bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Similarity-Based Codes Sequentially Assigned to Ebolavirus Genomes Are Informative of Species Membership, Associated Outbreaks, and Transmission Chains
Authors: Weisberg Alexandra J. , Elmarakeby Haitham A. , Heath Lenwood S. , Vinatzer Boris A. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Background.  Developing a universal standardized microbial typing and nomenclature system that provides phylogenetic and epidemiological information in real time has never been as urgent in public health as it is today. We previously proposed to use genome similarity as the basis for immediate and precise typing and naming of individual organisms or viruses. In this study, we tested the validity of the proposed system and applied it to the epidemiology of infectious diseases using Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks as the example.
Methods.  One hundred twenty-eight publicly available ebolavirus genomes were compared with each other, and average nucleotide identity (ANI) was calculated. The ANI was then used to assign unique codes, hereafter referred to as Life Ide.jpegication Numbers (LINs), to every viral isolate, whereby each LIN consisted of a series of positions reflecting increasing genome similarity. Congruence of LINs with phylogenetic and epidemiological relationships was then determined.
Results.  Assigned LINs correlate with phylogeny at the species and infraspecies level and can even ide.jpegy some individual transmission chains during the 2014–2015 EVD epidemic in West Africa.
Conclusions.  Life Ide.jpegication Numbers can provide a fast, automated, standardized, and scalable approach to precisely ide.jpegy and name viral isolates upon genome sequence submission, facilitating unambiguous communication during disease epidemics among clinicians, epidemiologists, and governments.
The NLR helper protein NRC3 but not NRC1 is required for Pto-mediated cell death inNicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Wu Chih-Hang , Belhaj Khaoula , Bozkurt Tolga O. , Kamoun Sophien 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTIntracellular immune receptors of the nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NB-LRR or NLR) proteins often function in pairs, with “helper” proteins required for the activity of “sensors” that mediate pathogen recognition. The NLR helper NRC1 (NB-LRR proteinrequired for HR-associatedcell death1) has been described as a signalling hub required for the cell death mediated by both cell surface and intracellular immune receptors in the model plantNicotiana benthamiana. However, this work predates the availability of theN. benthamianagenome and whether NRC1 is indeed required for the reported phenotypes has not been confirmed. Here, we investigated the NRC family of solanaceous plants using a combination of genome annotation, phylogenetics, gene silencing and genetic complementation experiments. We discovered that a paralog ofNRC1, we termedNRC3, is required for the hypersensitive cell death triggered by the disease resistance protein Pto but not Rx and Mi-1.2. NRC3 may also contribute to the hypersensitive cell death triggered by the receptor-like protein Cf-4. Our results highlight the importance of applying genetic complementation to validate gene function in RNA silencing experiments.
Entrepreneurship in regions: differentiated impacts of the socio cultural and gender types
Authors: Mancilla Claudio , Amorós José Ernesto 
Published: February 2015

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the differentiated impact of factors that influence the propensity to entrepreneur in a sample of people in Chile. A distinction is made between individuals that live in primary cities and secondary cities. The differentiating factors are socio‐cultural aspects (reference models – positive examples of entrepreneurs – and perception of social fear of failure) and the gender of the individual.Design/methodology/approachFor the research data from the survey used in Chile by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor for the years 2010 and 2011 were used. A logit model was used to determine the differentiated impact of the analysed factors and interactions were done using the method proposed by Corneliâen and Sonderhof (2009).FindingsThese showed that the fact that an individual lives in a secondary city decreases his entrepreneurship probability. The positive impact that the reference models have is weaker in women. Contrary to what was expected, the negative impact of the fear of failure perception is weaker in women.Practical implicationsThese results have the implications to suggest focused public policies and differentiations that consider the socio‐cultural, territorial (focused in cities) and gender aspects.Originality/valueThe research contributes by giving empirical evidence of the existence of the negative impact of living in a secondary city and of differentiated effects of socio‐cultural factors from the gender perspective.
Assessing the stability of graduates’ entrepreneurial intention and exploring its predictive capacity
Authors: Liñán Francisco , Rodríguez‐Cohard Juan Carlos 
Published: February 2015

