bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cyanobacteria is uniquely enriched in the roots of grain amaranths
Authors: Nambisan Suran , Sunil Meeta , Choudhary Bibha , Srinivasan Subhashini 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTPlants and microbes have coexisted for millions of years and some have evolved mechanisms to achieve symbiosis driving positive selection. The bartering of chemicals produced by soil microbes and plants favour enrichment of certain types of bacteria near the roots that offers selective advantage to the plant under a given environment. Grain amaranths display certain important agronomic characteristics like C4 dicot, high protein and high lysine grains, resistance to biotic and abiotic stress, which can be translated to other crops. Considering an unusual collection of desirable traits shown by grain amaranths, it is worth pondering if symbiosis with bacteria has played any role in these traits. The objective of this study is to identify bacterial root microflora unique to grain amaranths. Here, by comparing rhizospheric and endophytic composition of 16S rRNA from various sections of roots from selected species under major plant orders including the three varieties of grain amaranths, we report that Cyanobacteria are uniquely enriched by grain amaranths. The diversity in OTUs among the Cyanobacteria also significantly increased among samples from amaranth species compared to negative control. This finding is also validated using root transcriptome of Amaranthus hypochondriacus, where we observe relative increase in Cyanobacterial population between day 15 to day 30 compared to other abundant phylum during this period.
Imputation of canine genotype array data using 365 whole-genome sequences improves power of genome-wide association studies
Authors: Hayward Jessica J. , White Michelle E. , Boyle Michael , Shannon Laura M. , Casal Margret L. , Castelhano Marta G. , Center Sharon A. , Meyers-Wallen Vicki N. , Simpson Kenneth W. , Sutter Nathan B. , Todhunter Rory J. , Boyko Adam R. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractGenomic resources for the domestic dog have improved with the widespread adoption of a 173k SNP array platform and updated reference genome. SNP arrays of this density are sufficient for detecting genetic associations within breeds but are underpowered for finding associations across multiple breeds or in mixed-breed dogs, where linkage disequilibrium rapidly decays between markers, even though such studies would hold particular promise for mapping complex diseases and traits. Here we introduce an imputation reference panel, consisting of 365 diverse, whole-genome sequenced dogs and wolves, which increases the number of markers that can be queried in genome-wide association studies approximately 130-fold. Using previously genotyped dogs, we show the utility of this reference panel in identifying novel associations and fine-mapping for canine body size and blood phenotypes, even when causal loci are not in strong linkage disequilibrium with any single array marker. This reference panel resource will improve future genome-wide association studies for canine complex diseases and other phenotypes.Author SummaryComplex traits are controlled by more than one gene and as such are difficult to map. For complex trait mapping in the domestic dog, researchers use the current array of 173,000 variants, with only minimal success. Here, we use a method called imputation to increase the number of variants – from 173,000 to 24 million – that can be queried in canine association studies. We use sequence data from the whole genomes of 365 dogs and wolves to accurately predict variants, in a separate cohort of dogs, that are not present on the array. Using dog body size, we show that the increase in variants results in an increase in mapping power, through the identification of new associations and the narrowing of regions of interest. This imputation panel is particularly important because of its usefulness in improving complex trait mapping in the dog, which has significant implications for discovery of variants in humans with similar diseases.
Evaluation of DNA extracted from blood filter spots and eluates processed for enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Authors: Xatse Mark Andy , Akorli Jewelna , Owusu Irene Offei , Gati Livingstone , Wilson Michael David 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDried filter blood spots have become a significant blood collection method for screening individuals for clinical purposes. When used for ELISAs, they are normally discarded after the blood has been eluted. However, they may still be useful for extraction of DNA for molecular-based assays. The aim of this work was to determine the integrity of DNA extracted from filter paper spots from which blood has initially been eluted for ELISA with sample dilution buffer (SDB) and phosphate buffered saline (PBS). DNA was extracted from the eluted filter spots, the eluate, and dried blood filter spots (controls) using spin column extraction. The quality and quantity of the extracted DNA was assessed and used for PCR to further evaluate their usefulness in molecular assays. Concentration of DNA obtained was dependent on the buffer used for processing the filter blood blots. Accounting for the DNA concentration obtained from dried blood spots, which were used as controls, DNA extracted from the already eluted blood spots were 32 times higher in PBS than SDB processed filter paper. The ratio was even higher for the eluates, which were 57 times higher in PBS than SDS eluates. SDB eluates had significantly higher average DNA concentration than their eluted filter paper, but their purity ratios were similar. 85% PCR success rate was achieved with the DNA samples. Useful DNA can be extracted from blood spots after it has been eluted with SDB. Although the DNA concentration and purity may be low, the DNA could be useful for rather simple PCR assays.Author SummaryCollection of blood onto filter paper has become an accepted method for screening individuals for clinical and public health purposes since the 1960s. This method of blood collection has become increasingly popular due to its ease and convenience in collection and transportation. The use of dried blood spots for clinical evaluations and research has become very significant. For research purposes, DBS when used for ELISAs are discarded after single use. DNA may however be extracted from the used filter blots and used for molecular assays. The concentration of DNA obtained may be low but simple assays like PCR could be done using the DNA extracted from the eluted filter spot.
