Zheng Kou, Yanhong Zhou and Xiaoli Qiang
The traditional method to distinguish the serotype of influenza A virus was based on the antigen reaction of HA and NA with their antibodies. The antibody of specific subtype…
Abstract
Purpose
The traditional method to distinguish the serotype of influenza A virus was based on the antigen reaction of HA and NA with their antibodies. The antibody of specific subtype virus was difficult to get and the reaction was not easy to be done. To be a complementation to the traditional classification methods based on the serological reaction, aims to present a novel method for viral classification.
Design/methodology/approach
The similarity values of all subtype HA genes in vector space were considered and classified using a probabilistic neural network (PNN). The PNN model was trained by the 132 viral sequences in the training set and the classification quality was examined using 28 viral sequences in the testing set.
Findings
A novel technique for the serotype classification of influenza A virus isolated from human was proposed in the paper. The system achieved 100 per cent accuracy with all serotypes of human influenza A virus.
Research limitations/implications
The time for the large‐scale calculations of the average similarity based on multisequence alignment is the main limitation.
Practical implications
This is a supplementation to the traditional virology research.
Originality/value
The novel classification method based on the similarity of viral nucleotide sequences and the PNN model would be useful for the epidemic supervision and prevention.
Details
Keywords
Xiaoli Li, Qiang Wang, Xuejiao Sun, Xuerong Fan and Xue Han
The purpose of this paper is to derive a new method for the hydrophilic finishing of wool fabric.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to derive a new method for the hydrophilic finishing of wool fabric.
Design/methodology/approach
A new biological catalyst, microbial transglutaminase (mTGase), was used to catalyze the grafting of ε‐poly‐L‐lysine (ε‐PLL) onto the wool fabric.
Findings
The K/S value, SEM morphology and DSC analysis proved that the grafting reaction occurred. The hydrophilic properties of the ε‐PLL‐grafted wool fabrics were studied. The results showed that the grafted ε‐PLL could increase the hydrophilicity, which was demonstrated in terms of the obvious shortening in the wetting time and the process of water absorption and moisture absorption. The grafted wool also achieved better antistatic property.
Research limitations/implications
Future work could be focused on the application of this biological method on other protein fabric which was designed to change the performance.
Originality/value
The biological approach is safe, eco‐friendly and effective relative to the conventional methods.
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Keywords
Xiaoli Wang, Xincheng Wang and Yu Huang
Though most construction workers in China possess minimal skillset, they are reluctant to attend vocational skill training sponsored by the government or enterprises. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Though most construction workers in China possess minimal skillset, they are reluctant to attend vocational skill training sponsored by the government or enterprises. This paper aims to examine their willingness to attend the training from workers’ individual perspectives.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors interviewed 492 construction workers on topics concerning their age, education, work tenure, technological level, daily wages, apprenticeship duration, apprentice channels and training experience; this information was then logistically analyzed to reveal if it influences construction workers’ willingness to attend training courses.
Findings
The results show that in a variety of possible influencing factors, technological level, apprenticeship duration and education are the most significant ones that affect construction workers’ willingness to attend vocational training. Technological level makes the greatest contribution to workers’ willingness to attend training, yet the effect of training experience and daily wages is minimal.
Practical implications
To achieve sustainability in construction labor management, it is important to shed light on what influences worker’s willingness to attend training programs and take some efficient steps to address these issues.
Originality/value
This paper provides a new insight into the workers’ willingness to attend vocational skill training programs in the Chinse construction industry and suggests some practical implications for professionals and policymakers. Furthermore, the findings could prove valuable to other countries or industries, especially those sharing similarities to the Chinese construction industry.