bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organicism and an enviro-organic form integrating to the built environment
Authors: Tran Duc
Published: August 2018

This research intends to the understanding of organicism as the historic source of architectural forms. Organic architecture acts as a junction between humans and nature, where humans are seen as parts of nature. Through organicism as an apparatus, designers are able to respond to nature in such manner that humans are more intimately bound into the entirety of nature to form an organic whole. A new term “enviro-organic” is proposed in this research. Enviro-organic form extends prior definitions of organic architecture, which are of greater relevance today. Such form is defined as one that opens to the natural world, facilitating the making of architecture that sustains human life and nature today and in the future.
Restoration of historical mansions built in Russian province at the beginning of XX century
Authors: Arlanova Maria , Pavlov Sergey , Yablonskii Leonid
Published: August 2018

Style called Art Nouveau appeared in the last quarter of the XIX century in Austria-Hungary and quickly spread throughout Europe. This style has reached the heyday in Russia in the end of the 1890s-1900s. The object of classic Art Nouveau style characterized by the asymmetrical facades, the almost full abandonment of historical decorative elements, the extensive use of the plant ornaments, and other characteristic feature was considered in this paper on the example of the F.P. Efremov`s mansion in Cheboksary, Russia. The project of building reconstruction was also proposed.
Prospects for the development of green and energy efficient technologies in construction
Authors: Larionov Arkadiy , Metechko Ludmila , Davydov Artem , Davydov Denis
Published: August 2018

Energy saving technologies have recently been considered at the level of state and international policy. Various opinions on the causes of appreciation of energy resources, on depletion of natural resources, changes in climate and many other problems are coming from the expert community. Increasing tariffs and prices for the consumed energy and heat citizens can feel on themselves. The diverse opinions of representatives of all government levels, departments and organizations converge in one thing: it is necessary to reduce the energy consumption, develop energy efficiency and energy saving measures in the country which will contribute to this. The relevance of this study is based on the lack of a mechanism to meet the social, economic, aesthetic and ecological needs of a person. Nevertheless, the problems of ecology and environmental protection are still acute and urgent. Levels of water and air pollution remain high due to outdated equipment and insufficient integration of modern technologies and waste treatment facilities. Motor transport increased the pollution level of the urban airspaces. Taking into consideration the significant growth of passenger transport, the reduction of trucks in the general traffic flows does not reduce the overall air and noise pollution in the roadside territories.
Construction waste processing management and demolition of five-storey apartment blocks in Moscow
Authors: Chulkov Vitaliy , Fachratov Myhammet
Published: August 2018

Data on waste processing management is presented in the article. Processing of scrap concrete waste, which is similar to traditional raw materials in composition and condition, is economically and ecologically feasible. The research suggests that concrete with scrap concrete waste shows strength properties similar to primary concrete and helps organizing waste-free production.
Russian shared construction market and specifics of assessment of the economic losses of citizens on distressed objects
Authors: Kulakov Kirill , Baronin Sergey , Timofeev Konstantin
Published: August 2018

The object of this research is the primary housing market related to the activities of investment and construction enterprises participating in attraction of investments based on the shared construction participation agreements for construction of multi-apartment residential blocks, as well as major trends in sphere of "distressed" objects and population. The purpose of this research is to perform complex analysis in sphere of issues in functioning of the shared construction market in relation to multi-apartment blocks, as well as to reveal major trends in the development of funding risks under shared construction participation agreements, as well as to analyze methodological issues related to the assessment of losses of deceived investing citizens. Results were obtained in major development trends of the shared construction market. Here we show the dynamics in the number of hoodwinked investors and objects, growth in the overall number of executed shared construction agreements in the all-Russian market, as well as the structure of this housing market segment pursuant to the types of executed agreements and the volume of economic losses for investors.
The tectological function of investment-construction activities
Authors: Mishlanova Marina
Published: August 2018

The article considers the modeling of the function of investment-construction activities, which is an important theoretical and practical task. The author has reviewed the approaches of economic and mathematical modeling in this field. The use of the production function is briefly considered, and a tectological approach is proposed as a methodological basis. The article presents the methodological substantiation of tectological modeling and the basic provisions of the forming tectological mechanism. The author considers the investment-construction system as consisting of subsystems: an investment-construction complex and an investment-construction sphere. The system result is defined as a multiplicative dependence on the results of the functioning of the tectological subsystems. The result of the functioning of subsystems is presented in the form of dependence on activities and resistances, which are functions of the potential of actors, actor possibilities, goals or directions of action. Basic tectological principles are developed in the annex to investment and construction systems.
Problems of the dynamic test method for individual protection equipment (shock absorbers)
Authors: Korolchenko Dmitry , Vasilenko Vasily , Lelikov Georgy
Published: August 2018

