bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Sap Transmission of Citrus Bent Leaf Viroid in Malaysia
Authors: Iftikhar Yasir , Khoo Ying Wei , Murugan Taneswari , Roslin Nur Athirah , Adawiyah Rabiatul , Kong Lih Ling , Vadamalai Ganesan 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA 328 nucleotide (nt) variant of Citrus bent leaf viroid (CBLVd) was characterized from citrus varieties in Malaysia showing leaf bending, stunting and midvein necrosis. CBLVd was detected by RT-PCR assay using CBLVd specific primers in 12 out of 90 samples, collected from six different areas in Malaysia. The viroid was present in five species of citrus namely Citrofortunella microcarpa, Citrus aurantifolia, C. hystrix, C. maxima and C. sinensis. Sequence analysis of the isolates obtained from this study showed 99-100% sequence identity to CBLVd Jp isolate (AB006734). Inoculation of sap obtained from a CBLVd positive C. aurantifolia, inoculated into six months old C. microcarpa seedlings showed the symptoms leaf bending, reduced leaf size of matured leaves and mild mosaic between 4 to 6 months after inoculation. The presence of CBLVd in the inoculated seedlings were confirmed by RT-PCR assay and sequencing.Author SummaryThe authors during a limited survey collected the citrus samples from citrus growing areas of Malaysia to detect the citrus viroids. Citrus viroids are associated with decline in citrus production. Thus, the presence of the citrus viroids and their spread needs to be investigated to facilitate the management of this pathogen in citrus orchards. The authors detected and characterized Citrus bent leaf viroid in Malaysian citrus.
Structure of GTP cyclohydrolase I fromListeria monocytogenes, a potential anti-infective drug target
Authors: Schüssler Sonja , Haase Ilka , Perbandt Markus , Illarionov Boris , Siemens Alexandra , Richter Klaus , Bacher Adelbert , Fischer Markus , Gräwert Tobias 
Published: August 2019

A putative open reading frame encoding GTP cyclohydrolase I fromListeria monocytogeneswas expressed in a recombinantEscherichia colistrain. The recombinant protein was purified and was confirmed to convert GTP to dihydroneopterin triphosphate (Km= 53 µM;vmax= 180 nmol mg−1 min−1). The protein was crystallized from 1.3 Msodium citrate pH 7.3 and the crystal structure was solved at a resolution of 2.4 Å (Rfree= 0.226) by molecular replacement using human GTP cyclohydrolase I as a template. The protein is aD5-symmetric decamer with ten topologically equivalent active sites. Screening a small library of about 9000 compounds afforded several inhibitors with IC50values in the low-micromolar range. Several inhibitors had significant selectivity with regard to human GTP cyclohydrolase I. Hence, GTP cyclohydrolase I may be a potential target for novel drugs directed at microbial infections, including listeriosis, a rare disease with high mortality.
Relationships between conflicts and employee perceived job performance
Authors: Ye Zhongjun , Liu Hefu , Gu Jibao 
Published: August 2019

PurposeOver 83.72 million Chinese firms employing more than 775 million employees. It is essential to explore employee relationships and conflict management practices in China. Although collectivism can influence employee cognition and emotions, the psychological mechanism that links collectivism and job satisfaction is still unclear. Researchers have found existing empirical findings on conflict–performance relationships to be mixed and inconsistent, and have identified the need to pinpoint the explanatory mechanisms and boundary conditions that underlie the effect of conflict on job performance. This study aims to provide some clarification to this important yet relatively unclear issue.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was conducted in China to collect data. The authors received completed questionnaires from 466 employees.FindingsAnalysis of questionnaire results reveals that job satisfaction mediates the relationships between conflicts and perceived job performance, and that collectivism moderates the relationships between conflicts and job satisfaction. Specifically, the positive relationship between task conflict and job satisfaction is amplified by high levels of horizontal collectivism (HC) and vertical collectivism (VC), while the negative relationship between relationship conflict and job satisfaction is strengthened by HC.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation is that this study used a cross-sectional design, meaning that causality in relationships cannot be established from results. Despite this limitation, the present findings provide insights into conflict management, job satisfaction and culture value literature.Originality/valueThis paper examines the moderating role of employees’ collectivist orientation (not national culture) on the relationships between conflicts and employee job satisfaction at the individual level. It also explores HC and VC and identifies their differential effects on the relationships between conflicts and job satisfaction.
How to use lean Six Sigma methodology to improve service process in higher education
Authors: Li Na , Laux Chad Matthew , Antony Jiju 
Published: August 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to use a practical case study approach to demonstrate the power to use lean Six Sigma (LSS) to improve service process in a higher education institution (HEI). The paper also illustrated the barriers and challenges met and lessons learnt for the LSS adoption in this HEI.

