful for integrated pest management practices.
Development taxonomy of human risk factors for corporate sustainability in aviation sector
Authors: Yazgan Ebru 
Published: October 2018

PurposeContemporary management and strategy mean optimization of ingredient factors such as human factors, systems, operations and equipment. With system approach in management and strategy, human risk factor as input has considerable potential to change results as airworthiness in aviation management. The managers of aviation business also optimize their functions to act safe while making contribution to development in triple of sustainability as economic development and its sustainability; social development and its sustainability; and environmental development and its sustainability. Corporate sustainability can be accomplished via supporting workforce which is the human risk factor. To support (empowerment) workforce, researchers should identify human risk or error factors which are important to this research. The purpose of this study is to suggest holistic framework for working environment system of aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs) within two respects such as human performance (ergonomics) and corporate performance (sustainability). The secondary purpose of this system is to develop human risk taxonomy by determining the factors affecting both human and work by taking ergonomic aspects in aviation.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, a taxonomy of human risk factors for AMTs is developed. These human factors divided into groups and subfactors are obtained from an extensive literature review and experts’ opinions in the field of human performance in aviation. Taxonomy developed will be useful to both sharing and using corporate sources in sustainable way.FindingsHuman risk factors can be considered or accepted as factors that cause human error. This may result in the optimum way to managing human risk factor via minimizing human-based error. Personality, hazardous attitudes, individual characteristics, physical/psychological condition of AMTs and corporate social responsibility factors are human-related risk variables in this study. The risks and error can be reduced by recognizing these factors and revealing their relation to ergonomic design.Originality/valueThe results of this study are intended to constitute a guide for managers to manage risk factors and to take corrective and preventive actions for their maintenance operations. It is believed that this study is highly important for the aviation sector in terms of raising awareness or providing awareness for similar practices. As taxonomy of the risk factors contributes to the managing human error, corrective actions related to these factors must be taken by managers.
Factors influencing Midwestern grain farmers’ use of risk management tools
Authors: Coffey Brian K. , Schroeder Ted C. 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the relationships between grain farm and farmer profiles and their respective choices to use forward pricing techniques and revenue protection crop insurance to manage risk.Design/methodology/approachAn e-mail survey of Midwestern grain farmers elicited farmer demographic information, farm profile, risk attitudes and farmer use of forward pricing and revenue protection insurance. Responses regarding use of risk management tools were compiled as choices to use possible bundles of tools to account for simultaneous nature of the decision. Choices to use bundles of tools were used as the independent variable categories in a multinomial logit regression. Regressors were relevant data collected from the survey.FindingsFarm size, using a market advisory service, and being a technology adopter are the most important factors in predicting risk management tool use by grain farmers. Farmers tend to use forward pricing and revenue protection insurance in combination. Large farms are more likely to use forward pricing tools.Practical implicationsResults provide researchers, extension professionals and risk management specialists with a current understanding of how farm and farmer characteristics relate to use of risk management tools. The authors also elaborate on findings to provide guidance for future risk management research.Originality/valueThe survey covered 9 Midwestern states and 648 grain farmers. The survey results update understanding of grain farmers’ risk management practices. The empirical approach treats risk management decisions to use available tools as simultaneous, which recent literature suggests is more appropriate than earlier approaches.
Master’s theses and open scholarship: a case study
Authors: Schopfel Joachim , Vanacker Sylvain , Kergosien Eric , Jacquemin Bernard 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to show how Master’s theses can contribute to open scholarship and give reasons why this should be done.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper provides an overview of published studies and, based on the experience at the University of Lille (France), describes some essential aspects for the processing and valorization of these documents in the academic cloud, as a contribution of open scholarship.

Findings
Because of their number and diversity, collections of Masters’ theses in open repositories could be an excellent showcase for the universities’ Master programs and research. They could also offer interesting and large samples for content analysis, citation analysis and text and data mining (TDM). However, some issues need attention, above all intellectual property, quality and preservation. Quality is crucial, and the paper describes how the Lille project proceeds to assure sufficient quality and right clearance, and why the project shifted from students’ self-archiving to a digital library collection in the academic cloud, run by faculty and information professionals. The paper presents also some usage statistics to illustrate the potential, global impact of such a collection.

Practical implications
The paper provides helpful and empirical evidence and insight for those who want to develop the dissemination of Master’s theses via open repositories.

Originality/value
In the context of open scholarship, only few studies deal with Master’s theses, and this paper is the only recent reference that brings together a review of other papers and a case study with empirical evidence.
Improving predictions of international business environments: China as a case in point
Authors: Zhang Marina Yue 
Published: October 2018

