bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Virulence and Antibiotics Susceptibility Genes in Bacillus species Isolated from Freshly Expressed Breast Milk
Authors: Arowolo Margaret Toluwalayo , Adelowotan Aminat Oluwatoyin , Sanusi Morohunranti Sekinat 
Published: November 2023

Breast milk can sometimes spread acute infections from bacterial and viral agents to babies. There are several recognised instances of infections caused by several microorganisms contracted through breast milk. Bacilli are Gram-positive, aerophilic, spore-producing bacteria that are ubiquitous in the environment. They are found not only in the ground, dirt, and water but also in vegetation, animals, and people. The genus Bacillus encompasses a very significant number of species as it has experienced a massive taxonomic growth with the application of 16SrRNA sequencing. This research work was focused on determining the presence of virulence genes (hblA, hblD, nheA, nheB and cesB), antibiotics resistance genes (blaVIM, vanA and vanB), endospore production, motility, biofilm formation and antimicrobial susceptibility of eighteen Bacillus species isolates (seven B. cereus, six B. subtilis, three B. licheniformis, one B. circulans and one B. brevis) obtained from freshly expressed breast milk (these isolates were predominantly isolated from mothers within the first 6 weeks of lactation). The result obtained indicated that all the Bacillus isolates were motile, spore formers and lacked the ability to form biofilm. They were all susceptible to ciprofloxacin (100%) and resistant to ceftazidime and lincomycin (100%). All the isolates showed a distinctive band of suitable size of around 300bp for the molecular identification except isolate 12. The antibiotics resistant genes (blaVIM, vanA and vanB) were absent. Bacillus cereus possessed most of the virulence genes. nheB gene had the highest occurrence 50.0 % followed by hblA gene 33.3 %, hblD gene 16.6 %, cesB gene 5.56% while none of the isolates screened had the nheA gene. Based on these findings, we conclude that breast milk, when not properly handled or when there is little or no observation of strict hygiene practices by the breast-feeding mother, can harbor pathogenic microorganisms such as Bacillus species which possess virulence genes as well as increase the rate of spread of antibiotics resistance from mothers to infants.
Quick and effective approximation ofin silicosaturation mutagenesis experiments with first-order Taylor expansion
Authors: Sasse Alexander , Chikina Maria , Mostafavi Sara 
Published: November 2023

AbstractTo understand the decision process of genomic sequence-to-function models, various explainable AI algorithms have been proposed. These methods determine the importance of each nucleotide in a given input sequence to the model’s predictions, and enable discovery ofcisregulatory motif grammar for gene regulation. The most commonly applied method isin silicosaturation mutagenesis (ISM) because its per-nucleotide importance scores can be intuitively understood as the computational counterpart toin vivosaturation mutagenesis experiments. While ISM is highly interpretable, it is computationally challenging to perform, because it requires computing three forward passes for every nucleotide in the given input sequence; these computations add up when analyzing a large number of sequences, and become prohibitive as the length of the input sequences and size of the model grows. Here, we show how to use the first-order Taylor approximation to compute ISM, which reduces its computation cost to a single forward pass for an input sequence. We use our theoretical derivation to connect ISM with the gradient of the model and show how this approximation is related to a recently suggested correction of the model’s gradients for genomic sequence analysis. We show that the Taylor ISM (TISM) approximation is robust across different model ablations, random initializations, training parameters, and data set sizes.
Fermented polyherbal formulation ameliorates the severity of acute multiple - antibiotics - resistantPseudomonas aeruginosainfected burn wound in rat burn model
Authors: Chakraborty Subhanil , Sen Subhajit , Chakraborty Ranadhir 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACTPseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative opportunistic bacterium has emerged as a cause of life-threatening infections in topical burn wounds. Current therapeutic approaches thru wound dressings and systemic medicines are far from satisfactory; multiple-antibiotic-resistance shown by pathogens contribute to failures of therapy causing mortality. This animal study was conducted to check efficacy of one Ayurveda based fermented polyherbal preparation (AP 01) against multiple antibiotic resistantPseudomonas aeruginosa HW01infected rat burn wounds. AP-01 was applied on artificially inflected burn wound on rat model infected with Multiple Antibiotics ResistantPseudomonas aeruginosato register the healing effects in terms of reduction in residual wound area percentage, presence of C-reactive protein in blood, presence of viable bacteria colony while keeping conventional antibiotics as positive control. The polyherbal preparation had reduced the infected residual burn wound area at 40.63% ± 0.69 from the initial burn wound area within two weeks after a single intervention; whereas residual burn wound area remained much higher in case of animals left untreated and in case of the animals treated with control drug. Restoration to normalcy of serum C-reactive protein level were also achieved earlier in case of polyherbal AP-01 treated groups than other groups. Fermented formulation using components of AP-01 singly or in different combinations were never been tested earlier for topical application in infected burn-wound. The formulation AP-01 was found superior in terms of rate of healing and control of infection by multiple-antibiotic-resistantP. aeruginosastrains in burn wounds in rat model.
Institutional theory and institutional racism: barriers to business success faced by POC entrepreneurs and the family firm advantage
Authors: Kushins Eric R. , Quispe-Agnoli Myriam 
Published: November 2023

