bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human liver segments: role of cryptic liver lobes and vascular physiology in the development of liver veins and left-right asymmetry
Authors: Hikspoors Jill P. J. M. , Peeters Mathijs M. J. P. , Kruepunga Nutmethee , Mekonen Hayelom K. , Mommen Greet M. C. , Köhler S. Eleonore , Lamers Wouter H.
Published: December 2017

Couinaud based his well-known subdivision of the liver into (surgical) segments on the branching order of portal veins and the location of hepatic veins. However, both segment boundaries and number remain controversial due to an incomplete understanding of the role of liver lobes and vascular physiology on hepatic venous development. Human embryonic livers (5–10 weeks of development) were visualized with Amira 3D-reconstruction and Cinema 4D-remodeling software. Starting at 5 weeks, the portal and umbilical veins sprouted portal-vein branches that, at 6.5 weeks, had been pruned to 3 main branches in the right hemi-liver, whereas all (>10) persisted in the left hemi-liver. The asymmetric branching pattern of the umbilical vein resembled that of a “distributing” vessel, whereas the more symmetric branching of the portal trunk resembled a “delivering” vessel. At 6 weeks, 3–4 main hepatic-vein outlets drained into the inferior caval vein, of which that draining the caudate lobe formed the intrahepatic portion of the caval vein. More peripherally, 5–6 major tributaries drained both dorsolateral regions and the left and right ventromedial regions, implying a “crypto-lobar” distribution. Lobar boundaries, even in non-lobated human livers, and functional vascular requirements account for the predictable topography and branching pattern of the liver veins, respectively.
Charge-Stripe Order and Superconductivity in Ir1−xPtxTe2
Authors: Ivashko O. , Yang L. , Destraz D. , Martino E. , Chen Y. , Guo C. Y. , Yuan H. Q. , Pisoni A. , Matus P. , Pyon S. , Kudo K. , Nohara M. , Forró L. , Rønnow H. M. , Hücker M. , v. Zimmermann M. , Chang J.
Published: December 2017

A combined resistivity and hard x-ray diffraction study of superconductivity and charge ordering in Ir Ir1−xPtxTe2, as a function of Pt substitution and externally applied hydrostatic pressure, is presented. Experiments are focused on samples near the critical composition x
c
 ~ 0.045 where competition and switching between charge order and superconductivity is established. We show that charge order as a function of pressure in Ir0.95Pt0.05Te2 is preempted — and hence triggered — by a structural transition. Charge ordering appears uniaxially along the short crystallographic (1, 0, 1) domain axis with a (1/5, 0, 1/5) modulation. Based on these results we draw a charge-order phase diagram and discuss the relation between stripe ordering and superconductivity.
Disentangling eco-evolutionary dynamics of predator-prey coevolution: the case of antiphase cycles
Authors: van Velzen Ellen , Gaedke Ursula
Published: December 2017

The impact of rapid predator-prey coevolution on predator-prey dynamics remains poorly understood, as previous modelling studies have given rise to contradictory conclusions and predictions. Interpreting and reconciling these contradictions has been challenging due to the inherent complexity of model dynamics, defying mathematical analysis and mechanistic understanding. We develop a new approach here, based on the Geber method for deconstructing eco-evolutionary dynamics, for gaining such understanding. We apply this approach to a co-evolutionary predator-prey model to disentangle the processes leading to either antiphase or ¼-lag cycles. Our analysis reveals how the predator-prey phase relationship is driven by the temporal synchronization between prey biomass and defense dynamics. We further show when and how prey biomass and trait dynamics become synchronized, resulting in antiphase cycles, allowing us to explain and reconcile previous modelling and empirical predictions. The successful application of our proposed approach provides an important step towards a comprehensive theory on eco-evolutionary feedbacks in predator-prey systems.
TRAF3 negatively regulates platelet activation and thrombosis
Authors: Zhang Rui , Zhang Guoying , Xiang Binggang , Chen Xiaofeng , Tang Lijang , Shi Shaojun , Liu Yani , Ai Xun , Xie Ping , Li Zhenyu
Published: December 2017

CD40 ligand (CD40L), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, binds to CD40, leading to many effects depending on target cell type. Platelets express CD40L and are a major source of soluble CD40L. CD40L has been shown to potentiate platelet activation and thrombus formation, involving both CD40-dependent and -independent mechanisms. A family of proteins called TNF receptor associated factors (TRAFs) plays key roles in mediating CD40L-CD40 signaling. Platelets express several TRAFs. It has been shown that TRAF2 plays a role in CD40L-mediated platelet activation. Here we show that platelet also express TRAF3, which plays a negative role in regulating platelet activation. Thrombin- or collagen-induced platelet aggregation and secretion are increased in TRAF3 knockout mice. The expression levels of collagen receptor GPVI and integrin αIIbβ3 in platelets were not affected by deletion of TRAF3, suggesting that increased platelet activation in the TRAF3 knockout mice was not due to increased expression platelet receptors. Time to formation of thrombi in a FeCl3-induced thrombosis model was significantly shortened in the TRAF3 knockout mice. However, mouse tail-bleeding times were not affected by deletion of TRAF3. Thus, TRAF3 plays a negative role in platelet activation and in thrombus formation in vivo.
Identification of sRNA mediated responses to nutrient depletion in Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Mohd-Padil Hirzahida , Damiri Nadzirah , Sulaiman Suhaila , Chai Shiao-Fei , Nathan Sheila , Firdaus-Raih Mohd
Published: December 2017

