bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parallel evolution of two clades of a major Atlantic endemicVibrio parahaemolyticuspathogen lineage by independent acquisition of related pathogenicity islands
Authors: Xu Feng , Gonzalez-Escalona Narjol , Drees Kevin P. , Sebra Robert P. , Cooper Vaughn S. , Jones Stephen H. , Whistler Cheryl A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractShellfish-transmittedVibrio parahaemolyticusinfections have recently increased from locations with historically low disease incidence, such as the Northeast United States (US). This change coincided with a bacterial population shift towards human pathogenic variants occurring in part through the introduction of several Pacific native lineages (ST36, ST43 and ST636) to near-shore areas off the Atlantic coast of the Northeast US. Concomitantly, ST631 emerged as a major endemic pathogen. Phylogenetic trees of clinical and environmental isolates indicated that two clades diverged from a common ST631 ancestor, and in each of these clades, a human pathogenic variant evolved independently through acquisition of distinctVibriopathogenicity islands (VPaI). These VPaI differ from each other and bear little resemblance to hemolysin-containing VPaI from isolates of the pandemic clonal complex. Clade I ST631 isolates either harbored no hemolysins, or contained a chromosome I-inserted island we call VPaIβ that encodes a type three secretion system (T3SS2β) typical of Trh hemolysin-producers. The more clinically prevalent and clonal ST631 clade II had an island we call VPaIγ that encodes bothtdhandtrhand that was inserted in chromosome II. VPaIγ was derived from VPaIβ but with some additional acquired elements in common with VPaI carried by pandemic isolates, exemplifying the mosaic nature of pathogenicity islands. Genomics comparisons and amplicon assays identified VPaIγ-type islands containingtdhinserted adjacent to theurecluster in the three introduced Pacific and most other emergent lineages. that collectively cause 67% of Northeast US infections as of 2016.IMPORTANCEThe availability of three different hemolysin genotypes in the ST631 lineage provided a unique opportunity to employ genome comparisons to further our understanding of the processes underlying pathogen evolution. The fact that two different pathogenic clades arose in parallel from the same potentially benign lineage by independent VPaI acquisition is surprising considering the historically low prevalence of community members harboring VPaI in waters along the Northeast US Coast that could serve as the source of this material. This illustrates a possible predisposition of some lineages to not only acquire foreign DNA but also to become human pathogens. Whereas the underlying cause for the expansion ofV. parahaemolyticuslineages harboring VPaIγ along the US Atlantic coast and spread of this element to multiple lineages that underlies disease emergence is not known, this work underscores the need to define the environment factors that favor bacteria harboring VPaI in locations of emergent disease.
Characterization of drill bit breakage in PCB drilling process based on high-speed video analysis
Authors: Shi Hongyan , Lin Xiaoke , Wang Yun 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
The purposes of this paper are to study the characterization of drill bit breakage in printed circuit board (PCB) drilling process based on high-speed video analysis and to provide an important reference for micro drill bit breakage prediction.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on PCB drilling experiment, the high-speed camera was used to observe the micro drill breakage process and the chip removal process. The variation of chip in the drilling process was studied and one of the key reasons for the drill bit breakage was analysed. Finally, the swing angles’ feature during the breakage process of the micro drill was analysed and researched with the image processing tools of MATLAB.

Findings
The micro drill was prone to breakage mainly because of the blocked chips. The breakage process of the micro drill can be divided into the stage of stable chips evacuation, the stage of blocked chips and the stage of drill bit breakage. The radians of swing angles were basically in the range of ±0.01 when the drilling possess is normal. But when the radians of swing angles considerably exceeded the range of ±0.01, the micro drill bit may be fractured.

Originality/value
This paper presented the method to study the characterization of drill bit breakage in the PCB drilling process by using high-speed video analysis technology. Meanwhile, an effective suggestion about monitoring the radians of swing angles to predict the breakage of micro drill bit was also provided.
Factors determining hotel activity outsourcing. An approach based on competitive advantage
Authors: Espino-Rodríguez Tomás F. , Ramírez-Fierro Juan Carlos 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the levels of the main hotel outsourcing activities to identify the factors that determine the use of external suppliers for these activities.

Design/methodology/approach
A model was developed that analyzes the relationship between competitive advantage and outsourcing and how the relationship between competitive advantage and activity performance is affected by whether an activity is outsourced or not. Moreover, the study builds a matrix called “outsourcing and competitive advantage” where each of the activities can be placed. The study was carried out with a representative sample of hotels in a tourist destination, analyzing 12 activities from different departments in the hotels.