PurposeThis is one of the first long‐term studies on entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) and their role in predicting start‐up. In entrepreneurship, the usefulness of intention models depends crucially on their stability over time. The purpose of this paper is to explore this issue in a cohort of university graduates.Design/methodology/approachUsing a structural equation model (SEM), it addresses three research questions: whether EI and perceptions are stable over time; whether the pattern of relationships of the variables in the model remains stable over a three‐year period; and whether intention accurately predicts entry into self‐employment. A two‐wave study was conducted with respondents being final year students at time 1 (T1), and part of the working/active adult population at time 2 (T2).FindingsThe results suggest that construct scores and the pattern of relationships between the variables are notably stable over the three‐year period. The only partial exception is that of perceived behavioral control. Finally, EIs are found to significantly explain actual start‐up behavior. Implications are derived for future research and entrepreneurship education and policy.Research limitations/implicationsThe generalizability of the results cannot be claimed until these findings are replicated by additional samples from different segments of the population and in different contexts. In particular, the number of new entrepreneurs at T2 is small and results in this respect are to be taken with caution.Originality/valueThe value of this paper resides in its clarifying the conditions under which EIs and their antecedents remain stable over time, thus enabling actual start‐up behavior.
An evaluation of citizen service web portals in Latin America
Authors: Bouzas‐Lorenzo Ramón , Mahou‐Lago Xosé María 
Published: February 2015

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on the level of government web portal resource development, impediments to progress in electronic government practices, and areas that require improvement in 19 Latin American countries.Design/methodology/approachA comparative study was carried out between March and May of 2012, based on a method combining heuristic usability analysis with an automatic web portal accessibility test.FindingsThe results suggest that Latin American government web portals do not fully meet international accessibility guidelines and that multidirectional communication and participation mechanisms lack diversity. Only functionalities related to usability presented positive scores, but with shortcomings in terms of security.Originality/valueExtensive literature is available on the development of electronic government policies in Latin America. This study falls within that tradition but, in addition, offers a new perspective by examining the features of web portals, which ultimately aids the calibration of the results of policy implementation. The data obtained are useful for web developers, ICT policy designers and the entire community of actors involved in developing electronic government programs.
Industrial services – the solution provider’s stairway to heaven or highway to hell?
Authors: Kohtamäki Marko , Helo Petri 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
– The role of industrial services has increased in importance as product manufacturing oriented companies have been moving towards industrial services and integrated solutions. While migrating towards solutions provision, manufacturing companies have been developing new Service offerings, service business models logics and methods of service delivery are developed by using new technologies for value co-production and co-creation. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the solution providers perspective by illustrating central approaches tapping into industrial services, such as environment-strategy-fit, scope of industrial service offering, industrial service business capabilities, and servitization process.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper reviews literature related to industrial service phenomenon providing a: framework for environment-strategy-fit in the context of Industrial Services taking Fit; defining industrial service business; defining industrial service business capabilities; and a critical perspective toward industrial service business research.

Findings
– Where this paper provides a framework for environment-strategy-fit in the context of Industrial services, it also develops grounds to consider the maturity levels of servitization in a solution provider context. This paper recognizes the maturity levels of manufacturing companies providing a typology to analyze the level of servitization. Finally, this paper also serves as an introduction to an interesting special issue on industrial services.

Originality/value
– The existing industrial service theory related industrial services can be strengthened by developing frameworks and typologies to better understand the transformation from products to industrial services and integrated solutions. technology digitalization and enable operational and outsourcing services, in addition to performance services.
Service productivity in different industries – an empirical investigation
Authors: Klingner Stephan , Pravemann Stephanie , Becker Michael 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively evaluate of the current status of productivity management of industrial and non-industrial service companies in Germany. Based on that knowledge, best practices and needs regarding tools and methods can be identified.

Design/methodology/approach
– In two qualitative pre-studies the theoretical foundation of service productivity was built. Using this knowledge, a quantitative empirical survey was conducted, including almost 2000 service companies. The sampling frame was based on a company database provided by Hoppenstedt. Samples were randomly selected using proportionate stratified sampling.

Findings
– The findings show the economic importance and meaningfulness of service productivity management, independently from the industry.

Research limitations/implications
– Due to the chosen population, the findings are limited to Germany. Furthermore, a more detailed comparison of service industries beyond industrial and non-industrial services was not feasible.