The Burkholderia genus includes many species that are known to survive in diverse environmental conditions including low nutrient environments. One species, Burkholderia pseudomallei is a versatile pathogen that can survive in a wide range of hosts and environmental conditions. In this study, we investigated how a nutrient depleted growth environment evokes sRNA mediated responses by B. pseudomallei. Computationally predicted B. pseudomallei D286 sRNAs were mapped to RNA-sequencing data for cultures grown under two conditions: (1) BHIB as a nutrient rich media reference environment and (2) M9 media as a nutrient depleted stress environment. The sRNAs were further selected to identify potentially cis-encoded systems by investigating their possible interactions with their flanking genes. The mappings of predicted sRNA genes and interactions analysis to their flanking genes identified 12 sRNA candidates that may possibly have cis-acting regulatory roles that are associated to a nutrient depleted growth environment. Our approach can be used for identifying novel sRNA genes and their possible role as cis-mediated regulatory systems.
A Pilot Characterization of the Human Chronobiome
Authors: Skarke Carsten , Lahens Nicholas F. , Rhoades Seth D. , Campbell Amy , Bittinger Kyle , Bailey Aubrey , Hoffmann Christian , Olson Randal S. , Chen Lihong , Yang Guangrui , Price Thomas S. , Moore Jason H. , Bushman Frederic D. , Greene Casey S. , Grant Gregory R. , Weljie Aalim M. , FitzGerald Garret A.
Published: December 2017

Physiological function, disease expression and drug effects vary by time-of-day. Clock disruption in mice results in cardio-metabolic, immunological and neurological dysfunction; circadian misalignment using forced desynchrony increases cardiovascular risk factors in humans. Here we integrated data from remote sensors, physiological and multi-omics analyses to assess the feasibility of detecting time dependent signals - the chronobiome – despite the “noise” attributable to the behavioral differences of free-living human volunteers. The majority (62%) of sensor readouts showed time-specific variability including the expected variation in blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol. While variance in the multi-omics is dominated by inter-individual differences, temporal patterns are evident in the metabolome (5.4% in plasma, 5.6% in saliva) and in several genera of the oral microbiome. This demonstrates, despite a small sample size and limited sampling, the feasibility of characterizing at scale the human chronobiome “in the wild”. Such reference data at scale are a prerequisite to detect and mechanistically interpret discordant data derived from patients with temporal patterns of disease expression, to develop time-specific therapeutic strategies and to refine existing treatments.
Self-adaptive Bioinspired Hummingbird-wing Stimulated Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Ahmed Abdelsalam , Hassan Islam , Song Peiyi , Gamaleldin Mohamed , Radhi Ali , Panwar Nishtha , Tjin Swee Chuan , Desoky Ahmed Y. , Sinton David , Yong Ken-Tye , Zu Jean
Published: December 2017

Bio-inspired technologies have remarkable potential for energy harvesting from clean and sustainable energy sources. Inspired by the hummingbird-wing structure, we propose a shape-adaptive, lightweight triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) designed to exploit the unique flutter mechanics of the hummingbird for small-scale wind energy harvesting. The flutter is confined between two surfaces for contact electrification upon oscillation. We investigate the flutter mechanics on multiple contact surfaces with several free-standing and lightweight electrification designs. The flutter driven-TENGs are deposited on simplified wing designs to match the electrical performance with variations in wind speed. The hummingbird TENG (H-TENG) device weighed 10 g, making it one of the lightest TENG harvesters in the literature. With a six TENG network, the hybrid design attained a 1.5 W m−2 peak electrical output at 7.5 m/s wind speed with an approximately linear increase in charge rate with the increased number of TENG harvesters. We demonstrate the ability of the H-TENG networks to operate Internet of Things (IoT) devices from sustainable and renewable energy sources.
Toll-like Receptor Activation Induces Degeneration of Human Intervertebral Discs
Authors: Krock Emerson , Rosenzweig Derek H. , Currie J. Brooke , Bisson Daniel G. , Ouellet Jean A. , Haglund Lisbet
Published: December 2017

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are activated by endogenous alarmins such as fragmented extracellular matrix compounds found in the degenerating disc. TLRs regulate cytokine, neurotrophin, and protease expression in human disc cells in vitro, and thus control key factors in disc degeneration. However, whether TLR activation leads to degenerative changes in intact human discs is unclear. Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells isolated from non-degenerating discs increase IL-1β and nerve growth factor gene expression following treatment with Pam2CSK4 (TLR2/6 agonist) but not Pam3CSK4 (TLR1/2 agonist). Challenging NP cells with Pam2CSK4 or 30 kDa fibronectin fragments (FN-f, an endogenous TLR2 and TLR4 alarmin) increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. We then investigated the effect of TLR activation in intact, non-degenerate, ex vivo human discs. Discs were injected with PBS, Pam2CSK4 and FN-f, and cultured for 28 days. TLR activation increased proteoglycan and ECM protein release into the culture media and decreased proteoglycan content in the NP. Proteases, including MMP3, 13 and HTRA1, are secreted at higher levels following TLR activation. In addition, proinflammatory cytokine levels, including IL-6, TNFα and IFNγ, increased following TLR activation. These results indicate that TLR activation induces degeneration in human discs. Therefore, TLRs are potential disease-modifying therapeutic targets to slow disc degeneration.
STR profiling and Copy Number Variation analysis on single, preserved cells using current Whole Genome Amplification methods
Authors: Vander Plaetsen Ann-Sophie , Deleye Lieselot , Cornelis Senne , Tilleman Laurentijn , Van Nieuwerburgh Filip , Deforce Dieter
Published: December 2017

