bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemokine CCL2 and its receptor CCR2 in the dorsal root ganglion contribute to oxaliplatin-induced mechanical hypersensitivity
Authors: Illias Amina M. , Gist Andrea C. , Zhang Haijun , Kosturakis Alyssa K. , Dougherty Patrick M.
Published: March 2018

Activation of innate immune mechanisms within the dorsal root ganglion and spinal dorsal horn has been shown to play a key role in the development of neuropathic pain including paclitaxel-related chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Here, we tested whether similar mechanisms are generalizable to oxaliplatin-induced CIPN. After a single intraperitoneal injection of 3 mg/kg oxaliplatin, mechanical withdrawal threshold and the expression of C-C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and its receptor, CCR2, in the dorsal root ganglion were measured by behavioral testing and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Mechanical responsiveness increased from the first day after oxaliplatin injection and persisted until day 15, the last day of this experiment. Immunohistochemical showed that the expression of CCL2/CCR2 started to increase by 4 hours after oxaliplatin treatment, was significantly increased at day 4, and then both signals became normalized by day 15. Cotreatment with intrathecal anti-CCL2 antibodies prevented the development of oxaliplatin-induced mechanical hyperresponsiveness, and transiently reversed established hyperalgesia when given 1 week after chemotherapy. This is the first study to demonstrate CCL2/CCR2 signaling in a model of oxaliplatin-related CIPN; and it further shows that blocking of this signal can attenuate the development of oxaliplatin-induced mechanical hyperalgesia. Activation of innate immune mechanisms may therefore be a generalized basis for CIPN irrespective of the specific class of agent.
Cost(s) of caring for patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Orenstein David M. , Abood Robert N.
Published: March 2018

Purpose of review

Cystic fibrosis (CF) has received a lot of attention in the past few years because of increased longevity and the emergence of ground-breaking new drugs targeting the molecular and cellular defects, making a huge clinical difference, and – not incidentally – carrying massive price tags. The prices of these new drugs make the question of overall costs of CF care highly relevant.

Recent findings

This article reviews recent developments in CF science and treatment, and highlights areas that contribute to costs of CF care, emphasizing how these costs have increased.

This article should help the pediatrician stay abreast of high points of CF care, with an awareness of the factors that wield the biggest influence on overall costs, to patients, families and the US healthcare system.
A Multicenter Retrospective Review of Pediatric Leydig Cell Tumor of the Testis
Authors: Luckie Taylor M. , Danzig Matthew , Zhou Shengmei , Wu Hao , Cost Nicholas G. , Karaviti Lefkothea , Venkatramani Rajkumar
Published: March 2018

Leydig cell tumors (LCTs) are rare tumors arising from testosterone-producing Leydig cells. Although LCTs are usually benign, malignancy has been reported in 10% of cases in adults, and local recurrence or metachronous tumors of the contralateral testis have been described. Radical orchiectomy is the current standard of care. We report on 12 children with LCT at 3 institutions between 2000 and 2016. Presenting symptoms included precocious puberty, palpable testicular mass, and scrotal swelling. Radical orchiectomy was performed in 9 patients. Three patients were treated with enucleation. All patients were alive at last follow-up without evidence of local recurrence or metastasis.
Effect of Gaze Stability Exercises on Chronic Motion Sensitivity: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gaikwad Shilpa B. , Johnson Eric G. , Nelson Todd C. , Ambode Oluwaseun I. , Albalwi Abdulaziz A. , Alharbi Ahmad A. , Daher Noha S.
Published: March 2018

Background and Purpose:

Motion sensitivity is a common condition among the general population and may be accompanied by postural instability and anxiety. Preliminary studies suggest that minimal dosage of gaze stability exercises improves postural stability in young adults with chronic motion sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of progressive gaze stability exercises on postural stability, motion sensitivity, and anxiety in healthy young adults with chronic motion sensitivity.

Methods:

We conducted a single-blind randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of gaze stability exercises on chronic motion sensitivity. Forty-one participants of both genders ages 20 to 40 years with chronic motion sensitivity were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The intervention group performed gaze stability exercises while the sham group performed saccadic eye movement exercises for 6 weeks. Computerized Dynamic Posturography with Immersion Virtual Reality (CDP-IVR)—condition 1 (C1) and condition 2 (C2)—Motion Sensitivity Quotient (MSQ), Motion Sickness Sensitivity Susceptibility Questionnaire Short Form (MSSQ-Short: MSA, MSB), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults (STAI Form Y-2) were the outcome measures used.

Results:

There was no significant group × time interaction for MSA, MSB, MSSQ percentile, STAI, MSQ, C1 mean, or C2 mean. However, posttreatment a significant difference in the mean CDP-IVR score of C2 was identified between the 2 groups. For C2, the intervention group demonstrated a 117% increase in the mean CDP-IVR score compared with a 35.2% increase in the sham group. MSQ reduced significantly from baseline to 6 weeks postintervention in the intervention group (4.0 ± 1.2 vs 1.9 ± 0.9). Anxiety was significantly reduced in the sham group only (38.2 ± 1.9 vs 35.8 ± 2.2).

