bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Workarounds and social support: the saviors for visually impaired bankers in India
Authors: Jain Amit , Sharma Divya 
Published: January 2018

Purpose
This research aims to study the coping experience of visually impaired (VI) bankers in India after they have received reasonable accommodation from their employers, that is, the work process or environment has been suitably modified to ensure a barrier-free environment for them.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 VI bankers working with public sector banks in India. A phenomenological approach was adopted during data analysis.

Findings
Despite the provision of reasonable accommodations, VI employees often find it difficult to fulfill their job responsibilities. This is on account of extensive paperwork required for completion of their jobs and the partially accessible information systems available to them. As a result, these VI employees are found resorting to workarounds to carry out their jobs, with the nature of workarounds adopted varying with the type and extent of visual impairment. Furthermore, it is observed that VI employees require social support not only from their superiors and peers but also from their subordinates and customers to carry out their tasks.

Research limitations/implications
Data collection was done through snowball sampling which could have resulted in sampling bias. Due to confidentiality issues, observation of workarounds in practice by VI employees could not be carried out as part of the study.

Originality/value
The study contributes to the literature on integration of persons with disabilities (PwDs) by examining their coping experience after provision of reasonable accommodations. It emphasizes the role of workarounds, an under-studied area in PwD integration, as well as support of other stakeholders in the experience.
Sustainable supply chain collaboration: incentives in emerging economies
Authors: Pakdeechoho Nutcharee , Sukhotu Vatcharapol 
Published: January 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between sustainable supply chain collaboration (SSCC) and sustainability performance, and examine whether two types of incentives moderate this relationship. This empirical investigation of the Thai food manufacturing industry provides insight in the context of an emerging economy.

Design/methodology/approach
Survey data were collected from 215 food manufacturing firms in Thailand, and the hypotheses were tested by exploratory factor analysis, hierarchical regression analysis, and cluster analysis.

Findings
The results indicate that SSCC leads to better economic and social performance, but not necessarily better environmental performance; incentives provided by firms in the supply chain enhance the effects of SSCC on social performance.

Practical implications
The findings provide useful suggestions for supply chain managers and policy makers about effective collaboration and the use of incentives to improve the sustainability of individual firms in the supply chain. They also reveal the challenges faced by manufacturing firms in improving environmental performance in an emerging economy.

Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature on the implementation of sustainable supply chain management by explaining the role of incentives.
Expected discounted penalty function for a phase-type risk model with stochastic return on investment and random observation periods
Authors: Zhuo Wenyan , Yang Honglin , Chen Xu 
Published: January 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to build a phase-type risk model with stochastic return on investment and random observation periods to characterize the ruin quantities under which the insurance company may take effective investment strategies to avoid bankruptcy.

Design/methodology/approach
By the Markov property and Ito’s formula, this paper derives the integro-differential equations in which the interclaim times follow a phase-type distribution. Using the sinc method, this paper obtains the approximate solutions of the expected discounted penalty function. The numerical examples are given to verify the robustness of the proposed sinc method.

Findings
This paper discloses the relationship between the investment strategy and initial surplus level. The insurance company with a high initial surplus level prefers high risk portfolios to earn more profit. Contrarily, the insurance company would invest low risk portfolios to avoid bankruptcy. In addition, this paper shows that a short observation period would bring higher ruin probability.

Originality/value
The risk model is distinct in that a phase-type risk model is constructed with stochastic return on investment and random observation periods. These considerations in the risk model are in sharp contrast to the setting in which the stochastic return on investment is observed continuously. In practice, the insurance company only can periodically observe the surplus level to check the balance of the book. This setting, therefore, is difficult to adopt. This paper develops a sinc method to solve the approximate solutions of the expected discounted penalty function.
Critical factors affecting students’ satisfaction with higher education in Sri Lanka
Authors: Weerasinghe I.M.S. , Fernando R.L.S. 
Published: January 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explain critical factors affecting student satisfaction levels in selected state universities in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach
The study has applied an quantitative survey design guided by six hypotheses. A conceptual framework has been developed to address the research questions on the basis of a literature review. The study is based on an undergraduate sample from four state universities, and it presents results of factor analytics and correlational and regression analyses.

Findings
Evidence to support construct validity and reliability of all survey-based scales measuring the key variables has been found. The quality of the academic staff, university facilities, degree program, administrative staff, university location and university image have been correlated significantly with student satisfaction levels measured at 0.45, 0.47, 0.51, 0.31, 0.39 and 0.66, respectively. The statistically significant predictors are: the quality of university facilities, the quality of the degree program and the university image, with the image being the strongest predictor.