This paper examines issues of safety of high-altitude works, using individual protection equipment to prevent falling from a height. In particular, the paper reviews personal protective equipment - shock absorber, its dynamic characteristics and related test methods to meet the requirements of Technical Regulations 019/2011 “Safety of Individual Protection Equipment”. The paper discusses the differences between the Russian and European standards for dynamic characteristic testing of shock absorbers, even as the former are harmonized texts of the latter, and the effect of such differences on protective performance of shock absorbers and ultimately on safety of works on heights. It have been shown that tests, conducted in accordance with the Russian regulative documents for dynamic performance of the shock absorbers, entail decreasing in safety usage of such type of IPE and increasing in injuries during falls from a height. It has been defined necessity to actualize the range of the testing system of shock absorbers, and to admit its larger value that will cause increase in protective properties of shock absorbers.
Organization and management of mobility of building production and its distinctive features
Authors: Prykina Larisa
Published: August 2018

The mobility can be attributed to special features of building production in the construction of real estate due to the ability of its elements to move over long distances in certain directions, to be combined in the place of a construction site in the form of facilities, the rational functioning under specific conditions with a capacity that is sufficient to ensure obtaining finished product at a predetermined time. A distinctive feature of the mobility of construction production, compared with other types of productions, is that the building object is always in the immovable state, and all the instruments of production and living labor, in a predetermined order periodically are delivered in the construction area.
Public-and-private partnership projects in housing-and-communal sector for ecological wellbeing in Russian cities
Authors: Mottaeva Asiiat
Published: August 2018

Housing-and-communal services have significant effect on the ecological situation in the cities. Therefore, considerable attention has to be paid on the development of this sector, that in turn demands great financial influences. According to the authors, the projects with the use of the mechanism of public-and-private partnership can be the good solution of this problem. The process of preparation of the project for its implementation through the public-and-private partnership mechanism as well as some aspects, which could cause the partnership failures. The authors also point out, that it is very important to create a legal base, which would stimulate the use of the public-and-private partnership mechanism, providing appropriate protection for investors and creditors.
Financial logistics innovations in IT Project Management
Authors: Ilin Igor , Kalinina Olga , Barykin Sergei
Published: August 2018

The article covers the Financial Logistics methodology implementation to management of complex IT projects. The Methodological logistics unit is a new field of research in the field of a new type of scientific rationality based on the humanistic dimension in the globalization era. The article describes the approach to the scientific development of the cognitive system of a society based on the individualization of demand and consumption in the conditions of the online economy
Reengineering of supply chain management integrated scheduling processes
Authors: Kuleshova Ekaterina , Levina Anastasia , Esedulaev Rustam
Published: August 2018

The paper describes the principle of the reengineering of supply chain management integrated scheduling processes in order to increase in efficiency of business process and decrease the decision-making time at collision of plan-fact deviations. The basic concept of business-processes reengineering is analyzed. The experience of reengineering of supply chain integrated scheduling business processes for the oil and gas branch is presented. The bottlenecks of the current practice were revealed. The purpose of this paper is to carry out recommendations for improving business processes based on an analysis of the current realization of the process, his provision with information systems and data flows.
Classification of operational risks in construction companies on the basis of big data
Authors: Kostyunina Tatyana
Published: August 2018

Nowadays, Big Data is commonly used in many business sectors. Its use is also relevant for the construction industry. One of the most promising areas of Big Data technologies application is their use for risk analysis and assessment. Big Data represents an efficient way to manage modern risks by analyzing the unlimited amount of structured and unstructured information. The study examines principles of operational risks classification in construction companies on the basis of Big Data technologies. The final goal of such classification is the creation of a solution pattern for subsequent use of Big Data. As an example, a solution pattern for such business problem as "Construction: Detection of Insurance Fraud" is created. Application of the Big Data analytics for fraud detection has a series of advantages as compared to traditional approaches. Insurance companies can build systems that include all relevant data sources. An analysis of operational risks by means of self-organizing Kohonen maps on the basis of the Deductor analytical platform is performed.
A complex of factors of increasing the competitiveness of industrial park residents
Authors: Tikhanov E.A. , Krivorotov V.V. , Chepur P.V. , Tarasenko A.A. , Gruchenkova A.A.
Published: August 2018

In the paper, industrial parks are considered as the most dynamically developing, universal and effective format of the investment infrastructure organization. A whole range of advantages for enterprises resident in industrial parks when placing production in such investment sites actualizes the need to study industrial parks as an effective mechanism to increase the competitiveness of Russian industrial enterprises and to identify a set of factors that contribute to the growth of competitiveness of industries located within the boundaries of industrial parks. Based on the analysis of the aggregate of advantages of industrial park residents, the authors proposed a system of factors of increasing their competitiveness, which includes three aggregated blocks: "intra-park" factors, local factors and regional factors. A considerable influence of each block of factors on key performance indicators and the competitive position of the resident enterprises of industrial parks has been discovered. The basis for the development of a system of indices for the functioning of industrial parks has been created, which makes it possible to quantify the impact of factors proposed by the authors of the system.
Sustainable development through the prism of ethno-tourism – example of Montenegro
Authors: Melović Boban , Ćirović Dragana
Published: August 2018

