bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Test–Retest Reliability of the APTA Professionalism in Physical Therapy: Core Values Self-Assessment Tool in DPT Students
Authors: Denton Jason , Fike David S. , Walk Matt , Jackson Chad
Published: December 2017

Study Design.

Test–retest reliability study.

Introduction.

Promoting professionalism is one of the key components of APTA's Vision 2020. The PTCVSA tool is used in PT educational programs as an assessment tool and to facilitate reflection. The tool is also in its initial use as a research tool with PTs. The psychometric properties of this tool have not been established.

Methods.

Participants completed the PTCVSA tool on two occasions using a test–retest design. A total of 96 PT students, including 50 first-year and 46 second-year students, completed both tests. Psychometric testing was undertaken, including internal consistency using Cronbach α and test–retest reliability.

Results.

Internal consistency (Cronbach α) of the individual core values ranged from .713 (accountability) to .934 (social responsibility). The test–retest reliability intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the entire tool was .753 overall. Test–retest reliability was marginal (.625) in first-year students but was acceptable (.798) in second-year students. Intraclass correlation coefficient values for individual core values ranged from .538 (accountability) to .787 (social responsibility).

Discussion.

Although the PTCVSA may continue to be a valuable self-reflection tool for all students in PT education programs, it was not a reliable measurement tool in the first-year students participating in this study.

Conclusion.

In this preliminary investigation, the PTCVSA demonstrated acceptable reliability as a measurement tool for self-assessment of professional behaviors in second-year students who have been in a clinical experience.
Systematic Review of Assessments That Evaluate Clinical Decision Making, Clinical Reasoning, and Critical Thinking Changes After Simulation Participation
Authors: Macauley Kelly , Brudvig Tracy J. , Kadakia Manasvi , Bonneville Madeleine
Published: December 2017

Background and Purpose.

Increasingly, simulation experiences are augmenting and replacing portions of classroom and clinical education time. The purposes of this systematic review were to (1) systematically review the literature to determine whether simulated experiences impact the development of clinical decision making (CDM), clinical reasoning (CR), or critical thinking (CT) in students in health professional educational programs, (2) assess the quality of evidence for the effectiveness of simulation in developing CDM, CR, or CT in health professions students, (3) compare the effectiveness of simulated experiences to usual teaching methods in developing CDM, CR, and CT in health profession education students, and (4) identify and characterize assessment tools used to measure CDM, CR, and CT in the selected studies.

Methods.

The study design was a systematic review. PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Google Scholar, EdITLib, and ERIC were searched for articles published in English from January 2000 until March 2017. Thirty-one articles met the inclusion criteria: 1 mixed methods study, 3 qualitative studies, and 27 quantitative studies. Articles were assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool for the mixed methods study, the McMaster University Critical Review Form—Qualitative Studies for qualitative studies, and the Evaluation Guidelines for Rating the Quality of an Intervention Study.

Results.

The results demonstrate that simulation improves CDM, CT, or CR. The outcomes from the studies revealed that more repetitions in a simulated environment produced greater changes. Six outcome measures were identified, which assessed the desired constructs.

Discussion and Conclusion.

Future research investigating each tool across health care disciplines is needed. The optimal number of simulated encounters needed for improvement in decision making, thinking, and reasoning in physical therapy will be beneficial.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) in Children and Adolescents: Clinical Features and Response to Therapy in 110 Pediatric Patients
Authors: Brodsky Jacob R. , Lipson Sophie , Wilber Jared , Zhou Guangwei
Published: December 2017

Objective:

This study aimed to characterize the clinical features and outcomes of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in the pediatric population.

Study Design:

Retrospective case review.

Setting:

Tertiary care center.

Patients:

One hundred ten patients, aged 5 to 19 years old, diagnosed with BPPV.

Main Outcome Measures:

Patient demographics, comorbidities, canal involvement, response to treatment, and incidence of recurrence.

Results:

BPPV was diagnosed in 19.8% of patients seen for dizziness during the study period. Patient age ranged 5 to 19 years old (mean =13.4 ± 3.4 yr). Female:male ratio was 3:2. The most prevalent comorbidities were concussion (n = 42, 38.2%) and migraine disorders (n = 33, 30.0%). Average time to diagnosis from symptom onset was 178.2 ± 190.8 days. The posterior canal was most frequently affected (n = 80, 72.7%), followed by the lateral canal (n = 37, 33.6%) and superior canal (n = 21, 19.1%), and 36.4% (n = 40) of patients had multiple canals affected. Treatment requiring more than or equal to five maneuvers to achieve resolution was observed in 11.8% of cases (n = 13). Recurrence was observed in 18.2% of cases. A logistic regression analysis demonstrated that patients with vestibular migraine or benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood had five times higher odds of recurrence of BPPV, p = 0.003, 95% [1.735, 15.342], than those who did not have either.