The growing interest in liquid biopsies for cancer research and cell-based non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) invigorates the need for improved single cell analysis. In these applications, target cells are extremely rare and fragile in peripheral circulation, which makes the genetic analysis very challenging. To overcome these challenges, cell stabilization and unbiased whole genome amplification are required. This study investigates the performance of four WGA methods on single or a limited number of cells after 24 hour of Streck Cell-Free DNA BCT preservation. The suitability of the DNA, amplified with Ampli1, DOPlify, PicoPLEX and REPLI-g, was assessed for both short tandem repeat (STR) profiling and copy number variant (CNV) analysis after shallow whole genome massively parallel sequencing (MPS). Results demonstrate that Ampli1, DOPlify and PicoPLEX perform well for both applications, with some differences between the methods. Samples amplified with REPLI-g did not result in suitable STR or CNV profiles, indicating that this WGA method is not able to generate high quality DNA after Streck Cell-Free DNA BCT stabilization of the cells.
Construction of solid–liquid interfacial Fenton-like reaction under visible light irradiation over etched CoxFeyO4–BiOBr photocatalysts
Authors: Zhou Ting , Xu Yuanguo , Wang Xiang , Huang Shuquan , Xie Meng , Xia Jiexiang , Huang Liying , Xu Hui , Li Huaming
Published: December 2017

An in situ H2O2 production and Fenton-like system, CoxFeyO4–BiOBr has been constructed. Co and Fe can build two redox cycles for ROSs (˙O2− and ˙OH radicals) generation and the optimal composites were obtained.
Charge transport mechanism in copper phthalocyanine thin films with and without traps
Authors: Rani Varsha , Sharma Akanksha , Kumar Pramod , Singh Budhi , Ghosh Subhasis
Published: December 2017

We investigate the charge transport mechanism in copper phthalocyanine thin films with and without traps. We find that the density of interface states at the grain boundaries can decide the mechanism of charge transport in organic thin films.
Synthesis of core–shell SAPO-34@SAPO-18 composites by the epitaxial growth method and their catalytic properties for the MTO reaction
Authors: Xu Zhiqiang , Li Jianwen , Qian Weixin , Ma Hongfang , Zhang Haitao , Ying Weiyong
Published: December 2017

A core/shell-structured SAPO-34@SAPO-18 composite catalyst was hydrothermally synthesized through the epitaxial growth method.
Enhancing the performance of thin-film nanocomposite nanofiltration membranes using MAH-modified GO nanosheets
Authors: Xie Quanling , Shao Wenyao , Zhang Shishen , Hong Zhuan , Wang Qiuquan , Zeng Birong
Published: December 2017

In this work, novel thin-film nanocompostie NF membranes were developed through modification with maleic anhydride functionalized graphene oxideviainterfacial polymerization, which showed the enhanced water flux with retaining high salt rejection.
Late stage iodination of biologically active agents using a one-pot process from aryl amines
Authors: Sloan Nikki L. , Luthra Sajinder K. , McRobbie Graeme , Pimlott Sally L. , Sutherland Andrew
Published: December 2017

A tandem process has been developed for the general preparation of aryl iodide compounds from anilines that is also applicable for the late-stage iodination of biologically active agents.
The crystal structure and electrical properties of the oxide ion conductor Ba3WNbO8.5
Authors: McCombie K. S. , Wildman E. J. , Fop S. , Smith R. I. , Skakle J. M. S. , Mclaughlin A. C.
Published: December 2017

The crystal structure of the novel oxide ion conductor Ba3WNbO8.5.
Enhanced diabetic wound healing by electrospun core–sheath fibers loaded with dimethyloxalylglycine
Authors: Gao W. , Sun L. , Fu X. , Lin Z. , Xie W. , Zhang W. , Zhao F. , Chen X.
Published: December 2017

DMOG-loaded nanofibrous wound dressings enhanced diabetic wound healing by stabilizing HIF-1α.
Eu(iii)-coordination polymer sub-micron fibers: material for selective and sensitive detection of Cu2+ionsviacompetition between photoinduced electron transfer and energy transfer
Authors: Hazra Chanchal , Ullah Sajjad , Caetano Laís G. , Ribeiro Sidney J. L.
Published: December 2017