This article is exploring the possibilities for sustainable development trough the instignation and improvement of ethnotourism in Montenegro. This article identifies the current level of development of ethnotourism, the forms in which it is being expressed, and gives the recommendations for its improvement. The results show that, despite the significant tourism potential that Montenegro has, this type of tourism is still in its initial phase of development and it takes place within the ethno-villages bussines in the northern region of the country. The tourism offer isn’t diversified enough. It is based on natural resources and traditional cuisine, but it doensn’t contain the elements specific for this type of tourism, wich would convey the spirit of montenegrin culture and tradition to the tourists in a better way. Therefore it is necessary to make additonal efforts in the forthcoming period, in order to develop it. This goal can be achieved trough better cooperation of decision-makers on state and local level, and trough the empowerment of the offerers to take over the initiative in order to enrich their tourism offer with elements from Montenegrin traditon.
Formation of tools for assessing the level of innovative development of an enterprise
Authors: Gusev Valery , Stativa Ekaterina , Proskurina Zinaida , Delyatitskaya Alla , Kolosova Valeria
Published: August 2018

The purpose of the study is to develop tools for assessing the level of innovative development of an enterprise in order to improve the management of its innovation activities. Radical increase of the role of innovations in modern conditions predetermines the activation of innovative activity of enterprises on the basis of increasing production efficiency, implementing promising research and development projects and implementing innovative programs. The situation in the world economy demonstrates that the innovative component of enterprise development is the main source of growth and contributes to the level of competitiveness of the organization. As a result of the generalization of the experience of research in the field of innovative development, a system of economic indicators that maximally characterizes the innovation activity carried out by enterprises is formed, which is the basis for developing tools for assessing the level of innovation development of the enterprise, a toolkit for assessing the level of innovative development of an enterprise using the proposed system of economic indicators, to increase the level of innovative development of the enterprise tions and to assess their cost-effectiveness.
Development of methodological approaches to increase the efficiency of the investment activity of the enterprise
Authors: Golov Roman , Spitsov Dmitriy , Yutkina Olga , Kazakova Natalia
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this study is to develop methods to improve the efficiency of development projects and attract investment in their implementation. The article analyzes the investment and construction activities of development companies in order to justify the expediency of using the portfolio approach and develop a system of criteria for their selection, study the existing sources of raising funds for investment and construction activities, and classify development companies depending on the way investment is attracted, assessment of the economic effect of investment and construction activities of development companies. The result of the study is the development of methodological approaches to increasing the efficiency of the portfolio of developer projects based on the proposed system of selection criteria for projects.
Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) in Deutschland: Ergebnisse einer Befragung zu Empfehlungen für die Palliativmedizinische Lehre im Medizinstudium
Authors: Berendt Julia , Steigleder Tobias , van Oorschot Birgitt , Villalobos Matthias , Simon Steffen , Scherg Alexandra , Ostgathe Christoph
Published: August 2018

Hintergrund Die curriculare studentische palliativmedizinische Lehre ist in den geförderten Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCCs) unterschiedlich integriert. Da ein Strukturkonzept für die Förderung der Lehre zur spezialisierten Palliativmedizin in einem CCC gegeben sein soll, werden Empfehlungen diskutiert, konsentiert und berichtet.

Methodik Neun Aussagen zur Lehre in den CCCs wurden anhand von Richtlinien und Katalogen von Palliativmedizinern aus dem CCC-Netzwerk formuliert. Über ein quantitatives Untersuchungsdesign erfolgte zur Abstimmung eine Online-Befragung von 14 Ärzten aus den palliativmedizinischen Einrichtungen der CCCs, mit Leitungs- und Lehrverantwortung. Eine Aussage galt als konsentiert, insofern die Zustimmung in der Gruppe bei ≥ 80 % lag. Anmerkungen wurden über Freitextfelder erfasst.

Ergebnisse Von 14 haben 12 Personen von Mai bis August 2016 an der Umfrage teilgenommen, durch die 7 der 9 Empfehlungen konsentiert wurden. Einstimmig (100 %) verlief die Abtimmung zum Pflichtanteil der Lehre (mindestens 1,5 Semesterwochenstunden = 20 Unterrichtseinheiten à 45 min). Die Befragten befürworten überdies eine Wahlmöglichkeit im Praktischen Jahr für die Palliativmedizin (92 %). Die Empfehlung, eine Vollzeitkraft für die Lehre einzusetzen, erzielte keinen Konsens (75 %). Der lehrverantwortlichen Person sollte jedoch eine ¼-Stelle für administrative Aufgaben zugeordnet sein (83 %).

Diskussion Die ärztlichen Leiter der spezialisierten Palliativmedizin in den deutschen CCCs sind sich überwiegend einig, welche Strukturmerkmale der studentischen palliativmedizinischen Lehre zugrunde zu legen sind. Diese Empfehlungen können in ein Strukturkonzept zur Förderung der spezialisierten palliativmedizinischen Lehre eines CCC einfließen.
A Future for Simulation in Acute Neurology
Authors: Hocker Sara , Wijdicks Eelco
Published: August 2018

Acute neurologic (and potentially disability prone) conditions are rarely taught and, if so, at the bedside and usually after the fact. Simulation training offers a realistic environment to teach rapid-fire decision making, how to take charge, and how best to approach a deteriorating, acutely ill neurologic patient.