Conclusions:

BPPV is a relatively common cause of dizziness in the pediatric population. Children and adolescents with BPPV can be successfully treated with repositioning maneuvers but may be at risk for treatment resistance and recurrence. Increased awareness of BPPV in pediatric patients may reduce delays in identification and treatment.
Correlations Between the Degree of Endolymphatic Hydrops and Symptoms and Audiological Test Results in Patients With Menière's Disease: A Reevaluation
Authors: Yang Shiyin , Zhu Huaming , Zhu Bijun , Wang Hui , Chen Zhengnong , Wu Yaqin , Chen Bin , Shi Haibo , Li Yuehua , Zou Jing , Yin Shankai
Published: December 2017

Objective:

This study was performed to reevaluate the diagnostic significance of clinically well-accepted audiological tests in indicating endolymphatic hydrops (EH) in Menière's disease (MD).

Study Design:

Retrospective case review.

Settings:

Hospital.

Patients:

Fifty patients (52 affected ears) diagnosed with MD were enrolled.

Intervention:

Diagnostic.

Main Outcome Measure:

To analyze the correlations between endolymphatic hydrops and results of audiological test including the pure-tone audiometry threshold, suprathreshold function tests, electrocochleogram, and glycerol test.

Results:

Three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated EH in either the vestibule or cochlea to various degrees in all of the MD patients, 24 hours after intratympanic gadolinium chelate injection. Both vestibular and cochlear EH were significantly correlated with PTA threshold. However, EH was not associated with alternate binaural loudness balance or the tone decay test, although a correlation was observed with the short-increment sensitivity index. There was also a correlation between vestibular EH, but not cochlear EH, and the negative summating potential/action potential (–SP/AP) ratio. Neither vestibular EH nor cochlear EH was correlated with the glycerol test results. In addition, the frequency of vertigo attacks, the existence of tinnitus, and aural fullness did not correlate with EH.

Conclusions:

Disrupted ionic homeostasis in the inner ear, but not the EH, may contribute to changes in the –SP/AP ratio. The relevance of glycerol test in identifying EH through detection of hearing changes needs further investigation in the future.
Electronic Medical Record Alert Associated With Reduced Opioid and Benzodiazepine Coprescribing in High-risk Veteran Patients
Authors: Malte Carol A. , Berger Douglas , Saxon Andrew J. , Hagedorn Hildi J. , Achtmeyer Carol E. , Mariano Anthony J. , Hawkins Eric J.
Published: December 2017

Background:

Over the past decade, overdoses involving opioids and benzodiazepines have risen at alarming rates, making reductions in coprescribing of these medications a priority, particularly among patients who may be susceptible to adverse events due to high-risk conditions.

Objectives:

This quality improvement project evaluated the effectiveness of a medication alert designed to reduce opioid and benzodiazepine coprescribing among Veterans with known high-risk conditions (substance use, sleep apnea, suicide-risk, age 65 and above) at 1 Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system.

Methods:

Prescribers were exposed to the point-of-prescribing alert for 12 months. For each high-risk cohort we used interrupted time series design to examine population trends in coprescribing 12 months after alert launch adjusting for coprescribing 12 months before launch, demographics and clinical covariates. Trends at the alert site were compared with those of a similar VA health care system without the alert. Secondary analyses examined population trends in opioid and benzodiazepine prescribing separately.

Results:

Over 12 months, the alert activated for 1332 patients. Proportions of patients with concurrent prescriptions decreased significantly postalert launch among substance use [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.97; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.96–0.99; 12-month decrease=25.0%], sleep apnea (AOR=0.97, 95% CI=0.95–0.98, 12-month decrease=38.5%), and suicide-risk (AOR=0.94, 95% CI=0.91–0.98, 12-month decrease=61.5%) cohorts at the alert site. Decreases in coprescribing were significantly different from the comparison site among suicide-risk (AOR=0.92, 95% CI=0.86–0.97) and sleep apnea (AOR=0.98, 95% CI=0.96–1.00) cohorts. Significant decreases in benzodiazepine prescribing trends were observed at the alert site only.

Conclusions:

Medication alerts hold promise as a means of reducing opioid and benzodiazepine coprescribing among certain high-risk groups.
Effects of a Cognitive Behavioral-Based Stress Management Program on Stress Management Competency, Self-efficacy and Self-esteem Experienced by Nursing Students
Authors: Terp Ulrik , Hjärthag Fredrik , Bisholt Birgitta
Published: December 2017

Nursing students’ exposure to stress negatively affects both academic and clinical performance and potentially their future as professional nurses. This pilot study measured the effects of a 10-week cognitive behavioral therapy–based stress management program, using a quasi-experimental design. Independent t tests showed positive effects of the training program compared with a control group. Students’ perceived stress management competency, self-efficacy, and self-esteem were higher 1 year after the intervention.
Self-directed Learning Readiness Is Independent of Teaching and Learning Approach in Undergraduate Nursing Education
Authors: Qamata-Mtshali Nomawethu , Bruce Judith C.
Published: December 2017