Addition of Cu2+ions to Eu(iii)-Guanine based fibers favors intramolecular energy transfer and suppresses electron transfer, leading to an enhancement Eu3+-based PL emission signal.
Aggregation-enhanced FRET-active conjugated polymer nanoparticles for picric acid sensing in aqueous solution
Authors: Wang Taisheng , Zhang Na , Bai Ruke , Bao Yinyin
Published: December 2017

A conjugated polymer with aggregation-enhanced FRET activity has been used for fluorescence sensing of picric acid in aqueous solution.
Excellent n-type light emitters based on AIE-active silole derivatives for efficient simplified organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Nie Han , Chen Bin , Zeng Jiajie , Xiong Yi , Zhao Zujin , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: December 2017

New robust n-type light emitters are developed from AIE-active silole derivatives, enabling the OLEDs to operate efficiently in a simplified configuration.
Changes in glucose metabolism and mRNA expression of IRS-2 in rats exposed to phoxim and the protective effects of vitamin E
Authors: Zhang Jing , Song Wentao , Sun Yuecheng , Cheng Baojing , Shan Anshan
Published: December 2017

Research has shown that organophosphorus pesticides impair glucose homeostasis and cause insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Resektion eines Zungenkarzinoms: Neuer Schwellenwert für tumorfreien Rand
Authors: Jäckel Martin C.
Published: December 2017

Zanoni DK et al. A Proposal to Redefine Close Surgical Margins in Sqamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Tongue. JAMA Otolaryngol Head neck Surg
2017; 143: 555–560. doi:10.1001/jamato.2016.4238

Bei Zungenkarzinomen gilt die Resektion mit tumorfreien Rändern als Goldstandard. Als negativer Rand wird dabei traditionell ein tumorfreier
Rand von mehr als 5 mm definiert. Ob diese willkürlich gesetzte Grenze aber wirklich das Risiko für Lokalrezidive widerspiegelt, ist unklar.
Jetzt wurde untersucht, ab welcher Grenze das Risiko wirklich ansteigt und wo ein neuer Schwellenwert liegen könnte.
Research on c-HfO2 (0 0 1)/α-Al2O3 (1 -1 0 2) interface in CTM devices based on first principle theory
Authors: Lu Wenjuan , Dai Yuehua , Wang Feifei , Yang Fei , Ma Chengzhi , Zhang Xu , Jiang Xianwei
Published: December 2017

With the growing application of high-k dielectrics, the interface between HfO2 and Al2O3 play a crucial role in CTM devices. To clearly understand the interaction of the HfO-AlO interface at the atomic and electronic scale, the bonding feature, electronic properties and charge localized character of c- HfO2 (0 0 1)/α-Al2O3 (1 -1 0 2) interface has been investigated by first principle calculations. The c- HfO2 (0 0 1)/α-Al2O3 (1 -1 0 2) interface has adhesive energy about -1.754 J/m2, suggesting that this interface can exist stably. Through analysis of Bader charge and charge density difference, the intrinsic interfacial gap states are mainly originated from the OII and OIII types oxygen atoms at the interface, and only OIII type oxygen atoms can localized electrons effectively and are provided with good reliability during P/E cycles, which theoretically validate the experimental results that HfO2/Al2O3 multi-layered charge trapping layer can generate more effective traps in memory device. Furthermore, the influence of interfacial gap states during P/E cycles in the defective interface system have also been studied, and the results imply that defective system displays the degradation on the reliability during P/E cycles, while, the charge localized ability of interfacial states is stronger than intrinsic oxygen vacancy in the trapping layer. Besides, these charge localized characters are further explained by the analysis of the density of states correspondingly. In sum, our results compare well with similar experimental observations in other literatures, and the study of the interfacial gap states in this work would facilitate further development of interface passivation.
A novel MEMS S-springs vibrating ring gyroscope with atmosphere package
Authors: Kou Zhiwei , Liu Jun , Cao Huiliang , Shi Yunbo , Ren Jianjun , Zhang Yingjie
Published: December 2017

This study presents a new MEMS vibrating ring gyroscope (VRG), which is driven by electrostatic force and detected by capacitance. A novel ring resonator with eight S-shaped symmetrical supporting springs is developed based on the advantageous characteristics of a thin-shell vibrating gyroscope. The capacitance electrodes, including the drive electrodes, the sense electrodes and the mode control electrodes, are designed according to the vibration characteristics of the ring resonator and the shape of the supporting springs. In addition, the operational principle of these electrode capacitors and the electrostatic force of the drive electrodes are discussed in detail. The gyroscope with high aspect-ratio structures is manufactured through an efficient fabrication process. Finally, the performance characteristics of the fabricated VRG are tested, and the experimentally obtained the zero-bias instability is about 0.0167°/s and angle random walk (ARW) is about 0.1363°/s1/2 at room temperature. Experimental results show that the VRG has a simple structure and relatively better performance characteristics for low and medium angular velocity measurements.
The evolution of in-plane magnetic anisotropy in CoFeB/GaAs(001) films annealed at different temperatures
Authors: Tu Hongqing , Wang Ji , Wei Lujun , Yuan Yuan , Zhang W. , You Biao , Du Jun
Published: December 2017