Discussion and Conclusions:

Based on the results of this study, progressive gaze stability exercises appear to have value for managing chronic motion sensitivity in healthy young adults. Further research with larger sample size and broader age range is needed to generalize these findings.

Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A203).
Usefulness of Volume Perfusion Computed Tomography in Differentiating Histologic Subtypes of Thymic Epithelial Tumors
Authors: Jing Yong , Yan Wei-qiang , Li Gang-feng , Duan Shi-jun , Wang Shu-Mei , Sun Lin , Hu Yu-Chuan , Cui Guang-Bin
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of volume perfusion computed tomography (VPCT) parameters in differentiating the World Health Organization subtypes of thymic epithelial tumors.

Materials and Methods

This study was approved by the local ethics committee, and informed written consent was obtained. Fifty-one thymic epithelial tumor patients confirmed by histopathological analysis underwent conventional CT and a 48-second VPCT scan of the tumor bulk before any treatment. The VPCT parameters (blood volume [BV], blood flow [BF], mean transit time [MTT], and permeability [PMB]) based on volume of interest (VOI) or region of interest (ROI) were compared for differences among low-risk thymomas (LRTs; types A, AB, and B1), high-risk thymomas (HRTs; types B2 and B3) and thymic carcinomas (TCs) by one-way analysis of variance.

Results

The BVVOI, PMBVOI, BVROI, and PMBROI values in LRT were significantly higher than the values from HRT and thymic carcinoma (BVVOI: 13.75, 6.17, and 5.48 mL/100 mL; PMBVOI: 22.47, 9.56, and 13.37 mL/100 mL/min; BVROI: 14.75, 6.87, and 6.06 mL/100 mL; PMBROI: 24.05, 9.79, and 15.63 mL/100 mL/min, respectively; all P < 0.05/3). However, the BFVOI, MTTVOI, BFROI, and MTTROI values did not differ between LRT and HRT or thymic carcinoma groups (P > 0.05/3).

Conclusions

These results suggest that VPCT could be useful in differentiating LRTs from HRTs and TCs preoperatively.
Psychosis in “Cognitively Asymptomatic” Elderly Subjects is Associated With Neuritic Plaque Load, Not Neurofibrillary Tangles
Authors: Kim Julia , Schweizer Tom A. , Fischer Corinne E. , Munoz David G.
Published: March 2018

Introduction:

Despite having severe Alzheimer disease pathology, some individuals remain cognitively asymptomatic (cASYM). To explore noncognitive manifestations in these cASYM individuals, we aim to investigate the prevalence and pathologic substrates of psychosis.

Methods:

Data were obtained from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, quick version was used to evaluate presence of psychosis. Subjects with Mini-Mental Status Examination score of ≥24 with frequent neuritic plaques (NPs) were defined as NPcASYM, and those with Braak and Braak stage of neurofibrillary tangles of V/VI were defined as NTcASYM (both groups collectively designated cASYM). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between NP and neurofibrillary tangle severity and psychosis accounting for potential confounders.

Results:

We identified 667 subjects with Mini-Mental Status Examination score of ≥24, of which 137 were NPcASYM and 96 were NTcASYM. NPcASYM were at significantly higher risk of having psychosis compared with those with moderate or sparse/no NP (odds ratio, 2.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.54-3.96). NTcASYM were also at higher risk compared with those with Braak and Braak stage I to IV, but the association explained by the effect of Lewy body pathology and microinfarcts.

Discussion:

The load of NP may be an important substrate of psychosis in individuals who show no gross cognitive symptoms.
Transcriptomic analysis of the early strobilar development of Echinococcus granulosus
Authors: Debarba João Antonio , Monteiro Karina Mariante , Gerber Alexandra Lehmkuhl , de Vasconcelos Ana Tereza Ribeiro , Zaha Arnaldo
Published: March 2018

Background

Echinococcus granulosus has a complex life cycle involving two mammalian hosts. The transition from one host to another is accompanied by changes in gene expression, and the transcriptional events that underlie these processes have not yet been fully characterized.

Results

In this study, RNA-seq is used to compare the transcription profiles of four time samples of E. granulosus protoscoleces in vitro induced to strobilar development. We identified 818 differentially expressed genes, which were divided into eight expression clusters formed over the entire 24 hours time course and indicated different transcriptional patterns. An enrichment of gene transcripts with molecular functions of signal transduction, enzymes and protein modifications was observed with progression of development.

