bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vimentin intermediate filaments undergo irreversible conformational changes during cyclic loading
Authors: Forsting Johanna , Kraxner Julia , Witt Hannes , Janshoff Andreas , Köster Sarah
Published: June 2019

Intermediate filaments (IFs) are part of the cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells and are thus largely responsible for the cell’s mechanical properties. IFs are characterized by a pronounced extensibility and remarkable resilience that enable them to support cells in extreme situations. Previous experiments showed that under strain, α-helices in vimentin IFs might unfold to β-sheets. Upon repeated stretching, the filaments soften, however, the remaining plastic strain is negligible. Here we observe that vimentin IFs do not recover their original stiffness on reasonable time scales, and we explain these seemingly contradicting results by introducing a third, less well-defined conformational state. Reversibility on the nanoscale can be fully rescued by introducing crosslinkers that prevent transition to the β-sheet. Our results classify IFs as a nano-material with intriguing mechanical properties, which is likely to play a major role for the cell’s local adaption to external stimuli.
Optogenetic Control of Programmable Genome Editing by Photoactivatable CRISPR/Cas9 Nanosystem in the Second Near-Infrared Window
Authors: Chen Xiaohong , Chen Yuxuan , Xin Huhu , Wan Tao , Ping Yuan
Published: June 2019

This manuscript has been withdrawn by the authors as it was submitted and made public without the full consent of all the authors. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.
Comparative molecular life history of spontaneous canine and human gliomas
Authors: Amin Samirkumar B. , Anderson Kevin J. , Boudreau C. Elizabeth , Martinez-Ledesma Emmanuel , Kocakavuk Emre , Johnson Kevin C. , Barthel Floris P. , Varn Frederick S. , Kassab Cynthia , Ling Xiaoyang , Kim Hoon , Barter Mary , Ngan Chew Yee , Chapman Margaret , Koehler Jennifer W. , Miller Andrew D. , Miller C. Ryan , Porter Brian F. , Rissi Daniel R. , Mazcko Christina , LeBlanc Amy K. , Dickinson Peter J. , Packer Rebecca , Taylor Amanda R. , Rossmeisl John H. , Heimberger Amy , Levine Jonathan M. , Verhaak Roel G. W.
Published: June 2019

Sporadic gliomas in companion dogs provide a window on the interaction between tumorigenic mechanisms and host environment. We compared the molecular profiles of canine gliomas with those of human pediatric and adult gliomas to characterize evolutionarily conserved mammalian mutational processes in gliomagenesis. Employing whole genome-, exome-, transcriptome-and methylation-sequencing of 81 canine gliomas, we found alterations shared between canine and human gliomas such as the receptor tyrosine kinases, p53 and cell cycle pathways, andIDH1R132. Canine gliomas showed high similarity with human pediatric gliomas per robust aneuploidy, mutational rates, relative timing of mutations, and DNA methylation patterns. Our cross-species comparative genomic analysis provides unique insights into glioma etiology and the chronology of glioma-causing somatic alterations.

Significance

Diffuse gliomas are the most common malignant brain tumors, with high-grade tumors carrying a dismal prognosis. Preclinical models have proven themselves as poor predictors of clinical efficacy. Spontaneous glioma in dogs provides an attractive alternative model, because of their comparable tumor microenvironment and tumor life history. We determined the similarities and differences between human and canine gliomas through genomic profiling, and leveraged our datasets to identify conserved somatic drivers, mutational processes and temporal ordering of somatic glioma events across species. We show that canine gliomas resemble human gliomas at (epi-)genetic levels and are more reminiscent of pediatric than adult disease, thus rationalizing sporadic canine glioma as a preclinical model tailored to measuring treatment efficacies in patients with canine or human glioma.
Ste5 Membrane Localization Allows MAPK Pathway Signalingin transBetween Kinases on Separate Scaffold Molecules
Authors: Lamson Rachel E. , Winters Matthew J. , Pryciak Peter M.
Published: June 2019

The MAP kinase cascade is a ubiquitous eukaryotic signaling module that can be controlled by a diverse group of scaffold proteins. In budding yeast, activation of the mating MAP kinase cascade involves regulated membrane recruitment of the archetypal scaffold protein Ste5. This event promotes activation of the first kinase, but it also enhances subsequent signal propagation through the remainder of the cascade. By studying this latter effect, we find that membrane recruitment promotes signalingin transbetween kinases on separate Ste5 molecules. First,transsignaling requires all Ste5 domains that mediate membrane recruitment, including both protein-binding and membrane-binding domains. Second, artificial membrane tethering of Ste5 can drivetranssignaling, bypassing the need for native localization domains. Third,transsignaling can occur even if the first kinase does not bind the scaffold but instead is localized independently to the plasma membrane. Moreover, thetranssignaling reaction allowed us to separate Ste5 into distinct functional domains, and then achieve normal regulation of signal output by tethering one domain to the membrane and stimulating membrane recruitment of the other. Overall, the results support a heterogeneous “ensemble” model of signaling in which scaffolds need not organize multiprotein complexes but instead can serve as binding sinks that co-concentrate enzymes and substrates at specific subcellular locales. These properties relax assembly constraints for scaffold proteins, increase regulatory flexibility, and can facilitate both natural evolution and artificial design of new signaling proteins and pathways.
Combining statistical and neural network approaches to derive energy functions for completely flexible protein backbone design
Authors: Huang Bin , Xu Yang , Liu Haiyan
Published: June 2019

