bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
225Ac-PSMA-617 Radioligand Posttherapy Imaging in Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patient Using 3 Photopeaks
Authors: Vatsa Rakhee , Sood Ashwani , Vadi Shelvin Kumar , Das Chandan Krushna , Kaur Komalpreet , Parmar Madan , Mittal Bhagwant Rai
Published: May 2020

PSMA-based radioligand therapies have shown the beneficial effect in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients when they become refectory to the established treatments with associated potential toxicities and high mortality rate. 225Ac-PSMA therapy is known to be remarkably effective in substantially pretreated mCRPC patients. However, posttherapy imaging is usually not performed as alpha emitters are really difficult to image. We presents a patient of mCRPC treated with 225Ac-PSMA-617, and his posttherapy whole-body scans acquired by using 3 different photopeaks (78, 218, and 440 keV) fairly demonstrated the tracer's distribution and the efficacy of targeted alpha therapy.
Culprit Tumor as an Unexpected Extraosseous MDP Activity on Bone Scintigraphy in a Patient With Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia
Authors: Xia Xiaotian , Shao Fuqiang , Hu Fan , Gai Yongkang , Lan Xiaoli
Published: May 2020

A 39-year-old man with bone pain underwent 99mTc-MDP bone scan to assess skeletal lesions, which demonstrated multiple fractures and a focus of subtle extraosseous activity in the left thigh. A 99mTc-hynic-octreotide imaging was performed due to the suspected diagnosis of tumor-induced osteomalacia, which revealed a hypermetabolic subcutaneous nodule in the left thigh, which exactly corresponded to the same site of MDP activity. Biopsy confirmed the subcutaneous nodule as the culprit tumor of tumor-induced osteomalacia. Bone scan, as a conventional imaging, provided useful information for detecting culprit tumor as shown in our case.
FDG Hepatic Superscan Due to Metastatic Infiltration of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Yildirim Nilufer , Dede Didem Sener , Gumuskaya Berrak
Published: May 2020

A 69-year-old man with prostate cancer presented to the hospital with 2 weeks’ history of fever, abdominal distension, and fatigue. Laboratory findings showed signs of acute liver failure, and marked elevation of lactate dehydrogenase and tumor marker levels. Abdominal CT showed hepatomegaly with multiple hypodense lesions in both lobes, suggesting metastases. FDG PET/CT scan shows hypermetabolism unusually in the liver with significantly suppressed heart and brain activity, reminiscent of an FDG hepatic superscan. The hypermetabolic lesions confirmed with Tru-Cut needle biopsy of the liver as metastasis of prostate cancer.
Short-term stress enhances individuals’ adaptive behaviors: a near-infrared spectroscopy study
Authors: Shiota Shoichi , Nomura Michio
Published: May 2020

Few studies have examined the influence of short-term stress on neural networks underlying impulsivity in reward/punishment behavior. The influence of short-term stress on neural networks in a sample of female participants was investigated. Participants in the experimental group first completed a speech task intended to induce stress. Next, all participants performed a reward (R)/punishment (P) Go/NoGo task, while near-infrared spectroscopy was used to assess brain activation. Results indicated that Δdeoxy-Hb in the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex increased in the R condition compared to the P condition. Moreover, false alarm reaction times during the R condition increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. Also, commission errors in the control group increased significantly in the R condition compared to the P condition. These results suggest that individuals make more careful and adaptive actions to obtain rewards when exposed to short-term stress. Long-term and short-term stress appear to have different influences on human reward-based decision making. In the future, fMRI can be used to precisely examine the possible impulsivity-related changes in functional connectivity caused by short-term stress.
Altered spontaneous brain activity in patients with childhood absence epilepsy: associations with treatment effects
Authors: Yan Yibing , Xie Guohua , Zhou Haiyan , Liu Huazhang , Wan Meifen
Published: May 2020

The study aims to detect resting-state functional MRI (RS-fMRI) changes and their relationships with the clinical treatment effects of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) for patients with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) using the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF). RS-fMRI data from 30 CAE patients were collected and compared with findings from 30 healthy controls (HCs) with matched sex and age. Patients were treated with first-line AEDs for 46.2 months before undergoing a second RS-fMRI scan. fALFF data were processed using DPABI and SPM12 software. Compared with the HCs, CAE patients at baseline showed increased fALFF in anterior cingulate cortex, inferior parietal lobule, inferior frontal lobule, supplementary motor area and reduced fALFF in putamen and thalamus. At follow-up, the fALFF showed a clear rebound which indicated a normalization of spontaneous brain activities in these regions. In addition, the fALFF changes within thalamus showed significant positive correlation with the seizure frequency improvements. Our results suggest that specific cortical and subcortical regions are involved in seizure generation and the neurological impairments found in CAE children and might shed new light about the AEDs effects on CAE patients.
Brain-based limitations in attention and secondary task engagement during high-fidelity driving simulation among young adults
Authors: Banz Barbara C. , Wu Jia , Camenga Deepa R. , Mayes Linda C. , Crowley Michael J. , Vaca Federico E.
Published: May 2020