Conclusion

This transcriptomic study provides insight for understanding the complex life cycle of E. granulosus and contributes for searching for the key genes correlating with the strobilar development, providing interesting hints for further studies.
Thirty clues to the exceptional diversification of flowering plants
Authors: Magallón Susana , Sánchez-Reyes Luna L. , Gómez-Acevedo Sandra L.
Published: March 2018

As angiosperms became one of the megadiverse groups of macroscopic eukaryotes, they forged modern ecosystems and promoted the evolution of extant terrestrial biota. Unequal distribution of species among lineages suggests that diversification, the process which ultimately determines species-richness, acted differentially through angiosperm evolution.

We investigate how angiosperms became megadiverse by identifying the phylogenetic and temporal placement of exceptional radiations, by combining the most densely fossil-calibrated molecular clock phylogeny with a Bayesian model that identifies diversification shifts among evolutionary lineages and through time. We evaluate the effect of the prior number of expected shifts in the phylogenetic tree.

Major diversification increases took place over 100 Ma, from the Early Cretaceous to the end Paleogene, and are distributed across the angiosperm phylogeny. Angiosperm long-term diversification trajectory shows moderate rate variation, but is underlain by increasing speciation and extinction, and results from temporally overlapping, independent radiations and depletions in component lineages.

The identified deep time diversification shifts are clues to identify ultimate drivers of angiosperm megadiversity, which probably involve multivariate interactions among intrinsic traits and extrinsic forces. An enhanced understanding of angiosperm diversification will involve a more precise phylogenetic location of diversification shifts, and integration of fossil information.
Ecological patterns are robust to use of exact sequence variants versus operational taxonomic units
Authors: Glassman Sydney I. , Martiny Jennifer B.H.
Published: March 2018

Recent controversy focuses on the best method for delineating microbial taxa, based on either traditional operational taxonomic units (OTUs) or exact sequence variants (ESVs) of marker gene sequences. We sought to test if the binning approach (ESVs versus OTUs) affected the ecological conclusions of a large field study. The dataset included sequences of both bacteria (16S) and fungi (ITS), across multiple environments diverging markedly in abiotic conditions, over three collection times. Despite quantitative differences in microbial richness, we found that all alpha- and beta-diversity metrics were highly positively correlated (r > 0.90) between samples analyzed with both approaches. Moreover, the community composition of the dominant taxa did not vary between approaches. Consequently, statistical inferences were nearly indistinguishable. Thus, we conclude that for typical alpha- and beta-diversity analyses, OTU or ESV methods will likely reveal similar ecological results and determining which method to employ will depend on the question at hand.
Protected area effectiveness for fish spawning habitat in relation to earthquake-induced landscape change
Authors: Orchard Shane , Hickford Michael J. H.
Published: March 2018

We studied the effectiveness of conservation planning methods forGalaxias maculatus, a riparian spawning fish, following earthquake-induced habitat shift in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. Mapping and GIS overlay techniques were used to evaluate three protection mechanisms in operative or proposed plans in two study catchments over two years. Method 1 utilised a network of small protected areas around known spawning sites. It was the least resilient to change with only 3.9% of post-quake habitat remaining protected in the worst performing scenario. Method 2, based on mapped reaches of potential habitat, remained effective in one catchment (98%) but not in the other (52.5%). Method 3, based on a habitat model, achieved near 100% protection in both catchments but used planning areas far larger than the area of habitat actually used. This example illustrates resilience considerations for protected area design. Redundancy can help maintain effectiveness in face of dynamics and may be a pragmatic choice if planning area boundaries lack in-built adaptive capacity or require lengthy processes for amendment. However, an adaptive planning area coupled with monitoring offers high effectiveness from a smaller protected area. Incorporating elements of both strategies provides a promising conceptual basis for adaptation to major perturbations or responding to slow change.
IRIS-DGE: An integrated RNA-seq data analysis and interpretation system for differential gene expression
Authors: Monier Brandon , McDermaid Adam , Zhao Jing , Fennell Anne , Ma Qin
Published: March 2018

Motivation

Next-Generation Sequencing has made available much more large-scale genomic and transcriptomic data. Studies with RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data typically involve generation of gene expression profiles that can be further analyzed, many times involving differential gene expression (DGE). This process enables comparison across samples of two or more factor levels. A recurring issue with DGE analyses is the complicated nature of the comparisons to be made, in which a variety of factor combinations, pairwise comparisons, and main or blocked main effects need to be tested.

Results

Here we present a tool called IRIS-DGE, which is a server-based DGE analysis tool developed using Shiny. It provides a straightforward, user-friendly platform for performing comprehensive DGE analysis, and crucial analyses that help design hypotheses and to determine key genomic features. IRIS-DGE integrates the three most commonly used R-based DGE tools to determine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and includes numerous methods for performing preliminary analysis on user-provided gene expression information. Additionally, this tool integrates a variety of visualizations, in a highly interactive manner, for improved interpretation of preliminary and DGE analyses.

Availability

IRIS-DGE is freely available at http://bmbl.sdstate.edu/IRIS/.