A designable protein backbone is one for which amino acid sequences that stably fold into it exist. To design such backbones, a general method is much needed for continuous sampling and optimization in the backbone conformational space without specific amino acid sequence information. The energy functions driving such sampling and optimization must faithfully recapitulate the characteristically coupled distributions of multiplexes of local and non-local conformational variables in designable backbones. It is also desired that the energy surfaces are continuous and smooth, with easily computable gradients. We combine statistical and neural network (NN) approaches to derive a model named SCUBA, standing for Side-Chain-Unspecialized-Backbone-Arrangement. In this approach, high-dimensional statistical energy surfaces learned from known protein structures are analytically represented as NNs. SCUBA is composed as a sum of NN terms describing local and non-local conformational energies, each NN term derived by first estimating the statistical energies in the corresponding multi-variable space via neighbor-counting (NC) with adaptive cutoffs, and then training the NN with the NC-estimated energies. To determine the relative weights of different energy terms, SCUBA-driven stochastic dynamics (SD) simulations of natural proteins are considered. As initial computational tests of SCUBA, we apply SD simulated annealing to automatically optimize artificially constructed polypeptide backbones of different fold classes. For a majority of the resulting backbones, structurally matching native backbones can be found with Dali Z-scores above 6 and less than 2 Å displacements of main chain atoms in aligned secondary structures. The results suggest that SCUBA-driven sampling and optimization can be a general tool for protein backbone design with complete conformational flexibility. In addition, the NC-NN approach can be generally applied to develop continuous, noise-filtered multi-variable statistical models from structural data.

Linux executables to setup and run SCUBA SD simulations are publicly available (http://biocomp.ustc.edu.cn/servers/download_scuba.php). Interested readers may contact the authors for source code availability.
Connexin 43 impacts the chick premigratory cranial neural crest cell population without affecting the neural crest cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Jourdeuil Karyn , Taneyhill Lisa A.
Published: June 2019

Gap junctions are intercellular channels that allow for the diffusion of small ions and solutes between coupled cells. Connexin 43 (Cx43), also known as Gap Junction Protein α1, is the most broadly expressed gap junction protein in vertebrate development. Cx43 is strongly expressed in premigratory cranial neural crest cells and is maintained throughout the neural crest cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), but its function in these cells is not known. To this end, we have used a combination ofin vivoandex vivolive imaging with confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and functional assays to assess gap junction formation, and Cx43 function, in chick premigratory cranial neural crest cells. Our results demonstrate that gap junctions exist between chick premigratory and migratory cranial neural crest cells, with Cx43 depletion inhibiting the function of gap junctions. While a reduction in Cx43 levels just prior to neural crest cell EMT did not affect EMT and subsequent emigration of neural crest cells from the neural tube, the size of the premigratory neural crest cell domain was decreased in the absence of any changes in cell proliferation or death. Collectively, these data identify a role for Cx43 within the chick premigratory cranial neural crest cell population prior to EMT and migration.
Differential expression of cyclins mRNA in neural tissues of BoHV-1- and BoHV-5- infected cattle
Authors: Marin Maia , Burucúa Mercedes , Rensetti Daniel , Rosales Juan José , Odeón Anselmo , Pérez Sandra
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Bovine alphaherpesvirus types 1 (BoHV-1) and 5 (BoHV-5) are closely related alphaherpesviruses. BoHV-5 causes non-suppurative meningoencephalitis in calves. BoHV-1 is associated with several syndromes and, occasionally, can cause encephalitis. Although both viruses are neurotropic and they share similar biological properties, it is unknown why these alphaherpesviruses differ in their ability to cause neurological disease.

Materials and Methods

Neural tissue samples were collected from BoHV-1- and BoHV-5-intranasally inoculated calves during acute infection, latency and reactivation. The levels of cyclins mRNA expression in neural tissue from calves infected with BoHV-1 or BoHV-5 were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Data were analyzed by Relative Expression Software Tool (REST).