Revisiting green packaging from a cost perspective
Authors: Singh Gaganpreet , Pandey Neeraj 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore green packaging from the process dimension. Specifically, it focuses on understanding the behavior of costs associated with installing green packaging infrastructure.Design/methodology/approachThe study used system dynamics to design the model. The model was tested on three industries employed in manufacturing glass bottles to generalize the result.FindingsThe study concludes that cost of remanufacturing which initially is higher because of recollection phases and reverse logistics costs eventually becomes lower than new manufacturing as soon as system achieves stability and continues to follow the same trend over the period of time.Practical implicationsThe study put forwards an explanation to the concerns of manufacturers who were unwilling to install green packaging or remanufacturing infrastructure into their operations because of several cost- and risk-related dilemmas.Originality/valueThe study extends the academic literature by answering the queries raised by Kassaye and Holloway (2015).
Young people school-to-work transition in the aftermath of the Arab Spring
Authors: Selwaness Irene , Roushdy Rania 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the school-to-work transition of young people from subsequent school exit cohorts between 2001 and 2012 in Egypt, thus, presenting an early evidence on the adjustments of the labor market in terms of patterns of youth transition to a first job following the 2011 Egyptian uprising.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis compares the early employment outcomes of those who left school after the January 25, 2011 uprising to that of those who left before 2011. The authors also separately control for the cohorts who left school in 2008 and 2009, in an attempt to disentangle any labor market adjustments that might have happened following the financial crisis, and before the revolution. Using novel and unexploited representative data from the 2014 Survey of Young People in Egypt (SYPE), the authors estimate the probability of transition to any first job within 18 months from leaving education and that of the transition to a good-quality job, controlling for the year of school exit. The authors also estimate the hazard of finding a first job and a good-quality job using survival analysis.FindingsSchool exit cohorts of 2008–2009 (following the financial crisis) and those of 2011–2012 (in the aftermath of the 2011 uprisings) experienced a significantly higher likelihood of finding a first job within 18 months than that of the cohorts of 2001–2007. However, this came at the expense of the quality of job, conditional on having found a first job. The results of the hazard model show that school leavers after 2008 who were not able to transition to a job shortly after leaving school experienced longer unemployment spells than their peers who left school before 2007. The odds of finding a good-quality job appears to decline with time spent in non-employment or in a bad-quality first job.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to a limited, yet growing, literature on how school-to-work transition evolved during the global financial crisis and the Egyptian 2011 revolution. Using data from SYPE 2014, the most recent representative survey conducted in Egypt on youth and not previously exploited to study youth school-to-work transition, the paper investigates the short-term adjustments of the youth labor market opportunities during that critical period of Egypt and the region’s history.
Endorsement and visual complexity in food advertising on Instagram
Authors: Kusumasondjaja Sony , Tjiptono Fandy 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the differences in consumer pleasure, arousal and purchase intention when consumers encounter food advertising on Instagram using different endorsers and visual complexity levels.Design/methodology/approachAn experimental design was conducted involving 180 undergraduate students from several universities in Surabaya, Indonesia. The participants had actively used Instagram for at least one year.FindingsFood ads endorsed by a celebrity generate more pleasure and arousal than those endorsed by food experts. Food advertising using high levels of visual complexity cues generates more pleasure and arousal than less complex advertising. However, less complex food ads using food experts create greater pleasure than those endorsed by celebrities. Consumer pleasure and arousal were significant mediators of the impact of endorser type and visual complexity on consumer purchase intentions.Practical implicationsAs celebrities and higher levels of visual complexity result in more favorable responses to Instagram ads, food marketers need to consider increasing visual complexity when using celebrities in advertising by adding more objects, using more colors, objects, or textures and incorporating asymmetric elements in the advertisements.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies comparing the effectiveness of celebrity and expert endorsers in Instagram advertising. Also, this research extends the existing knowledge about visual complexity in the context of social media advertising.