Contact

qin.ma@sdstate.edu

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Transposable elements and gene expression during the evolution of amniotes
Authors: Zeng Lu , Pederson Stephen M. , Kortschak R. Daniel , Adelson David L.
Published: March 2018

Background

Transposable elements (TEs) are primarily responsible for the changes in genome sequences that occur over time within and between species. TEs themselves evolve, with clade specific LTR/ERV, LINEs and SINEs responsible for the bulk of species specific genomic features. Because TEs can contain regulatory motifs, they can be exapted as regulators of gene expression. While TE insertions can provide evolutionary novelty for the regulation of gene expression, their overall impact on the evolution of gene expression is unclear. Previous investigators have shown that tissue specific gene expression in amniotes is more similar across species than within species, supporting the existence of conserved developmental gene regulation. In order to understand how species specific TE insertions might affect the evolution/conservation of gene expression, we have looked at the association of gene expression in six tissues with TE insertions in six representative amniote genomes (human, opossum, platypus, anole lizard, bearded dragon and chicken).

Results

We have used a novel bootstrapping approach to minimise the conflation of effects of repeat types on gene expression. We compared the expression of orthologs containing different types of recent TE insertions to orthologs that contained older TE insertions and found significant differences in gene expression associated with TE insertions. Likewise, we compared the expression of non-ortholog genes containing different types of recent TE insertions to non-orthologs with older TE insertions and found significant differences in gene expression associated with TE insertions. As expected TEs were associated with species-specific changes in gene expression, but the magnitude and direction of change of expression changes were unexpected. Overall, orthologs containing clade specific TEs were associated with lower gene expression, while in non-orthologs, non clade-specific TEs were associated with higher gene expression. Exceptions were SINE elements in human and chicken, which had an opposite association with gene expression compared to other species.

Conclusions

Our observed species-specific associations of TEs with gene expression support a role for TEs in speciation/response to selection by species. TEs do not exhibit consistent associations with gene expression and observed associations can vary depending on the age of TE insertions. Based on these observations, it would be prudent to refrain from extrapolating these and previously reported associations to distantly related species.
Ligand binding and conformational changes of SUR1 subunit in pancreatic ATP-sensitive potassium channels
Authors: Wu Jing-Xiang , Ding Dian , Wang Mengmeng , Kang Yunlu , Zeng Xin , Chen Lei
Published: March 2018

ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) are energy sensors on the plasma membrane. By sensing the intracellular ADP/ATP ratio of β-cells, pancreatic KATPchannels control insulin release and regulate metabolism at the whole body level. They are implicated in many metabolic disorders and diseases and are therefore important drug targets. Here, we present three structures of pancreatic KATPchannels solved by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), at resolutions ranging from 4.1 to 4.5 Å. These structures depict the binding site of the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide, indicate how Kir6.2 N-terminus participates the coupling between the peripheral SUR1 subunit and the central Kir6.2 channel, reveal the binding mode of activating nucleotides, and suggest the mechanism of how Mg-ADP binding on nucleotide binding domains (NBDs) drives a conformational change of the SUR1 subunit.
The efficacy of sexual selection under environmental change
Authors: Martinossi-Allibert Ivain , Rueffler Claus , Arnqvist Göran , Berger David
Published: March 2018

Sexual selection can promote adaptation if sexually selected traits are reliable indicators of genetic quality. Moreover, stronger sexual selection in males, as often reported in empirical studies, may help purge deleterious alleles at a low cost to population productivity. However, to what extent this remains true when a changing environment affects sexual selection dynamics has been debated. Here, we show that even if sexually selected traits remain honest signals of male quality in new environments, the efficacy of sexual selection will often be reduced under stress. We model the strength of sex-specific selection under different levels of environmental stress in a population in which males compete with each other for fertilization success and in which females experience fecundity selection. We observe that the strength of sexual selection is reduced relative to fecundity selection, resulting in a lowered potential for selection on males to aid adaptation under environmental change.
E93 expression and links to the juvenile hormone in hemipteran mealybugs with insights on female neoteny
Authors: Vea Isabelle Mifom , Tanaka Sayumi , Tsuji Tomohiro , Shiotsuki Takahiro , Jouraku Akiya , Minakuchi Chieka
Published: March 2018