Selecting appropriate teaching and learning strategies within an overarching teaching philosophy is 1 way of influencing nursing students’ self-directedness. We conducted research to compare the self-directed learning readiness and learning attributes in different years of study of undergraduate nursing students who are exposed to traditional, lecture-based learning and problem-based learning strategies. We found that readiness for self-directed learning is not dependent on the dominant teaching-learning strategy used in the nursing program.
CD32 Expression of Different Memory T Cell Subpopulations in the Blood and Lymph Nodal Tissue of HIV Patients and Healthy Controls Correlates With Immune Activation
Authors: Wittner Melanie , Dunay Gábor A. , Kummer Silke , Bockhorn Maximillian , Hüfner Anja , Schmiedel Stefan , Degen Olaf , van Lunzen Jan , Eberhard Johanna M. , Schulze zur Wiesch Julian
Published: December 2017

Background:

Recently, CD32 has been described to be a specific surface marker of latently HIV-infected CD4+ T cells, but little is known about the frequency and distribution of CD32 expression on naive and memory CD8+ and CD4+ T cell populations in HIV patients and healthy individuals.

Methods:

We studied peripheral blood samples of 36 HIV-1–infected patients [23 viremic patients / 13 antiretroviral therapy(ART)–treated] and healthy individuals (n = 14) as well as cells from lymph nodes (8 HIV infected, 5 controls) using a multiparametric flow cytometry panel determining surface expression of CD3, CD8, CD4, CD45RA, CCR7, CD27, CD25, CD127, CCR5, CCR6, CXCR4, CD38, HLA-DR, TIGIT, and PD-1.

Results:

Overall, expression of CD32 on total peripheral CD4+ T cells between viremic HIV patients, ART-treated and healthy individuals only slightly differed (mean values 1.501%, 0.2785%, and 0.2343%, respectively). However, the level of expression was significantly higher in peripheral and lymph nodal memory CD4+ T cell subpopulations of viremic patients compared with ART-treated patients and healthy controls. CD32+ CD4+ T cells showed higher immune activation and higher expression of CXCR4+ than their CD32− counterparts. Furthermore, expression of CD32 on total CD4+ T cells and memory T cell populations correlated with general immune activation regardless of the infection status.

Conclusions:

Follow-up studies will have to further evaluate CD32 as marker of latently HIV-infected CD4+ T cells since other host-related variables such as immune activation seem to influence CD32 expression regardless of the infection status.
HIV Drug Resistance in Adults Receiving Early vs. Delayed Antiretroviral Therapy: HPTN 052
Authors: Palumbo Philip J. , Fogel Jessica M. , Hudelson Sarah E. , Wilson Ethan A. , Hart Stephen , Hovind Laura , Piwowar-Manning Estelle , Wallis Carole , Papathanasopoulos Maria A. , Morgado Mariza G. , Saravanan Shanmugam , Tripathy Srikanth , Eron Joseph J. , Gallant Joel E. , McCauley Marybeth , Gamble Theresa , Hosseinipour Mina C. , Kumarasamy Nagalingeswaran , Hakim James G. , Pilotto Jose H. , Kumwenda Johnstone , Akelo Victor , Godbole Sheela V. , Santos Breno R. , Grinsztejn Beatriz , Panchia Ravindre , Chariyalertsak Suwat , Makhema Joseph , Badal-Faesen Sharlaa , Chen Ying Q. , Cohen Myron S. , Eshleman Susan H.
Published: December 2017

Introduction:

We evaluated HIV drug resistance in adults who received early vs. delayed antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a multinational trial [HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052, enrollment 2005–2010]. In HPTN 052, 1763 index participants were randomized to start ART at a CD4 cell count of 350–550 cells/mm3 (early ART arm) or <250 cells/mm3 (delayed ART arm). In May 2011, interim study results showed benefit of early ART, and all participants were offered ART regardless of CD4 cell count; the study ended in 2015.

Methods:

Virologic failure was defined as 2 consecutive viral loads >1000 copies/mL >24 weeks after ART initiation. Drug resistance testing was performed for pretreatment (baseline) and failure samples from participants with virologic failure.

Results:

HIV genotyping results were obtained for 211/249 participants (128 early ART arm and 83 delayed ART arm) with virologic failure. Drug resistance was detected in 4.7% of participants at baseline; 35.5% had new resistance at failure. In univariate analysis, the frequency of new resistance at failure was lower among participants in the early ART arm (compared with delayed ART arm, P = 0.06; compared with delayed ART arm with ART initiation before May 2011, P = 0.032). In multivariate analysis, higher baseline viral load (P = 0.0008) and ART regimen (efavirenz/lamivudine/zidovudine compared with other regimens, P = 0.024) were independently associated with higher risk of new resistance at failure.

Conclusions:

In HPTN 052, the frequency of new drug resistance at virologic failure was lower in adults with early ART initiation. The main factor associated with reduced drug resistance with early ART was lower baseline viral load.
Early diagnosis using canonical discriminant analysis of innate immune receptor gene expression profiles in a murine infectious or sterile systemic inflammation model
Authors: Tajima Goro , Tokunaga Ayako , Umehara Takahiro , Ikematsu Kazuya , Miyamoto Junya , Sato Shuntaro , Tasaki Osamu
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Infection in patients with systemic inflammation is difficult to diagnose with a single biomarker. We aimed to clarify the time course of change in the gene expression profile of innate immune receptors in infectious or sterile inflammation and to establish an early diagnostic method using canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) of the gene expression profile.