Findings
The study results indicate that there is a positive relationship between the competitive advantage of an activity and its outcome. In addition, the findings show that the relationship between competitive advantage and activity performance is stronger when the activity is developed internally than when it is outsourced. The study supports a negative relationship between the degree of outsourcing an activity and its competitive advantage. In addition, the findings showed that a change in the way of managing the outsourcing is determined by its performance.

Practical implications
This study aims to help managers make decisions about outsourcing by considering the perspective of the competitive advantage. Each hotel can situate the activities in the matrix created and compare itself to the sector mean for a strategic positioning of the outsourcing.

Originality/value
Most studies analyze asset specificity as a key variable; however, the competitive advantage has not been used in previous studies, in spite of being a better defined variable in the literature. This study classifies the activities into core and non-core and establishes their relationship with outsourcing. It also studies how the way of managing an activity (outsourcing or in-house) moderates the relationship between competitive advantage and performance. These aspects have not been analyzed in the literature..
Information technology and front office employees’ performance
Authors: Melián-González Santiago , Bulchand-Gidumal Jacques 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
The aim of this paper is to analyze the role of information technology (IT) in the performance of front office employees in hotels. This is done by testing and analyzing up to what level the task performance content of receptionists depends on IT and by testing and analyzing up to what level the contents of the service encounters in which they participate depend on IT.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper includes in-depth interviews with 30 receptionists, using the job task performance model and the critical incident technique in the service encounter model.

Findings
IT takes part heavily in the task performance of front office workers, who rely on IT to get their job done. On the other hand, in service encounters, the value of the human presence is still high, and in most critical incidents, IT do not participate.

Research limitations/implications
The sample was located in the same destination with only two types of hotels.

Practical implications
The dependence of front office employees with IT is so high that some of the receptionists could be substituted by IT in the near future. However, human participation in satisfactory critical incidents is very high.

Social implications
Receptionists should get ready and trained taking into account that the value they provide is higher in tasks that are both not routine and in which face-to-face interactions take place.

Originality/value
Usually, front office employees are managed with human resources view, without taking into consideration specifically how IT has spread into the hospitality industry.
The current state and influential factors in the development of digital literacy in Thailand’s higher education
Authors: Tuamsuk Kulthida , Subramaniam Mega 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the current state and influential factors in the development of digital literacy of the students in Thailand’s higher education institutions.

Design/methodology/approach
The quantitative research method was applied with a survey conducted to collect information from the target group that consisted of administrators, lecturers and students of 116 Thai universities. Respondents included 81 administrators, 500 lecturers and 1,000 students.

Findings
The findings revealed that 61.73 per cent of the universities set digital literacy as an undergraduate program policy, 30.86 per cent set it as a student development policy, while 12.35 per cent do not have any policy in this regard. In total, 40.74 per cent of the universities establish digital literacy as the required graduates’ trait, and 22.22 per cent establish it as a graduate’s identity. The study of factors related to digital literacy development showed that the respondents see that all of the factors affect students’ digital literacy development at a high level, including infrastructures, human resources, students’ awareness, external environments, development process, university’s policy and academic management.

Originality/value
In Thailand, universities have seen the importance of information literacy development for students at a certain level. However, the concepts of information literacy and digital literacy differ. While information literacy mainly comprises technical skill and information management skill, digital literacy is composed of technical skill, cognitive skill and emotional-social skills. This paper presents the first research on digital literacy development in Thai higher education.
Regulatory capital and stability of Islamic and conventional banks
Authors: Korbi Fakhri , Bougatef Khemaies 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it attempts to determine the factors that influence the stability of Islamic and conventional banks. Second, it focuses on the relationship between the regulatory capital and bank soundness.

Design/methodology/approach
Thus, the authors use the Z-score to assess the stability of Islamic and conventional banks operating in the Middle East and North Africa region over the period 1999 to 2014.

Findings
The comparative analysis reveals that Islamic banks seem to be less stable than their conventional peers. With regard to the determinants of bank stability, the findings suggest that the regulatory capital represents the primordial factor that reinforces the soundness of banking systems. The authors also find that bank stability depends on both bank-specific variables as well as macroeconomic and institutional variables. Interestingly, the corruption level turns out to have a significant negative effect on financial strength in the both types of banks.

Originality/value
The authors believe that investigating the relationship between regulatory capital and the failure risk in a comparative study between Islamic and conventional banks deserves a particular attention and looks very interesting because it will allow them to identify the difference between the factors explaining the failure risk of each type of banks. The authors also believe that the analysis of the relationship between corruption and bank stability is very interesting because corruption can be seen as an example of moral hazard which forces Islamic banks to use non-PLS instruments.
Remarkable lives: Suzanne Rogerson in conversation with Jerome Carson
Authors: Rogerson Suzanne , Carson Jerome 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Suzanne Rogerson.