Results

Striking differences in the levels of cyclins mRNA were observed between uninfected and infected tissues, particularly in trigeminal ganglion (TG). During acute infection, higher levels of cyclin A2, E1 and B1 were observed in BoHV-1 and BoHV-5-infected TG compared with uninfected TG. mRNA levels of cyclins A2 and E1 were downregulated in olfactory cortex. During latent infection with BoHV-1 and BoHV-5, cyclin A2 and E1 were downregulated in olfactory cortex and cervical medulla whereas cyclin B1 was upregulated in BoHV-1-infected olfactory and frontal cortex and in cervical medulla after BoHV-5 infection. A marked increase of cyclins A2 and E1mRNA levels was detected in TG of BoHV-5-latently-infected cattle. Unlike in uninfected TG, in BoHV-1 and BoHV-5-infected TG, cyclin B1expression was detectable. During reactivation, the levels of cyclin A2, B1 and E1 mRNA increased in TG. The expression levels of cyclins in TG during BoHV-5 latency suggest that these viruses utilize different strategies to persist in the host.

Conclusion

Bovine alphaherpesviruses neuropathogenicity might be influenced by the differential control of cell cycle components by these herpesviruses. This is the first report on BoHV-5 modulation of cyclins expression in neural tissues from its natural host.
Comparison of Rosetta flexible-backbone computational protein design methods on binding interactions
Authors: Loshbaugh Amanda L. , Kortemme Tanja
Published: June 2019

Computational design of binding sites in proteins remains difficult, in part due to limitations in our current ability to sample backbone conformations that enable precise and accurate geometric positioning of side chains during sequence design. Here we present a benchmark framework for comparison between flexible-backbone design methods applied to binding interactions. We quantify the ability of different flexible backbone design methods in the widely used protein design software Rosetta to recapitulate observed protein sequence profiles assumed to represent functional protein/protein and protein/small molecule binding interactions. The CoupledMoves method, which combines backbone flexibility and sequence exploration into a single acceptance step during the sampling trajectory, better recapitulates observed sequence profiles than the BackrubEnsemble and FastDesign methods, which separate backbone flexibility and sequence design into separate acceptance steps during the sampling trajectory. Flexible-backbone design with the CoupledMoves method is a powerful strategy for reducing sequence space to generate targeted libraries for experimental screening and selection.
Coupling Wright-Fisher and coalescent dynamics for realistic simulation of population-scale datasets
Authors: Nelson Dominic , Kelleher Jerome , Ragsdale Aaron P. , McVean Gil , Gravel Simon
Published: June 2019

1

Coalescent simulations are widely used to examine the effects of evolution and demographic history on the genetic makeup of populations. Thanks to recent progress in algorithms and data structures, simulators such as the widely-usedmsprime[1] now provide genome-wide simulations for millions of individuals. However, this software relies on classic coalescent theory and the corresponding assumptions that sample sizes are small relative to effective population size and that the region being simulated is short. Here we show that coalescent simulations of long regions of the genome exhibit large biases in identity-by-descent (IBD), long-range linkage disequilibrium (LD), and ancestry patterns, particularly when sample size is large. We present a Wright-Fisher extension tomsprime, and show that it produces more realistic distributions of IBD, LD, and ancestry proportions, while also addressing more subtle biases of the coalescent. Further, these extensions are more computationally efficient than state-of-the-art coalescent simulations when simulating long regions, including whole-genome data. For shorter regions, efficiency and accuracy can be maintained via a flexible hybrid model which simulates the recent past under the Wright-Fisher model and uses coalescent simulations in the distant past.
Molecular subtyping improves prognostication of Stage 2 colorectal cancer
Authors: Purcell Rachel V , Schmeier Sebastian , Lau Yee Chen , Pearson John F , Frizelle Francis A
Published: June 2019

Post-surgical staging is the mainstay of prognostic stratification for colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we compare TNM staging to consensus molecular subtyping (CMS) and assess the value of subtyping in addition to stratification by TNM. Three hundred and eight treatment-naïve colorectal tumours were accessed from our institutional tissue bank. CMS was carried out using tumour gene-expression data. Staging and CMS were analysed with respect to clinicopathologic variables and patient outcome. CMS alone was not associated with survival, while TNM stage significantly explained mortality. Addition of CMS to TNM-stratified tumours showed a prognostic effect in stage 2 tumours; CMS3 tumours had a significantly lower overall survival (P= 0.006). Stage 2 patients with a good prognosis showed immune activation and up-regulation of tumour suppressor genes. Although stratification using CMS does not outperform TNM staging as a prognostic indicator, gene-expression based subtyping shows promise for improved prognostication in stage 2 CRC.
Cluster analysis on high dimensional RNA-seq data with applications to cancer research - An evaluation study
Authors: Vidman Linda , Källberg David , Rydén Patrik
Published: June 2019

Clustering of gene expression data is widely used to identify novel subtypes of cancer. Plenty of clustering approaches have been proposed, but there is a lack of knowledge regarding their relative merits and how data characteristics influence the performance. We evaluate how cluster analysis choices affect the performance by studying four publicly available human cancer data sets: breast, brain, kidney and stomach cancer. In particular, we focus on how the sample size, distribution of subtypes and sample heterogeneity affect the performance.