METHODS

To compare infectious and sterile inflammation, we used cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and 20% full-thickness burn injury (Burn) models. C57BL/6 mice underwent sham treatment (n = 9 × three groups), CLP (n = 12 × three groups), or Burn (n = 12 × three groups) injury. Mice were killed at 6, 12, and 24 hours after injury, and total RNA was extracted from whole blood. We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to investigate gene expression of innate immune receptors Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR4, TLR9, NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3), and retinoic acid–inducible gene I. To evaluate all gene expression together as patterns, each value was standardized, and CDA was performed at each time point.

RESULTS

Gene expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was already significantly increased in both CLP and Burn compared with sham mice at 6 hours after injury (p < 0.05). Gene expression of TLR9 was significantly decreased in CLP compared with sham and Burn mice at 12 hours and 24 hours after injury (p < 0.05) but not at 6 hours. Gene expression of NLRP3 was significantly increased in CLP and Burn compared with sham mice at 6 hours and 24 hours after injury (p < 0.05). In the CDA, each group showed distinctive gene expression patterns at only 6 hours after injury. Each group was clearly classified, and the classification error rates were 0% at all of the time points.

CONCLUSIONS

Canonical discriminant analysis of the gene expression profile of innate immune receptors could be a novel approach for diagnosing the pathophysiology of complicated systemic inflammation from the early stage of injury.
Prevalence of dual clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance in Helicobacter pylori estimated by molecular methods in Santiago, Chile
Authors: Gonzalez-Hormazabal Patricio , Musleh Maher , Escandar Susana , Valladares Hector , Lanzarini Enrique , Castro V. Gonzalo , Jara Lilian , Berger Zoltan
Published: December 2017

Background

Current available treatments for Helicobacter pylori eradication are chosen according to local clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance prevalence. The aim of this study was to estimate, by means of molecular methods, both clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance in gastric mucosa from patients infected with H.pylori.

Methods

A total of 191 DNA samples were analyzed. DNA was purified from gastric mucosa obtained from patients who underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at an university hospital from Santiago, Chile, between 2011 and 2014. H.pylori was detected by real-time PCR. A 5’exonuclease assay was developed to detect A2142G and A2143G mutations among Hpylori-positive samples. rdxA gene was sequenced in samples harboring A2142G and A2143G mutations in order to detect mutations that potentially confer dual clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance.

Results

Ninety-three (93) out of 191 DNA samples obtained from gastric mucosa were H. pylori-positive (48.7%). Clarithromycin-resistance was detected in 29 samples (31.2% [95%CI 22.0%-41.6%]). The sequencing of rdxA gene revealed that two samples harbored truncating mutations in rdxA, one sample had an in-frame deletion, and 11 had amino acid changes that likely cause metronidazole resistance.

Conclusions

We estimated a prevalence of clarithomycin-resistance of 31.8% in Santiago, Chile. The proportion of dual clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance could be, at least, 15.0%. Our results require further confirmation. Nevertheless, they are significant as an initial approximation in re-evaluating the guidelines for H.pylori eradication currently used in Chile.
Individual differences in motor noise and adaptation rate are optimally related
Authors: van der Vliet Rick , Frens Maarten A. , de Vreede Linda , Jonker Zeb D. , Ribbers Gerard M. , Selles Ruud W. , van der Geest Jos N. , Donchin Opher
Published: December 2017

Individual variations in motor adaptation rate were recently shown to correlate with movement variability or “motor noise” in a forcefield adaptation task. However, this finding could not be replicated in a meta-analysis of visuomotor adaptation experiments. Possibly, this inconsistency stems from noise being composed of distinct components which relate to adaptation rate in different ways. Indeed, previous modeling and electrophysiological studies have suggested that motor noise can be factored into planning noise, originating from the brain, and execution noise, stemming from the periphery. Were the motor system optimally tuned to these noise sources, planning noise would correlate positively with adaptation rate and execution noise would correlate negatively with adaptation rate, a phenomenon familiar in Kalman filters. To test this prediction, we performed a visuomotor adaptation experiment in 69 subjects. Using a novel Bayesian fitting procedure, we succeeded in applying the well-established state-space model of adaptation to individual data. We found that adaptation rate correlates positively with planning noise (r=0.27; 95%HDI=[0.05 0.50]) and negatively with execution noise (r=−0.41; 95%HDI=[−0.63 −0.16]). In addition, the steady-state Kalman gain calculated from state and execution noise correlated positively with adaptation rate (r = 0.31; 95%HDI = [0.09 0.54]). These results suggest that motor adaptation is tuned to approximate optimal learning, consistent with the “optimal control” framework that has been used to explain motor control. Since motor adaptation is thought to be a largely cerebellar process, the results further suggest the sensitivity of the cerebellum to both planning noise and execution noise.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Our study shows that the adaptation rate is optimally tuned to planning noise and execution noise across individuals. This suggests that motor adaptation is tuned to approximate optimal learning, consistent with “optimal control” approaches to understanding the motor system. In addition, our results imply sensitivity of the cerebellum to both planning noise and execution noise, an idea not previously considered. Finally, our Bayesian statistical approach represents a powerful, novel method for fitting the well-established state-space models that could have an influence on the methodology of the field.
MEG/EEG group study with MNE: recommendations, quality assessments and best practices
Authors: Jas Mainak , Larson Eric , Engemann Denis , Leppäkangas Jaakko , Taulu Samu , Hämäläinen Matti , Gramfort Alexandre
Published: December 2017