PurposeCompared to Whites, People of Color (POC) in the USA face substantial cultural, structural and institutional challenges on their paths to entrepreneurial success. Many of these challenges have their roots in institutional racism—pervasive discriminatory practices and policies found within institutions. Institutional theory suggests that organizations gain access to institutions and resources when they conform to “appropriate” business practices. How does the reality of institutional racism square with institutional theory when many of those institutions, like banks, are fundamentally afflicted by racist practices and norms? Can another institution, the family, act as a resource substitute to provide POC business owners the necessary resources for success?Design/methodology/approachFocusing on White-, Black- and Asian-American business owners, the authors analyze data from the USA. Census's Annual Business Survey.FindingsDespite vast performance differences between POC- and White-owned businesses, family firms of every racial group outperform their same-race nonfamily counterparts. Idiosyncratic resources families bring into family firms, known as familiness, appear to help mitigate the challenges to entrepreneurial success that POC face.Practical implicationsPolicy makers should consider specific types of support different entrepreneurs require given the kinds of hurdles racial minorities continue to face in the USA.Social implicationsDespite scholarly attention on family firm heterogeneity, there is scant research on race.Originality/valueThis research is one of the first to explore the implications of institutional racism on institutional theory and the first to employ this concept within the context of family firms.
BPMN-VSM-based knowledge-work process analysis and improvement in police services: a case study
Authors: Santhiapillai Felix Preshanth , Ratnayake R.M. Chandima 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the integrated application of business process modeling and notation (BPMN) and value stream mapping (VSM) to improve knowledge work performance and productivity in police services. In order to explore the application of the hybrid BPMN-VSM approach in police services, this study uses the department of digital crime investigation (DCI) in one Norwegian police district as a case study.Design/methodology/approachService process identification was the next step after selecting an appropriate organizational unit for the case study. BPMN-VSM-based current state mapping, including time and waste analyses, was used to determine cycle and lead time and identify value-adding and nonvalue-adding activities. Subsequently, improvement opportunities were identified, and the current state process was re-designed and constructed through future state mapping.FindingsThe study results indicate a 44.4% and 83.0% reduction in process cycle and lead time, respectively. This promising result suggests that the hybrid BPMN-VSM approach can support the visualization of bottlenecks and possible causes of increased lead times, followed by the systematic identification and proposals of avenues for future improvement and innovation to remedy the discovered inefficiencies in a complex knowledge-work environment.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focused on one department in a Norwegian police district. However, the experience gained can support researchers and practitioners in understanding lean implementation through an integrated BPMN and VSM model, offering a unique insight into the ability to investigate complex systems.Originality/valueComplex knowledge work processes generally characterize police services due to a high number of activities, resources and stakeholder involvement. Implementing lean thinking in this context is significantly challenging, and the literature on this topic is limited. This study addresses the applicability of the hybrid BPMN-VSM approach in police services with an original public sector case study in Norway.
A system psychodynamic perspective on collaborative leadership in multiparty systems: learnings from a behavioral simulation
Authors: Schruijer Sandra G.L. , Curseu Petru Lucian 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of what collaborative leadership in interorganizational systems entails.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical basis consists of the dynamics observed during two behavioral simulations involving seven stakeholders with managers and professionals as participants, dealing with a complex regional development issue.FindingsThe authors describe what functions collaborative leadership in multiparty collaboration serve by discussing relevant literature and introducing a system psychodynamic perspective on leadership that focuses on the emerging dynamics between a leading party and other stakeholders. The relational dynamics between the leading party on the one hand and the other stakeholders on the other, are described and interpreted, taking the larger systemic context into account.Practical implicationsThe authors discuss some important group dynamics aspects that emerge in a multiparty context that can be used by participants in and facilitators of such complex systems in order to foster effective collaboration.Social implicationsMultiparty systems are set up to deal with some important societal challenges that require the integration of insights, resources and interests across several organizations and societal actors, therefore this study provides important insights into the complexity of collaborative leadership emergent in such contexts in which position power is lacking.Originality/valueThe study provides a qualitative, in depth analysis of the collaborative leadership as it emerges in a multiparty context simulated by an experiential learning context.
Typology of the transition path to fintech: multi-level comparative analysis
Authors: Ghazinoory Sepehr , Shirkhodaie Meysam , Pahlavanian Mercedeh 
Published: November 2023