In general, increasing the sample size had limited effect on the clustering performance, e.g. for the breast cancer data similar performance was obtained forn= 40 as forn= 330. The relative distribution of the subtypes had a noticeable effect on the ability of identifying the disease subtypes and data with heavily skewed distributions turned out to be difficult to cluster. Both the choice of clustering method and selection method affected the ability to identify the subtypes, but the relative performance varied between data sets, making it difficult to rank the approaches. For some data sets, the performance was substantially higher when the clustering was based on data from only one sex compared to data from a mixed population. This suggests that homogeneous data are easier to cluster than heterogeneous data and that clustering males and females individually may be beneficial and increase the chance to detect novel subtypes. It was also observed that the performance often differed substantially between females and males.

The number of samples seems to have a limited effect on the performance while the heterogeneity, at least with respect to sex, is important for the performance. Hence, by analyzing the genders separately, the possible loss caused by having fewer samples could be outweighed by the benefit of a more homogeneous data.
Comparing detectability patterns of bird species in small ponds using multi-method hierarchical modelling
Authors: Zamora-Marín José M. , Zamora-López Antonio , Calvo José F. , Oliva-Paterna Francisco J.
Published: June 2019

Robust knowledge of biodiversity distribution is essential for designing and developing effective conservation actions. However, monitoring programmes have historically assumed all species are detected equally with no spatial or temporal differences in their detection rates. However, recently, interest in accounting for imperfect detection has greatly increased in studies on animal diversity. In this respect, birds are the most widely used group for hierarchical occupancy-detection modelling, mainly due to the relative ease of sampling and the large number of bird datasets that are available. Nevertheless, there are no studies that have tried to evaluate the effectiveness of different bird sampling methods based on a hierarchical modelling approach. In an attempt to remedy this situation, we conducted point transects (PT), point transects plus video monitoring (PV) and mist netting (MN) in 19 small ponds located in the province of Murcia, southeastern Spain, one of the most arid regions of Europe. Multi-method hierarchical models were fitted to the detection histories of 36 common bird species with three main objectives: to compare the effectiveness of the three sampling methods for detecting the bird species using ponds, to assess the effect of sampling date on species detectability, and to establish the influence of body size and diet on species detectability. The results showed PV to be the most effective sampling method for detecting species occupancy, although detection rates ranged widely among bird groups, and some large species were weakly detected by all the methods. Average detectability increased during the breeding period, a pattern shown similarly by all sampling methods. Our approach is particularly applicable to both single- and multi-species bird monitoring programmes. We recommend evaluating the cost-effectiveness of available methods for sampling design in order to reduce costs and improve effectiveness.
CRL-based ultra-compact transfocator for X-ray focusing and microscopy
Authors: Narikovich Anton , Polikarpov Maxim , Barannikov Alexander , Klimova Nataliya , Lushnikov Anatoly , Lyatun Ivan , Bourenkov Gleb , Zverev Dmitrii , Panormov Igor , Sinitsyn Alexander , Snigireva Irina , Snigirev Anatoly
Published: June 2019

A new ultra-compact transfocator (UCTF) based on X-ray compound refractive lenses (CRLs) is presented. The device can be used to change the number of one- and two-dimensional focusing CRLs by moving the individual parabolic lenses one-by-one independently, thus providing permanent energy and focal-length tunability for scanning and full-field X-ray microscopy applications. The small overall size and light weight of the device allow it to be integrated in any synchrotron beamline, while even simplifying the experimental layout. The UCTF was tested at the Excillium MetalJet microfocus X-ray source and at the P14 EMBL (PETRA-III) beamline, demonstrating high mechanical stability and lens positioning repeatability.
Doping site identification in 112 iron pnictides through a first-principles core-electron spectroscopic study
Authors: Ghosh Haranath , Ghosh Soumyadeep , Ghosh Abyay
Published: June 2019

Density functional theory based first-principles core-electron spectroscopic studies on iron-based superconducting 112 materials are presented. The existence of an extra As zigzag chain structure along with Fe–As planes in 112 materials is emphasised. Doping on an As site belonging to a chain by Sb is found to enhance the superconducting transition temperature. This is also shown from calculations with enhanced density of states when doped on chain-As. Therefore, As site identification in 112 is crucial. Theoretically computed As K-edge absorption spectra of two different types of As atoms for Ca0.85La0.15FeAs2 show a distinctly different nature. The sensitivities of As K-edge absorption spectra in the presence and absence of the `core-hole effect' are presented for future possible identification of the same experimentally. In both cases absorption spectra contain several features, the origins of which are thoroughly described in terms of site projected density of states results.
Demonstration of high-performance pole pieces made of monocrystalline dysprosium for short-period undulators
Authors: Tanaka Takashi , Kagamihata Akihiro
Published: June 2019