Simulating acute neurology is a newly emerging educational program. Proven principles of simulation, which may include teaching technical skills, can be applied to acute neurology (and neurointensive care). Communication skills pertaining to catastrophic neurologic injury with all its ethical ramifications can be taught and practiced. There is a growing need for well-designed, tested teaching scenarios and a need to validate this approach. This review provides an overview of the potential opportunities available in medical institutions with a simulation center.
Mixed Vascular Nevus Syndrome
Authors: Ruggieri Martino , Polizzi Agata , Battaglini Chiara , Tomarchio Stefania , Mendola Flavia , Restivo Domenico , Milone Pietro , Pirrone Concetta , Commodari Elena , Zanghì Antonio , Schepis Carmelo , Lacarrubba Francesco , Micali Giuseppe , Praticò Andrea
Published: August 2018

Mixed vascular nevus (or nevus vascularis mixtus) represents an admixture of cutaneous vascular malformations of the telangiectatic type and angiospastic spots of nevus anemicus. It can occur as a purely cutaneous trait or as a hallmark of a neurocutaneous phenotype, the so-called mixed vascular nevus syndrome. The latter is characterized by the combination of paired vascular twin nevi and brain abnormalities of the Dyke–Davidoff–Masson type, consisting of crossed cerebral/cerebellar hemiatrophy with hypoplasia of the ipsilateral cerebral vessels, and homolateral hypertrophy of the skull and sinuses (hyperpneumatization) with contralateral hemispheric hypertrophy. In other cases, the paired vascular twin nevi and brain malformations of the Dyke–Davidoff–Masson type occur in association with systemic abnormalities consisting of facial asymmetry, skeletal anomalies, and disorders of autoimmunity. In 2014, Happle proposed to name the syndrome with the eponym Ruggieri–Leech's syndrome after the first two authors who reported (independently) this phenotype in different patients.

Pathogenically, this complex phenotype suggests that embryonic pairing and somatic recombination of recessive (didymotic) alleles controlling the balance between constriction (i.e., nevus anemicus) and dilatation (i.e., nevus telangiectaticus) of blood vessels could be the primary event causing the phenomena of cutaneous and brain vascular twin spotting and the paired phenomena of skull hyperpneumatization versus hypertrophy and brain megalencephaly/colpocephaly versus cortical dysplasia.
Hypomelanosis of Ito
Authors: Sullo Federica , Polizzi Agata , Battaglini Chiara , Schepis Carmelo , Pirrone Concetta , Lacarrubba Francesco , Micali Giuseppe , Dinotta Franco , Savasta Salvatore , Commodari Elena , Salafia Stefania , Zanghì Antonio , Pascual-Castroviejo Ignacio , Ruggieri Martino , Praticò Andrea
Published: August 2018

Hypomelanosis of Ito (HI) is a congenital neurocutaneous syndrome presenting in the first year of life. It was first described by Ito in 1952 as a purely cutaneous disease presenting with skin hypopigmentation. Several extracutaneous manifestations were later described, and it is now known that several organs can be involved (including brain, muscle, bone, heart, eye, kidney, and teeth) and that the prognosis is strictly related to the number of involved organs. The incidence and prevalence of this syndrome have been estimated to range between 1 in 7,540 births and 1 in 82,000; the disorder affects both the sexes, occurs in all races, and is characterized by depigmentation of the skin along the lines of Blaschko on the trunk and extremities in whorled and linear streaks and patterns. The pathogenesis is unknown, but it is likely to be multifactorial. Several models of inheritance have been proposed but not proved; genetic mosaicism is nowadays the most likely explanation for its inheritance. The differential diagnosis comprises other disorders with hypopigmentation following the lines of Blaschko and thus includes the atrophic/hypopigmented (fourth) stage manifestations of incontinentia pigmenti of the Bloch–Sulzberger type, tuberous sclerosis complex, vitiligo, and skin fungal infections. Consensus recommendations for the screening of associated extracutaneous conditions do not exist and management is symptomatic, but a regular evaluation of somatic growth, neurodevelopment, endocrine status, eyes, and teeth should be performed, and the screening of renal function is also advisable. HI still represents a challenging disorder for the child neurologist and a controversial issue in the medical literature. Awareness of this disorder could allow an early diagnosis and appropriate genetic counseling and screening.
The Ratio of Tibial Slope and Meniscal Bone Angle for the Prediction of ACL Reconstruction Failure Risk
Authors: Sauer Steffen , English Robert , Clatworthy Mark
Published: August 2018

Background A growing body of research is indicating that the tibial slope and the geometry of the tibiofemoral meniscal–cartilage interface may affect the risk of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) failure. Increased lateral tibial posterior slope (LTPS) and reduced meniscal bone angle (MBA) are associated with increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The significance of a LTPS–MBA ratio regarding the prediction of ACL failure risk remains unknown. As LTPS and MBA may eventually potentiate or neutralize each other, it is expected that a low LTPS–MBA ratio is associated with high chance of ACL graft survival while a high LTPS–MBA ratio is associated with high risk of ACL failure.