Insect metamorphosis generates reproductive adults and is commonly accompanied by the direct or indirect development of wings. In some winged insects, the imago is altered by life history changes. For instance, in scale insects and mealybugs, reproductive females retain juvenile features and are wingless. The transcription factorE93triggers metamorphosis and plays in concert with the juvenile hormone pathway to guarantee the successful transition from juvenile to adult. We previously provided evidence of an atypical down-regulation of the juvenile hormone pathway during female adult development in the Japanese mealybug. Here, we further investigate howE93is involved in the production of neotenic wingless females, by identifying its isoforms, assessing their expression patterns and evaluating the effect of exogenous juvenile hormone mimic treatment onE93. This study identifies threeE93isoforms on the 5’ end based on Japanese mealybug cDNA and shows that female development occurs with the near absence ofE93transcripts, as opposed to male metamorphosis. Additionally, while male development is typically affected by exogenous juvenile hormone mimic treatments, females seem to remain insensitive to the treatment, and up-regulation of the juvenile hormone signaling is not observed. Furthermore, juvenile hormone mimic treatment on female nymphs did not have obvious effect onE93transcription, while treatment on male prepupae resulted in decreasedE93transcripts. In this study, we emphasize the importance of examining cases of atypical metamorphosis as complementary systems to provide a better understanding on the molecular mechanisms underlying insect metamorphosis. For instance, the factors regulating the expression ofE93are largely unclear. Investigating the regulatory mechanism ofE93transcription could provide clues towards identifying the factors that induce or suppressE93transcription, in turn triggering male adult development or female neoteny.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

- Neotenic femalePlanococcus kraunhiae(Japanese mealybug) develops with lowE93expression.

-E93expression pattern during male development is typical to other insects.

- Juvenile hormone mimic treatment on male prepupae results in decreasedE93transcripts.

- Juvenile hormone mimic treatment on female nymphs does not have obvious effects onE93transcription.

- Female mealybugs have low sensitivity to juvenile hormone mimic treatments compared to males and other insects.
Protein phase separation provides long-term memory of transient spatial stimuli
Authors: Dine Elliot , Gil Agnieszka A. , Uribe Giselle , Brangwynne Clifford P. , Toettcher Jared E.
Published: March 2018

Protein/RNA clusters arise frequently in spatially-regulated biological processes, from the asymmetric distribution of P granules and PAR proteins in developing embryos to localized receptor oligomers in migratory cells. This co-occurrence suggests that protein clusters might possess intrinsic properties that make them a useful substrate for spatial regulation. Here, we demonstrate that protein droplets show a robust form of spatial memory, maintaining the spatial pattern of an inhibitor of droplet formation long after it has been removed. Despite this persistence, droplets can be highly dynamic, continuously exchanging monomers with the diffuse phase. We investigate the principles of biophysical spatial memory in three contexts: a computational model of phase separation; a novel optogenetic system where light can drive rapid, localized dissociation of liquid-like protein droplets; and membrane-localized signal transduction from clusters of receptor tyrosine kinases. Our results suggest that the persistent polarization underlying many cellular and developmental processes could arise through a simple biophysical process, without any additional requirement for biochemical positive and negative feedback loops.

Highlights

We introduce PixELLs, an optogenetic system for protein droplet disassembly.

Modeling and experiments demonstrate long-term memory of local droplet dissociation.

Droplets ‘remember’ spatial stimuli in nuclei, the cytosol and on cell membranes.

FGFR-optoDroplets convert transient local inputs to persistent cytoskeletal responses.
The case for early use of rapid whole-genome sequencing in management of critically ill infants: late diagnosis of Coffin–Siris syndrome in an infant with left congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital heart disease, and recurrent infections
Authors: Sweeney Nathaly M. , Nahas Shareef A. , Chowdhury Shimul , Campo Miguel Del , Jones Marilyn C. , Dimmock David P. , Kingsmore Stephen F. ,   on behalf of the RCIGM Investigators
Published: March 2018

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) results from incomplete formation of the diaphragm leading to herniation of abdominal organs into the thoracic cavity. CDH is associated with pulmonary hypoplasia, congenital heart disease, and pulmonary hypertension. Genetically, it is associated with aneuploidies, chromosomal copy-number variants, and single gene mutations. CDH is the most expensive noncardiac congenital defect. Management frequently requires implementation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which increases management expenditures 2.4–3.5-fold. The cost of management of CDH has been estimated to exceed $250 million per year. Despite in-hospital survival of 80%–90%, current management is imperfect, as a great proportion of surviving children have long-term functional deficits. We report the case of a premature infant prenatally diagnosed with CDH and congenital heart disease, who had a protracted and complicated course in the intensive care unit with multiple surgical interventions, including postcardiac surgery ECMO, gastrostomy tube placement with Nissen fundoplication, tracheostomy for respiratory failure, recurrent infections, and developmental delay. Rapid whole-genome sequencing (rWGS) identified a de novo, likely pathogenic, c.3096_ 3100delCAAAG (p.Lys1033Argfs*32) variant in ARID1B, providing a diagnosis of Coffin–Siris syndrome. Her parents elected palliative care and she died later that day.
Achieving higher supply chain performance via business process orientation
Authors: Miri-Lavassani Kayvan , Movahedi Bahar
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the ways in which various dimensions of supply chain performance (SCP) can be improved through increased levels of process orientation across different core operational processes. This study aims to provide simple guidelines which are practical for business managers.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model was developed based on the literature review and it was tested using an empirical study. Various factor analysis techniques are used to construct different components of the research model and test the hypotheses.