Cognitive neuroscience questions are commonly tested with experiments that involve a cohort of subjects. The cohort can consist of a handful of subjects for small studies to hundreds or thousands of subjects in open datasets.

While there exist various online resources to get started with the analysis of magnetoencephalography (MEG) or electroencephalography (EEG) data, such educational materials are usually restricted to the analysis of a single subject. This is in part because data from larger group studies are harder to share, but also analyses of such data are often require subject-specific decisions which are hard to document.

This work presents the results obtained by the reanalysis of an open dataset from Wakeman and Henson (2015) using the MNE software package. The analysis covers preprocessing steps, quality assurance steps, sensor space analysis of evoked responses, source localization, and statistics in both sensor and source space. Results with possible alternative strategies are presented and discussed at different stages such as the use of high-pass filtering versus baseline correction, tSSS versus SSS, the use of a minimum norm inverse versus LCMV beamformer, and the use of univariate or multivariate statistics. This aims to provide a comparative study of different stages of M/EEG analysis pipeline on the same dataset, with open access to all of the scripts necessary to reproduce this analysis.
50 Hz volumetric functional imaging with continuously adjustable depth of focus
Authors: Lu Rongwen , Tanimoto Masashi , Koyama Minoru , Ji Na
Published: December 2017

Understanding how neural circuits control behavior requires monitoring a large population of neurons with high spatial resolution and volume rate. Here we report an axicon-based Bessel beam module with continuously adjustable depth of focus (CADoF), which turns frame rate into volume rate by extending the excitation focus in axial direction while maintaining high lateral resolutions. Cost-effective and compact, this CADoF Bessel module can be easily integrated into existing two-photon fluorescence microscopes. Simply translating one of the relay lenses along its optical axis enabled continuous adjustment of the focal length. We used this module to simultaneously monitor activity of spinal projection neurons extending over 60 μm depth in larval zebrafish at 50 Hz volume rate with adjustable imaging thickness.
ClassificaIO: machine learning for classification graphical user interface
Authors: Roushangar Raeuf , Mias George I.
Published: December 2017

Machine learning methods are being used routinely by scientists in many research areas, typically requiring significant statistical and programing knowledge. Here we present ClassificaIO, an open-source Python graphical user interface for machine learning classification for the scikit-learn Python library. ClassificaIO provides an interactive way to train, validate, and test data on a range of classification algorithms. The software enables fast comparisons within and across classifiers, and facilitates uploading and exporting of trained models, and both validation and testing data results. ClassificaIO aims to provide not only a research utility, but also an educational tool that can enable biomedical and other researchers with minimal machine learning background to apply machine learning algorithms to their research in an interactive point-and-click way. The ClassificaIO package is available for download and installation through the Python Package Index (PyPI) (http://pypi.python.org/pypi/ClassificaIO) and it can be deployed using the “import” function in Python once the package is installed. The application is distributed under an MIT license and the source code is publicly available for download (for Mac OS X, Linux and Microsoft Windows) through PyPI and GitHub (http://github.com/gmiaslab/ClassificaIO, andhttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1320465).
Juvenile honest food solicitation and parental investment as a life history strategy: a kin demographic selection model
Authors: Garay József , Csiszár Villő , Móri Tamás F. , Szilágyi András , Varga Zoltán , Számadó Szabolcs
Published: December 2017

Parent-offspring communication remains an unresolved challenge for biologist. The difficulty of the challenge comes from the fact that it is a multifaceted problem with connections to life-history evolution, parent-offspring conflict, kin selection and signalling. Previous efforts mainly focused on modelling resource allocation at the expense of the dynamic interaction during a reproductive season. Here we present a two-stage model of begging where the first stage models the interaction between nestlings and parents within a nest and the second stage models the life-history trade-offs. We show in an asexual population that honest begging results in decreased variance of collected food between siblings, which leads to mean number of surviving offspring. Thus, honest begging can be seen as a special bet-hedging against informational uncertainty, which not just decreases the variance of fitness but also increases the arithmetic mean.