Practical implications
The study offers a conceptual framework to guide future research and validated scales for measuring student satisfaction levels in a national higher education system in a developing region that is aspiring toward a knowledge-based economy where tertiary education is free. Five recommendations are provided for policymakers.

Originality/value
Research shows high variabilities in the models used and the findings of studies on factors affecting student satisfaction levels in universities. The study is among the first large-scale studies of student satisfaction levels in the Sri Lankan state university system, where little data exist on why students are dissatisfied and fail to complete their degrees.
Designing non-cognitive construct measures that improve mathematics achievement in Grade 5-6 learners
Authors: Chatterji Madhabi , Lin Meiko 
Published: January 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to design and iteratively improve the quality of survey-based measures of three non-cognitive constructs for Grade 5-6 students, keeping in mind information needs of users in education reform contexts. The constructs are: Mathematics-related Self-Efficacy, Self-Concept, and Anxiety (M-SE, M-SC, and M-ANX).

Design/methodology/approach
The authors applied a multi-stage, iterative and user-centered approach to design and validate the measures, using several psychometric techniques and three data samples. They evaluated the utility of student-level scores and aggregated, classroom-level means.

Findings
At both student and classroom levels, replicated evidence supported theoretically-grounded validity arguments on information produced by four of five scales tapping M-SC, M-ANX and M-SE. The evidence confirmed a second order, two-factor structure for M-SC, representing positive math affect and perceived competence, and a one factor structure for M-ANX representing negative math affect. Consistent with the literature, these served as precursors to a perceived confidence factor of M-SE which, in turn, positively influenced mathematics achievement scores, off-setting negative effects of M-ANX. Research is continuing on a self-regulatory efficacy factor of M-SE, which yielded mixed results.

Practical implications
The survey scales are in line with current reform policies in the United States calling for schools to monitor changes in cognitive and non-cognitive domains of student development. Validated scales could be useful in serving information needs of teachers, decision-makers and researchers in similar school-based contexts.

Originality/value
This study demonstrates a comprehensive, user-centered methodology for designing and validating construct measures, departing from purely psychometric traditions of scale development.
TQM paradigm for higher education in the Philippines
Authors: Rodriguez Janette , Valenzuela Madonna , Ayuyao Nunilon 
Published: January 2018

PurposeCritical success factors (CSFs) in total quality management (TQM) implementation are vital to the quality improvement of organizations, including higher education institutions (HEIs). The present study aims to attempt to develop a TQM paradigm contextualized to HEIs in the Philippine setting.Design/methodology/approachA total of 309 randomly selected officials/faculty members from four public and four private HEIs participated in the study. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Factor analysis, using principal components with varimax rotation, was used to extract the main CSFs for TQM.FindingsResults showed the extraction of two principal components. The first component (accounting for 42.95 per cent of the variance in the model) consisted of 25 quality indicators generally considered to fall under “people empowerment” and “continuous quality improvement” (CQI), while the second component (accounting for 42.31 per cent of the variance in the model) consisted of 24 quality indicators that fall under “leadership commitment” and “stakeholder satisfaction”.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was focused on determining the CSFs in the TQM implementation of Philippine HEIs.Practical implicationsFindings of this study may be used by HEIs as basis for planning, decision-making and in directing their strategies and resources in the integration of the paradigm in their business process.Social implicationsThe proposed TQM paradigm, upon adoption by Philippine HEIs, may be used as a quality measurement tool to improve performance, embed and sustain quality culture.Originality/valueThis is the first study that developed a TQM paradigm for Philippine HEIs. The identified CSFs are basically the same as those in the cited studies but with relatively greater emphasis on people empowerment.
Analyzing of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensor for pumping aggregates
Authors: Milovancevic Milos , Tijan Edvard 
Published: January 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this research paper is to develop and analyze micro-electro-mechanical systems sensor for vibration monitoring of pumping aggregate.

Design/methodology/approach
The system is based on smart sensor and smart mobile phone.

Findings
The numerous measurements on a wide range of turbo aggregates were performed to establish the operating condition of pumping aggregates.