Material and Methods Out of 1,487 consecutive patients who underwent hamstring ACLR between August 2000 and May 2013, 54 ACLR failures with intact lateral menisci were included in this study and matched one-to-one with 54 control participants by age, sex, graft, surgical technique, and graft fixation method. Control participants had undergone ACLR without signs of lateral meniscal injury, graft failure, or insufficiency. MBA and LTPS were assessed on magnetic resonance imaging. Logistic regression was used to identify LTPS/MBA key cut-off ratios.

Results In this cohort, a LTPS–MBA ratio under 0.27 was associated with a 28% risk of ACLR failure (36% of patients), while a ratio exceeding 0.42 was associated with an 82% risk of ACLR failure (31% of patients). The odds of ACL failure increased by 22.3% per reduction of 1 degree in MBA (odds ratio [OR], 1.22; 95% limits, 1.1–1.34). No significant association was found between LTPS and the risk of ACL graft failure in transtibial ACLR, while the odds of ACL failure increased by 34.9% per degree of increasing LTPS in transportal ACLR (OR, 1.34; 95% limits, 1.01–1.79). No significant correlation was found between MBA and LTPS (p = 0.5).

Conclusion Reduced MBA was associated with significantly increased risk of ACL graft failure. A ratio of LTPS and MBA was found to be useful for the prediction of ACLR failure risk and may preoperatively help to identify patients at high risk of ACLR failure. This may have implications for patient counseling and the indication of additional extra-articular stabilizing procedures.
Moderne Hightech-Kontaktlinsen 2018 – mehr als nur ein Refraktionsausgleich
Authors: Bischoff Gudrun
Published: August 2018

Kontaktlinsen gibt es schon seit mehr als 100 Jahren. Aber erst in den letzten Jahren hat die moderne Kontaktlinsenherstellung durch die Entwicklung neuer Materialien und Technologien die Indikationen stark erweitert. Ein Hot Topic mit weltweiter Beachtung ist die Prävention der fortschreitenden Myopie durch Einsatz speziell geformter Kontaktlinsen. Inzwischen werden Kontaktlinsen mit medizinischen Messgeräten kombiniert, was den Rahmen des reinen Refraktionsausgleichs sprengt.
Continuous flow microreactor for protein PEGylation
Authors: Madadkar P. , Selvaganapathy P. R. , Ghosh R.
Published: August 2018

PEGylation is increasingly being utilized to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of biopharmaceuticals. Various chemistries and reaction conditions have been established to synthesize PEGylated proteins and more are being developed. Both the extent of conversion and selectivity of protein PEGylation are highly sensitive to process variables and parameters. Therefore, microfluidic-based high-throughput screening platforms would be highly suitable for optimization of protein PEGylation. As part of this study, a poly-dimethylsiloxane-based continuous flow microreactor system was designed and its performance was compared head-to-head with a batch reactor. The reactants within the microreactor were contacted by passive micromixing based on chaotic advection generated by staggered herringbone grooves embedded in serpentine microchannels. The microreactor system was provided with means for on-chip reaction quenching. Lysozyme was used as the model protein while methoxy-polyethylene glycol-(CH2)5COO-NHS was used as the PEGylation reagent. Full mixing was achieved close to the microreactor inlet, making the device suitable for protein PEGylation. The effect of mixing type, i.e., simple stirring versus chaotic laminar mixing on PEGylation, was investigated. Higher selectivity (as high as 100% selectivity) was obtained with the microreactor while the conversion was marginally lower.
Magnetophoretic lensing by concentric topographic cylinders of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy multilayers
Authors: Urbaniak Maciej , Holzinger Dennis , Ehresmann Arno , Stobiecki Feliks
Published: August 2018

Colloidal magnetophoretic lensing of water suspended micrometer-sized superparamagnetic beads (SPBs) above a topographically patterned magnetic thin film system with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is demonstrated. The magnetic pattern consisting of concentric annuli of micron-sized widths has been superimposed with a rotating external magnetic field, and it is shown that the trajectories of the SPBs above this structure are similar to light rays in an optical focusing lens. SPB trajectories converge towards the central region and have divergent trajectories while passing the center. The experimental findings are corroborated by a quantitative model for the SPB trajectories. The magnetophoretic lensing effect leads to a high SPB concentration in the center of the pattern and may be useful for applications where SPBs have to approach each other in a controlled way.
The Utility of Calculated Proton Affinities in Drug Design: A DFT Study
Authors: Ayine-Tora Daniel Moscoh , Reynisson Jóhannes
Published: August 2018