Author Summary

Parent-offspring communication is a fascinating problem that captures the attention of scientist and layman alike. Parent-offspring interaction is the first interaction with non-self in the life of most young birds and mammals. The future life success of such young animals crucially depends on how successful they are in interacting and communicating with their parents. This communication has different functions: it is important for the offspring to solicit food from the parent and it is important for the parent to be informed about the state (hunger level) of the offspring. There is an optimization problem on top of this level: the parent has to ‘decide’ what part of the available resources should be allocated to the offspring and what part should she keep for herself. Here we show in a probabilistic model that the honest phenotype -where offspring beg only if they are hungry-has a greater growth rate than a selfish type - which begs regardless of its hunger level. This result holds in asexual populations; here honesty serves as a reduction uncertainty for the parents. The improved decision making of the parents -in turn-increases the survival of the offspring as well.
One problem, too many solutions: How costly is honest signalling of need?
Authors: Számadó Szabolcs , Czégel Dániel , Zachar István
Published: December 2017

The “cost of begging” is a prominent prediction of costly signalling theory, suggesting that offspring begging has to be costly in order to be honest. More specifically, it predicts that there is a single cost function for the offspring (depending on e.g. offspring quality) that maintains honesty and it must be proportional to parent’s fitness loss. Here we show another interpretation of the cost. We demonstrate that cost, proportional to the fitness gain of the offspring, also results in honest signalling. Since the loss of the parent does not necessarily coincide with the gain of the offspring, it is provable that any linear combination of the two cost functions (one proportional to parent’s loss, one to offspring’s gain) also leads to honest signalling. Our results, applied for a specific model, support the previous general conclusion that signalling games have different cost functions for different equilibria. Consequently, costly signalling theory cannot predict a unique equilibrium cost in signalling games especially in case of parent-offspring conflicts. As an important consequence, any measured equilibrium cost in real cases has to be compared both to the parent’s fitness loss and to the offspring’s fitness gain in order to provide meaningfully interpretation.
Short-term hyperglycaemia induces motor defects in C. elegans
Authors: Shirdhankar Runita , Sorathia Nabila , Rajyadhyaksha Medha
Published: December 2017

Hyperglycaemia causes various intracellular changes resulting in oxidative stress leading to loss of integrity and cell death. While cellular effects of hyperglycaemia have been reported extensively there is no clarity on whether the cellular changes translate into alterations in behaviour. Study of behavioural alterations also provides a sublime top-down approach to dapple the putative systems affected due to hyperglycaemic stress. Hence, this aspect of effect of hyperglycaemia deserves attention as it could be an early indicator of neurodegenerative changes. Caenorhabditis elegans is an excellent model to address these questions since it has a simple nervous system and the ability to respond to various cues.

We have investigated alteration in behaviour which involves various motor and sensory function of the C. elegans nervous system under hyperglycaemia. Exposure of C. elegans to 400 mM glucose for 4hr did not kill the worm but gave rise to decreased number of progeny, exhibiting other aberrant behaviours. This dosage was considered to cause hyperglycaemic stress and used further in the studies. Various assays that quantified behaviour, such as feeding (pharyngeal pumping/min), locomotion (distance travelled by the worms/min), olfactory response towards Butanol (response index) and gustatory response NaCl (response index) were conducted under both normal and hyperglycaemic conditions. The behavioural alterations were validated by scrutinizing changes in level of Acetylchloine which regulates motor behaviour and morphology of chemosensory neurons. Our results indicate that hyperglycaemia alters motor behaviour of the worm which was validated by a reduction in ACh levels. However, chemosensory systems were robust enough to resist reduction in neuronal integrity due to hyperglycaemic assault.
Dynamic Optimization with Particle Swarms (DOPS): A meta-heuristic for parameter estimation in biochemical models
Authors: Sagar Adithya , LeCover Rachel , Shoemaker Christine , Varner Jeffrey
Published: December 2017

Background

Mathematical modeling is a powerful tool to analyze, and ultimately design biochemical networks. However, the estimation of the parameters that appear in biochemical models is a significant challenge. Parameter estimation typically involves expensive function evaluations and noisy data, making it difficult to quickly obtain optimal solutions. Further, biochemical models often have many local extrema which further complicates parameter estimation. Toward these challenges, we developed Dynamic Optimization with Particle Swarms (DOPS), a novel hybrid meta-heuristic that combined multi-swarm particle swarm optimization with dynamically dimensioned search (DDS). DOPS uses a multi-swarm particle swarm optimization technique to generate candidate solution vectors, the best of which is then greedily updated using dynamically dimensioned search.

Results

We tested DOPS using classic optimization test functions, biochemical benchmark problems and real-world biochemical models. We performed trials with function evaluations per trial, and compared the performance of DOPS with other commonly used meta-heuristics such as differential evolution (DE), simulated annealing (SA) and dynamically dimensioned search (DDS). On average, DOPS outperformed other common meta-heuristics on the optimization test functions, benchmark problems and a real-world model of the human coagulation cascade.