Distracted driving remains a leading factor in fatal motor vehicle crashes, particularly in young drivers. Due to ongoing neuromaturation, attention capabilities are changing and improving throughout young adulthood. Here, we sought to bridge neuroscience with driving simulation by evaluating the effects of driving on attention processing through a selective auditory attention task. Participants (18–25 years old) engaged in an auditory attention task during LOAD (driving a high-fidelity simulator) and No-LOAD conditions (sitting in the parked simulator). For the auditory task, participants responded to a target auditory tone in a target ear. The event-related potential components, collected from frontal and posterior regions, P2 and P3, were used to evaluate attention processing across LOAD and No-LOAD conditions for attended and unattended stimuli. Data from 24 participants were evaluated in repeated measures ANOVAs, considering interactions between load and attention conditions for the P2 and P3 components of the cortical region. We observed a significant difference between response to attended and unattended stimuli for posterior P2 and P3 responses at the frontal and posterior midline sites. Comparing LOAD and No-LOAD conditions, there was a significant difference for P2 response at the posterior site and P3 response at the frontal site. A significant interaction between load and attended stimuli was found for P3 response at the posterior site. These data document differences in neural processing of auditory stimuli during high-fidelity simulated driving versus sitting parked in the simulator. Findings suggest the cognitive load of driving affects auditory attention.
Central-positive complexes in ECT-induced seizures: Evidence for thalamocortical mechanisms
Authors: Huels Emma R. , Hickman L. Brian , Ching ShiNung , Lenze Eric J. , Farber Nuri B. , Avidan Michael S. , Hogan R. Edward , Palanca Ben Julian A.
Published: May 2020

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) relies on the electrical induction of generalized seizures to treat major depressive disorder and other psychiatric illnesses. These planned procedures provide a clinically relevant model system for studying neurophysiologic characteristics of generalized seizures. We recently described novel central-positive complexes (CPCs), which were observed during ECT-induced seizures as generalized, high-amplitude waveforms with maximum positive voltage over the vertex. Here, we performed a systematic characterization of 6,928 CPC ictal waveforms recorded in 11 patients undergoing right unilateral (RUL) ECT. Analyses of high-density 65-electrode EEG recordings during these 50 seizures allowed evaluation of these CPCs across temporal, spatial, and spectral domains. Peak-amplitude CPC scalp topology was consistent across seizures, showing maximal positive polarity over the midline fronto-central region and maximal negative polarity over the suborbital regions. Total duration of CPCs positively correlated with the time required for return of responsiveness after ECT treatment (r = 0.39, p = 0.005). The rate of CPCs showed a frequency decline consistent with an exponential decay (median 0.032 (IQR 0.053) complexes/second). Gamma band (30-80 Hz) oscillations correlated with the peak amplitude of CPCs, which was also reproducible across seizures, with band power declining over time (r = −0.32, p < 10−7). The sources of these peak potentials were localized to the bilateral medial thalamus and cingulate cortical regions. Our findings demonstrated CPC characteristics that were invariant to participant, stimulus charge, time, and agent used to induce general anesthesia during the procedure. Consistent with ictal waveforms of other generalized epilepsy syndromes, CPCs showed topographic distribution over the fronto-central regions, predictable intra-seizure frequency decline, and correlation with gamma-range frequencies. Furthermore, source localization to the medial thalamus was consistent with underlying thalamocortical pathophysiology, as established in generalized epilepsy syndromes. The consistency and reproducibility of CPCs offers a new avenue for studying the dynamics of seizure activity and thalamocortical networks.
A simulation-based procedure to estimate base rates from Covid-19 antibody test results I: Deterministic test reliabilities
Authors: Joosten Reinoud , Abhishta Abhishta
Published: May 2020

We design a procedure (the complete Python code may be obtained athttps://github.com/abhishta91/antibody_montecarlo) using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation to establish the point estimators described below and confidence intervals for the base rate of occurence of an attribute (e.g., antibodies against Covid-19) in an aggregate population (e.g., medical care workers) based on a test. The requirements for the procedure are the test’s sample size (N) and total number of positives (X), and the data on test’s reliability.

Themodusis the prior which generates the largest frequency of observations in the MC simulation with precisely the number of test positives (maximum-likelihood estimator). Themedianis the upper bound of the set of priors accounting for half of the total relevant observations in the MC simulation with numbers of positives identical to the test’s number of positives.

Our rather preliminary findings are

The median and the confidence intervals suffice universally.

The estimatormay be outside of the two-sided 95% confidence interval.

Conditions such that the modus, the median and another promising estimator which takes the reliability of the test into account, are quite close.

Conditions such that the modus and the latter estimator must be regarded as logically inconsistent.