A considerable in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy (UMA) field (Hu ∼ 300 Oe) could be achieved when the amorphous CoFeB film was deposited on the GaAs(001) wafer by magnetron-sputtering after proper etch-annealed procedure. In order to get deep insights into the mechanism of the UMA, the film was annealed at different temperatures and the evolution of the in-plane magnetic anisotropy was investigated carefully. With increasing the annealing temperature (TA), the UMA could be maintained well when TA reached 250°C, but became very weak at 300°C. However, when TA was elevated to 400°C, another UMA (Hu ∼ 130 Oe) was built accompanied with a fourfold magnetic anisotropy with its strength of about 50 Oe. In terms of the magnetic anisotropy evolution along with TA, the anelastic strain, which is thought to be resulted from the interfacial interaction between CoFeB and GaAs, may play a dominant role in producing the enhanced UMA based on the ‘bond-orientational’ anisotropy (BOA) model.
Modeling and analysis of the chip formation and transient cutting force during elliptical vibration cutting process
Authors: Lin Jieqiong , Guan Liang , Lu Mingming , Han Jinguo , Kan Yudi
Published: December 2017

In traditional diamond cutting, the cutting force is usually large and it will affect tool life and machining quality. Elliptical vibration cutting (EVC) as one of the ultra-precision machining technologies has a lot of advantages, such as reduces cutting force, extend tool life and so on. It’s difficult to predict the transient cutting force of EVC due to its unique elliptical motion trajectory. Study on chip formation will helpfully to predict cutting force. The geometric feature of chip has important effects on cutting force, however, few scholars have studied the chip formation. In order to investigate the time-varying cutting force of EVC, the geometric feature model of chip is established based on analysis of chip formation, and the effects of cutting parameters on the geometric feature of chip are analyzed. To predict transient force quickly and effectively, the geometric feature of chip is introduced into the cutting force model. The calculated results show that the error between the predicted cutting force in this paper and that in the literature is less than 2%, which proves its feasibility.
The English Grammar Profile of learner competence
Authors: O’Keeffe Anne , Mark Geraldine
Published: December 2017

English Profile(EP) is an ongoing empirical exploration of learner English initiated by Cambridge University Press and Cambridge English, among others. EP aims to create a set of empirically-based descriptions of language competencies for English. ‘Reference Level Descriptors’ already exist as part of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) but are intuitively derived and not designed for one specific language. TheEnglish Grammar Profile(EGP,www.englishprofile.org/english-grammar-profile) is a sub-project of EP which aims to profile learner competence in grammar. This paper details the rationale for the study and the methodology that was developed to investigate the Cambridge Learner Corpus to arrive at over 1,200 grammatical competence statements. Key findings which link to existing corpus-based second language acquisition work are also presented.
Multi-word discourse markers and their corpus-driven identification
Authors: Dobrovoljc Kaja
Published: December 2017

With expanding evidence on the formulaic nature of human communication, there is a growing need to extend discourse marker research to functionally analogue multi-word expressions. In contrast to the common qualitative approaches to discourse marker identification in corpora, this paper presents a corpus-driven semi-automatic approach to identification of multi-word discourse markers (MWDMs) in the reference corpus of spoken Slovene. Using eight statistical measures, we identified 173 structurally fixed discourse-marking MWEs, distinguished by a high number of tokens, a large proportion of grammatical words and semantic heterogeneity. This is a significantly longer list than would have been gained by manual inspection of smaller corpus samples. Although frequency-based methods produced satisfactory results, best precision in MWDM identification was achieved using the t-score association measure, while the overall poor performance of the mutual information suggests its inadequacy for extraction of MWDMs and other MWEs with similar lexical and distributional features.
Ataxia Telangiectasia and Cancer Predisposition: Challenges in Management
Authors: Upadhyaya Santhosh A. , Mody Rajen , Walkovich Kelly , Hutchinson Raymond J. , Sandlund John T. , Connelly James A.
Published: December 2017

Immune dysregulation and predisposition to malignancies are critical comorbidities in children affected with ataxia telangiectasia. In addition, these children exhibit increased toxicity to conventional cancer therapy and dose reductions have been proposed to prevent life threatening adverse effects. These modifications to the treatment regimen may result in suboptimal outcomes for these patients. Our report of 3 children with ataxia telangiectasia and cancer highlight the immense challenges in the management of these children, underlining the need for the development of novel, biological agents with reduced acute and long-term side effects in the treatment of cancers in these children.
The CNO and Leading Innovation
Authors: Weatherford Barbara , Bower Kathleen A. , Vitello-Cicciu Joan
Published: December 2017

Although innovation is critical to success in today's tumultuous environment, health care is slow to embrace it, and there is significant variability in strategic adoption of innovation across organizations. Nurse leaders do not need to be innovators themselves but must engage in, and have the ability to create, an organizational culture of innovation. Twenty-six leadership behaviors specific to innovation leadership were identified through a Delphi study to develop competencies as well as the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that support nurse leaders in acquiring or expanding the capability of nurse leaders to create a culture of innovation. It was demonstrated that nursing innovation experts were able to differentiate between general leadership behaviors and innovation leader behaviors. In addition, the need to acquire basic leadership competencies before mastering innovation leader competencies was identified. Five strategies to initiate or expand a culture of innovation in organizations were identified, including (1) assessment of organizational capacity for innovation; (2) acknowledgement of the responsibility of all leaders to create an innovation-rich environment; (3) provision of education, skill building, and coaching; (4) encouragement of an ongoing practice of innovation, even in the face of failure; and (5) development of a sustainable culture of innovation.
Generalization and search in risky environments
Authors: Schulz Eric , Wu Charley M. , Huys Quentin J. M. , Krause Andreas , Speekenbrink Maarten
Published: December 2017