Practical implications
– The data contained evidence that companies conducing productivity management are more successful than those who are not. This underlines the economic importance service productivity management.

Originality/value
– The paper provides reliable, quantitative insights of the current status, demands, and benefits of service productivity management in the industrial as well as non-industrial sector.
Meteorological information service support system in wind park application
Authors: Liu Yang , Yang Wenshan 
Published: February 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to introduce a holistic decision support system based on condition-based maintenance which utilizes meteorological forecasting information to support decision-making process in services of wind power enterprises.Design/methodology/approach– A pilot conceptual system combining with meteorological information and operations management has been formulated in this study. The proposed system provides benchmarking to support decision making directly and indirectly basing on processing meteorological information and evaluating its impact on service operations. It collects meteorological data to predict failure probabilities in different areas which need corresponding maintenance service and schedule the optimal maintenance periods. In addition, it provides meteorological forecasting and decision support in case of extreme weather events (EWEs).Findings– The conceptual study shows that there is a connection between the meteorological conditions and failures, and it is feasible to make service decisions based on the predictions of weather conditions and their impacts to failures.Research limitations/implications– The research presented at the present phase is not much beyond a conceptual framework. The actual implementation and all possible related practical issues will be dealt with in future research.Practical implications– It helps decision makers to predict and identify possible categories of faults in wind turbine, make optimal service decisions to enhance the output performance of wind power generation, and take in advance emergency counteractions in case of EWEs.Originality/value– It presents a novel concept and provides a roadmap to achieve optimal operations in wind park application through combining meteorological information system with service decision making.
A decision support system to evaluate the business impacts of machine-to-machine system
Authors: Heikkilä Tuomo 
Published: February 2015

Purpose– The tightening competition and performance pressure in companies often leave no time or space for the assessment of business impacts of different investments and projects. In addition, in many cases the assessment may be challenging and there is no experience available to undertake it. Despite that companies often commit to different projects and investments without careful planning and vision of the costs it may cause. The purpose of this paper is to create a decision support system in order to facilitate and increase the assessment of business impacts of different investments concerning to machine-to-machine (M2M) systems.Design/methodology/approach– The created decision support system is composed of cost-benefit analysis including several investment decision methods. In order to deepen the understanding on it, the system was applied to two cases from the M2M business.Findings– During the study it was found that different financial metrics might give contradictory results when deciding whether to undertake an investment. In addition, a significant finding was how much some variables may have significance to the eligibility of an investment than others. The study also gave understanding how long payback time can be and how risky the investments might be in different M2M applications.Originality/value– The study describes the created decision support system and it is applied to two different M2M applications. The system provides a comprehensive combination of different financial metrics, which will help any manager make decisions whether an investment is eligible or not.
An innovative framework for performance analysis of members of supply chains
Authors: Chithambaranathan P. , Subramanian Nachiappan , Palaniappan PL.K. 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
– An appropriate system for analysing performance of supply chains is an important requirement for the effective utilization of the supply chains. The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual model for the task of analysing the performance of members of supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach
– A thorough literature review of the methodologies proposed earlier by various authors has been made. In this paper a multi criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework comprising of two MCDM approaches is proposed for analysing performance of supply chain members.

Findings
– Performance analysis of members of supply chain and the process of decision making based on the outcome of the analysis is a MCDM process. Since human judgements are often vague, the application of fuzzy concepts is appropriate for analysing the performance of supply chains. The framework proposed in this paper was validated in a company manufacturing textiles.

Research limitations/implications
– The methodologies proposed are of great use for large- and medium-sized enterprises. However, small organizations may not be able to allot enough resources to implement the methodologies proposed.

Practical implications
– The framework developed can be applied for undertaking a comparative analysis of performance of members of supply chains. It can also be applied for the process of incorporation of new members into the supply chain.

Originality/value
– Very few methods are available for analysing the performance of supply chains and the subject remains an under researched one. The major contribution of this paper is that it proposes a new framework.
Comparing high and low performers for noise control
Authors: Bell Nikki , Lunt Jennifer , Webster Jennifer , Ward Tim 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dimensions that distinguish high from low performing manufacturing companies in Great Britain with respect to controlling noise. The findings should assist regulators and industry to develop interventions that help organisations to effectively manage noise, particularly amongst the low performers.