Reported here are the results of experiments carried out to demonstrate the magnetic performance of dysprosium (Dy) to enhance the capability of undulators. Tiny pieces of monocrystalline Dy surrounded by permanent magnets (PMs) work as pole pieces (PPs) to concentrate the magnetic flux, when cooled down below the Curie temperature of 85 K. A PP made of Dy is much more attractive than one made of a conventional material, because its saturation magnetization is much higher. Furthermore, it also allows for a more flexible selection of PM material, potentially leading to further enhancement of the performance of short-period undulators. Besides these advantages, practical issues related to using Dy PPs and countermeasures against them are discussed.
Driving forces for the US residential housing price: a predictive analysis
Authors: Jafari Amirhosein , Akhavian Reza
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the key characteristics that determine housing prices in the USA. Data analytical models capable of predicting the driving forces of housing prices can be extremely useful in the built environment and real estate decision-making processes.

Design/methodology/approach

A data set of 13,771 houses is extracted from the 2013 American Housing Survey (AHS) data and used to develop a Hedonic Pricing Method (HPM). Besides, a data set of 22 houses in the city of San Francisco, CA is extracted from Redfin real estate brokerage database and used to test and validate the model. A correlation analysis is performed and a stepwise regression model is developed. Also, the best subsets regression model is selected to be used in HPM and a semi-log HPM is proposed to reduce the problem of heteroscedasticity.

Findings

Results show that the main driving force for housing transaction price in the USA is the square footage of the unit, followed by its location, and its number of bathrooms and bedrooms. The results also show that the impact of neighborhood characteristics (such as distance to open spaces and business centers) on the housing prices is not as strong as the impact of housing unit characteristics and location characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

An important limitation of this study is the lack of detailed housing attribute variables in the AHS data set. The accuracy of the prediction model could be increased by having a greater number of information regarding neighborhood and regional characteristics. Also, considering the macro business environment such as the inflation rate, the interest rates, the supply and demand for housing, and the unemployment rates, among others could increase the accuracy of the model. The authors hope that the presented study spurs additional research into this topic for further investigation.

Practical implications

The developed framework which is capable of predicting the driving forces of housing prices and predict the market values based on those factors could be useful in the built environment and real estate decision-making processes. Researchers can also build upon the developed framework to develop more sophisticated predictive models that benefit from a more diverse set of factors.

Social implications

Finally, predictive models of housing price can help develop user-friendly interfaces and mobile applications for home buyers to better evaluate their purchase choices.

Originality/value

Identification of the key driving forces that determine housing prices on real-world data from the 2013 AHS, and development of a prediction model for housing prices based on the studied data have made the presented research original and unique.
Let’s talk about chemsex and pleasure: the missing link in chemsex services
Authors: Flores-Aranda Jorge , Goyette Mathieu , Aubut Valérie , Blanchette Maxime , Pronovost Frédérick
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to document the experience of current and former methamphetamine users on their crystal meth use patterns and on their use of services related to their chemsex practice.

Design/methodology/approach

For qualitative component, two focus groups were formed with nine current users of methamphetamine and eight former users. Thematic analysis was performed to know their experiences.

Findings

All participants were already engaging in chemsex with various substances before they first started using methamphetamine. Methamphetamine use led some to slam (methamphetamine or mephedrone injection). Some participants report that their sexual experiences were intensified early in their chemsex practice. They reported feeling more confident with their partners, feeling like they are sexually attractive and overcoming their barriers to sexuality. The intensification of methamphetamine use and, in particular, injection change the positive perception of sexual life. Thus, for some participants, substance use takes more space and their sexual experiences become less satisfactory.

Practical implications

Participants report the services that address the phenomenon of chemsex are still scarce in Quebec province. In addition, the few services available aim to relearn a sober sexuality. However, the mourning of the positive aspects of chemsex on sexual experiences seems still very little discussed. Greater consideration of positive chemsex experiences is needed in services that address this issue.