Conditions inducing rankings among various estimators relevant for issues concerning over-or underestimation.

JEL-codes:C11, C13, C63
Analysis of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the Mount Sinai Health System using electronic medical records (EMR) reveals important prognostic factors for improved clinical outcomes
Authors: Wang Zichen , Zheutlin Amanda B. , Kao Yu-Han , Ayers Kristin L. , Gross Susan J. , Kovatch Patricia , Nirenberg Sharon , Charney Alexander W. , Nadkarni Girish N. , O’Reilly Paul F. , Just Allan C. , Horowitz Carol R. , Martin Glenn , Branch Andrea D. , Glicksberg Benjamin S. , Charney Dennis S. , Reich David L. , Oh William K. , Schadt Eric E. , Chen Rong , Li Li
Published: May 2020

Importance

There is an urgent need to understand patient characteristics of having COVID-19 disease and evaluate markers of critical illness and mortality.

Objective

To assess association of clinical features on patient outcomes.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this observational case series, patient-level data were extracted from electronic medical records for 28,336 patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 at the Mount Sinai Health System from 2/24/ to 4/15/2020, including 6,158 laboratory-confirmed cases.

Exposures

Confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis by RT-PCR assay from nasal swabs.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Effects of race on positive test rates and mortality were assessed. Among positive cases admitted to the hospital (N = 3,273), effects of patient demographics, hospital site and unit, social behavior, vital signs, lab results, and disease comorbidities on discharge and death were estimated.

Results

Hispanics (29%) and African Americans (25%) had disproportionately high positive case rates relative to population base rates (p<2e-16); however, no differences in mortality rates were observed in the hospital. Outcome differed significantly between hospitals (Gray’s T=248.9;p<2e-16), reflecting differences in average baseline age and underlying comorbidities. Significant risk factors for mortality included age (HR=1.05 [95% CI, 1.04-1.06]; p=1.15e-32), oxygen saturation (HR=0.985 [95% CI, 0.982-0.988]; p=1.57e-17), care in ICU areas (HR=1.58 [95% CI, 1.29-1.92]; p=7.81e-6), and elevated creatinine (HR=1.75 [95% CI, 1.47-2.10]; p=7.48e-10), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (HR=1.002, [95% CI 1.001-1.003]; p=8.86e-5) white blood cell (WBC) (HR=1.02, [95% CI 1.01-1.04]; p=8.4e-3) and body-mass index (BMI) (HR=1.02, [95% CI 1.00-1.03]; p=1.09e-2). Asthma (HR=0.78 [95% CI, 0.62-0.98]; p=0.031) was significantly associated with increased length of hospital stay, but not mortality. Deceased patients were more likely to have elevated markers of inflammation. Baseline age, BMI, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, WBC count, creatinine, and ALT were significant prognostic indicators of mortality.

Conclusions and Relevance

While race was associated with higher risk of infection, we did not find a racial disparity in inpatient mortality suggesting that outcomes in a single tertiary care health system are comparable across races. We identified clinical features associated with reduced mortality and discharge. These findings could help to identify which COVID-19 patients are at greatest risk and evaluate the impact on survival.
Predicted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global tuberculosis deaths in 2020
Authors: Glaziou Philippe
Published: May 2020

Policies widely adopted in response to the ongoing pandemic of Covid-19, particularly lockdowns and reassignments of health personnel and equipment, are impacting the performance of TB prevention and care programmes. Estimates of the impact of reductions in the performance of global TB detection and care on TB mortality over 2020 are presented. A global TB case detection decrease by an average 25% over a period of 3 months (as compared to the level of detection before the pandemic), will lead to a predicted additional 190 000 (56 000 – 406 000) TB deaths.
Silent cold-sensing neurons drive cold allodynia in neuropathic pain states
Authors: MacDonald Donald Iain , Luiz Ana P. , Millet Queensta , Emery Edward C. , Wood John N.
Published: May 2020

Neuropathic pain patients often experience innocuous cooling as excruciating pain. The cell and molecular basis of this cold allodynia is little understood. We usedin vivocalcium imaging of sensory ganglia to investigate the activity of peripheral cold-sensing neurons in three mouse models of neuropathic pain: oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy, partial sciatic nerve ligation and ciguatera poisoning. In control mice, cold-sensing neurons were few in number and small in size. In neuropathic animals with cold allodynia, a set of normally silent large-diameter neurons became sensitive to cooling. Many silent cold-sensing neurons expressed the nociceptor markers NaV1.8 and CGRPα. Ablating these neurons diminished cold allodynia. Blocking KV1 voltage-gated potassium channels was sufficient to triggerde novocold sensitivity in silent cold-sensing neurons. Thus silent cold-sensing neurons are unmasked in diverse neuropathic pain states and cold allodynia results from peripheral sensitization caused by altered nociceptor excitability.