PurposeFintechs are expected to develop rapidly as technologies that help improve the efficiency of the traditional financial system, but an examination of fintech subbranches shows different behaviors. In some sub-branches, the transition has been accompanied by a higher speed and more success, but in some other sub-branches, the opposite has been observed. The difference in the development of fintech sub-branches and its reasons have been paid less attention. Therefore, this article aims to identify the factors affecting the transition.Design/methodology/approachThe use of new technologies in financial services at the international level has led to the provision of fast, customized and economical services, and the fact that these services are welcomed by the users has created opportunities for fintech's transition. This qualitative research follows the socio-technical phenomenon of fintech transition through narrative research. For its formulation, the transition process of fintech sub-branches was analyzed based on the multi-level analytical framework and Geels et al.’s transition path theory.FindingsTransition is a change from one socio-technical regime to another. The findings of the research showed that these changes are influenced by the following factors: provision of infrastructure, the support of industry incumbents from innovative financial services, policy-making, citizen's welcoming, improving the knowledge and expertise of actors, legal adjustments as well as provision of innovative services.Originality/valueThe fintech transition has a special nature because the speed of developments in fintech is high and there is a series of innovations that are continuously replaced by subsequent innovations. Existing models have often focused on the long-term transition of a technology. This article presents a new approach for the analysis of changes in the short term in such a way that, based on the position of the actors in favor of or against the technological changes and institutional changes of the transition, it has analyzed and identified the factors affecting the transition. By focusing on these factors, policymakers can direct the way of fintech transition and help accelerate and facilitate fintech transition.
Tax planning and financial default: role of corporate life cycle
Authors: Gabrielli Alessandro , Greco Giulio 
Published: November 2023

PurposeDrawing on the resource-based view (RBV), this study investigates how tax planning affects the likelihood of financial default in different stages of the corporate life cycle.Design/methodology/approachCollecting a large sample of US firms between 1989 and 2016, hypotheses are tested using a hazard model. Several robustness and endogeneity checks corroborate the main findings.FindingsThe results show that tax-planning firms are less likely to default in the introduction and decline stages, while they are more likely to default in the growth and maturity stages. The findings suggest that introductory and declining firms use cash resources obtained from tax planning efficiently to meet their needs and acquire other useful resources. In growing and mature firms, tax aggressiveness generates unnecessary slack resources, weakens managerial discipline and increases reputational risks.Practical implicationsThe results shed light on the benefits and costs associated with tax planning throughout firms' life cycle, holding great significance for managers, investors, lenders and other stakeholders.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature that examines resource management at different life cycle stages by showing that cash resources from tax planning are managed in distinctive ways in each life cycle stage, having a varied impact on the likelihood of default. The authors shed light on underexplored cash resources. Furthermore, this study shows the potential linkages between the agency theory and RBV.
Modulatory effects of supplementation of Lentinula edodes mycelia extract and l‐arginine on the therapeutic efficacy of immunogenic chemotherapy in colon cancer‐bearing mice
Authors: Taniura Takahito , Ishitobi Kazunari , Hidaka Masaaki , Harada Mamoru 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSome chemotherapeutic drugs can induce cancer cell death and enhance antitumor T‐cell immunity in cancer‐bearing hosts. Immunomodulatory reagents could augment such chemotherapy‐induced effects. We previously reported that oral digestion of Lentinula edodes mycelia (L.E.M.) extract or
l‐arginine supplementation can augment antitumor T‐cell responses in cancer‐bearing mice. In this study, the effects of L.E.M. extract with or without
l‐arginine on the therapeutic efficacy of immunogenic chemotherapy by 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU)/oxaliplatin (L‐OHP) and/or cyclophosphamide (CP) are examined using two mouse colon cancer models. In MC38 and CT26 cancer models, therapy with 5‐FU/L‐OHP/CP significantly suppressed tumor growth, and supplementation with L.E.M. extract halved the tumor volumes. However, the modulatory effect of L.E.M. extract was not significant. In the CT26 cancer model, supplementation with L.E.M. extract and
l‐arginine had no clear effect on tumor growth. In contrast, their addition to chemotherapy halved the tumor volumes, although the effect was not significant. There was no difference in the cytotoxicity of tumor‐specific cytotoxic T cells generated from CT26‐cured mice treated by chemotherapy alone versus chemotherapy combined with L.E.M. extract/
l‐arginine. These results indicate that the antitumor effects of immunogenic chemotherapy were too strong to ascertain the effects of supplementation of L.E.M. extract and
l‐arginine, but these reagents nonetheless have immunomodulatory effects on the therapeutic efficacy of immunogenic chemotherapy in colon cancer‐bearing mice.
Do plant traits influence primary succession patterns for bryophytes and vascular plants? Evidence from a 33‐year chronosequence on bare chalk
Authors: Ridding Lucy E. , Hawes Peter , Walls Robin , Pilkington Sharon L. , Pywell Richard F. , Pescott Oliver L. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