How do people pursue rewards in risky environments, where some outcomes should be avoided at all costs? We investigate how participant search for spatially correlated rewards in scenarios where one must avoid sampling rewards below a given threshold. This requires not only the balancing of exploration and exploitation, but also reasoning about how to avoid potentially risky areas of the search space. Within risky versions of the spatially correlated multi-armed bandit task, we show that participants’ behavior is aligned well with a Gaussian process function learning algorithm, which chooses points based on a safe optimization routine. Moreover, using leave-one-block-out cross-validation, we find that participants adapt their sampling behavior to the riskiness of the task, although the underlying function learning mechanism remains relatively unchanged. These results show that participants can adapt their search behavior to the adversity of the environment and enrich our understanding of adaptive behavior in the face of risk and uncertainty.
is government (un)dead?: What apocalyptic fiction tells us about our view of public administration
Authors: Smith-Walter Aaron , Sharif Fatima Sparger
Published: December 2017

The zombie-plague apocalypse is a powerful social imaginary that focuses attention on the border between legitimate citizens and zombie “others.” The surge in the number of zombie apocalypse films provides an illuminating area for studying the role imagined for public administration by popular culture. The response to zombies in apocalyptic films brings to fore new realities with the re-conceptualization of the legitimacy and authority of government. This re-conceptualization provides content for analyzing the portrayal of existing governmental institutions overwhelmed by the apocalypse, including local governments, the military, public health agencies, emergency services, and public utilities,
The drive for change in public organizations: A critical analysis of management fashions
Authors: Roman Alexandru V.
Published: December 2017

For a number of different reasons, some more rational than others, public sector management has often fallen for the allure of the “quick fix” promised by the latest managerial fashion. Although it is commonly accepted that complex problems rarely, if ever, have simple solutions − this has not hindered public organizations from eagerly experimenting with trendy, increasingly radical, managerial practices. More often than not, these experiences, when weighed on the background of the original promises and eventual outcomes, prove to be utter failures. In order to clarify the reasons behind this pattern of failure, this article deconstructs two of the most notable recent managerial fashions: Total Quality Management (TQM) and Business Process Reengineering (BPR). It proposes that management fashions fail to lead to effective and productive organizational change primarily due to the fact that their logical construct, which relies on over-dramatization and oversimplification of organizational realities, is at odds with the operational complexities of public sector management. In particular, they fail to account for politics. To this extent, then, they are more likely to be destructive than productive when zealously adopted in public service.
Hospital ownership of post acute care facilities and readmission rates: A resource dependence and transaction cost approach
Authors: Camilleri Susan , Colville Kathleen
Published: December 2017

Due to recent Affordable Care Act reforms, prevention of readmissions is a salient issue for hospitals that participate in Medicare, as they are now held accountable for patients who receive post-acute care in facilities over which hospitals have little influence to monitor care. Using resource dependence and transaction cost economics to describe the theoretical advantages of hospital ownership of post-acute care facilities (PACs), we empirically test whether hospitals that own PACs experience reduced readmissions. Our findings indicate partial support for the predicted relationship between PAC ownership and readmission rates. We found that hospital ownership of a skilled-nursing facility (SNF) was related to a lower readmissions rate for some patients, while ownership of other types of PACs did not result in significant findings. Our results offer support for the theoretical advantages of ownership, however, the savings realized by ownership may not merit the ownership investment.
Coordination mechanisms in four accountable care organizations
Authors: Hilligoss Brian , Song Paula H. , McAlearney Ann Scheck
Published: December 2017

New organization theory posits that coordination mechanisms work by generating three integrating conditions: accountability (clarity about task responsibilities), predictability (clarity about which, when, and how tasks will be accomplished), and common understanding (shared perspectives about tasks). We apply this new theory to health care to improve understanding of how accountable care organizations (ACOs) are attempting to reduce the fragmentation that characterizes the US health care system. Drawing on four organizational case studies, we find that ACOs rely on a wide variety of coordination mechanisms that have been designed to leverage existing organizational capabilities, accommodate local contingencies. and, in some instances, interact strategically. We conclude that producing integrating conditions across the care continuum requires suites of interacting coordination mechanisms. Our findings provide a conceptual foundation for future research and improvements.
A reply to critics
Authors: Bevir Mark
Published: December 2017

This paper is a response to Gary Marshall, Colin Macleod, and Amit Ronʼs careful discussions of my book, A Theory of Governance. The word “governance” is used in two contexts that might initially appear to have little relation to each other. Governance is used, first, as a general term to discuss abstract theories of coordination and organization. And governance is used, second, to narrate a historic shift in public organization and action. A Theory of Governance offers a decentered theory (part one of the book) that seeks to combine a general analysis of various forms of coordination and organization (part two of the book) with a narrative of recent changes in public organization and action (part three of the book). In this paper, I emphasize that decentered theory turns to historical genealogies to avoid determinism, reification, and foundationalism. Contemporary governance is, therefore, the variegated product of contests over meanings, specifically those reform agendas that have sought to spread markets and networks. I conclude the essay with some reflections on the nature and importance of democratic innovations within governance.
Learning and social software: exploring the realities in India
Authors: Bharucha Jehangir
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Digital India’s attempts to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. This research examines three questions: What is the educational importance of social media in Indian higher education? What gains and dangers does it pose when used for formal learning? Could informal learning via technology powerfully supplement learning through the formal system?