Computer-aided drug design comprises several predictive tools, which can calculate various properties of the candidates under development. Proton affinity (PA) is related to pKa (the negative log of the acid dissociation constant (Ka)) one of the fundamental physical properties of drug candidates, determining their water solubility and thus their pharmacokinetic profile. The following questions therefore emerged: to what extent are PA predictions useful in drug design, and can they be reliably used to derive pKa values? Using density functional theory (DFT), it was established that for violuric acid, with three ionisation groups, the PAs correlate well with the measured pKas (R2 = 0.990). Furthermore, an excellent correlation within the amiloride compound family was achieved (R2 = 0.922). In order to obtain correlations for larger compound collections (n = 210), division into chemical families was necessary: carboxylic acids (R2 = 0.665), phenols (R2 = 0.871), and nitrogen-containing molecules (R2 = 0.742). These linear relationships were used to predict pKa values of 90 drug molecules with known pKas. A total of 48 % of the calculated values were within 1 logarithmic unit of the experimental number, but mainstream empirically based methods easily outperform this approach. The conclusion can therefore be reached that PA values cannot be reliably used for predicting pKa values globally but are useful within chemical families and in the event where a specific tautomer of a drug needs to be identified.
Rediscovery and revision of the antlion genus Ripalda Navás within a phylogeny of Nemoleontini (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae)
Authors: Badano Davide , Miller Robert , Stange Lionel A.
Published: August 2018

Forest-dwelling myrmeleontids are often inadequately known and poorly represented in collections, impeding the study of their affinities and ecology. An exceptional example is the Neotropical species Ripalda insignis (Rambur, 1842), described on a single specimen and never observed again for more than 170 years. The recent rediscovery of this species in Paraguay allowed us to include it in a broader phylogenetic context of the antlion tribe Nemoleontini. Our morphology-based phylogenetic reconstruction, including both adult and larval characters, supports the synonymisation of the genus Araucaleon Banks, 1938 with Ripalda Navás, 1915, as the members of these genera form a well-supported clade. Ripalda appears to be related to the diverse genus Eremoleon Banks, 1901 and the small genera Sericoleon Esben-Petersen, 1933, Navasoleon Banks, 1943 and Elachyleon Esben-Petersen, 1927. The genus is also revised in light of a new cladistic framework, redescribing the three previously known species, R. insignis (Rambur, 1842), R. withycombei (Esben-Petersen, 1927) and R. inca (Banks, 1938) and naming a new species, R. wayana, sp. nov. from French Guyana. The larva of R. withycombei is also described for the first time. Larval morphology is broadly consistent with Eremoleon, also sharing a similar ecological niche.
Feasibility and Safety of Transtympanic Balloon Dilatation of Eustachian Tube
Authors: Kapadia Mustafa , Tarabichi Muaaz
Published: August 2018

Objective:

Assess safety and feasibility of transtympanic dilatation of proximal (tympanic-end) of the cartilaginous segment of the Eustachian tube in patients undergoing surgery for chronic ear disease.

Study Design:

Case series.

Setting:

Tertiary care hospital.

Subject and Methods:

We reviewed the charts of 40 consecutive patients undergoing chronic ear surgery in our practice with manometric evidence of obstruction who underwent attempted transtympanic dilatation of proximal (tympanic-end) segment of the Eustachian tube. A range of outcome measures were reported that included pre and postdilatation opening pressure measurement of the Eustachian tube, closure of perforation, audiometric data, and complications.

Results:

Dilatation of proximal (tympanic-end) of the cartilaginous segment of the Eustachian tube was technically feasible in 37 of 40 patients (93%). Postdilatation inspection of protympanum showed increased aperture in all dilated tubes. Opening pressure of Eustachian tube declined in 36 of 37 patients (97%). Residual perforation was evident in 5 of 40 patients (12%). No facial nerve or carotid complications were observed. Two patients had severe dizziness (5%) with one patient sustaining severe cochlear loss.

Conclusion:

Transtympanic dilatation increases the patency of the Eustachian tube immediately after instrumentation. No carotid complications were observed. Continuous endoscopic control is essential to avoid subluxation of stapes. Further study of this technique is warranted to identify its role, if any, in chronic ear surgery.
Roux-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy directly change gut microbiota composition independent of operation type
Authors: Paganelli Fernanda L. , Luyer Misha , Hazelbag C. Marijn , Uh Hae-Won , Rogers Malbert R.C. , Adriaans Danielle , Berbers Roos-Marijn , Hendrickx Antoni P.A. , Viveen Marco C. , Groot James A. , Bonten Marc J. M. , Fluit Ad C. , Willems Rob J.L. , Leavis Helen L.
Published: August 2018

Background

Bariatric surgery in patients with morbid obesity, either through gastric sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-Y gastric bypass surgery, leads to sustainable weight loss, improvement of metabolic disorders and changes in the intestinal microbiota. Yet, the relationship between changes in gut microbiota, weight loss and the surgical procedure remains incompletely understood.