Multiple sequential mediation in an extended uses and gratifications model of augmented reality game Pokémon Go
Authors: Ghazali Ezlika M. , Mutum Dilip S. , Woon Mei Yuen 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanism by which uses and gratification (U&G) constructs predict continuance intention to play (ContInt) the augmented reality game Pokémon Go (PG), through multiple serial mediation technique, with enjoyment and flow as mediators. The model also integrates other motivational factors specific to PG, namely, network externality and nostalgia and investigates the process by which they influence ContInt through players’ inherent need-to-collect animated monsters and online community involvement, respectively.Design/methodology/approachThe model was tested using 362 validated responses from an online survey of PG players in Malaysia. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyse the data. The predictive relevance of the model was tested via partial least squares-Predict.FindingsContInt is influenced through various mechanisms. Enjoyment is the most important mediator, mediating three U&G predictor constructs (achievement, escapism, challenge and social interaction) and the outcome ContInt. Flow did not have any influence on ContInt unless coupled with enjoyment as a serial mediator. Network externality and nostalgia were found to only influence ContInt through mediators, online community involvement and need-to-collect Pokémon Monsters, respectively. Overall, the results show evidence of four indirect-only mediation paths and one complementary partial mediation path.Originality/valueProvides support for an integrated model incorporating psychological, social and gaming motivational factors. While most other studies focus on direct relationships, we focus on indirect relationships through multiple sequential mediation analysis, following the recent modern mediation analysis guidelines. Contrary to previous findings, flow was not an important factor in predicting ContInt for gaming and nostalgia does not link directly to ContInt.
Traceability for sustainability – literature review and conceptual framework
Authors: Garcia-Torres Sofia , Albareda Laura , Rey-Garcia Marta , Seuring Stefan 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how companies enact traceability in their global supply chains (SCs) to achieve sustainability goals and how this so-called traceability for sustainability (TfS) can contribute to (sustainable) supply chain management ([S]SCM). For this, the paper focuses on the paramount example of the apparel industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study presents an integrative and systematic literature review of 89 peer-reviewed journal articles on the confluence of traceability and sustainability in global apparel SCs. It comprises content analysis and abductive category-building based on previous literature.FindingsA conceptual framework emerges to describe TfS as an evolving cycle, comprising three dimensions: governance, collaboration and tracking and tracing. Resources and capabilities literature set the foundations for conceiving TfS as a distinctive meta-capability construct. Hence, besides being associated to increased performance, risk management and SC process transformation, TfS ultimately blurs boundaries and integrates non-traditional SC actors into the same ecosystem with important implications for sustainability and (S)SCM. This study refers to the industrial upgrading potential of global SCs to explain how leveraging enabling technologies for TfS may help to improve the triple-bottom-line (TBL) performance of the actors in the broad ecosystem while reducing the risks associated to those technologies. Thus, TfS can contribute to (S)SCM and to TBL sustainability within and beyond SC boundaries.Originality/valueThis study conceptually frames (S)SCM exploring TfS as a meta-capability and contributes to the underexplored question of how to achieve sustainability in global SCs.
Claudin reduction may relate to an impaired skin barrier in rosacea
Authors: Deng Zhili , Chen Mengting , Xie Hongfu , Jian Dan , Xu San , Peng Qinqin , Sha Ke , Liu Yingzi , Zhang Yiya , Shi Wei , Li Ji 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder whose pathophysiological mechanism remains largely unknown. Although recent studies have revealed the hypersensitivity of the skin towards chemical, thermal and biological stimuli, there is no direct molecular evidence suggesting the skin barrier is impaired in rosacea. In this study, we demonstrated that the mRNA levels of most claudins (CLDN), the main components of tight junctions determining the major barrier of the paracellular pathway between epithelial cells, were lowered in lesional skin of rosacea patients, especially with erythematotelangiectatic (ETR) and papulopustular (PPR) subtypes. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a significant decrease in the expression of CLDN1, CLDN3, CLDN4 and CLDN5 in the epidermis of ETR and PPR patients. However, the expression of other skin barrier genes, such as filaggrin, loricrin and keratin 10, was not altered. In vitro, various rosacea trigger factors reduced the protein levels of CLDN1, CLDN3 and CLDN5 in keratinocytes. Taken together, our results demonstrate a significant decrease in the expression of CLDN rather than other skin barrier genes, which may be associated with an impaired skin barrier responsible for the development of rosacea.
Sedimentary basins investigation using teleseismic P‐wave time delays
Authors: Piana Agostinetti Nicola , Martini Francesca 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACTPassive seismic methods have been proven successful in recent years at retrieving information about the large‐scale structure of a sedimentary basin. These methods are based on ambient noise recordings, and local and distant (teleseismic) earthquake data. In particular, it has been previously observed that the arrival time of teleseismic P‐waves recorded inside a sedimentary basin shows time delays and polarization that both strongly depend on the basin properties and structure. In this paper, we present a new methodology for determining seismic P‐wave velocity in a sedimentary basin, based on the time delay of a teleseismic P‐wave travelling through the low‐velocity basin infill, with respect to a teleseismic wave recorded outside the basin. The new methodology is developed in a Bayesian framework and, thus, it includes estimates of the uncertainties of the P‐wave velocities. For this study, we exploit synchronous recordings of teleseismic P‐wave arrivals at a dense linear array of broadband seismic stations, using data from two teleseismic events coming from two different incoming angles. The results obtained by the new proposed methodology are successfully compared to classical cross‐correlation measurements, and are used to infer properties of a sedimentary basin, such as the basin bounding fault's geometry and the average P‐wave velocity of the sedimentary basin fill.