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 640 students were contacted through email lists provided by their institutions after these institutions had obtained their consent to participate in the study. The response rate is worked out at 44.84 per cent. Telephone interviews were conducted with 22 “veterans” in the field of higher education in India. All this provided areas of importance on which this study is based.

Findings

India is no doubt experimenting with more creative methods of learning and teaching. Educational technology is at embryonic stage compared to many of the advanced countries. The results show that even when all facilities are present, students are not fully taking advantage of the benefits technology affords for formal learning. Not only is there a digital divide between generations but also within generations. How the technology is integrated into the learning process is important. The entire learning infrastructure is certainly available in India and it is struggling to meet student expectations and offer a more dynamic and appropriate pedagogy.

Practical implications

This paper throws light on models explicit to the Indian scene in how students can benefit from social media beyond the classroom. It discusses challenges in its adoption in Indian higher education and ways to meet these challenges.

Social implications

Technology-led learning brings about a difference and the present generation in India is better equipped to tackle the challenges of the workplace, will be helpful to their employers and would fit well into a global business environment.

Originality/value

Because of the relative newness of the approach in India and fairly restricted use in the Indian higher education system, the impact of social media on student engagement in the higher education sector in India is not fully known.
Swords into plowshares: some propositions on the prospects of peace dividend
Authors: Chan Steve , Sommer Henrik
Published: December 2017

This essay offers a number of propositions about the size, pace, and distribution of defense cutbacks and about the conversion of military resources to civilian purposes. We argue that the prospects for a peace dividend in the aftermath of the cold war are clouded by substantial political incentives and economic interests that may oppose or retard military retrenchment. We also contend that the resource savings from any military retrenchment may not neces-sarily be reallocated fully and efficiently to produce gains in civilian production and productivity. Such gains are apt to take some time to materialize whereas the political costs and socio-economic disruption caused by lower military expenditures are likely to be felt more immediately. Indeed, given their different social institutions, political cultures, and economic structures, different coun-tries may be expected to pursue alternative policy offsets that accompany any defense cutback, and they may be expected to encounter different conversion problems and derive different costs and benefits from efforts to convert swords into plowshares. We conclude with an agenda for future research.
Financing the sri lankan armed conflict, 1983-92
Authors: Harris Geoff
Published: December 2017

This article begins with a discussion of the various costs which occur as a result of armed conflict. It then examines the alternative ways in which wars can be financed. Sri Lanka's military expenditure increased six fold, in real terms, between 1981 and 1991. This increase appears to have been financed principally from a reduction in capital expenditures and by a diversion of expenditures away from Economic Affairs and Services, and within this category, especially agriculture. The implications for economic growth are examined. It is estimated that the conflict is resulting in a reduction in the rate of growth of GDP by half a percent per annum.
Service efforts and accomplishments reporting: a study of texas public schools
Authors: Clancy Donald K. , Patton Terry K.
Published: December 2017

This study examined measures of service efforts and accomplishments for Texas public schools. There were differences in both outcomes and inputs depending on size of the school district. Input measures were useful for modeling outcomes of school districts by size. Student background measures--specifically attendance and proportion of economically disadvantaged students--were the most consistent explanators of school outcomes. Measures of the teaching environment, financial policy, efficiency, and funding levels were of less importance in explaining school effectiveness.
Gasb versus fasb: user perceptions of the alternative formats for preparing the statement of cash flows
Authors: Smith G. Robert , Freeman Robert J. , Bryan Barry J.
Published: December 2017

This paper reports results of a survey that examines user perceptions of alternate formats of the Statement of Cash Flows (SCF) mandated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). The formats were compared using seven reporting issues. The findings indicate that users found the GASB SCF model to be superior to the FASB model for all issues. The study has implications for both standard-setting bodies. The GASB has already considered the results in developing a new reporting model for governmental entities. The FASB may at some point want to reconsider its SCF reporting requirements.
Determinants of U.S. private foreign direct investments in OPEC nations : from public and non-public policy perspectives
Authors: Olibe Kingsley O. , Crumbley C. Larry
Published: December 2017

Previous research demonstrates that non-public policy variables (wage rate, raw material, GDP, GDP/capita, inverse of tax rate, and population) have significant influence in determining the flow of U.S. investment. Research has not, however, demonstrated that government accounting variables significantly affect Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) flow into either Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) or non-OPEC countries. In light of this omission, the focus of this inquiry is on the examination of the potential influence of both government accounting and non-public variables in influencing the flow of the stock of U.S. foreign direct investment in the OPEC nations. To accomplish the objective, government accounting and non-public policy variables are employed to investigate whether they matter in determining investment flows into these countries. The results of the study suggest a direct linkage between the flow of FDI and accounting variables.
Performance budgeting in florida: to muddle or not to muddle, that is the question
Authors: Easterling C. Nelson
Published: December 2017