During primary succession, the abundance of different species and their associated plant traits change over time. Understanding how plant traits linked to colonising and competitive abilities change through succession is important for determining whether community assembly can be predicted. Examining this across more than one taxon group can reveal if these patterns are generalisable.

Here, we investigated primary succession on bare chalk for a chronosequence spanning 33 years for two different taxa, vascular plants and bryophytes. We examined how abundance changed through succession, and how this related to species' colonising and competitive abilities, using relevant plant traits for each taxa. A zero‐inflated beta regression model was used to investigate the effects of traits on both presence/absence and abundance‐when‐present of vascular plants and bryophytes.

Vascular plants with a larger specific leaf area were more likely to occur later in succession. Vascular plants, which were hemicryptophytes, wind dispersing and had a lower canopy height, were more likely to increase in abundance‐when‐present during succession.

Bryophytes with a larger spore diameter were more likely to occur later in succession. Shorter bryophytes with a greater frequency of sporophyte production had a higher abundance early in succession, representing their high colonising abilities. Whereas later in succession larger bryophytes, with a mat or weft life form and low sporophyte frequency were more abundant, indicating a shift towards greater competitive abilities.

Synthesis. This study has revealed different patterns for vascular plants and bryophytes regarding colonisation and changes in abundance through succession, and the associated traits linked to colonising and competitive abilities. Although some traits were found to influence abundance through succession for vascular plants, these were often contrary to the expected pattern representing the change from colonising to competitive abilities, whereas for bryophytes, there was more evidence for this shift with successional age. This suggests that general theories on succession‐linked plant traits should not be relied upon in isolation for the prediction of community assembly. Context, particularly successional age in relation to the available species pool is also key.
Recommendations of good practice to prevent aspiration pneumonia in older adults at risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia living in nursing homes: A modified e‐Delphi study protocol
Authors: Santos Joana M. L. G. , Ribeiro Oscar , Jesus Luis M. T. , Sa‐Couto Pedro , Matos Maria Assunção C. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundAspiration pneumonia (AP) is a subset of pneumonia caused by the aspiration of food and fluids to the lungs and is highly prevalent in the older population. Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is one of the risk factors for AP and it is also associated with malnutrition, dehydration and poor functional outcomes. As pneumonia is the second most common infection in nursing homes (NHs) and OD represents a major concern to NH staff, good practices for the prevention of AP in older adults at risk of OD are needed.PurposeThe aim of this modified e‐Delphi study is to build consensus among a panel of experts regarding a set of recommendations for NH staff on good practices to prevent AP in older adults at risk of OD living in NHs. The objective of this paper is to establish the methodology inherent to the Delphi study.MethodsAn online modified Delphi study will be developed in three rounds. Criteria for the Delphi panel participants include holding a master's or doctoral degree in OD or speech and language therapy; or having 10 or more years of experience in OD; or having at least one scientific publication related to OD. A previously described modified Delphi methodology will be used to achieve consensus (75% agreement). An additional round will be performed to collect the experts’ perspectives regarding the priority for application of each recommendation previously validated.DiscussionThis protocol aimed to describe the methodology of a future Delphi study on the prevention of AP, seeking to fulfil the gap in the literature regarding this topic. The modified Delphi technique is a widely used method for collecting experts’ opinion in health sciences, but the absence of standardised guidelines allows some heterogeneity between studies with the same aim.WHAT THIS PAPER ADDSWhat is already known on the subject
Aspiration pneumonia (AP) is related to three main risk factors: impaired safety of swallow, impaired nutritional status and poor oral health. It is known that being dependent for feeding is one of the main risk factors for AP and around 50% of nursing home (NH) residents need feeding assistance. Thus, it is important to promote specialised intervention and care by the NH staff for preventing AP.What this paper adds to existing knowledge
It is hypothesised that increasing the knowledge of NH staff regarding the best practices for preventing AP in older adults at risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) will improve outcomes such as quality of life, incidence of AP and mortality.What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?
The recommendations resulting from this study will address a current gap in healthcare practice of NH staff regarding older adults at increased risk for OD and, consequently, for AP.