Subjects/Methods

We determined temporal changes in microbiota composition in 45 obese patients undergoing a crash diet followed by gastric sleeve gastrectomy (n= 22) or Roux-Y gastric bypass (n= 23). Intestinal microbiota composition was determined before intervention (baseline, S1), 2 weeks after a crash diet (S2), and 1 week (S3), 3 months (S4) and 6 months (S5) after surgery.

Results

Relative to S1, the microbial diversity index declined at S2 and S3 (p< 0.05), and gradually returned to baseline levels at S5. The crash diet was associated with an increased abundance of Rikenellaceae and decreased abundances of Ruminococcaceae and Streptococcaceae (p< 0.05). After surgery, at S3, the relative abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae had decreased (compared to the moment directly after the crash diet), whereas those of Streptococcaceae and Enterobacteriaceae had increased (p< 0.05). Increased weight loss during the next 6 months was not associated without major changes in microbiota composition. Significant differences between both surgical procedures were not observed at any of the time points.

Conclusions

In conclusion, undergoing a crash diet and bariatric surgery were associated with an immediate but temporary decline in the microbial diversity, with immediate and permanent changes in microbiota composition, with no differences between patients undergoing gastric sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-Y gastric bypass surgery.
Modeling of artificially triggered lightning currents by multi-peaked analytically extended functions
Authors: Javor Vesna , Lundengård Karl , Rančić Milica , Silvestrov Sergei
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present the approximation of lightning currents waveshapes by the multi-peaked analytically extended function (MP-AEF) for the experimentally measured channel-base currents in the artificially triggered lightning discharges. Modified transmission line model of lightning return strokes having the channel current both linearly decaying and sinusoidally changing with height (MTLSIN) is used to calculate the lightning electromagnetic field.

Design/methodology/approach

MP-AEF’s parameters for the artificially triggered lightning channel-base currents are calculated by using Marquardt least squares method (MLSM). Lightning electromagnetic fields are calculated based on electromagnetic theory relations, thin-wire antenna model of the vertical lightning channel and the assumption of the perfectly conducting ground. MTLSIN model as an engineering model of lightning strokes is used to obtain the electric field results as these are simultaneously measured in rocket-triggered lightning experiments together with the channel-base currents.

Findings

MP-AEF approximates multi-peaked pulse waveshapes. Some important function parameters are chosen prior to the approximation procedure, such as current peaks and the corresponding time moments of those peaks, which presents an advantage in comparison to other functions. The desired accuracy of approximation is obtained by choosing an adequate number of function terms. MLSM is used for the estimation of unknown parameters. Using MTLSIN model, the influence of the channel height and return stroke speed on the lightning electromagnetic field waveshape is analyzed in this paper.

Research limitations/implications

MP-AEF may be used for approximation of various multi-peaked waveshapes. It has no errors in the points of maxima which is important for the lightning protection systems design. MTLSIN model may be validated by using simultaneously measured lightning electromagnetic fields at various distances from the channel and for channel heights estimated in the experiments. It is also possible to approximate measured current derivatives by MP-AEF and use them for further computation.

Originality/value

MTLSIN model is proposed in this paper for the evaluation of lightning electromagnetic fields induced by artificially triggered lightning discharges. The procedure is based on the approximation of lightning channel-base currents by the multi-peaked analytically extended function previously proposed by the authors. This function may be used not only for representing lightning currents but also for other waveshapes as current derivatives, electric and magnetic fields and their derivatives, which are all important for the lightning protection design. MTLSIN gives lightning electromagnetic fields results which are in better agreement with measured fields than those obtained by other models from literature.
Absorptive capacity and business performance
Authors: Liu Xueyuan , Zhao Haiyun , Zhao Xiande
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the multiple paths of absorptive capacity’s (AC) effect on business performance (BP): direct effect and indirect effects through innovation and mass customization (MC).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examined the role of innovation and MC capability on the relationship between AC and BP. Data from 278 Chinese firms in four manufacturing industries collected by questionnaire are used to empirically examine the proposed model by Structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results show that AC can directly enhance BP, and indirectly through innovation and MC capability. The study also finds that MC capability has a stronger mediating effect than innovation.

Originality/value

Prior studies have not yet built linkages between AC and BP with both innovation and MC’s effects. This study provides empirical evidence of the effects of AC on BP and three paths are discussed including AC’s direct effect and indirect effects through innovation and MC to firm’s BP. This study provides a new direction for executives to better understand the movement of knowledge along supply chain and in intra-organizational environment, and of the importance of innovation and MC capability since they are essential carriers for BP enhancement.
Leveraging collective intelligence: from univocal to multivocal representation of cultural heritage
Authors: Hajibayova Lala
Published: August 2018

Purpose

After reviewing cultural heritage institutions; crowdsourcing initiatives and tension between univocal and multivocal views of those who interact with cultural expressions, this paper argues that to support vibrant and effective crowdsourcing communities while ensuring the quality of the work of crowdsourcing project volunteers it is essential to reevaluate and transform the traditional univocal, top-down approach to representation and organization. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper applies Foucault’s power–knowledge construct and theories of representation to the processes and practices employed in cultural heritage crowdsourcing projects.