Design/methodology/approach
Suzanne provides a short summary of her life and is then interviewed by Jerome.

Findings
Suzanne tells us about the suicide of her father and how for years she was unable to discuss this, before discovering she was probably suffering from complicated grief.

Research limitations/implications
Single case studies are just that. One person’s story. However they offer us insights into suffering that cannot be glimpsed from large research studies.

Practical implications
The stigma attached to suicide means that people often avoid talking about it. The surviving relative is thus left to carry this enormous burden on their own.

Social implications
Suzanne draws attention to the documentary made by Professor Green, about his attempts to understand what made his own father take his life. Programmes like this can help demystify the issues surrounding suicide.

Originality/value
People sometimes dismissively talk about psychology students choosing the subject as they want to understand themselves and their own pathology. For Suzanne this was a liberating process.
Unlocking the value of HR to drive a change-ready culture
Authors: Macpherson Campbell 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to present a case study focused on developing a change-ready culture within a large organization.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on personal experiences gleaned while driving an organization-wide culture change program throughout a major financial advisory firm.

Findings
This paper details over a dozen key lessons learned while transforming the HR department from a fragmented, ineffective, reclusive and disrespected department into one that was competent, knowledgeable, enabling and a leader of change.

Originality/value
Drawing on the real-world culture change intervention detailed here, including results and lessons learned, other organizations can apply similar approaches in their own organizations – hopefully to similar effect.
Newly developed fungal diet for artificial rearing of the endangered long‐horned beetle Callipogon relictus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
Authors: Yi Dae‐Am , Kuprin Alexander V. , Lee Yong Hoon , Bae Yeon Jae 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn this study, we attempted to develop an artificial diet to effectively rear the endangered long‐horned beetle Callipogon relictus Semenov to facilitate restoration efforts for this species. Fungal mycelia of the white‐rot fungus Pleurotus florida (Eager) were, for the first time, provided as an artificial diet for the larvae of C. relictus. The experiment started on August 11, 2015 with 53 larvae being provisioned with the fungal diet under laboratory conditions (25°C, 60 % RH, L:D 0:24) without diapause. During the first year, 11 adults (4 males and 7 females, 20.8 % of the 53 larvae) emerged between September 10 and October 1, 2016. The body length of the largest male was 106.8 mm, and three of the four males exceeded 100 mm in length. These results show that a fungal diet for rearing C. relictus is useful not only for reducing the larval period to approximately 1/6 of the normal larval period in nature, but also for producing large adults. These results support the notion that fungus may provide nutritional benefits during the larval development of C. relictus, and also indicate that this species is fungivorous.
First record of Tanaostigmatidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) in South Korea
Authors: Kim Chang‐Jun , Lim Jongok , Shin Hyun‐Tak , Kim Il‐Kwon 
Published: June 2017

AbstractProtanaostigma kyushuanaMasi 1940 (Chalcidoidea: Tanaostigmatidae) is newly recognized from South Korea, and its finding represents the first record of the phytophagous chalcid family in the country. A detailed redescription and photographs of the species are given. Images of the holotype specimen are also provided for comparison. In addition, the relationship and taxonomic status betweenProtanaostigmaandTanaostigmodesare briefly discussed.
Pitavastatin up‐regulates eNOS production by suppressing miR‐155 expression in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Jing Changqin , Guo Menglong , Bao Xiaodan , Li Tianhan , Lin Juntang , Lu Xinjie , Wang Wenfeng 
Published: June 2017

SummaryAimPitavastatin (Pit) has been proved to efficiently inhibit the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. However, the mechanism by which Pit exerts nonlipid‐related effects, such as antiinflammatory actions, is not quite clear. Our study aimed at investigating the effect of Pit on the expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and miR‐155 in LPS‐stimulated HUVECs to reveal the antiinflammatory mechanism of pitavastatin.MethodsHUVECs were isolated from newborn umbilical cords and used in the experiments at passages 2‐5. Cells were treated with LPS (0.05, 0.1, 1 μg/L) or LPS (0.1 μg/L)+Pit (0.01, 0.1, 1 μmol/L), untreated cells were used as control. For LPS+Pit induction, cells were firstly incubated with Pit for 1 hour before coincubation with LPS for 24 hours. eNOS mRNA and miR‐155 were detected by RT‐PCR, and Western blotting was used to detect protein expression of eNOS.ResultsTreatment of HUVECs with LPS enhanced the expression of miR‐155 and reduced the expression of eNOS in mRNA and protein level in a dose‐dependent manner as revealed by RT‐PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Pitavastatin ameliorated LPS‐induced endothelial dysfunction through upregulation of eNOS expression and downregulation of miR‐155 expression.ConclusionPitavastatin increases eNOS expression and inhibits of LPS‐induced miR‐155 expression.
Randomized controlled trial comparing submucosal endoscopy with mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection in the esophagus and stomach: Animal study
Authors: Takizawa Kohei , Knipschield Mary A. , Gostout Christopher J. 
Published: June 2017