Design/methodology/approach
Prior to the study, extensive literature review was conducted to understand various aspects of LSS in HE industry. The authors use a single descriptive case study as methodology to explain how DMAIC was applied within a HEI environment.

Findings
In this LSS case study, the team found HEI service process contains a large human behavior component, which dramatically increases the unpredictability of the entire service delivery process and increases the complexity of the process and the ability of the improvement team to identify the root cause. This case study demonstrates the numerous challenges will occur in working with the intangible factors that are both hard to recognize, quantify and rarely tracked by organization.

Practical implications
During the research, the pre-award service process was studied, data were recorded and various statistical tool and techniques were used to discover and resolve the root cause. The lessons learnt of the LSS adoption in this service process in HEI and the problems encountered were all recorded in this study, which will be helpful for future research in HEI industry.

Originality/value
From the literature review, LSS has been widely adopted in manufacturing industry, increased adoption in service, but there has been limited academic research about the implementation in nonprofit, service sectors, particular to higher education industry. The major benefit of implementation LSS in both manufacturing and service is considerable improvement to the bottom line. However, in this HEI case study, it has opened up the direction to implement LSS to better serve your customer as ultimate mission instead of financial gains.
Understanding speculative investment behavior in the Bitcoin context from a dual-systems perspective
Authors: Ryu Hyun-Sun , Ko Kwang Sun 
Published: August 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine users’ decision-making mechanism of speculative investment behavior and its sequential consequences in the Bitcoin context from a dual-systems perspective.Design/methodology/approachOriginal data were collected via a survey of 334 participants with experience in Bitcoin speculative investment. The partial least squares method was used to test the proposed model.FindingsSpeculative investment behavior in the Bitcoin context is driven by strong impulse and weak self-control, leading to negative consequences. The extent of the imbalance between the two cognitive systems is greater with the subjective norm than without it, thus facilitating speculative investment behavior. Noteworthy differences in the impulse and self-control effects on Bitcoin speculative investment are found with differences in Bitcoin objective and subjective knowledge.Originality/valueThis study is the first attempt to empirically investigate users’ decision-making mechanism used when speculating in Bitcoin.
Fuzzy sliding mode control of a wearable rehabilitation robot for wrist and finger
Authors: Abbasi Moshaii Alireza , Mohammadi Moghaddam Majid , Dehghan Niestanak Vahid 
Published: August 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a new design for a finger and wrist rehabilitation robot. Furthermore, a fuzzy sliding mode controller has been designed to control the system.Design/methodology/approachFollowing an introduction regarding the hand rehabilitation, this paper discusses the conceptual and detailed design of a novel wrist and finger rehabilitation robot. The robot provides the possibility of rehabilitating each phalanx individually which is very important in the finger rehabilitation process. Moreover, due to the model uncertainties, disturbances and chattering in the system, a fuzzy sliding mode controller design method is proposed for the robot.FindingsWith the novel design for moving the DOFs of the system, the rehabilitation for the wrist and all phalanges of fingers is done with only two actuators which are combined in one device. These features make the system a good choice for home rehabilitation. To control the robot, a fuzzy sliding mode controller has been designed for the system. The fuzzy controller does not affect the coefficient of the sliding mode controller and uses the overall error of the system to make a control signal. Thus, the dependence of the controller to the model decreases and the system is more robust. The stability of the system is proved by the Lyapunov theorem.Originality/valueThe paper provides a novel design of a hand rehabilitation robot and a controller which is used to compensate the effects of the uncertain parameters and chattering phenomenon.
The entrepreneur-salaried employee-associate
Authors: Ballon Justine 
Published: August 2019

