bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New sequential touch method for determining bacterial contact transfer rate from finger to surface
Authors: Zhao Pengcheng , Li Yuguo 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTBacteria can be transferred via surface touch. To evaluate the transfer rate, traditional single-touch methods require measuring the number of bacteria on donor and recipient surfaces, which is typically characterized by high levels of uncertainty. In this study, two concentrations ofStaphylococcus aureusATCC 25923 were inoculated on a clean thumb. For each set of trials, sequential touches were made between the thumb and each of 30 sterile glass slides, and each slide was placed in a sterile petri dish. The transferred bacteria on each slide were directly cultured in situ, and the colony-forming units (CFUs) were counted. The bacterial contact transfer rate was calculated by fitting the series of CFUs with the formula established. The average transfer rate was 12.9% under these conditions. The goodness of fit was compared in terms of the number of slides used in a set of trials and the number of CFUs counted on the slides. The use of more slides in a set of trials allowed more accurate evaluation of the transfer rate. The use of fewer than 20 slides was unacceptable. The high density of CFUs on the slides made counting them difficult, but if fewer than five CFUs were counted in a set of trials, the fit would be significantly influenced. To further evaluate the method, the dermal resident microflora on the thumb were also used to perform contact transfer tests. No statistically significant difference was found in the estimated transfer rate between the standard strain and the resident microflora.IMPORTANCEDiseases can be transferred indoors via the surface route because bacteria and viruses can be transferred to and from the hands when a fomite is touched. Various methods have been used to estimate the bacterial contact transfer rate between hands and surfaces. Evaluated transfer rates have had significant deviations and varied significantly across studies, partially due to the use of the single hand-surface touch method, inefficient hand/surface sampling, and complicated bacteria culture.In this study, the bacterial contact transfer rate was evaluated with a new method involving sequential touches between a donor and a series of recipients. The bacteria on the recipients were cultured in situ without hand/surface sampling, which simplified the process of surface bacteria quantification. The new method significantly reduces experimental complexity, decreases random errors in the data, and provides a new method for understanding microbial transfers between surfaces.
Inhibitor of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase impairs paramyxovirus replication
Authors: Kumar Naveen , Barua Sanjay , Khandelwal Nitin , Chaubey Kundan Kumar , Kumar Ram , Rawat Krishan Dutt , Chander Yogesh , Riyesh Thachamvally , Singh Shoor Vir , Tripathi Bhupendra Nath 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTSarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase (SERCA) is a membrane bound cytosolic enzyme that is known to regulate the uptake of calcium into the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that SERCA can also regulate paramyxovirus [Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV)] replication. Treatment of Vero cells with SERCA specific inhibitor (Thapsigargin) at a concentration that is nontoxic to the cells significantly reduced virus replication. Conversely, overexpression of SERCA rescued the inhibitory effect of Thapsigargin on virus replication. PPRV/NDV infection induced SERCA expression in Vero cells which could be blocked by Thapsigargin. With the help of time-of-addition and virus step-specific assays, it was observed that Thapsigargin specifically inhibits viral entry and subcellular localization of the viral proteins. Furthermore, NDV, but not PPRV acquired a significant resistance to Thapsigargin on long-term passage (P=70) in Vero cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing virus supportive role of SERCA and a rare report suggesting that viruses may acquire resistance even in the presence of an inhibitor that targets a cellular factor. This study will contribute in understanding paramyxovirus replication and development of antiviral therapeutics using SERCA (host factor) as a candidate drug target.
Investigation of lanthanide-dependent methylotrophy uncovers complementary roles for alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes
Authors: Good Nathan M. , Walser Olivia N. , Moore Riley S. , Suriano Carly J. , Huff Anna F. , Martínez-Gómez N. Cecilia 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTThe discovery that methylotrophic bacteria can utilize lanthanides as catalysts for methanol metabolism has opened new areas of biology and biochemistry. Recent studies of lanthanide-dependent enzymes have focused on biochemical and kinetic properties or the regulation of encoding genes. Kinetic analysis of a pyrroloquinoline quinone methanol dehydrogenase, XoxF1 (MexAM1_1746), from the model methylotrophMethylobacterium extorquensAM1 confirms the use of different lanthanides as cofactors and formaldehyde as a product of methanol oxidation, showing that not all XoxF MDH produce formate as the only end productin vivo. The dephosphotetrahydromethanopterin pathway for formaldehyde oxidation is still required for lanthanide-methylotrophic growth, as afaemutant does not grow with methanol in the presence of exogenous lanthanides. Increases of 15-22% in growth rate and 10-12.5% in growth yield are observed whenM. extorquensAM1 is grown in the presence of lanthanides with methanol. RNA-sequencing transcriptomics indicates remodeling of methanol, formaldehyde and formate oxidation gene expression, and targeted metabolomics shows increased accumulation of intracellular formate and decreased pools of several assimilatory intermediates. Methanol sensitivity growth assays show that the lanthanide-dependent pyrroloquinoline quinone alcohol dehydrogenase ExaF (MexAM1_1139), but not XoxF1, can reduce formaldehyde toxicity when lanthanides are present, providing evidence of a role for ExaF during lanthanide-dependent methylotrophy. We conclude from these results that lanthanide-dependent methylotrophy is more efficient than calcium-dependent methylotrophy inM. extorquensAM1, and that this change is due, at least in part, to the lanthanide-dependent enzymes XoxF1 and ExaF.IMPORTANCELanthanides serve as cofactors for pyrroloquinoline quinone containing alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes in methylotrophic bacteria. The present study addresses a fundamental gap in our understanding of how lanthanides impact metabolism, including a detailed assessment of the metabolic modifications to accommodate enhanced efficiency during methylotrophy. Kinetic characterization of XoxF1 provides a detailed description of the impact of diverse lanthanides on catalytic function for a lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase. We further show that the lanthanide-dependent ethanol dehydrogenase ExaF can oxidize formaldehydein vivo, revealing complementary roles for these enzymes. This study provides novel insight into the effects of lanthanides on bacterial metabolism, highlighting the implementation of multiple, redundant and complementary oxidation systems.
Sharp wave-associated activity patterns of olfactory cortical neurons in the mouse piriform cortex
Authors: Katori Kazuki , Manabe Hiroyuki , Nakashima Ai , Dunfu Eer , Sasaki Takuya , Ikegaya Yuji , Takeuchi Haruki 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTThe olfactory piriform cortex is thought to participate in olfactory associative memory. Like the hippocampus, which is essential for episodic memory, it belongs to an evolutionally conserved paleocortex and comprises a three-layered cortical structure. During slow-wave sleep, the olfactory piriform cortex becomes less responsive to external odor stimuli and instead displays sharp wave (SPW) activity similar to that observed in the hippocampus. Neural activity patterns during hippocampal SPW have been intensively studied in terms of memory consolidation; however, little is known about the activity patterns of olfactory cortical neurons during olfactory cortex sharp waves (OC-SPWs). In this study, we recorded multi-unit neural activities in the anterior piriform cortex in urethane-anesthetized mice. We found that the activity patterns of olfactory cortical neurons during OC-SPWs were non-randomly organized. Individual olfactory cortical neurons varied in the timings of their peak firing rates during OC-SPW events. Moreover, specific pairs of olfactory cortical neurons were more frequently activated together than expected by chance. On the basis of these observations, we speculate that coordinated activation of specific subsets of olfactory cortical neurons repeats during OC-SPWs, thereby facilitating synaptic plasticity underlying the consolidation of olfactory associative memories.
Homology-based loop modelling yields more complete crystallographic protein structures
Authors: van Beusekom Bart , Joosten Krista , Hekkelman Maarten L. , Joosten Robbie P. , Perrakis Anastassis 
Published: May 2018