Originality/value

This project documented the perception of pleasure related to sexual practices among regular methamphetamine users. Their perception of pleasure will help develop services adapted to their reality.
DEM-aided method for predicting the hydraulic properties with particle-size distribution of porous media
Authors: Dan Han-Cheng , Zou Zhuo-Min , Chen Jia-Qi , Peng An-Ping
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The soil water retention curve (SWRC) and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (UHC) are crucial indices to assess hydraulic properties of porous media that primarily depend on the particle and pore size distributions. This study aims to present a method based on the discrete element model (DEM) and the typical Arya and Paris model (AP model) to numerically predict SWRC and UHC.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the DEM (PFC3D software) is used to construct the pore and particle size distributions in porous media. The number of particles is calculated according to the AP model, which can be applied to evaluate the relationship between the suction head and the moisture of porous media. Subsequently, combining critical path analysis (CPA) and fractal theory, the air entry value is applied to calculate the critical pore radius (CPR) and the critical volume fraction (CVF) for evaluating the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity.

Findings

This method is validated against the experimental results of 11 soils from the clay loam to the sand, and then the scaling parameter in the AP model and critical volume fraction value for many types of soils are presented for reference; subsequently, the gradation effect on hydraulic property of soils is analyzed. Furthermore, the calculation for unbound graded aggregate (UGA) material as a special case and a theoretical extension are provided.

Originality/value

The presented study provides an important insight into the relationship between the heterogeneous particle and hydraulic properties by the DEM and sheds light on the directions for future study of a method to investigate the hydraulic properties of porous media.
Adaptive finite element analysis with local mesh refinement based on a posteriori error estimate of element energy projection technique
Authors: Dong Yiyi , Yuan Si , Xing Qinyan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to propose a general and efficient adaptive strategy with local mesh refinement for two-dimensional (2D) finite element (FE) analysis based on the element energy projection (EEP) technique.

Design/methodology/approach

In view of the inflexibility of the existing global dimension-by-dimension (D-by-D) recovery method via EEP technique, in which displacements are recovered through element strips, an improved element D-by-D recovery strategy was proposed, which enables the EEP recovery of super-convergent displacements to be implemented mostly on a single element. Accordingly, a posteriori error estimate in maximum norm was established and an EEP-based adaptive FE strategy of h-version with local mesh refinement was developed.

Findings

Representative numerical examples, including stress concentration and singularity problems, were analyzed; the results of which show that the adaptively generated meshes reasonably reflect the local difficulties inherent in the physical problems and the proposed adaptive analysis can produce FE displacement solutions satisfying the user-specified tolerances in maximum norm with an almost optimal adaptive convergence rate.

Originality/value

The proposed element D-by-D recovery method is a more efficient and flexible displacement recovery method, which is implemented mostly on a single element. The EEP-based adaptive FE analysis can produce displacement solutions satisfying the specified tolerances in maximum norm with an almost optimal convergence rate and thus can be expected to apply to other 2D problems.
Techniques and benefits of implementing the last planner system in the Gaza Strip construction industry
Authors: Tayeh Bassam A. , Hallaq Khalid Al , Zahoor Hafiz , Al Faqawi Abdulla H.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to prioritize the vital tools/techniques for the effective implementation of the last planner system (LPS) in the cross-cultural setting of a developing country, i.e. Gaza Strip. Besides, the potential benefits of implementing LPS are prioritized.

Design/methodology/approach

The significant techniques and likely benefits of LPS implementations were identified through comprehensive literature, followed by their verification through a pilot study. The quantitative data were collected using a questionnaire survey from 89 companies, operating in the Gaza Strip construction industry. The relative important index was calculated for prioritizing the significant tools/techniques (16) which support the effective LPS implementation, and highlighting the potential benefits (10) achieved through LPS implementation.

Findings

The results showed that the “use of visual devices to spread information in the construction site,” “attendance of key actors” and “look ahead plan” are the most important tools/techniques supporting LPS implementation. The top three potential benefits of implementing LPS include: “allows a better understanding of the program control,” “maximizes the co-operation and confidence among team members” and “allows the manager to better visualize the work program.” To prevent any waste in project time and to ensure the material supply and continuity of works, the study recommends advance supply and storage of demand materials, and early availability of the shop-drawings for acceptance by the superintendent.

Practical implications

The study’s findings are expected to guide the key construction stakeholders to prioritize their energies toward effective LPS implementation in the Gaza Strip.

Originality/value

Though this study pertains to Palestine, its methodology can be generalized in other countries and regions, having a similar work environment, after making necessary cultural adjustments.
Construction sectors efficiency analysis on seven European countries
Authors: Murillo Kelly Patricia , Rocha Eugénio , Rodrigues Maria Fernanda
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure and compare the technical efficiency of construction companies in seven European countries: Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Spain, during the 2008–2015 period. The analysis involves nine sectors grouped into three divisions: construction of buildings (F41), civil engineering (F42) and specialized construction activities (F43), by NACE classification.

Design/methodology/approach

Multidirectional efficiency analysis was adopted to investigate the levels of efficiencies, the differences in those levels and the possible causes of such differences by further defining two new indices.