Originality/value
Afterwards, the influence of vibration at different positions on the output vibration of the pumping aggregate was analyzed by adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system method.
Beauty as a factor of economic and social development
Authors: Baggio Rodolfo , Moretti Vincenzo 
Published: January 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss how aesthetic features can be the basis for a virtuous chain that leads to social and economic development.Design/methodology/approachThe aesthetic characteristics of a destination are an important attractive feature. More than that, they can be considered a key determinant for economic and social growth. A conceptual support to this idea is presented here by following a line which links beauty to creativity, innovation and socio-economic development.FindingsA purely qualitative and logical-deductive line shows how beauty, creativity and innovation are connected in a chain that leads to socio-economic well-being.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is conceptual in nature. The authors intend to use these considerations as a basis for future research.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature on destination governance highlighting a number of factors that are often underestimated.
Enhanced Efflux Pump Activity in Old Candida glabrata Cells
Authors: Bhattacharya Somanon , Fries Bettina C. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

We investigated the effect of replicative aging on antifungal resistance in
Candida glabrata
. Our studies demonstrate significantly increased transcription of ABC transporters and efflux pump activity in old versus young
C. glabrata
cells of a fluconazole-sensitive and -resistant strain. In addition, higher tolerance to killing by micafungin and amphotericin B was noted and is associated with higher transcription of glucan synthase gene
FKS1
and lower ergosterol content in older cells.
IncX3 Epidemic Plasmid Carrying
bla
NDM-5
in Escherichia coli from Swine in Multiple Geographic Areas in China
Authors: Ho Pak-Leung , Wang Ya , Liu Melissa Chun-Jiao , Lai Eileen Ling-Yi , Law Pierra Ying-Tung , Cao Huiluo , Chow Kin-Hung 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Six imported pigs originating from Guangdong, Henan, and Hunan provinces in China during October 2015 to February 2017 were cultured and found to be positive for meropenem-resistant
Escherichia coli
. The samples yielded 9
E. coli
isolates of diverse sequence types carrying
bla
NDM-5
on IncX3 (8 isolates from 5 farms) or IncFII (1 isolate from 1 farm) plasmids. The
mcr-1
gene was coharbored by 4 isolates. The IncX3 plasmids (∼46 kb) carrying
bla
NDM-5
were identical or nearly identical to each other.
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of APX001A/APX001 against Candida auris
Authors: Hager Christopher L. , Larkin Emily L. , Long Lisa , Zohra Abidi Fatima , Shaw Karen J. , Ghannoum Mahmoud A. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Candida auris
is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast that has been responsible for invasive infections associated with high morbidity and mortality.
C. auris
strains often demonstrate high fluconazole and amphotericin B MIC values, and some strains are resistant to all three major antifungal classes. We evaluated the susceptibility of 16
C. auris
clinical strains, isolated from a wide geographical area, to 10 antifungal agents, including APX001A, a novel agent that inhibits the fungal protein Gwt1 (glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored wall transfer protein 1). APX001A demonstrated significantly lower MIC
50
and MIC
90
values (0.004 and 0.031 μg/ml, respectively) than all other agents tested. The efficacy of the prodrug APX001 was evaluated in an immunocompromised murine model of disseminated
C. auris
infection. Significant efficacy (80 to 100% survival) was observed in all three APX001 treatment groups versus 50% survival for the anidulafungin treatment group. In addition, APX001 showed a significant log reduction in CFU counts in kidney, lung, and brain tissue (1.03 to 1.83) versus the vehicle control. Anidulafungin also showed a significant log reduction in CFU in the kidneys and lungs (1.5 and 1.62, respectively) but did not impact brain CFU. These data support further clinical evaluation of this new antifungal agent.
Detection of
mcr-1
Gene among Escherichia coli Isolates from Farmed Fish and Characterization of
mcr-1
-Bearing IncP Plasmids
Authors: Lv Luchao , Cao Yuping , Yu Peixin , Huang Raorao , Wang Jing , Wen Qiaoling , Zhi Chanping , Zhang Qianhui , Liu Jian-Hua 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

The presence of the
mcr-1
gene in
Escherichia coli
isolated from retail freshwater fish was investigated. Seven (3.65%) clonally unrelated original
E. coli
isolates from grass carp were positive for
mcr-1
. The
mcr-1
genes were encoded by either chromosomes (
n
= 2) or conjugative plasmids (2 IncI2, 2 IncP, and 1 IncX4). The IncP plasmids were similar to other
mcr-1
-harboring IncP plasmids from China, though the insertion sites varied. Our report warrants further surveillance of resistance genes in aquaculture.
Transposition of Tn
1213
Encoding the PER-1 Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase
Authors: Mancini Stefano , Poirel Laurent , Kieffer Nicolas , Nordmann Patrice 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