Purpose
The increasing number of self-employed workers in France transforms the historical work relationship. In this perspective, the case of entrepreneurs who works in Business and Employment Cooperatives (BECs) with the status of entrepreneur–employee–associate is studied. They combine two legal status of self-employed and employee which were previously legally and institutionally separated. BECs question the forms of relationships governing production and labor. This paper aims to determine to what degree this combination of relationships improves the autonomy of entrepreneurs and reduces the risks of autonomous activity.

Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative action research combined with a pragmatic approach using abductive reasoning was carried out in three BECs. It is based on participant observations and interviews.

Findings
The results show that three types of relationships are embedded in the labor relations of cooperative activity: the entrepreneurial relationship, the employment relationship and the associate member relationship. This configuration contributes to achieving autonomy in the organization of labor and the reduction of risks linked to entrepreneurial activity. However, the complexity of the embedded relations, the persistence of asymmetry and the contrast between the rules of cooperatives and companies limit the ambition of BECs.

Practical implications
They determine the ability of BECs to invent appropriate mechanisms to empower their entrepreneur members.

Originality/value
This study combines an action research stance with a pluridisciplinary approach. It offers new perspectives for understanding the mutations that modes of production and labor mobilization are going through in a period of change toward a post-Fordist paradigm.
Six strategies that define digital winners
Authors: Butner Karen 
Published: August 2019

Purpose
IBM research sought to identify the characteristics and strategies of the world’s most prosperous digital companies. The goal was to learn, “What is the secret to successfully leveraging platforms, AI and other digital technologies in today’s digital race? What strategies and operating models are winning?”

Design/methodology/approach
The IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) conducted a comprehensive worldwide study of 1,500 mostly C-level executives to learn about their investments, leading practices and cultures.

Findings
The capabilities that differentiate Leaders from others–learning, speed and ongoing exploration–enable their strategies. Leaders are passionate about developing customer experience-based connections, integrating workflows with artificial intelligence (AI) and automated technologies and personalizing their brands and employee experiences.

Practical implications
The six top strategies Leaders employ to perpetuate success are: 10; 10;1.9; Orchestrate digital ecosystems and platforms. 10;2.9; Build trust to build your brand. 10;3.9; Reimagine customer behavior. 10;4.9; Curate data that “thinks” and “acts.” 10;5.9; Create an exponential learning environment. 10;6.9; Foster a culture of inclusion. 10;

Originality/value
The study has significant value because it identifies the strategies of the Leader group and explains the processes and culture changes that empower them. The study also reveals numerous surprises such as the eagerness of the leading companies to step outside the norm and disrupt their markets, and then prepare to do it again..
Spatio‐temporal variation of biotic and abiotic stress agents determines seedling survival in assisted oak regeneration
Authors: López‐Sánchez Aida , Peláez Marta , Dirzo Rodolfo , Fernandes G. Wilson , Seminatore Mizael , Perea Ramón 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Mediterranean oak woodlands are currently undergoing considerable anthropogenic changes that globally threaten their long‐term persistence. Restoration efforts via assisted regeneration depend on species traits and type of stress. However, how different sources of stress vary across space (microsites) and time (intra‐ and inter‐annual variation) for co‐occurring oak species remains largely unknown.

We examined spatio‐temporal variation of biotic (herbivory, seed predation) and abiotic (drought) stress agents to evaluate seedling survival across different regeneration microsites, and considering two climatically contrasting years. We used two co‐occurring species of contrasting ecology and leaf traits in California oak woodlands: the deciduous Quercus lobata (valley oak) and the evergreen Q. agrifolia (coast live oak).