Conclusions

DOPS is a promising meta-heuristic approach for the estimation of biochemical model parameters in relatively few function evaluations. DOPS source code is available for download under a MIT license at http://www.varnerlab.org.
The interaction landscape between transcription factors and the nucleosome
Authors: Zhu Fangjie , Farnung Lucas , Kaasinen Eevi , Sahu Biswajyoti , Yin Yimeng , Wei Bei , Dodonova Svetlana , Cramer Patrick , Taipale Jussi
Published: December 2017

Nucleosomes cover most of the genome and are thought to be displaced by transcription factors (TFs) in regions that direct gene expression. However, the modes of interaction between TFs and nucleosomal DNA remain largely unknown. Here, we use nucleosome consecutive affinity-purification systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (NCAP-SELEX) to systematically explore interactions between the nucleosome and 220 TFs representing diverse structural families. Consistently with earlier observations, we find that the vast majority of TFs have less access to nucleosomal DNA than to free DNA. The motifs recovered from TFs bound to nucleosomal and free DNA are generally similar; however, steric hindrance and scaffolding by the nucleosome result in specific positioning and orientation of the motifs. Many TFs preferentially bind close to the end of nucleosomal DNA, or to periodic positions at its solvent-exposed side. TFs often also bind nucleosomal DNA in a particular orientation, because the nucleosome breaks the local rotational symmetry of DNA. Some TFs also specifically interact with DNA located at the dyad position where only one DNA gyre is wound, whereas other TFs prefer sites spanning two DNA gyres and bind specifically to each of them. Our work reveals striking differences in TF binding to free and nucleosomal DNA, and uncovers a rich interaction landscape between the TFs and the nucleosome.
The Tandem Duplicator Phenotype is a prevalent genome-wide cancer configuration driven by distinct gene mutations
Authors: Menghi Francesca , Barthel Floris P , Yadav Vinod , Tang Ming , Ji Bo , Tang Zhonghui , Carter Gregory W. , Ruan Yijun , Scully Ralph , Verhaak Roel G. W. , Jonkers Jos , Liu Edison T.
Published: December 2017

The tandem duplicator phenotype (TDP) is a genome-wide instability configuration primarily observed in breast, ovarian and endometrial carcinomas. Here, we stratify TDP tumors by classifying their tandem duplications (TDs) into three span intervals, with modal values of 11 Kb, 231 Kb, and 1.7 Mb. TDPs with prominent ~11 Kb TDs feature the conjoint loss of TP53 and BRCA1. TDPs with ~231 Kb and ~1.7 Mb TDs associate with CCNE1 pathway activation or CDK12 disruptions, in conjunction with TP53 mutations. We prove the driver role of TP53 and BRCA1 abrogation for TDP induction by generating short-span TDP mammary tumors in genetically modified mouse models harboring deleterious mutations in only these two genes. Lastly, heterogeneous combinations of mutations mediated by TDs are selected for and contribute to the oncogenic burden of TDP tumors.
Newly independent nations and large engineering projects: the case of the Volta River Project
Authors: Amankwah-Amoah Joseph , Osabutey Ellis L.C.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explicate how newly independent nations combined local and international resources to plan and build large engineering projects aimed at enhancing economic development. It discusses the key factors and issues related to the planning and building of the Akosombo Dam and related townships from 1962 to 1967.

Design/methodology/approach

The assessment is based on the archival information from the Volta River Authority together with other archival government data and interview transcripts before, during and after the completion (from the 1950s to the 1960s) of the Volta River Project (VRP).

Findings

The paper presents insights from the VRP in newly independent Ghana and demonstrates how multiple international firms combine with host country stakeholders to usher in one of the most important engineering projects in post-colonial Africa. It also highlights how poor bargaining power and weak integration of the project outcome to future development objectives, with negligence by succeeding political actors, could inhibit the full achievement of intended long-term project outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

Most of the conclusions are drawn from a single project within one country and would need to be supported by additional multi-country research. The study also presents an opportunity to explore how lessons learnt could influence policymaking in new, large and complex infrastructure projects.

Originality/value

The paper reviews antecedents, processes and outcomes of a major post-independence infrastructure project in a sub-Saharan African country.
Human-computer interaction and value co-creation in electronic service
Authors: Li Lei , Huang Qingyun , Yeung KwanHo , Jian Zhaoquan
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of human-computer interaction (HCI) on customers’ perceived electronic service (e-service) value and the mediating role of task-technology fit (TTF) in that effect.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a model based on service-dominant logic (SDL) and TTF theory, and validates it using a hierarchical regression with the data collected from 634 online banking customers in Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China.

Findings

The findings reveal that HCI in e-service contexts comprises five components. Three fundamental components (i.e. technology functionality, customer technology readiness and task routine) contribute to value co-creation. Two core components (i.e. interaction between customer technology readiness and technology functionality, and interaction between task routine and technology functionality) are inhibitors, but the inhibitory effect of the former is only significant in the Guangdong sample. TTF takes a mediating role in these relationships, but the mediating effect of the former core component is only significant in the Guangdong sample.