AbstractInherent protein flexibility, poor or low-resolution diffraction data, or poor electron density maps, often inhibit building complete structural models during X-ray structure determination. However, advances in crystallographic refinement and model building nowadays often allow to complete previously missing parts. Here, we present algorithms that identify regions missing in a certain model but present in homologous structures in the Protein Data Bank (PDB), and “graft” these regions of interest. These new regions are refined and validated in a fully automated procedure. Including these developments in our PDB-REDO pipeline, allowed to build 24,962 missing loops in the PDB. The models and the automated procedures are publically available through the PDB-REDO databank and web server (https://pdb-redo.eu). More complete protein structure models enable a higher quality public archive, but also a better understanding of protein function, better comparison between homologous structures, and more complete data mining in structural bioinformatics projects.SynopsisThousands of missing regions in existing protein structure models are completed using new methods based on homology.
Emergence of a Dengue virus serotype 2 causing the largest ever dengue epidemic in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wijewickrama Ananda , Fernando Samitha , Bandara Jayerathne Geethal S. , Perera Pathum Asela , Abeynaike S.A. , Gomes Laksiri , Jeewandara Chandima , Tippalagama Rashmi , Dilani Desha , Rajendran Anishgoby , Abeyesekere Ranmalie , Goonawardhana Suraj , De Silva Aruna Dharshan , Malavige Gathsaurie Neelika 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundSri Lanka experienced the largest ever dengue outbreak in year 2017, which coincided with the shift of the predominant circulating dengue virus (DENV) 1 to DENV2 after 9 years. As it was felt that more patients appeared to develop complications and severe dengue, we compared clinical features of patients with acute dengue, with the previous circulating serotype (DENV1) and also sequenced the new virus, to determine the lineage of the virus.Methodology/Principal findingsWe studied the clinical and laboratory features of 172 adult patients with acute DENV1 (n=79) and DENV2 (n=93) infection. 65 (82.3%) of those with DENV1 and 86 (92.4%) of those with DENV2 were experiencing a secondary infection. The risk of developing dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) was significantly higher (=0.005, odds ratio=2.5) in those infected with DENV2 (54.8%) when compared to DENV1(32.9%), even though similar proportions of patients had a secondary dengue infection. Patients with DENV2 infection developed leakage significantly earlier (p<0.0001, median= 3, days) when compared to those with a DENV1 infection (median 5 days) and were more likely to develop significant bleeding and to require blood transfusions. Furthermore, patients with DENV2 were more likely to have significantly lower platelet counts during day 3, 4 and 5 since onset of illness.Whole genome sequencing showed that these DENV-2 isolates belonged to a cosmopolitan strain and was genetically more distant than the DENV-2 strains that circulated from 1981 to 2004 in Sri Lanka.Conclusions/significanceSince this DENV2 strain appears to cause more severe forms of clinical disease, it would be important to determine variations in the virus genome or other factors that could have contributed to severe disease.Author summarySri Lanka experienced the largest ever dengue outbreak in year 2017, which coincided with the shift of the predominant circulating dengue virus (DENV) 1 to DENV2 after 9 years. We studied the clinical and laboratory features of 172 adult patients with acute DENV1 (n=79) and DENV2 (n=93) infection. The risk of developing dengue haemorrhagic fever was significantly higher (=0.005, odds ratio=2.5) in those infected with DENV2 (54.8%) when compared to DENV1(32.9%), even though similar proportions of patients had a secondary dengue infection. Patients with DENV2 infection developed leakage significantly earlier (p<0.0001, median= 3, days) when compared to those with a DENV1 infection (median 5 days) and were more likely to develop significant bleeding. Whole genome sequencing showed that these DENV-2 isolates belonged to cosmopolitan strain and was genetically more distant to the DENV-2 strains that circulated from 1981 to 2004 in Sri Lanka.
How meaningful activities influence the recovery process
Authors: Nordaunet Ole Martin , Sælør Knut Tore 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore two research questions: how do people with concurrent substance abuse and mental health disorders (concurrent conditions) experience and describe meaningful activities? And how do meaningful activities influence the recovery process?

Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative study uses an explorative and interpretive design in a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach. Transcribed interviews are analysed using a phenomenological-hermeneutic method for researching lived experience. The study was submitted to the Norwegian Center for Research Data where it was approved (Case No. 54661).

Findings
Structural analysis resulted in three overarching themes: achieving a positive identity through actions and feeling worthwhile; physically outside but inside the norms of society, and idleness, isolation, and obstacles on the road to recovery. Meaningful activities, considered a cornerstone in the recovery process, vary widely and are primarily described in social contexts, thereby confirming the significance of social aspects of recovery in addition to recovery as an individual journey. The findings also show that experiencing meaningful activities contributes to recovery capital and the development of recovery-promotive identities.

Research limitations/implications
The study consisted of a small sample size, recruited at one location which served as a primary research limitation.

Practical implications
This paper provides insights for health care practitioners and health care decision makers regarding the importance of meaningful activities viewed through a recovery perspective.

Originality/value
Few studies to date have used a comprehensive approach to describe the influence of experiencing meaningful activities on the recovery process.
Evaluating the project success index of public-private partnership projects in Hong Kong
Authors: Osei-Kyei Robert , Chan Albert P.C. 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
Since 1960, many public–private partnership (PPP) projects have been implemented in Hong Kong. Some projects have been considered as very successful, whereas others are seen as less successful. Unfortunately, these success outcomes have remained abstract because they are not in quantifiable terms. This paper aims to develop a model that can quantify the success outcome of PPP projects in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach
Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were adopted for the study. First, a questionnaire survey was conducted with PPP practitioners in Hong Kong, and thereafter, the fuzzy synthetic evaluation technique was used to develop a project success index for PPP projects in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Cross-Harbour Tunnel project was used as a case study to demonstrate the applicability of the pragmatic model.