Findings

It showed that F43 is the most efficient division during the study period, followed by F42 and F41. The sectors/countries with less efficiency are: construction of roads and railways/Poland, construction of other civil engineering projects/Hungary, demolition and site preparation/Poland, other specialized construction activities/Portugal. Globally, the development of building projects sector uses resources in the most inefficient way and there was a drop in the efficiency in 2011 and 2013, showing a delay in the crisis impact. After 2010, civil engineering projects required a substantial effort to access resources. Other features regarding (in)efficiency were further identified.

Originality/value

The analysis was conducted with one of the most effective techniques in frontier analysis. The first introduced index allows for comparing efficient/inefficient subgroups, and the other index measures the resource acquisition effort, allowing a better comparison along years. The study provides a good understanding of the performance of the construction industry and indirectly exposes the strategies to overcome the crisis, through the identification of the inputs/outputs which are well/badly used.
Investigation of individual perceptions towards BIM implementation-a Chongqing case study
Authors: Liu Nan , Ruan Lin , Jin Ruoyu , Chen Yunfeng , Deng Xiaokang , Yang Tong
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to target on individual perceptions of BIM practice in terms of BIM benefits, critical success factors (CSFs) and challenges in Chongqing which represented the less BIM-developed metropolitan cities in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a questionnaire-survey approach followed by statistical analysis, the study further divided the survey population from Chongqing into subgroups according to their employer types and organization sizes. A further subgroup analysis adopting statistical approach was conducted to investigate the effects of employer type and organization size on individual perceptions.

Findings

Subgroup analysis revealed that governmental employees held more conservative and neutral perceptions toward several items in BIM benefit, CSFs and challenges. It was inferred that smaller organizations with fewer than 100 full-time employees perceived more benefits of BIM in recruiting and retaining employees, and considered more critical of involving companies with BIM knowledge in their projects.

Originality/value

This study contributed to the body of knowledge in managerial BIM in terms that: it extended the research of individual perceptions toward BIM implementation by focusing on less BIM-mature regions; it contributed to previous studies of influencing factors to BIM practice-based perceptions by introducing factors related to organization type and sizes; and it would lead to future research in establishing BIM climate and culture which address perceptions and behaviors in BIM adoption at both individual and organizational levels.
Virtual try-on technologies in the clothing industry: basic block pattern modification
Authors: Lagė Agnė , Ancutienė Kristina
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate basic block pattern modification according to fabric used and the mismatch between 2D and 3D measure lines at bust, waist and hip girths when ease allowance is changed uniformly.

Design/methodology/approach

For the investigation, virtual try-on software Modaris 3D Fit (CAD Lectra) was used. The straight shape dress fitting was done using seven cotton and cotton blended plain weave fabrics. After virtual try-on, the mismatch d (dbust, dwaist, dhip) between 2D and 3D measure lines was measured in order to determine base pattern adjustments using different fabrics.

Findings

It was found that the position and length of 3D measure lines at bust, waist and hip girths does not match the position and length of corresponding lines in 2D base patterns after virtual try-on due to fabrics deformation, which is related to mechanical properties. It was proved that derived linear equations presenting a relation between mismatch and ease allowance values could be used for basic block pattern modification that 3D and 2D measure lines would coincide during clothing try-on.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to cotton/cotton blended woven fabrics and straight dress; therefore, other fabric types and other clothing could be investigated in the future to expand data basis.

Practical implications

The main practical point of the proposed method is that in order to obtain particular 3D ease value in a garment, it can be calculated from 2D ease allowance value and the fabric’s tensile properties using linear equations. The basic block patterns could be modified using this method not only for tested fabrics but also for other fabrics with similar composition, structural and mechanical properties. 3D ease values in garment can be easily checked by using virtual try-on technology without production of real prototypes. The method is applicable for making ready-to-wear or individually tailored clothing.

Originality/value

The proposed method in this paper presented opportunity to modify the basic block patterns of the dress according to the fabric’s tensile properties and 2D ease allowance. The basic block patterns could be modified according to presented linear functions for each tested fabric. The application of this method can fully ensure the interaction between the garment 2D patterns to 3D garment so that a desired 3D garment fitting effect to the body can easily be satisfied by the adjustment of particular fabric characteristics. It offers further possibilities, especially with developing virtual try-on technologies.
Emergency calls during the 2013 southern Ontario ice storm: case study of Vaughan
Authors: Shafiei Sabet Maryam , Asgary Ali , Solis Adriano O.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Responding to emergency incidents by emergency response organizations such as fire, ambulance and police during large disaster and emergency events is very important. The purpose of this paper is to provide some insights into response patterns during the 2013 ice storm in the city of Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, using temporal and spatial analyses.