Graphical Abstract
A long non-coding RNA controls parasite differentiation in African trypanosomes
Authors: Guegan F. , Bento F. , Neves D. , Sequeira M. , Notredame C. , Figueiredo L.M.
Published: May 2020

Trypanosoma bruceicauses African sleeping sickness, a fatal human disease. Its differentiation from replicative slender form into quiescent stumpy form promotes host survival and parasite transmission. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to regulate cell differentiation. To determine whether lncRNAs are involved in parasite differentiation we used RNAseq to survey theT. bruceilncRNA gene repertoire, identifying 1,428 previously uncharacterized lncRNA genes. We analysedgrumpy, a lncRNA located immediately upstream of an RNA-binding protein that is akeydifferentiation regulator. Grumpy over-expression resulted in premature parasite differentiation into the quiescent stumpy form, and subsequent impairment ofin vivoinfection, decreasing parasite load in the mammalian host, and increasing host survival. Our analyses suggest Grumpy is one of many lncRNA that modulate parasite-host interactions, and lncRNA roles in cell differentiation are probably commonplace inT. brucei.
Elevated plasma cortisol associated with larger ventricles and smaller hippocampal volumes – a study in 2 independent elderly cohorts
Authors: Rajagopalan Priya , Nho Kwangsik , Risacher Shannon L. , Jahanshad Neda , Boyle Christina P. , Saykin Andrew J. , Thompson Paul M.
Published: May 2020

Cortisol is considered the most fundamental stress hormone and is elevated in stress and multiple neuropsychiatric conditions. Prior studies have shown associations of plasma cortisol levels with total cerebral and hippocampal volumes and less consistently with the amygdala. Here, we extend our hypothesis to test associations of plasma cortisol with 1) ventricular 2) hippocampal and 3) amygdalar volumes, in two independent elderly cohorts across a broad cognitive spectrum ranging from normal cognition to Alzheimer’s disease.

We demonstrate elevated cortisol to be associated with larger lateral ventricular volumes and smaller hippocampal volumes, predominantly in the right cerebral hemisphere, regardless of age, sex or cognitive status. We noted a non-significant trend of smaller amygdalar volumes with elevated cortisol.

Our findings support smaller brain parenchyma volumes seen with elevated cortisol and may encourage effective strategies reducing cortisol and stress. They may also serve as imaging biomarkers for assessing therapeutic benefits of stress and cortisol lowering interventions aiming to halt or reverse the brain volume alterations and theoretically improve cognition and quality of life.

Highlights

Elevated cortisol associated with larger ventricular volumes and smaller hippocampal volumes

Associations are predominantly noted in the right cerebral hemisphere.

Similar non-significant trends noted in amygdalar volumes

Cortisol and stress reducing strategies may halt brain changes and improve quality of life

Imaging biomarkers may help assess efficacy of cortisol-lowering therapeutic interventions
Design of an Epitope-Based Peptide Vaccine against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2): A Vaccine-informatics Approach
Authors: Alam Aftab , Khan Arbaaz , Imam Nikhat , Siddiqui Mohd Faizan , Waseem Mohd , Malik Md. Zubbair , Ishrat Romana
Published: May 2020

The recurrent and recent global outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 has turned into a global concern which has infected more than 19-million people all over the globe, and this number is increasing in hours. Unfortunate no vaccine or specific treatment is available, which make it more deadly. A vaccine-informatics approach has shown significant breakthrough in peptide-based epitope mapping and opens the new horizon in vaccine development. In this study, we have identified a total of 15 antigenic peptides (including T and B cells) in the surface glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 which showed non-toxic nature, non-allergenic, highly antigenic and non-mutated in other SARS-CoV-2 virus strains. The population coverage analysis has found that CD4+T-cell peptides showed higher cumulative population coverage over to CD8+peptides in the 16 different geographical regions of the world. We identified twelve peptides(LTDEMIAQY, WTAGAAAYY, WMESEFRVY, IRASANLAA, FGAISSVLN, VKQLSSNFG, FAMQMAYRF, FGAGAALQI, YGFQPTNGVGYQ, LPDPSKPSKR, QTQTNSPRRARS and VITPGTNTSN) that are 80% - 90% identical with experimentally determined epitopes of SARS-CoV, and this will likely be beneficial for a quick progression of the vaccine design. Moreover, docking analysis suggested that identified peptides are tightly bound in the groove of HLA molecules which can induce the T-cell response. Overall this study allows us to determine potent peptide antigen targets in surface glycoprotein on intuitive grounds which open up a new horizon in COVID-19 research. However, this study needs experimental validation by in vitro and in vivo.
Gold Nanoparticles interacting with Synthetic Lipid Rafts: an AFM investigation
Authors: Ridolfi Andrea , Caselli Lucrezia , Montis Costanza , Mangiapia Gaetano , Berti Debora , Brucale Marco , Valle Francesco
Published: May 2020

Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) represent promising examples of engineered nanomaterials, providing interesting biomedical solutions in several fields, like therapeutics and diagnostics. Despite the extensive number of investigations motivated by their remarkable potential for nanomedicinal applications, the interactions of NPs with biological interfaces are still poorly understood. The effect of NPs on living organisms is mediated by biological barriers, such as the cell plasma membrane, whose lateral heterogeneity is thought to play a prominent role in NPs adsorption and uptake pathways. In particular, biological membranes feature the presence of rafts, i.e. segregated lipid micro and/or nano-domains in the so-called liquid ordered phase (Lo), immiscible with the surrounding liquid disordered phase (Ld). Rafts are involved in various biological functions and act as sites for the selective adsorption of materials on the membrane. Indeed, the thickness mismatch present along their boundaries generates energetically favorable conditions for the adsorption of NPs. Despite its clear implications in NPs internalization processes and cytotoxicity, a direct proof of the selective adsorption of NPs along the rafts’ boundaries is still missing to date. Here we use multicomponent Supported Lipid Bilayers (SLBs) as reliable synthetic models, reproducing the nanometric lateral heterogeneity of cell membranes. After being characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Neutron Reflectivity (NR), multi-domain SLBs are challenged by prototypical inorganic nanoparticles, i.e. citrated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), under simplified and highly controlled conditions. By exploiting AFM, we demonstrate that AuNPs preferentially target lipid phase boundaries as adsorption sites. The herein reported study consolidates and extends the fundamental knowledge on NPs-membrane interactions, which constitute a key aspect to consider when designing NPs-related biomedical applications.
Specific and conserved patterns of microbiota-structuring by maize benzoxazinoids in the field
Authors: Cadot Selma , Guan Hang , Bigalke Moritz , Walser Jean-Claude , Jander Georg , Erb Matthias , van der Heijden Marcel , Schlaeppi Klaus
Published: May 2020

Background

Plants influence their root and rhizosphere microbial communities through the secretion of root exudates. However, how specific classes of root exudate compounds impact the assembly of these root-associated microbiotas is not well understood. Maize roots secrete benzoxazinoids (BXs), a class of indole-derived defense compounds, and thereby impact the assembly of their microbiota. Here, we investigated the broader impacts of BX exudation on root and rhizosphere microbiotas of adult maize plants grown under natural conditions at different field locations in Europe and the US. We examined the microbiotas of BX-producing and multiple BX-defective lines in two genetic backgrounds across three soil types.

Results

Our analysis showed that the secretion of BXs affected community composition of rhizosphere and root microbiota, with the most pronounced effects observed for root fungi. The impact of the two genetic backgrounds was weaker than that of the presence or absence of BXs, suggesting that BX exudation is a key trait by which maize structures its associated microbiota. BX-producing plants were not consistently enriching microbial lineages across the three soil types. Instead, BX exudation consistently depletedFlavobacteriaceaeandComamonadaceae, and enriched various plant pathogenic fungi in the roots.

Conclusions

These findings reveal that BXs have a selective impact on root and rhizosphere microbiota composition across different field locations. Taken together, this study identifies the BX pathway as an interesting breeding target to manipulate plant-microbiome interactions.
PhenomNet: Bridging Phenotype-Genotype Gap: A CNN-LSTM Based Automatic Plant Root Anatomization System
Authors: Yasrab Robail , Pound Michael P , French Andrew P , Pridmore Tony P
Published: May 2020

This research will explore the phenotype-genotype gap by bringing two very diverse technologies together to predict plant characteristics. Currently, there are several studies and tools available for plant phenotype and genotype analysis. However, there is no existing single system that offers both capabilities in one package. Usually, Convolution Neural Networks used for plant phenotyping analysis and Recurrent Neural Networks used for genotype analysis. Both of these machine leanring methods require different input data for feature extraction, analysis and learning. Building a machine learning system for plant data that can make use of both graphic (for phenotype) and time-series (for genotype) is critical and challenging, especially when the system has to predict sensitive information regarding plant growth, accession and types. In this study, the proposed system will solve these problems by bringing two very different technologies, analysis methods and datasets. The proposed research aims to bridge the phenotype-genotype gap using CNN-LSTMs to process graphic and temporal data of plant roots. The proposed system “PhenomNet” offers segmentation of plant roots along with the classification of the given dataset into different accessions. The experiment results have shown that proposed CNN-LSTM architecture provides very high accuracy in comparison to manual or semi-automated approaches.
Lateral autonomous carrier-landing control with high-dimension landing risks consideration
Authors: Wang Lipeng , Zhang Zhi , Zhu Qidan , Jiang Xingwei
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a novel model predictive control (MPC) with time varying weights to develop a lateral control law in an automatic carrier landing system (ACLS), which minimizes landing risk and improves flight quality.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a nonlinear mathematic model of an F/A-18 aircraft during lateral landing is established. Then the landing model is linearized in the form of state deviations on the equilibrium points. Second, landing risk windows are proposed and a high-dimensional landing risk model is addressed through a back propagation (BP) neural network. The trained samples are acquired based on a pilot behavior model. Third, time varying weights created from the lateral landing risk are introduced into the performance function of MPC. Optimal solution is solved quicker and some state deviations are focused on and eliminated. Fourth, the algebraic inequalities are substituted by the linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which are easily calculated by the computers.