Originality/value

This paper explains two basic questions about the trigger points of value co-creation in e-service contexts (i.e. what their operational definitions are and how to measure them) and unlocks the “black box” of value co-creation by taking TTF as a mediator. SDL and TTF theory are extended. The paper provides suggestions for how practitioners can efficiently advance value co-creation with customers.
Optimising quantity of manufacturing and remanufacturing in an electric vehicle battery closed-loop supply chain
Authors: Gu Xiaoyu , Ieromonachou Petros , Zhou Li , Tseng Ming-Lang
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Batteries installed on electric vehicles (EVs) should normally be removed when their capacity falls to 70-80 per cent, but they are still usable for other purposes, such as energy storage. This paper studies an EV battery closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) consisting of a battery manufacturer and a remanufacturer. The manufacturer produces new batteries by using natural resources, while the remanufacturer collects returned batteries and makes decisions based on the return quality, that is, to reuse or recycle. The purpose of this paper is to maximise the individual profits through optimising the amount of manufacturing and remanufacturing, respectively, and optimising the purchase price of returned batteries.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the Nash equilibrium, this paper develops a three-period model in the CLSC. In period 1, batteries are made from raw materials; in period 2, returned batteries from period 1 are sorted into low quality and high quality. Some high-quality returns can be reused for other purposes while those non-reusable returns are recycled into materials. In period 3, all the returns are recycled into materials. The analytical results are derived.

Findings

The result of the analyses suggest that first, among the variables that affect the (re-)manufacturing decision, the purchase price for returned batteries plays a critical role. In particular, the price of low-quality returns has more influence than the price of high quality returns. Second, the higher purchase price for re-usable returns does not necessarily lead to a higher return rate of reusable returns. Third, the manufacturer’s profit is normally higher than the remanufacturer’s. This suggests the need to design incentives to promote the remanufacturing sector. And finaly, although it is appreciated that maximising the utilisation of batteries over the life-cycle would benefit the environment, the economic benefit needs further investigation.

Originality/value

Although the CLSC has been widely studied, studies on the EV battery CLSC are scarce. The EV battery CLSC is particularly challenging in terms of the reusability of returns because used EV batteries cannot be reused for the original purpose, which complicates CLSC operations. This paper explores the interrelationship between manufacturer and remanufacturer, explaining the reasons why recycling is still underdeveloped, and suggests the possibility of enhancing remanufacturing profitability.
Understanding consumers’ continuance intention to contribute online reviews
Authors: Xiang Li , Zheng Xiabing , Zhang Kem Z.K. , Lee Matthew K.O.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to integrate broaden theoretical perspectives in the investigation of the key antecedents of consumers’ continuous review contribution behavior on restaurant guide online opinion platforms (OOPs). Integrating both rational and relational theoretical perspectives with an extension of the investment model, a research model was proposed to explain what factors influence consumers’ intention to continuously contribute electronic WOM (eWOM) on OOPs.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model was empirically tested with an online survey study of 438 eWOM contributors from a leading Chinese restaurant guide OOP, Dianping.com.

Findings

The results indicated that satisfaction, affective commitment, and continuance commitment were key determinants of consumers’ continuance intention to contribute eWOM on the platform. Satisfaction was driven by concern for other consumers, social benefits, platform assistance, and venting negative feelings. Quality of alternatives and investment size significantly affected continuance commitment.

Research limitations/implications

The selection of respondents is bound to the China area within a particular OOP, although the chosen OOP is a leading one in China. In addition, this study focuses on the perspective of commitment, but some social factors are neglected.

Originality/value

This paper provides an integrated theoretical framework to explore the factors determining consumers’ continuance intention to contribute restaurant reviews on OOPs. From both rational and relational theoretical perspectives, the proposed model reveals the factors that encourage consumers to continue contributing eWOM on OOPs.
IoT-based production logistics and supply chain system – Part 2
Authors: Tu Mengru , K. Lim Ming , Yang Ming-Fang
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is threefold: to present internet of things (IoT)-based cyber-physical system (CPS) architecture framework to facilitate the integration of IoT and CPS; to implement an IoT-based CPS prototype based on the architecture framework for a PL application scenario of in a case study; and to devise evaluation methods and conduct experimental evaluations on an IoT-based CPS prototype.

Design/methodology/approach

The design research method, case study, emulation experiment method, and cost-benefit analysis are applied in this research. An IoT-based CPS architecture framework is proposed, and followed by the development of prototype system and testbed platform. Then, the emulation and experimental evaluation of IoT-based CPS are conducted on the testbed, and the experimental results are analyzed.

Findings

The emulation experiment results show that the proposed IoT-based CPS outperforms current barcode-based system regarding labor cost, efficiency, and operational adaptiveness. The evaluation of the IoT-based CPS prototype indicates significant improvements in PL tasks and reduced part inventory under a dynamic changing shop-floor environment.

Practical implications

The case study shows that the proposed architecture framework and prototype system can be applied to many discrete manufacturing industries, such as automobile, airplane, bicycle, home appliance, and electronics.

Originality/value

The proposed IoT-based CPS is among the first to address the need to integrate IoT and CPS for PL applications, and to conduct experimental evaluations and cost-benefit analysis of adopting IoT-based CPS for PL. This paper also contributes to the IoT research by using diverse research methods to offer broader insights into understanding IoT and CPS.