PER-1 is an extended-spectrum β-lactamase that is encoded by a gene located in composite transposon Tn
1213
made by two distinct insertion sequences, namely, IS
Pa12
and IS
Pa13. In vitro
mobilization performed in
Escherichia coli
shows that Tn
1213
is functional and is able to mobilize the
bla
PER-1
gene, although at a very low frequency (ca. 1 × 10
−9
).
How Much Do rRNA Gene Surveys Underestimate Extant Bacterial Diversity?
Authors: Rodriguez-R Luis M. , Castro Juan C. , Kyrpides Nikos C. , Cole James R. , Tiedje James M. , Konstantinidis Konstantinos T. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

The most common practice in studying and cataloguing prokaryotic diversity involves the grouping of sequences into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the 97% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity level, often using partial gene sequences, such as PCR-generated amplicons. Due to the high sequence conservation of rRNA genes, organisms belonging to closely related yet distinct species may be grouped under the same OTU. However, it remains unclear how much diversity has been underestimated by this practice. To address this question, we compared the OTUs of genomes defined at the 97% or 98.5% 16S rRNA gene identity level against OTUs of the same genomes defined at the 95% whole-genome average nucleotide identity (ANI), which is a much more accurate proxy for species. Our results show that OTUs resulting from a 98.5% 16S rRNA gene identity cutoff are more accurate than 97% compared to 95% ANI (90.5% versus 89.9% accuracy) but indistinguishable from any other threshold in the 98.29 to 98.78% range. Even with the more stringent thresholds, however, the 16S rRNA gene-based approach commonly underestimates the number of OTUs by ∼12%, on average, compared to the ANI-based approach (∼14% underestimation when using the 97% identity threshold). More importantly, the degree of underestimation can become 50% or more for certain taxa, such as the genera
Pseudomonas
,
Burkholderia
,
Escherichia
,
Campylobacter
, and
Citrobacter
. These results provide a quantitative view of the degree of underestimation of extant prokaryotic diversity by 16S rRNA gene-defined OTUs and suggest that genomic resolution is often necessary.

IMPORTANCE
Species diversity is one of the most fundamental pieces of information for community ecology and conservational biology. Therefore, employing accurate proxies for what a species or the unit of diversity is are cornerstones for a large set of microbial ecology and diversity studies. The most common proxies currently used rely on the clustering of 16S rRNA gene sequences at some threshold of nucleotide identity, typically 97% or 98.5%. Here, we explore how well this strategy reflects the more accurate whole-genome-based proxies and determine the frequency with which the high conservation of 16S rRNA sequences masks substantial species-level diversity.
Sapovirus in Wastewater Treatment Plants in Tunisia: Prevalence, Removal, and Genetic Characterization
Authors: Varela Miguel F. , Ouardani Imen , Kato Tsuyoshi , Kadoya Syunsuke , Aouni Mahjoub , Sano Daisuke , Romalde Jesús L. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTSapovirus(SaV), from theCaliciviridaefamily, is a genus of enteric viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis. SaV is shed at high concentrations with feces into wastewater, which is usually discharged into aquatic environments or reused for irrigation without efficient treatments. This study analyzed the incidence of human SaV in four wastewater treatment plants from Tunisia during a period of 13 months (December 2009 to December 2010). Detection and quantification were carried out using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) methods, obtaining a prevalence of 39.9% (87/218). Sixty-one positive samples were detected in untreated water and 26 positive samples in processed water. The Dekhila plant presented the highest contamination levels, with a 63.0% prevalence. A dominance of genotype I.2 was observed on 15 of the 24 positive samples that were genetically characterized. By a Bayesian estimation algorithm, the SaV density in wastewater was estimated using left-censored data sets. The mean value of log SaV concentration in untreated wastewater ranged between 2.7 and 4.5 logs. A virus removal efficiency of 0.2 log was calculated for the Dekhila plant as the log ratio posterior distributions between untreated and treated wastewater. Multiple quantitative values obtained in this study must be available in quantitative microbial risk assessment in Tunisia as parameter values reflecting local conditions.IMPORTANCEHuman sapovirus (SaV) is becoming more prevalent worldwide and organisms in this genus are recognized as emerging pathogens associated with human gastroenteritis. The present study describes novel findings on the prevalence, seasonality, and genotype distribution of SaV in Tunisia and Northern Africa. In addition, a statistical approximation using Bayesian estimation of the posterior predictive distribution (“left-censored” data) was employed to solve methodological problems related with the limit of quantification of the quantitative PCR (qPCR). This approach would be helpful for the future development of quantitative microbial risk assessment procedures for wastewater.