Design/methodology/approach
– The research uses quantitative and qualitative methods. Survey data was obtained from 215 manufacturers and supplemented with 15 qualitative interviews to assess performance and individual, social, environmental and organisational influences on duty holders' decision making for controlling noise.

Findings
– Relative to low performers, decision makers from high performing companies had: greater in-depth knowledge of noise risks and controls; taken steps to promote positive health and safety attitudes and values; were large companies; and faced fewer resource barriers (time, costs, staffing). Managers in small, low performing companies sought simple interventions with a practical focus.

Research limitations/implications
– The differences reported between high and low performing companies showed a small magnitude of effect but these are considered significant in a health and safety context.

Practical implications
– Improvements in training and education, and addressing workplace health and safety culture, are recommended as offering most potential to raise the standard of noise control.

Originality/value
– To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to systematically assess the specific knowledge, attitudes, values and beliefs that employers hold about noise and the influence of social, environmental and organisational factors on manager’s decisions about noise controls.
Improved fitness after a workbased physical exercise program
Authors: von Thiele Schwarz Ulrica , Lindfors Petra 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects on fitness outcomes of a work-based physical exercise (PE) intervention among women working in older people’s care. In addition, effects on productivity-related outcomes including work ability and sickness absence were studied.

Design/methodology/approach
– Employees participated in a one-year intervention involving two one-hour weekly mandatory PE sessions. The intervention (n=13) was compared to referents (n=12). Fitness tests and self-reports on work ability and sickness absence were obtained before the intervention (T1), six months into the intervention and after 12 months.

Findings
– Fitness test scores (corrected for age and weight) increased significantly over time in the intervention group but not among referents. Perceived exertion decreased significantly in the intervention group and increased significantly among referents. For self-rated work ability and sickness absence, no significant time or group differences emerged.

Research limitations/implications
– Further research on larger groups of women is needed to delineate the effects of PE on self-rated productivity and performance.

Practical implications
– Work-based PE programs can improve fitness among women in older people’s care.

Social implications
– With previous research having primarily focussed on men, this study shows that women in blue-collar jobs also may benefit from taking part in work-based PE programs.

Originality/value
– This paper makes an important contribution through its focus on the effects of a work-based PE program on fitness and possible relations to productivity, among employed women.
Personality factors related to treatment discontinuation in a high secure personality disorder treatment service
Authors: Bennett Alice L. 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore the range of personality disorder diagnoses and levels of psychopathy as assessed by the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) associated with treatment discontinuation in a sample of adult male prisoners.

Design/methodology/approach
– Data from 92 male offenders in a high secure prison personality disorder treatment unit was analysed. PCL-R and personality disorder diagnoses were predicted as being related to increased treatment dropout.

Findings
– Having a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder was related to treatment dropout, but PCL-R total scores were not. There was a trend for a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder being associated with remaining in treatment.

Research limitations/implications
– The current study highlights that narcissistic personality disorder can be associated with treatment dropout, warranting further exploration as to why this is the case.

Practical implications
– Managing responsivity issues for those presenting with a personality disorder diagnosis could be effective in maximising treatment engagement from this specific offender group.

Originality/value
– Although treatment dropout has been explored previously, this is the first study to explore treatment dropout at a specialised unit designed specifically to provide treatment for this client group.
Exploring police-resident racial equality and violent crime
Authors: Sytsma Victoria A. 
Published: February 2015

Purpose– Residential segregation based on race/ethnicity is associated with higher crime rates. However, when there is greater diversity within a neighbourhood, there may be less clustering of crime. One sign of such diversity beyond direct measures of racial similarity may be the proportion of minority officers employed by municipal police departments. As such, the purpose of this paper is to test the effect of the proportion of minority police officers on violent crime within minority communities, controlling for residential segregation.Design/methodology/approach– Multi-level modelling of 91 American cities from the 2000 National Neighbourhood Crime Study was used.Findings– It was found that as minority populations within census tracts increase, violent crime also increases; and crime is associated with an increase in segregation. However, racial composition of police departments can moderate the impact that community racial composition has on violent crime.Originality/value– The current findings point to crime control strategies relevant to municipalities which focus on creating neighbourhoods of racial heterogeneity and more diverse police agencies.