Findings

This study provides two main categories of findings. First, based on the exploratory analysis several constructs were developed. Second, using structural equation modeling the relationships among the constructs were examined. The findings suggest that managers need to take a targeted approach in increasing the levels of process orientation in order to achieve particular SCP goals.

Research limitations/implications

The result of this study is not indented to be generalized to all businesses; however, the methodology is flexible enough to be utilized in different industries and business scenarios.

Practical implications

The present study provides specific recommendations for business managers seeking to enhance various aspects of their organizational SCP. The research model can be used for future empirical as well as case studies.

Originality/value

This is the first comprehensive empirical study that separately measures business process orientation with respect to four core supply chain processes (planning, sourcing, making, and delivering) and assesses the impact of each core process on various dimensions of supply chain performance.
Absorptive capacity and ERP assimilation: the influence of company ownership
Authors: Nandi Madhavi Latha , Vakkayil Jacob
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to adopt two different perspectives of an organization’s absorptive capacity, namely, the asset perspective and the capability perspective, to examine its impact on enterprise resource planning (ERP) assimilation. While prior IT knowledge represents the asset perspective, organization’s combinative capabilities – formalization, cross-functional interfaces and connectedness – represent the capability perspective of absorptive capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops a hypotheses-based theory of absorptive capacity. Data for hypotheses testing are collected from Indian organizations using a cross-sectional survey method. Partial least-squares technique is used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results reaffirm earlier work showing the importance of connectedness and cross-functional interfaces in ERP assimilation; other two factors (prior IT knowledge and formalization) were not found to be positively related to ERP assimilation. To obtain more insights regarding the latter unexpected results, the study checked the interaction effect of the nature of company ownership (private or state-owned). The results pointed to the existence of a negative relationship between prior IT knowledge and ERP assimilation particularly in the case of private organizations compared to state-owned organizations.

Originality/value

Previous studies on ERP have predominantly examined the influence of absorptive capacity on ERP implementation outcomes at the user level. The present study focuses on absorptive capacity at the organizational level using two perspectives. By utilizing two perspectives on absorptive capacity, namely, the asset perspective and the capabilities perspective, it illustrates how different aspects of absorptive capacity can be brought to light while studying its impacts.
Nexus between business process management (BPM) and accounting
Authors: Abeygunasekera Ahangama Withanage Janitha Chandimali , Bandara Wasana , Wynn Moe , Yigitbasioglu Ogan
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Multidisciplinary business process management (BPM) research can reap significant impact. We can particularly benefit from incorporating accounting concepts to address some of the key BPM challenges, such as value-creation and return on investment of BPM activities. However, research which addresses a relationship between BPM and accounting is scarce. The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed synthesis of the current literature that has integrated accounting aspects with BPM. The authors profile and thematically describe existing research, and derive evidence-based directions to guide future research.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-staged structured literature review approach to search for the two broad themes, accounting and BPM, supported by NVivo (to manage the papers and the coding and analysis processes) was designed and followed.

Findings

The paper confirms the dearth of work that ties the two disciplines, despite the synergetic multidisciplinary results that can be attained. Available literature is mostly from the management accounting perspective and relates to describing how performance management, in particular performance measurement, can be applicable to process improvement initiatives together with tools such as activity-based costing and the balanced scorecard. There is a lack of research that examines BPM in relation to any financial accounting perspectives (such as external reporting). Future research directions are proposed together with implications for practitioners with the findings of this structured literature review.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a detailed synthesis of the existing literature on the nexus between accounting and BPM. It summarizes the implications for practitioners and provides directions for future research by identifying key gaps and opportunities with a sound contextual basis for extension and new work.

Originality/value

Effective literature reviews create strong foundations for future research and accumulate the otherwise scattered knowledge into a single place. This is the first structured literature review that provides a detailed synthesis of the research that ties together the accounting and BPM disciplines, providing a basis for future research directions together with implications for practitioners.
Spatial correlation-aware statistical dual-threshold voltage design of template-based asynchronous circuits
Authors: Ghavami Behnam
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Power consumption is a top priority in high-performance asynchronous circuit design today. The purpose of this study is to provide a spatial correlation-aware statistical dual-threshold voltage design method for low-power design of template-based asynchronous circuits.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors proposed a statistical dual-threshold voltage design of template-based asynchronous circuits considering process variations with spatial correlation. The utilized circuit model is an extended Timed Petri-Net which captures the dynamic behavior of the asynchronous circuit with statistical delay and power values. To have a more comprehensive framework, the authors model the spatial correlation information of the circuit. The authors applied a genetic optimization algorithm that uses a two-dimensional graph to calculate the power and performance of each threshold voltage assignment.