Most oak seedlings (98.8%) suffered from some type of stress. For both species, summer drought was the main cause of mortality, followed by rodent damage, ungulate browsing and insect damage. Rodents represented the predominant biotic stress, as all rodent‐affected seedlings eventually died. Interactions among stress factors were nuanced: insect and ungulate‐browsing stresses were greater during dry year, whereas rodent damage was similar in dry and average years. Intra‐annually, rodent damage was the main stress agent in early spring, whereas water stress and ungulate‐browsing were greater from late spring to early fall. Plant species traits were also determinant: overall, the evergreen species had greater survival probability than the deciduous one.

Across microsites, water stress showed higher occurrence in open grassland habitats, while rodent damage was prevalent under palatable shrubs and ungulate browsing under conspecific trees. Shrub and tree cover reduced damage attributed to water stress but increased rodent and ungulate damage, respectively. Interestingly, lower water stress but higher rodent damage was found further inside the shrub cover.

Synthesis and applications. Intra‐ and inter‐annual variation are critical determinants of stress type and intensity on oak recruitment. Spatial variation (microsite identity) is highly useful to manipulate stress agent impact. We conclude that assisted regeneration should consider not only the predominance and lethality of each stress type and microsite, but also the interactions thereof and thus manipulate protective microsites accordingly.
Nutrient Concentration Targets to Achieve Periphyton Biomass Objectives Incorporating Uncertainties
Authors: Snelder T.H. , Moore C. , Kilroy C. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractNutrient concentration targets are an important component of managing river eutrophication. Relationships between periphyton biomass and site characteristics for 78 gravel‐bed rivers in New Zealand were represented by regression models. The regression models had large uncertainties but identified broad‐scale drivers of periphyton biomass. The models were used to derive concentration targets for the nutrients, total nitrogen (TN) and dissolved reactive phosphorous (DRP), for 21 river classes to achieve periphyton biomass thresholds of 50, 120, and 200 mg chlorophyll a m−2. The targets incorporated a temporal exceedance criterion requiring the specified biomass threshold not be exceeded by more than 8% of samples. The targets also incorporated a spatial exceedance criterion requiring the biomass thresholds will not be exceeded at more than a fixed proportion (10%, 20%, or 50%) of locations. The spatial exceedance criterion implies, rather than requiring specific conditions at individual sites, the objective is to restrict biomass to acceptable levels at a majority of locations within a domain of interest. A Monte Carlo analysis was used to derive the uncertainty of the derived nutrient concentration targets for TN and DRP. The uncertainties reduce with increasing size of the spatial domain. Tests indicated the nutrient concentration targets were reasonably consistent with independent periphyton biomass data despite differences in the protocols used to measure biomass at the training and test sites.
Temporal Dynamics of Transdermal Alcohol Concentration Measured via New‐Generation Wrist‐Worn Biosensor
Authors: Fairbairn Catharine E. , Kang Dahyeon 
Published: August 2019