Design/methodology/approach

The City of Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service data set containing all responses to fire and other emergency incidents from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2016 was used. The 2013 Southern Ontario ice storm occurred from December 20, 2013 to January 1, 2014, and, for this study, December 20–31 is considered the “study period.” Temporal, spatial and spatiotemporal analyses of responses during the study period are carried out and are compared with the same period in other years (2009–2012 and 2014–2016).

Findings

The findings show that temporal patterns of response attributes changed significantly during the 2013 ice storm. Similarly, the spatial pattern of responses during the 2013 ice storm showed some major differences with other years. The spatiotemporal analyses also demonstrate significant variations in responses in the city during different hours of the day in the ice storm days.

Originality/value

This study is the first study to examine the spatiotemporal patterns of responses made by a fire department during the 2013 ice storm in Canada. It provides some insights into the differences between response volumes, temporal and spatial distributions during large emergency events (e.g. ice storm) and normal situations. The results will help in mitigating the number of responses in the future through public education and technological changes. Moreover, the results will provide fire departments with information that could help them prepare for such events by possible reallocation of resources.
Factors affecting informal patient payments: a systematic literature review
Authors: Meskarpour Amiri Mohammad , Bahadori Mohammadkarim , Motaghed Zahra , Ravangard Ramin
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Informal payments (IPs) for healthcare are a serious obstacle to equitable access and universal health coverage in developing countries. Policy makers need to know more about the hidden nature of informal patient payments (IPPs) before any policy adoption and implementation. The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the main factors affecting IPPs.

Design/methodology/approach

This systematic review was conducted in 2018 using the standard guideline of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. All English original articles on the determinants of IPPs published in the scientific journals, whose full text was available through Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science databases, which were given consideration for review.

Findings

The results showed that IPPs were greatly dependent on the characteristics of healthcare consumers, providers, healthcare system and services. Among healthcare consumers’ characteristics affecting IPPs, the income, age, education, gender, employment and health status were more cited factors, respectively. Among healthcare providers’ characteristics affecting IPPs, the providers’ experience, reputation, and salary satisfaction were better known, respectively. Among healthcare services features, the hospitalization, service specialty and the level of treatment urgency were more noted, respectively.

Originality/value

Policy making against IPs in the health sector requires precise attention to all components of healthcare market, including healthcare consumers, providers, healthcare system and services characteristics.
The role of sustainable HRM in sustaining positive organizational outcomes
Authors: Almarzooqi Abdulla Hasan , Khan Mehmood , Khalid Khalizani
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interactional relationships between sustainable human resource management (HRM) and positive organizational outcomes, in the context of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), focusing on employees’ perception and mediation of the direct relationships drawing on the theoretical background of the social exchange theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a web-based survey (293 usable responses). Respondents were full-time employees from the UAE’s oil-and-gas sector. The proposed hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression for direct and indirect relationships. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirm the validity of the proposed framework.

Findings

Sustainable HRM has a significant direct effect on sustainable employee performance and perceived sustainable organizational support. The mediating influence of organizational knowledge sharing (OKS) and employee empowerment were significant to varying degrees, proving the different interactions between the study constructs.

Practical implications

The mediating effect found for OKS and employee empowerment suggests that organizations should consider multiple combinations of practices to sustain positive outcomes, especially in dynamic markets. The alignment between different managerial practices can enhance anticipated organizational outcomes. Establishing knowledge-sharing practices will, therefore, help in enhancing employee performance, supporting the role of sustainable HRM. Empowering employees will also help in establishing a sense of perceived support that employees will value, leading to positive reciprocity from employees.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature on sustainable HRM and its links to positive organizational outcomes in the context of the UAE. The study also demonstrates that mediators of the direct relationships can have varying effects and associations with different organizational outcomes.
Workplace health in wellness – a study of Swedish spa-hotels
Authors: Lagrosen Yvonne , Lagrosen Stefan Olof
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In previous research, quality management practices have been found to be related to better health for employees. Dimensions of health-promoting quality leadership have been defined. The purpose of this study was to identify dimensions of workplace health in the wellness industry and relate them to the dimensions of health-promoting quality leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study involving seven leading spa-hotels in Sweden has been carried out. The first part of the study consisted of quality cafés carried out at each of the hotels. The quality café is a novel method, which has the World Café-method as its basis, combined with quality management techniques. Based on the findings from the quality cafés, an employee survey was developed.

Findings

The findings from the study include a definition of five major health dimensions for the employees, namely, happiness, kinship, respect, physical health conditions and control. The dimensions were found to be statistically consistent and correlated with the self-reported health of the respondents.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are related to health promotion theory and the dimensions of health-promoting quality leadership. A framework for health leadership in the wellness industry is proposed. The study was only carried out in one country.

Practical implications

The framework and the findings should be useful for managers, particularly in the wellness sector, when designing their operations and health promotion activities.

Originality/value

Workplace health in the wellness sector, which is growing worldwide, is very scarcely researched.