Decision‐making in multi‐agency groups at simulated major incident emergencies: In situ analysis of adherence to UK doctrine
Authors: Wilkinson Byron , Cohen‐Hatton Sabrina R. , Honey Robert C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWhen major incident emergencies occur in the UK (e.g., a terrorist attack), senior representatives convene from local emergency services, civil resource organizations, health agencies, and government. These groups make decisions that minimize the societal and economic impacts of major incidents. Their adherence to UK doctrine was assessed using video footage of 18 groups responding to a major incident in a simulation suite, and six groups responding to a large‐scale exercise. There were marked between‐group differences in the sequencing of decision‐making activities, and limited consideration of alternative courses of action. These results provide an impetus for future policy, guidance, and training to address (a) between‐group inconsistency in decision processes and (b) the lack of consideration of alternative courses of action.
Product Differentiation and Cost Pass‐Through
Authors: Loy Jens‐Peter , Weiss Christoph 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe present paper extends the existing literature on vertical price transmission and cost pass‐through by investigating the impact of product differentiation. We apply distance‐measures of product differentiation to a specific product market (yoghurt) within one country (Germany). Results from a panel‐error‐correction model for 30 products sold in 432 stores over a period of 312 weeks suggest that product differentiation explains a significant share of differences in cost pass‐through rates: more differentiated products command higher prices and are characterised by lower equilibrium cost pass‐through rates as well as more sluggish price adjustment.
Representing the Connectivity of Upland Areas to Floodplains and Streams in SWAT+
Authors: Bieger Katrin , Arnold Jeffrey G. , Rathjens Hendrik , White Michael J. , Bosch David D. , Allen Peter M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn recent years, watershed modelers have put increasing emphasis on capturing the interaction of landscape hydrologic processes instead of focusing on streamflow at the watershed outlet alone. Understanding the hydrologic connectivity between landscape elements is important to explain the hydrologic response of a watershed to rainfall events. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool+ (SWAT+) is a new version of SWAT with improved runoff routing capabilities. Subbasins may be divided into landscape units (LSUs), e.g., upland areas and floodplains, and flow can be routed between these LSUs. We ran three scenarios representing different extents of connectivity between uplands, floodplains, and streams. In the first and second scenarios, the ratio of channelized flow from the upland to the stream and sheet flow from the upland to the floodplain was 70/30 and 30/70, respectively, for all upland/floodplain pairs. In the third scenario, the ratio was calculated for each upland/floodplain pair based on the upland/floodplain area ratio. Results indicate differences in streamflow were small, but the relative importance of flow components and upland areas and floodplains as sources of surface runoff changed. Also, the soil moisture in the floodplains was impacted. The third scenario was found to provide more realistic results than the other two. A realistic representation of connectivity in watershed models has important implications for the identification of pollution sources and sinks.
Road Erosion and Delivery Index (READI): A Model for Evaluating Unpaved Road Erosion and Stream Sediment Delivery
Authors: Benda Lee , James Cajun , Miller Daniel , Andras Kevin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe Road Erosion and Delivery Index (READI) is a new geographic information system–based model to assess erosion and delivery of water and sediment from unpaved road networks to streams. READI quantifies the effectiveness of existing road surfacing and drain placements in reducing road sediment delivery and guides upgrades to optimize future reductions. Roads are draped on a digital elevation model and parsed into hydrologically distinct segments. Segments are further divided by engineered drainage structures. For each segment, a kinematic wave approximation generates runoff hydrographs for specified storms, with discharge directly to streams at road–stream crossings and onto overland‐flow plumes at other discharge points. Plumes are attenuated by soil infiltration, which limits their length, with delivery occurring if plumes intersect streams. Sediment production and sediment delivery can be calculated as a relative dimensionless index. READI predicts only a small proportion of new drains and new surfacing results in the majority of sediment delivery reductions. The model illustrates how the spatial relationships between road and stream networks, controlled by topography and network geometries, influence patterns of road–stream connectivity. READI was applied in seven northern California basins. The model was also applied in a recent burn area to examine how reduced hillslope infiltration can result in increased hydrologic connectivity and sediment delivery.