Findings

Experimental results show that using this statistically aware optimization, leakage power of asynchronous circuits can be reduced up to 3X. The authors also show that the spatial correlation may lead to large errors if not being considered in the design of dual-threshold-voltage asynchronous circuits.

Originality/value

The proposed framework is the scheme giving a low-power design of asynchronous circuits compared to other schemes. The comparison exhibits that the proposed method has better results in terms of performance and power. To consider the process variations with spatial correlation, the authors apply the principle component analysis method to transform the correlated variables into uncorrelated ones.
A simple analysis of flying capacitor converter
Authors: Kadyrov Shirali , Skrzypacz Piotr Sebastian , Familiant Yakov Lvovich
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The paper aims to emphasise how switched systems can be analysed with elementary techniques which require only undergraduate-level linear algebra and differential equations. It is also emphasised how math software can become useful for simplifying analytic complications.

Design/methodology/approach

The time domain voltage balance methodology is used for stability analysis. As for deriving formulas for the asymptotic average of both capacitor voltage and inductor current, a new simple analytic method is introduced.

Findings

It was shown analytically that the time average of capacitor voltage converges to half of the source voltage. A formula for the time average of the current of the inductor is also computed. As a by-product, it was discovered that the period of the current is half of the switching period. Numerical simulations are obtained to illustrate the accuracy of the results.

Research limitations/implications

Higher dimensional generalisations could become a bit complicated, as stability analysis of higher dimensional exponential matrices is not so easy to handle. On the other hand, the new discovery on the period of the current is more likely to give new insights into handling higher dimensional systems.

Practical implications

Analytical formulas are exact, and it helps in accurately modelling flying capacitor converts (FCCs) in practice.

Originality/value

FCC is well studied in engineering society. However, not much is done in obtaining closed form solutions using analysis. Also, math software is much used in computation of numerical results and obtaining simulations. In this paper, one more important aspect of math software is emphasised, namely, use symbolic and numeric computing environment Maple in analysis.
Statistical analysis of peak inrush current: a case study
Authors: Markiewicz Przemyslaw , Sikora Roman , Pabjanczyk Wieslawa
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate that the start-up current parameters are stochastic or not. Electronic equipment in luminaries significantly improves their luminous efficiency, thereby increasing the energy efficiency of lighting installations. However, the use of electronics [e.g. electronic ballasts for discharge lamps or power supply units for light-emitting diode (LED) luminaries] may also cause some negative effects in lighting installations. One of such effects is large inrush current, which can greatly exceed the admissible line load and trigger the overcurrent protective devices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents results of laboratory tests together with their statistical analysis of the inrush currents of lighting luminaires. Three road luminaires build in different technologies of similar power have been selected for the study. The theoretical distributions described by the analytical formulas matched the empirical distributions by using the MATLAB’ Statistical Toolbox.

Findings

As parameters that characterize short-time overcurrent at start-up are the maximum value of overcurrent amplitude in start-up moment (IPIC), the duration of overcurrent in start-up moment (tPIC) and melting integral MI. The aim of this statistical analysis of the selected parameter is to provide an overcurrent mathematical description allowing to estimate the probability of occurrence of values. For lighting luminaire fitted with magnetic ballasts, the parameters analyzed will randomly vary with the moment of power on. For electronic ballasts, the occurrence of this phenomenon depends on the adopted construction solution.

Practical implications

This will allow, for example, to estimate the probability of activation of protection device by comparing the value of the inrush current Joule’s integral MI with its value for the analyzed protection device. The proposed method may be useful for checking the selectivity of the protection devices in the lighting system.

Originality/value

The study enables application of a probabilistic model for analysis of inrush currents of lighting luminaire and predicting the possible consequences of their occurrence.
Numerical study of influential factors on partial discharges in HVDC XLPE cables
Authors: He Miao , Hao Miao , Chen George , Li Wenpeng , Zhang Chong , Chen Xin , Wang Haitian , Zhou Mingyu , Lei Xianzhang
Published: March 2018

Purpose

For the dramatically developed high voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission, HVDC cables play a vital role in the power transmission across seas and connections with renewable power sources. However, the condition monitoring of HVDC cables is still a challenging research topic. This paper aims to understand the influence of external factors, namely, current, cavity location and material properties, on partial discharge (PD) characteristics in HVDC cable in a numerical way referring to the refined Niemeyer’s model.

Design/methodology/approach

The influences of the three external factors are studied by a proposed numerical model for DC PDs based on the modification of a conventional PD model for AC voltage via a finite element analysis method.

Findings

The external factors can influence the discharge magnitude and discharge repetition rate via affecting the electrical conductivity of the material: DC PD is more frequent and with higher discharge magnitude when the cavity is closer to the conductor or the current through the conductor is higher. Both DC PD repetition rate and average discharge magnitude in long-term aged material are lower than virgin material. The effect of discharge on insulation degradation becomes decreasingly significant.