Findings

On a semi-physical platform, the proposed method compares with a traditional MPC algorithm and a modified MPC with an additional term. The test results indicate that the proposed algorithm brings about an excellent landing performance as well as an ability of eliminating landing risk.

Practical implications

The landing phase of a carrier-based aircraft is one of the most dangerous and complicated stages, and the algorithm proposed by this paper plays a vital role in the lateral landing.

Originality/value

This paper establishes a lateral landing risk model, which considers not only the current landing state but also the future touchdown point. This lateral landing risk is integrated into the time varying weights of the MPC algorithm so that the state deviations and landing risk can be both reduced in the rolling optimization.
Online customer-to-customer interactions, customer–firm affection, firm-loyalty and participation intention
Authors: Choi Beomjoon , Kim Hyun Sik
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of three types of online customer-to-customer interaction qualities on customers' participation intention through customer–firm affection in online mass service contexts to address the influence of several types of intercustomer interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were amassed using retrospective experience sampling. The hypothesized relationships were examined utilizing structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the perceived quality of the friend-interaction (e.g. [non-]verbal online interaction with friends), neighboring customer-interaction (e.g. [non-]verbal online interaction with stranger users) and the audience-interaction (crowding) has a significant impact upon customer participation intention, mediated by customer–firm affection.

Research limitations/implications

This research was performed in the situation of online mass services (e.g. massively multiplayer online role-playing games). Future studies could extend the findings by conducting further studies across various types of services and by comparing results across different categories of mass services (e.g. hedonic vs utilitarian).

Practical implications

Online mass service marketers should focus on facilitating all three types of online customer-to-customer interactions (i.e. friend-, neighboring customer-, and audience-interaction). For example, online game developers may need to require users to communicate and collaborate with not only friends but also stranger users to progress and succeed in online multiplayer games.

Originality/value

The current study differs from prior research by addressing the influences of not only online intercustomer interaction qualities but also customer–firm affection on customer participation intention.
Facilitators and barriers to developing firefighter resilience
Authors: Conway Rebecca Rose , Waring Sara
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Developing resilience is vital for firefighters and other practitioners exposed to trauma as part of their day-to-day work in maintaining physical and mental resilience. However, further understanding of what factors facilitate and hinder the development of firefighter resilience and why is needed. The current study evaluates efficacy of support mechanisms currently in place and develops an evidence base for interventions to support development of firefighter resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 firefighters from across two regions in the United Kingdom, the Northwest and Southeast of England. Thematic analysis was used to analyse transcripts, highlighting themes within, and across, services to identify what factors affect development of firefighter resilience and why.

Findings

Thematic analysis highlighted four key themes shared by firefighters across regions: “informal support”, “formal support”, “basic welfare measures” and “trust”. Importantly, how effective formal measures are perceived to be and the willingness for firefighters to access these resources was dependent upon the level of trust held in senior management. Firefighters across locations highlighted levels of trust were affected by industrial actions which created divides. Accordingly, one way firefighter resilience may be further promoted is by altering how formal support mechanisms are accessed.

Originality/value

Although existing research has found factors which promote resilience of firefighters, evaluation of specific services is lacking. The current research highlights areas among two UK services where resilience is effectively being promoted and areas for potential improvement.
The impact of board diversity and voluntary risk disclosure on financial outcomes. A case for the manufacturing industry
Authors: Reguera-Alvarado Nuria , Bravo-Urquiza Francisco
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse how board diversity affects firm financial outcomes through the way in which this diversity helps to improve voluntary disclosures.

Design/methodology/approach

The partial least squares (PLS) technique is used, and a sample of the manufacturing firms listed in Standard and Poor’s 500 for 2009 is studied. In relation to board diversity, two specific characteristics are considered, namely, gender diversity and ethnic diversity. Content analysis techniques are used to measure risk disclosures.

Findings

The results show that there is a positive association between board diversity and firms’ financial outcomes, which is explained by disclosing risk information.

Research limitations/implications

The results indicate that the effect of boards of directors on firm outcoumes is influenced by the board involvement in specific strategies, thereby providing encouraging opportunities for future research.

Practical implications

These findings have implications both for companies, when selecting board members, and for policymakers, when establishing requirements concerning board composition. Moreover, the evidence highlights the role of disseminating risk information, which has direct implications for managers and regulators, who may better understand the value-relevance of risk disclosures.