This article reports on program based performance budgeting in Florida and examines the process by which it became a reality, the problems to be expected in implementation, and the history of earlier reform efforts. Florida has a long history of failed budgetary reforms. The question is whether that unfailing series of failures will be continued or overcome. The answer lies with future legislative leadership.
Fraud in the governmental and private sectors
Authors: Holmes Sarah A. , Strawser Jeffrey W. , Welch Sandra T.
Published: December 2017

The objective of this paper is to identify and provide a description, assessment, and analysis of frauds occurring in governmental entities at the federal, state, and local levels and to compare these findings to data from the private sector. Analyses are conducted along the following dimensions: the victim of the fraud, its perpetrator(s), the fraud scheme, and the detection and investigation of the fraudulent activity. In addition, the conditions under which the frauds occurred in both the public and private sectors are described, discussed, and analyzed. Data were obtained from a mail survey distributed to the membership of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. A total of 2,471 responses containing details of actual fraud cases were received. Of these, 611 cases described frauds that had occurred in governmental units and 1,860 depicted frauds that had occurred in the private sector. The findings of this study clearly indicate that no entity is immune to victimization by criminal activities of a financial nature.
The dynamic metabolomic changes throughout mouse epididymal lumen fluid potentially contribute to sperm maturation
Authors: Hu S.‐G. , Liang A.‐J. , Yao G.‐X. , Li X.‐Q. , Zou M. , Liu J.‐W. , Sun Y.
Published: December 2017

Epididymal lumen fluids are directly responsible for sperm maturation. However, very little is known about the molecular details of small molecule metabolites in the epididymal lumen fluids until now. Here we identified and compared the metabolic profiles of mouse caput and cauda epididymal lumen fluids using GC‐MS technique. Among 236 metabolites identified in caput and cauda epididymis, 36 were significantly enriched in caput epididymis while 18 were significantly enriched in cauda epididymis. Pathway analysis identified ascorbate and aldarate metabolism and beta‐alanine metabolism as most relevant pathways in caput and cauda epididymis, respectively. Ascorbate, dehydroascorbic acid and beta‐alanine associated with these two pathways were firstly reported in mouse epididymal lumen fluids and might play important roles in sperm maturation.
Emerging technologies for home‐based semen analysis
Authors: Yu S. , Rubin M. , Geevarughese S. , Pino J. S. , Rodriguez H. F. , Asghar W.
Published: December 2017

With about 70 million cases of infertility worldwide, half of which are caused by male factors, sperm analysis is critical to determine male fertility potential. Conventional semen analysis methods involve complex and manual inspection with a microscope, and these methods are labor intensive and can take several days. Due to unavailability of rapid, convenient, and user‐friendly semen analysis tools, many men do not seek medical evaluation, especially in resource‐constrained settings. Furthermore, as conventional methods have to be conducted in the laboratories, many men are unwilling to be tested as a result of social stigma in certain regions of the world. One solution can be found in at‐home sperm analysis, which allows men to test their semen without the hassle of going to and paying for a clinic. Herein, we examine current at‐home sperm analysis technologies and compare them to the traditional laboratory‐based methods. In addition, we discuss emerging sperm analysis approaches and describe their limitations and future directions.
Effect of varicocelectomy and/or mast cells stabilizer on sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile patients with varicocele
Authors: Zaazaa A. , Adel A. , Fahmy I. , Elkhiat Y. , Awaad A. A. , Mostafa T.
Published: December 2017

This study aimed to assess the effect of varicocelectomy and/or mast cells (MCs) stabilizer on sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men with varicocele (Vx). Overall, 120 infertile patients were randomized to three equal treatment arms; patients that underwent varicocelectomy, patients on 1 mg ketotifen twice daily for three months, and patients that underwent varicocelectomy followed with 1 mg ketotifen twice daily for three months. These patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, semen analysis, and estimation of sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI). After 3 months, all investigated groups showed significant improvement regarding the mean total sperm count, sperm concentration, total sperm motility, and sperm normal forms percentage compared with the pre‐treatment data. As well, the mean sperm DFI was significantly improved compared with the pre‐treatment data; in men that underwent varicocelectomy (34.6% vs. 28.3%), in men on MC stabilizer only (33.4% vs. 27.8%), and in men that underwent varicocelectomy followed by MC stabilizer (34.3% vs. 25.1%). Sperm DFI improvement percentages showed the highest improvement in men that underwent varicocelectomy followed with MC stabilizer compared with the other two groups (26.8% vs. 18.2%, 16.8%). Sperm DFI improvement percentages showed significant increases in the infertile patients with Vx grade III compared to Vx grade II in all investigated groups. It is concluded that in infertile men associated with Vx and high sperm DFI, surgical repair followed with MCs stabilizer significantly improve sperm DFI compared with either surgical repair or MCs stabilizer alone.