Background and AimIn Western countries, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has not prevailed as a result of training problems and a target patient population. We have previously reported a hybrid ESD technique, submucosal endoscopy with mucosal resection (SEMR), in which the submucosal dissection is carried out chiefly by blunt balloon dissection. We have also reported successful application in the porcine colon. In the present study, we compared the safety and efficacy of SEMR with ESD in the porcine esophagus and stomach.MethodsSEMR and ESD were carried out in eight domestic pigs under general anesthesia. Resection sites were marked by circumferential coagulation. After circumferential ESD knife mucosal incision, submucosal fluid cushion (SFC) was created. In the SEMR group, the balloon catheter was inserted deep into the SFC. The balloon was then inflated and pulled back toward the endoscope tip repeatedly, altering the direction, to disrupt the submucosa. Residual strands were cut with an IT‐knife. En bloc resection rates, procedure times, complications and dissection difficulty scales (DDS) were recorded prospectively. DDS were rated using a visual analog scale.ResultsThirty‐two resections (8 SEMR/8 ESD in the esophagus; 8 SEMR/8 ESD in the stomach) were done with no major adverse events. There was no statistical difference between the two techniques in either location in the above categories measured.ConclusionsSEMR and traditional ESD are comparable techniques in safety and effectiveness when carried out in the esophagus and stomach. SEMR may serve as a more appealing technical option for endoscopists who are unable to sustain a traditional ESD practice volume.
Liver enzymes are not directly involved in atrial fibrillation: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Schutte Rudolph , Whincup Peter H. , Papacosta Olia , Lennon Lucy T. , Macfarlane Peter W. , Wannamethee Goya 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundEpidemiological evidence proposes the direct involvement of the liver enzymes in atrial fibrillation. These relationships are controversial and mechanistically unclear. As part of the British Regional Heart Study, we investigated whether change in liver enzymes over time associates with atrial fibrillation in men initially free of this heart condition.Materials and methodsWe prospectively investigated change (delta) in liver enzymes and new‐onset atrial fibrillation in a representative sample of 1428 men aged 60–79 years.ResultsMean follow‐up was 12·3 years, after which 108 new atrial fibrillation cases were identified. The liver enzymes did not differ at baseline or follow‐up, except for gamma‐glutamyl transferase which was higher at follow‐up in men who developed atrial fibrillation compared to those who did not (P < 0·0001). Change in GGT was greater in men who developed AF than those who did not (+6·12 vs. −2·60 U/L, P = 0·036). N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (baseline and follow‐up, P < 0·0001) and total bilirubin (follow‐up only, P < 0·0001) were also higher in men who developed atrial fibrillation while serum haemoglobin was similar at baseline and follow‐up (P ≥ 0·74). Atrial fibrillation was associated with change in gamma‐glutamyl transferase (OR, 1·18; 95% CI, 1·01–1·37) after multiple adjustments and exclusions. However, after adjusting for baseline (P = 0·088) or change (P = 0·40) in N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide, the association between atrial fibrillation and change in gamma‐glutamyl transferase was lost.ConclusionThe direct relationship between atrial fibrillation and liver enzymes is absent and depends, at least in part, on the progression of heart failure as captured by N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide.
Performance and electrochemical analysis of solid oxide fuel cells based on LSCF‐YSZ nano‐electrode
Authors: Jia Chuan , Chen Ming , Han Minfang 
Published: June 2017

AbstractNiO‐YSZ/YSZ/LSCF‐YSZ tri‐layer structure SOFC has been fabricated by tape casting and infiltration methods. Subsequently, polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectra measurement were carried out to evaluate cell performance at 850‐700°C with varied steam content in hydrogen supplied to the anode. At 800°C, open circuit voltage for 4% steam‐humidified hydrogen reached 1.069 V, along with a power density of 831 mW/cm2 at 0.7 V. Furthermore, 500 hours of long‐term durability test has been performed at 750°C in hydrogen atmosphere, as a consequence that a voltage degradation rate of 1.7%/kh has been measured.