Findings

Viewed through the Foucauldian lens, cultural heritage professionals are regarded as active parts of the power–knowledge relationship due to their direct engagement in the representation, organization and dissemination of knowledge, exercised not only through the traditional role of cultural heritage institutions as gatekeepers of knowledge but, more importantly, through the power of representation and organization of the cultural heritage.

Originality/value

This paper provides a theoretical understanding of cultural heritage crowdsourcing initiatives and proposes a framework for multivocal representation of cultural heritage expressions in which the voices of volunteers have the same validity as the voices of cultural heritage professionals.
Servant leadership and the Scrum team’s effectiveness
Authors: Holtzhausen Nico , de Klerk Jeremias J.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Scrum is a development methodology that has been rapidly gaining popularity over the last decade particularly for software development teams. The Scrum master is sometimes viewed as a servant leader of the Scrum team. The purpose of this paper is to investigate to what extent Scrum masters actually make use of servant leadership and how this impacts on the team’s effectiveness via mediating processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The research followed a quantitative approach. An online questionnaire was prepared and completed by 71 Scrum team members (excluding Scrum masters) and 22 Scrum masters in more than ten organizations based in Western Cape, South Africa.

Findings

Scrum masters in this sample extensively used the servant leadership approach, but those who are also appointed as formal team leaders are seen to be considerably better servant leaders by team members. There is a moderately strong correlation between servant leadership of the Scrum master and team effectiveness. It was found that high levels of psychological safety do not necessarily translate into team performance.

Research limitations/implications

Research was only performed at the unit level of analysis and not the team or organizational level. This was a cross-sectional study and variations over time were not considered.

Practical implications

The results confirm the importance of servant leadership skills when identifying and developing Scrum masters, appointing the formal team leader role in Scrum teams and implementing Scrum practices effectively.

Originality/value

As could be established, this is the first time that the role of servant leadership in Scrum teams was formally investigated.
Does boardroom gender diversity affect the risk profile of acquiring banks?
Authors: Sghaier Adnène , Hamza Taher
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of gender diversity on the boardroom and in top management positions on the risk profile (RP) of acquiring banks.

Design/methodology/approach

To estimate the effect of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the RP of the acquirer, the authors will use the same methodology adopted by Vallascas and Hagendorff (2011), this method compares the variation of the RP of the acquirer to the level risk of control banks. To investigate how merger-related risk changes are affected by gender diversity, the authors use a linear regression.

Findings

The results show that, on average, bank mergers do not significantly affect the RP of the acquiring bank. However, the authors found that the proportion of women in the board standing reduces the RP of the acquiring bank. Overall, the authors observe evidence that the appearance of a female in top management is associated with lower bank risk. Moreover, the authors conclude that the relationship between the presence of at least three women on the board and the default risk of the acquiring bank is negative.

Originality/value

This finding suggests that in the M&A transactions, female directors are considerably more conservative than their male counterparts. Thus, the authors confirm the postulate that women are more risk averse and less overconfident than their male counterpart. The conclusions are of particular significance for the banking industry. The authors provide some support for the view that regulators should favor gender quotas in the board management of banks to reduce risk-taking behavior.
Novel energy conservation strategies and behaviour of Pelotomaculum schinkii driving syntrophic propionate catabolism
Authors: Hidalgo‐Ahumada Catalina A. P. , Nobu Masaru K. , Narihiro Takashi , Tamaki Hideyuki , Liu Wen‐Tso , Kamagata Yoichi , Stams Alfons J M , Imachi Hiroyuki , Sousa Diana Z
Published: August 2018

Under methanogenic conditions, short‐chain fatty acids are common byproducts from degradation of organic compounds and conversion of these acids is an important component of the global carbon cycle. Due to the thermodynamic difficulty of propionate degradation, this process requires syntrophic interaction between a bacterium and partner methanogen; however, the metabolic strategies and behaviour involved are not fully understood. In this study, the first genome analysis of obligately syntrophic propionate degraders (Pelotomaculum schinkii HH and P. propionicicum MGP) and comparison with other syntrophic propionate degrader genomes elucidated novel components of energy metabolism behind Pelotomaculum propionate oxidation. Combined with transcriptomic examination of P. schinkii behaviour in co‐culture with Methanospirillum hungatei, we found that formate may be the preferred electron carrier for P. schinkii syntrophy. Propionate‐derived menaquinol may be primarily re‐oxidized to formate, and energy was conserved during formate generation through newly proposed proton‐pumping formate extrusion. P. schinkii did not overexpress conventional energy metabolism associated with a model syntrophic propionate degrader Syntrophobacter fumaroxidans MPOB (i.e., CoA transferase, Fix and Rnf). We also found that P. schinkii and the partner methanogen may also interact through flagellar contact and amino acid and fructose exchange. These findings provide new understanding of syntrophic energy acquisition and interactions.