Research limitations/implications

The current work is based on the numerical modelling of DC PDs. Further experimental validations and comparisons are essential for improving the model.

Practical implications

The studies of the influence factors for PDs under HVDC voltage can benefit the research and practical power transmission on DC PDs, contributing the design and test of DC PDs in HVDC cables, exploring the understandings of the DC PDs’ mechanism.

Originality/value

This paper, to the best of author’s knowledge, first studies the influence factors on DC PDs based on the numerical modelling work.
Comparing unscented transformation and point estimate method for probabilistic power flow computation
Authors: Xiao Qing , Zhou Shaowu
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Unscented transformation (UT) and point estimate method (PEM) are two efficient algorithms for probabilistic power flow (PPF) computation. This paper aims to show the relevance between UT and PEM and to derive a rule to determine the accuracy controlling parameters for UT method.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors derive the underlying sampling strategies of UT and PEM and check them in different probability spaces, where quadrature nodes are selected.

Findings

Gauss-type quadrature rule can be used to determine the accuracy controlling parameters of UT. If UT method and PEM select quadrature nodes in two probability spaces related by a linear transform, these two algorithms are equivalent.

Originality/value

It shows that UT method can be conveniently extended to (km + 1) scheme (k = 4; 6; : : : ) by Gauss-type quadrature rule.
Fast and high-precision calculation of earth return mutual impedance between conductors over a multilayered soil
Authors: Ma Junjie
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Solutions for the earth return mutual impedance play an important role in analyzing couplings of multi-conductor systems. Generally, the mutual impedance is approximated by Pollaczek integrals. The purpose of this paper is devising fast algorithms for calculation of this kind of improper integrals and its applications.

Design/methodology/approach

According to singular points, the Pollaczek integral is divided into two parts: the finite integral and the infinite integral. The finite part is computed by combining an efficient Levin method, which is implemented with a Chebyshev differential matrix. By transforming the integration path, the tail integral is calculated with help of a transformed Clenshaw–Curtis quadrature rule.

Findings

Numerical tests show that this new method is robust to high oscillation and nearly singularities. Thus, it is suitable for evaluating Pollaczek integrals. Furthermore, compared with existing method, the presented algorithm gives high-order approaches for the earth return mutual impedance between conductors over a multilayered soil with wide ranges of parameters.

Originality/value

An efficient truncation strategy is proposed to accelerate numerical calculation of Pollaczek integral. Compared with existing algorithms, this method is easier to be applied to computation of similar improper integrals, such as Sommerfeld integral.
A methodology for the optimized design of power transformer insulation system
Authors: Rodriguez-Ignacio Hugo , Lopez-Fernandez Xose M. , Álvarez-Mariño Casimiro
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology based on an optimizer linked with electric finite element method (FEM) for automating the optimized design of power transformer insulation system structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed methodology combines two stages to obtain the optimized design of transformer insulation system structures. First, an analytical calculation is carried out with the optimizer to search a candidate solution. Then, the candidate solution is numerically checked in detail to validate its consistency. Otherwise, these two steps are iteratively repeated until the optimizer finds a candidate solution according to the objective function.

Findings

The solutions found applying the proposed methodology reduce the inter-electrode distances compared to those insulation designs referenced in the literature for the same value of safety margin.

Originality/value

The proposed methodology explores a wide range of insulation system structures in an automated way which is not possible to do with the classical trial-and-error approach based on personal expertise.
Comparison of facilities management in private domestic buildings among different elderly groups in Hong Kong
Authors: Leung Mei-yung , Famakin Ibukun Oluwadara , Ahmed Khursheed
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Personal characteristics, such as age, marital status, education level and gender, vary among elderly residents in residential apartments. These characteristics may influence the elderly residents’ satisfaction with the facilities provided in their residential apartments. To ensure appropriate facilities management (FM) items are provided for the different categories of elderly people, it is necessary to understand their basic needs. Therefore, this paper aims to compare the satisfaction with FM items among elderly people with different personal characteristics in private domestic (PD) buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted among elderly people with different personal characteristics in PD buildings to collect information about their levels of satisfaction with FM items. A total of 41 FM items and four characteristics of the elderly, namely, age, gender, marital status and education, were identified in this study.

Findings

The result shows that satisfaction with natural daylight was significantly different among elderly people of different genders, while the one-way between-groups ANOVA indicate that satisfaction with the size of bedrooms, turning spaces at doors, temperature in bathrooms and/or toilets, colour, accessibility and ease of closing or opening the doors were significantly different among elderly people belonging to different age groups and of different marital status and education level.

Originality/value

Designers and private developers are therefore recommended to increase the sizes of bedrooms, install windows on opposite sides of walls in the flats and ensure there is an adequate light reflection ratio for wall and floor colours, to accommodate elderly people’s special characteristics.