Findings
The success index model developed consists of four unrelated success criteria groupings: cost effectiveness, quality of services and technical specification, environmental impact and long-term partnership. Further, the computed success index for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel project is 4.06, which indicates that the tunnel project has been highly successful.

Originality/value
The outputs of this study will enable PPP practitioners in Hong Kong to reliably evaluate the success levels of their projects. In addition, local practitioners can now compare the success levels of two or more PPP projects on the same basis.
“Why aren’t there enough of our stories to read?”
Authors: Rosario-Ramos Enid Marie 
Published: May 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to draw on the analysis of instruction and student work in an English Language Arts classroom to discuss how teachers may support dispossessed students’ journeys toward radical healing (Ginwright, 2010) by using critically caring pedagogies – pedagogies grounded in teachers’ deep understanding of the systemic inequalities faced by their students and a strong commitment to contributing to social justice. Radical healing involves naming and redefining individual experiences of oppression as collective struggle to express desire and hope (Winn, 2012; 2013; Tuck, 2009).Design/methodology/approachThe data used for this paper included video data from a two-week writing unit and fieldnotes from preceding lessons, classroom documents and handouts and final work from students. Data were analyzed through a process of open and focused coding (Coffey and Atkinson 1996; Miles and Huberman, 1994).FindingsThree major practices emerged from the analysis of instruction: affirming student experience, connecting individual and community struggles and using writing as a space for expressing desire and hope. Student work showed how students used their writing to engage in the kind of analysis that autoethnographies encourage – reflection on individual lives as collective experiences and the expression of hope – which the author aligns with the goals of radical healing. Students wrote about enduring difficult life circumstances. They also found connections between their experiences and the lives of their peers and communities. Finally, they used their writing to express desire and hope.Originality/valueThe teacher’s pedagogy provides an illustration of teaching critically caring literacies (Camangian, 2010) that may lead to radical healing (Ginwright, 2010) – a pedagogy that seeks justice and encourages resilience, particularly for youth who have experienced great injustices. This kind of pedagogy requires not only the willingness to feel critical hope (Duncan-Andrade, 2009) with students but also a commitment to challenging disciplinary canons by allowing students’ lives to enter the classroom. In her classroom, the teacher created a space for her students to reflect on their lives and experience radical healing by encouraging them to contextualize their experiences within socio-historical processes and social, economic and political structures that were designed to create and sustain inequity. The autoethnography unit provided an opportunity for students to evaluate their own histories, come to terms with the past and begin to express desire and imagine hopeful futures (Tuck, 2009; Winn, 2012; 2013).
Dynamics of succession planning for Indian family-owned businesses: learning from successful organizations
Authors: Budhiraja Sunil , Pathak Ujjwal Kumar 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the process and challenges faced by Indian family-owned businesses (FoBs) during succession planning and examine the recent advancements in succession planning of successful Indian FoBs.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors make use of recent developments in terms of succession planning by FoBs to prepare their impartial comments and summary.

Findings
It is evident that India has the third highest number of FoBs after China and the USA. The challenges for these organizations during the transition of the ownership to the next generation start from finding a competent family member to manage the conflict between the family and the board.

Practical implications
The paper provides strategic insight into leading FoBs in India for creating a systematic and robust succession plan in their respective organizations.

Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information, and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Value co-creation mechanisms of enterprises and users under crowdsource-based open innovation
Authors: Liu Qian , Zhao Xin , Sun Baowen 
Published: May 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to systematically review the existing research and summarize the value co-creation mechanism between enterprises and users in crowdsource-based open innovation (COI).Design/methodology/approachCrowdsourcing is an effective means for enterprises to launch open innovation. This paper will first introduce the concepts and forms of open innovation and crowdsourcing, and then define COI.FindingsThis paper will analyze the key parties in innovative tasks, value co-creation mechanism that creates ideas, the interaction of key participants and the process of integrating internal and external resources to realize open innovation.Research limitations/implicationsIn the end, this paper will put forward the theoretical framework for future studies on the development of COI from the perspective of value co-creation.Originality/valueThis thesis will first introduce the concepts and forms of open innovation and outsourcing and then define COI. Then it will systematically review the existing research studies and summarize the value co-creation mechanism between enterprises and users under COI model by analyzing the key parties in innovative tasks, value co-creation mechanism that creates ideas, the interaction mode of key participants and the process of enterprises integrating internal and external resources to realize open innovation.