Originality/value

The use of PLS technique is one of the novelties of this paper. The novelty of this approach provides fresh insights into the literature, highlighting that the effect of boards on firm outcomes may be mediated by director involvement in specific disclosure strategies.
Utilizing a privacy impact assessment method using metrics in the healthcare sector
Authors: Makri Eleni-Laskarina , Georgiopoulou Zafeiroula , Lambrinoudakis Costas
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to assist organizations to protect the privacy of their users and the security of the data that they store and process. Users may be the customers of the organization (people using the offered services) or the employees (users who operate the systems of the organization). To be more specific, this paper proposes a privacy impact assessment (PIA) method that explicitly takes into account the organizational characteristics and employs a list of well-defined metrics as input, demonstrating its applicability to two hospital information systems with different characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a PIA method that employs metrics and takes into account the peculiarities and other characteristics of the organization. The applicability of the method has been demonstrated on two Hospital Information Systems with different characteristics. The aim is to assist the organizations to estimate the criticality of potential privacy breaches and, thus, to select the appropriate security measures for the protection of the data that they collect, process and store.

Findings

The results of the proposed PIA method highlight the criticality of each privacy principle for every data set maintained by the organization. The method employed for the calculation of the criticality level, takes into account the consequences that the organization may experience in case of a security or privacy violation incident on a specific data set, the weighting of each privacy principle and the unique characteristics of each organization. So, the results of the proposed PIA method offer a strong indication of the security measures and privacy enforcement mechanisms that the organization should adopt to effectively protect its data.

Originality/value

The novelty of the method is that it handles security and privacy requirements simultaneously, as it uses the results of risk analysis together with those of a PIA. A further novelty of the method is that it introduces metrics for the quantification of the requirements and also that it takes into account the specific characteristics of the organization.
Transformative interaction capability: the mediating role between quality of work life and teamwork performance
Authors: Qamari Ika Nurul , Ferdinand Augusty Tae , Dwiatmadja Christantius , Yuniawan Ahyar
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present a conceptual model of transformative interaction capability (TIC) to fill the research gap between the quality of work–life (QWL) and teamwork performance (TP). Statistical testing in the study used four variables, namely, QWL, TIC, team resilience (TR) and TP.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model was developed and empirically tested through a survey. The 240 respondents in this study were made of supervisors, managers, directors and strategic staffs who were a part of new product development teams in service business companies. Note that there were banking, printing, publishing, training, financial institutions, outsourcing, projects and event organizing companies involved in this research. These companies were based in the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Province of Central Java Indonesia.

Findings

The research adapted the time interaction performance (TIP) theory, a theory of groups. It revealed that TIC was inserted in the research model. It was to mediate the influence of QWL on TP. Furthermore, the Sobel test results showed that TIC was a mediator of QWL and TP and was pertinent in improving TP.

Research limitations/implications

The three limitations of this study are as follows: first, the survey was conducted only in the service business industry in the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Province of Central Java, Indonesia; second, as this study focuses on TIC as the main mediator, it does not consider variables from other theories such as dominant logic service theory and social exchange theory; third, this research survey only captures the perception of the team.

Practical implications

From a practical perspective, the relationship between QWL, TIC and TP provides clues about how companies can pursue QWL to encourage TIC, which, in turn, affect TR and improve TP.

Originality/value

Using a theory of the TIP approach and theory of groups, the study proposing the concept of TIC can potentially improve TP.
Research trends in quality management in years 2000-2019
Authors: Wawak Sławomir , Rogala Piotr , Dahlgaard-Park Su Mi
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to demonstrate the suitability of text-mining toolset for the discovery of trends in quality management (QM) literature in 2000-2019. The hypothesis was formulated that as the field of study is mature, the most important trends are related to deepening and broadening of the knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel approach to trend discovery was proposed. The computer-aided analysis of full-texts of papers led to increased reliability and level of detail of the achieved results and helped significantly reduce researchers’ bias. Overall, 4,833 papers from 8 journal dedicated to QM were analysed.

Findings

Trends discovery led to the identification of 45 trends: 17 long-lasting trends, 4 declining trends, 11 emerging trends and 13 ephemeris trends. They were compared to the results of earlier studies. New trends and potential gaps were discussed.

Practical implications

The results highlight the trends that gain or lose popularity, thus they can be used to focus studies, as well as find new subjects, which are not so popular yet. The knowledge about emerging trends is also important for those quality managers who strive for improvement of their efficiency.