PurposeFirms engaged in international business necessarily make predictions about the business environments in which they operate or seek to enter, on the basis of which they make a number of strategic decisions. The purpose of this paper is to consider the difficulties there are in making accurate predictions and how the process might be improved.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines predictions made in 2007 by ‘China experts’ about what the Chinese business environment would look like in 2017. Their predictions were accurate in respect of around two-thirds of the issues they were asked to consider. This paper focuses on the one-third of issues about which they were wide of the mark and examine the likely reasons.FindingsThe predictions of the 2007 study were accurate in respect of around two-thirds of the issues the China experts on the Delphi panel were asked to consider. The reason that they were wide of the mark on about one-third of issues could be attributed to two main factors: the 2008/2009 Global Financial Crisis and the appointment in 2013 of Xi Jinping as the President of China. These events precipitated changes in direction in the Chinese business environment that had not been (and could not have been) anticipated by the Delphi panel.Originality/valueVery few Delphi studies have been subject to a follow-up examination of the accuracy of their predictions. This paper contributes a discussion the various methodologies that firms can use to improve their forecasts of international business environments.
The impact of disability on guests’ perceptions of service quality delivery in the hospitality industry
Authors: Kalargyrou Valentini , Barber Nelson A. , Kuo Pei-Jou 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the impact of employees’ different disability types on lodging guests’ perceptions of service quality delivery and stereotyping. The study also explores the influence of consumer characteristics (i.e. gender, education, religiosity, generational identity and relationship to a person with a disability) on service delivery quality perceptions and stereotyping.Design/methodology/approachUsing different types of disabilities, the study uses a controlled experiment, followed by a survey, to evaluate consumers’ perception of service quality delivery of a hotel front office staff member.FindingsThe results suggest that there are no significant differences in the perceptions of service quality delivery and stereotyping for service employees with disabilities with the exception of employees with a visual impairment. The study found that participants, who had a close friend or family member with a disability, expressed less stereotyping than those who did not have a close friend or family member with a disability.Research limitations/implicationsReal service encounters can be used where participants might be more involved in the service process than in a controlled experiment setting.Practical implicationsThe findings provide support to human resource management in strategically placing people with disabilities into front-line positions because they satisfactorily represent the image of the company and guests consider their service professional and reliable.Social implicationsThe study’s findings support that employers should tap into the under-utilized workforce of people with disabilities and avoid pre-existing stereotyping.Originality/valueA major concern of hospitality companies making employment decisions about hiring people with disabilities is guests’ attitude. This is the first study in hospitality that examines service quality delivery of employees with different types of disability serve guests.
Contraceptive needs among newly incarcerated women in a county jail in the United States
Authors: Cannon Rachel , Madrigal Jessica M. , Feldman Elizabeth , Stempinski-Metoyer Kelly , Holloway Lillian , Patel Ashlesha 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the risk of unintended pregnancy among women during Cook County Jail intake by assessing basic contraceptive history, the need for emergency contraception (EC) at intake, and contraception at release.

Design/methodology/approach
This is a cross-sectional study of women 18–50 years old at Cook County Jail in Chicago, Illinois from June 2011 through August 2012. The authors administered the survey at the time of intake on 33 convenient evenings. Surveys consisted of multiple-choice close-ended questions administered via interview. Topics included contraceptive use, pregnancy risk and pregnancy desire. The authors computed frequencies to describe the distribution of question responses and used logistic regression modeling to identify factors significantly related to the use of contraception at intake and to the acceptance of contraception at release.

Findings
Overall, 194 women participated. Excluding women not at risk for pregnancy (4.6 percent currently pregnant, 17.5 percent surgically sterilized/postmenopausal and 4.6 percent using long-acting reversible contraceptives), 73.2 percent of women were at risk for pregnancy (n = 142) and, therefore, had a potential need for contraception. Among these women at risk for unintended pregnancy, 68 (47.9 percent) had unprotected intercourse within five days prior to survey administration. When asked about EC, most women (81.4 percent) would be interested if available. Additionally, 141 (72.7 percent) of women would be interested in contraceptive supplies if provided free at release.

Originality/value
Newly incarcerated women are at high risk for unintended pregnancy. Knowledge about EC and ability to access birth control services are both significantly limited. These conclusions support providing an intake screening in jails to identify women at risk for unintended pregnancy.
Non-cancer pain clinic in three English prisons: understanding prisoner needs and prescribing practice in relation to chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP)
Authors: Sondhi Arun , Garrett Tina 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
Prisoner access to opiate-based analgesics and gabapentinoids is a concern to prisons through illicit trading. The purpose of this paper is to describe patient needs following introduction of nine pilot chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) clinics for chronic pain in three prisons (two male and one female) in the South of England. The study evaluated the effectiveness of this model and assessed the wider practical implementation issues.

Design/methodology/approach
Clinical notes were reviewed for 63 consultations, anonymised and recorded for secondary analysis.

Findings
Alongside CNCP, high levels of substance misuse, physical and mental health histories were noted, especially for female patients. Amitriptyline, pregabalin, gabapentin were the main frontline analgesics prescribed prior to assessment. A total of 41 per cent of patients did not change their medication following the consultation; 25 per cent had their medication increased or reintroduced (greater for women prisoners); with one-third (33 per cent) of patients reducing the prescription of strong opioids and gabapentinoids. Significant differences were noted between male and female patients. Prisoners were amenable to changes in medication to facilitate access to work and other therapeutic interventions.

Social implications
The prescribing of analgesics has largely been couched in terms of disruption to the prison regime through illicit trading. This study highlights the need to place CNCP within wider contexts of substance misuse, physical and emotional health. There is an opportunity to develop a rehabilitative rather than palliative approach to pain management. Gender specific approaches for female patients should be considered.

Originality/value
Few studies of CNCP have been conducted within a prison environment.
Income diversification and bank performance: evidence from BRICS nations
Authors: Sharma Shweta , Anand Anand 
Published: October 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of income diversification on bank performance in BRICS countries as a structural response to concentration risk. The authors argue that effectiveness of this approach is conditional upon its extent and quality. To understand the role of firm-specific characteristics on effectiveness of diversification, the authors examine this relationship across asset sizes.

Design/methodology/approach
An unbalanced panel data set of 169 BRICS banks is sampled over the period 2001–2015. Fixed effect models and system generalized method of moments techniques are used to test the relationship between diversification and bank performance using alternate measures.

Findings
Results indicate a positive relationship between diversification and performance measured in terms of bank risk and returns for medium and large size banks. However, for small banks this relationship is negative suggesting a “diversification discount.”

Originality/value
The study indicates that diversification as a risk mitigating tool can be effective but the managers and regulators should not emphasize on the “one-size-fits-all” approach for all banks. Policy frameworks for controlling concentration risk should be developed keeping in mind factors like bank size, customer base and financial leverage which brings variations to the risk profile of banks.