BackgroundThe development of a transdermal alcohol biosensor could represent a tremendous advance toward curbing problematic drinking. But several factors limit the usefulness of extant transdermal technology, including relatively lengthy delays between blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and transdermal alcohol concentration (TAC), as well as the large/bulky designs of currently available transdermal sensors (e.g., ankle monitors). The current research examined the lag time between BAC and TAC using a prototype of BACtrack Skyn—a new‐generation wrist‐worn transdermal sensor featuring a compact design and smartphone integration.MethodsParticipants (N = 30) received either a dose of alcohol (target BAC 0.08%) or a nonalcoholic beverage in the laboratory while wearing both the AMS SCRAM ankle monitor and a Skyn prototype. Participants were monitored in the laboratory until breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) dropped below 0.025%.ResultsDevice failure rates for Skyn prototypes were relatively high (18 to 38%) compared with nonprototype SCRAM devices (2%). Among participants with usable data, both Skyn‐ and SCRAM‐measured TAC showed strong correlations with BrAC, and both Skyn and SCRAM devices detected alcohol within 30 minutes of first alcohol administration. Skyn‐measured TAC peaked over 1 hour earlier than SCRAM‐measured TAC (54 versus 120 minutes after peak BrAC, respectively), and time‐series models suggested that, on average across all measured portions of the BrAC curve, Skyn TAC lagged behind BrAC by 24 minutes, whereas SCRAM TAC lagged behind BrAC by 69 minutes—all differences statistically significant at p < 0.001.ConclusionsResults provide preliminary evidence for the validity of a new‐generation wrist‐worn transdermal sensor under controlled laboratory conditions and further suggest favorable properties of this sensor as they pertain to the latency of transdermal alcohol detection. The prototype version of Skyn employed here displayed a higher failure rate compared with SCRAM, and, in future, more reliable and robust Skyn prototypes will be required suitable to field testing across diverse environmental conditions.
Disrupted topological properties of brain networks in erectile dysfunction patients owing predominantly to psychological factors: a structural and functional neuroimaging study
Authors: Chen J. , Huang X. , Liu S. , Lu C. , Dai Y. , Yao Z. , Chen Y. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroductionHuman brain was a complex network of interconnected regions. Recent neuroimaging studies had showed that the disruption of brain connectivity was associated with psychological disorders. Abnormal rich club and robustness of brain networks might have a key role in the pathophysiology of psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED).MethodsBoth diffusion and functional magnetic resonance imaging were performed in pED patients and healthy controls (HC). Measures of rich club organization and robustness under targeted attack were explored.ResultsBoth pED and HC showed structural and functional rich club organization. However, reduced rich club coefficient was found in pED and different regions in the rich club of structural brain network were less than that of functional brain network. Moreover, decreased connectivity density and strength were only found in feeder connections of functional brain network in pED. In addition, pED showed remarkably reduced resilient to targeted attack and the stability of the functional brain network organization showed more vulnerable to targeted attack in pED.ConclusionTogether, our results provided evidence that pED was characterized by a selective disruption of rich club organization and reduced robustness to attack. The abnormal hub regions and connections of functional brain network, less stable organization of structural brain network, and the abnormal psychological factors might lead to the development of erectile dysfunction in pED.
Effects of ultrasound energy on the porcine corneal endothelium – Establishment of a phacoemulsification damage model
Authors: Kunzmann Berenike C. , Wenzel Daniel A. , Bartz‐Schmidt Karl U. , Spitzer Martin S. , Schultheiss Maximilian 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to establish a standardized in vitro phacoemulsification damage model for future investigations of the effects of phacoemulsification, surgical devices, protective ophthalmic viscoelastic devices (OVDs), irrigation solutions and other aspects related to cataract phacoemulsification surgery on the corneal endothelium using porcine eyes.MethodsThirty‐four porcine eyes were randomly assigned to three groups (phacoemulsification (n = 13), irrigation (n = 9), control (n = 12)). A total of 5 min of ultrasound energy with intermittent irrigation/aspiration was applied in the eyes of the phacoemulsification group. The eyes of the irrigation group received the identical treatment, but without the application of ultrasound energy. The control group was left untreated. All eyes were then prepared to split corneal buttons followed by 15 days of cultivation. Endothelial cell density (ECD) was assessed blinded on day 15.ResultsEndothelial cell density declined significantly more until day 15 in the phacoemulsification group (2567 ± 317/267 cells/mm² (median ± 25%/75%‐quartiles), −32.5 ± 7.0/6.4%) compared to the irrigation (3450 ± 350/383 cells/mm², −11.8 ± 5.3/2.6%; p < 0.001) and the control group (3650 ± 288/258 cells/mm², −10.2 ± 3.2/4.6%; p < 0.001).ConclusionThe phacoemulsification damage model presented in this study is sensitive to phacoemulsification energy and may reliably be used to investigate various factors involved in phacoemulsification with regard to their influence on corneal endothelial cells. This method is able to replace animal experiments or in vitro cell culture experiments that often do not translate well to the in vivo situation in humans.