Originality/value

The research was designed to bypass the limitations of previous studies. The use of text mining methods and analysis of full texts of papers delivered more detailed and reliable data. Resignation from predefinition of classification criteria significantly reduced researchers’ bias and allowed the discovery of new trends, not identified in previous studies.
Utilization of a forensic accountant to investigate financial exploitation of older adults
Authors: Dauenhauer Jason , Heffernan Kristin , Webber Karen , Smoker Kari , Caccamise Paul , Granata Allison
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the results of an online program evaluation survey conducted in the USA in 2018 which was designed to understand how members of an enhanced multidisciplinary team (E-MDT) use the expertise of a forensic accountant (FA) in suspected cases of elder financial exploitation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes responses to an online survey from 54 E-MDT members. Narrative responses to open-ended questions were analyzed by using cross-case thematic analysis. Data from demographic questions and those with nominal response options were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Findings

Overwhelmingly, the E-MDT members described how useful the FA’s expertise and subsequent detailed reports are in helping determine whether financial exploitation is taking place and providing information needed to continue an investigation and pursue criminal charges.

Practical implications

The increasing longevity and sheer number of older adults present ongoing challenges in the fight to address financial exploitation. Findings suggest that FAs working with E-MDTs can help identify signs, collect evidence and help investigate cases of suspected financial abuse of older adults. The development of training programs focused on educating accountants to fill a need in a growing area of forensic accounting may be needed.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the growing evidence of multidisciplinary teams as an effective model for investigating cases of financial elder exploitation by focusing specifically on the expertise of an FA.
A comparative approach of stochastic frontier analysis and data envelopment analysis estimators: evidence from banking system
Authors: Sakouvogui Kekoura
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The consistency of stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) cost efficiency measures using a sample of 650 commercial and domestic banks in the United States is investigated based on cluster analysis while accounting for the yearly variation in banks.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to the importance of efficiency measures for policy and managerial decision-making, the cost efficiency measures of SFA and DEA estimators are examined according to four criteria: levels, rankings, stability over time and stability over clustering groups. In this paper, we present two clustering methods, Gap Statistic and Dindex, that involve SFA and DEA cost efficiency measures. The clustering approach creates homogeneous groups of banks offering a similar mix of efficiency levels. Hence, each evaluated bank knows the cluster to which it belongs. Furthermore, this paper provides nonparametric statistical tests of SFA and DEA cost efficiency measures estimated with and without a clustering approach.

Findings

The results suggest that the clustering approach plays a considerable role in the rankings of US banks. Furthermore, the average SFA and DEA cost efficiency measures over time of the homogeneous US banks are substantially higher than those of the heterogeneous US banks.

Originality/value

This research is the first to provide comparative efficiency measures needed for desirable policy conclusions of heterogeneous and homogeneous US banks.
Confirming the links between socio-economic variables and digitalization worldwide: the unsettled debate on digital divide
Authors: Mubarak Farooq , Suomi Reima , Kantola Satu-Päivi
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to statistically verify the links of income and education with information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion across 191 countries of the world taking into account a total of 9 indicators best representing the socio-economic variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Multivariate regression analysis was used as a prime method to rigorously test the relationships of income and education with ICT diffusion across 191 countries. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (V. 22) was used to analyze and predict patterns in the data.

Findings

The results support the hypotheses that income and education are positively related to ICT diffusion. The findings statistically confirm that poverty is a leading cause of digital divide worldwide.

Research limitations/implications

Academic, policy and practice groups should work in collaboration to fight against digital divide. Present results also imply that digital divide shall never end but rather it can be controlled to an extent with multiple collaborative efforts.

Originality/value

Prior research assignments on the digital divide concentrate on exploring the links between few socio-economic and ICT variables in select few regions theoretically. The present work addresses this literature gap by developing and testing two hypotheses to statistically investigate the relationships between a broad set of socio-economic and ICT indicators.
Value creation and destruction in social marketing services: a review and research agenda
Authors: Zainuddin Nadia , Gordon Ross
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a review of the extant literature on value creation and destruction in social marketing services for social change, for the purposes of developing a research agenda for future research in this area. Creating value in social marketing services is now identified as a key focus for social marketing (Russell-Bennett et al., 2009; Domegan et al., 2013), yet work in this area is nascent and conceptual, methodological, and empirical work is needed to advance the research agenda (Zainuddin et al., 2013; 2016).

Design/methodology/approach

To help shape the future of research on value in social marketing services, this paper appraises the contributions of the current research literature, and identifies gaps in the current knowledge. A systematic literature review was conducted, following the PRISMA protocol for conducting and reporting systematic reviews (Moher et al., 2009). The review covers the areas of value creation in social marketing, value destruction in social marketing, dimensions of value in social marketing, and from value-in-exchange, to value-in-use, to value-in-behaviour in social change.

Findings

A research agenda for further work in this area is provided within the themes of 1. conceptual development, 2. broadening ontological, epistemological, and methodological foundations, 3. research contexts, and 4. measuring and evaluating value in social marketing services. Within each of these themes, a series of research questions are provided to guide further work in the four identified themes.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to offer a review of the extant literature on value creation and destruction in social marketing and social marketing services, and offer a research agenda for future work in this area. This paper contributes to services marketing and the development of service thinking as key component of social marketing, and the role that value creation plays in this (Russell-Bennett et al., 2013).