bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observing and treating the tubercular tenosynovitis of ankle tendons: a case report and reviewing the related literature
Authors: Abdolitafti Abbas , Mousavi Seyed A. , Neshan Mehdi , Sajjadi Sanazalsadat , Shahcheraghi Seyed H.
Published: February 2020

Even in countries where tuberculosis (TB) is not uncommon, tenosynovitis rarely occurs. Ankle tendons involvement is much less common than wrist. In this case report, we present a case of ankle tenosynovitis. After diagnostic–therapeutic tenosynovectomy anti-TB treatment was started. No sign of disease relapse was observed after 9 months follow-up. MRI has an important role in diagnosing the cases of tenosynovitis. Magnetic resonance scan shows tendon thickening increases in synovial fluid in tendon sheath. Histopathologic findings of granulomatous inflammation as well as TB culture confirm the diagnosis. Although TB is not the common cause of tenosynovitis in foot, it must be closely studied in differential diagnosis of chronic tenosynovitis in countries where TB is common. Anti-TB treatment is better to be started prior to surgery. And if desired results are not achieved by medical treatment or in case of uncertain diagnosis of the disease, clinical–diagnostic tenosynovectomy must be done.
Hyperactive Terminal Delirium in Hospice Patients
Authors: Kates Jeannette
Published: February 2020

Terminal delirium is a common occurrence in patients at the end of life, and its presence is widely accepted as a poor prognostic indicator. The hyperactive subtype is characterized by psychomotor agitation that is distressing to patients, caregivers, and providers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether physical, psychosocial, or spiritual data collected at hospice admission are associated with development of hyperactive terminal delirium. In this retrospective cohort study, 154 patients were assigned to one of two cohorts depending on whether or not they had signs of hyperactive terminal delirium. Hospice admission data from the Hospice Item Set, psychosocial assessment, and spiritual assessment were analyzed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and logistic regression. Although there were no statistically significant relationships among the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual variables and hyperactive terminal delirium, there were some findings that are clinically significant for nurses caring for patients at the end of life. Specifically, this study highlights the importance of ongoing physical, psychosocial, and spiritual assessment throughout the end-of-life trajectory, as well as prompt management of symptoms.
Cracking the Code for Quality
Authors: DiCuccio Margaret Hardt , Colbert Alison M. , Triolo Pamela Klauer , Schreiber James B. , Dean Bonnie
Published: February 2020

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the complex relationships among patient safety culture, nurse demographics, advocacy, and patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Why has healthcare lagged behind other industries in improving quality? Little nursing research exists that explores the multifactorial relationships that impact quality.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 1045 nurses from 40 medical/surgical units was analyzed using a correlational cross-sectional design with secondary data analysis. Data sources included survey results for patient safety culture, nurse perceptions of patient advocacy, and patient experience and fall and pressure ulcer rates.

RESULTS

Significant findings included a positive correlation between patient safety culture and advocacy and a negative correlation between safety culture, advocacy, and years of experience as a nurse. No significant correlations were found between safety culture and patient outcomes or advocacy and patient outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Newer nurses were more positive about safety culture and advocacy, whereas experienced nurses were overall less positive.
Clinical Impact of Warmed Intravenous Saline in Sickle Cell Patients With Vasoocclusive Episodes
Authors: Quarrie Renee P. , Stoner Michael J. , Choueiki Julie M. , Bonsu Bema K. , Cohen Daniel M.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

In children with sickle cell disease treated for vasoocclusive episodes (VOEs), it is unknown if the temperature of infused fluids impacts clinical outcomes. We compared infusions of warmed and nonwarmed saline for treatment of VOE. We also assessed the tolerability and feasibility of infusing warmed saline in patients with VOEs.

Methods

Patients aged 4 to 21 years with sickle cell disease presenting to the emergency department with VOE were randomized to infusions of warmed (37.5°C, experimental arm) versus nonwarmed (22°C–24°C, controls) saline. Intravenous opioids were administered according to previously established guidelines. We compared hospital admission rates, pain scores, disposition times, dosages of opioid, and comfort.

Results

Eighty of 92 visits were eligible (40 per arm). The mean age of enrollees was 14 years, and 53% were female. Hospital admission rates were comparable (63% experimental arm and 55% control arm, P = 0.5). Pain score reduction (−2.9 and −2.6, P = 0.52), median morphine equivalents (0.23 mg/kg and 0.25 mg/kg, P = 0.58), and mean treatment-to-disposition times (158 minutes and 155 minutes, P = 0.85) were also similar. Global comfort was higher in children who received warmed saline (4 vs 3, P = 0.01). There were no adverse events reported in patients who received warmed saline.

Conclusions

It is feasible and tolerable to infuse warmed saline for the treatment of VOE, and it is well tolerated. Patient comfort was higher in those patients who received warmed saline, but there was no improvement in admission rates, disposition times, pain scores, and opioid dosages.
Soft-Tissue Reconstruction after Composite Vertebrectomy and Chest Wall Resection for Spinal Tumors
Authors: Mericli Alexander F. , Murariu Daniel , Nemir Stephanie , Rhines Laurence D. , Walsh Garrett , Adelman David M. , Baumann Donald P. , Butler Charles E.
Published: February 2020

Background:

Oncologic resections involving both the spine and chest wall commonly require immediate soft-tissue reconstruction. The authors hypothesized that reconstructions of composite resections involving both the thoracic spine and chest wall would have a higher complication rate than reconstructions for resections limited to the thoracic spine alone.

Methods:

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent a thoracic vertebrectomy and soft-tissue reconstruction from 2002 to 2017. Patients were divided into two groups: those whose defect was limited to the thoracic spine and those who required a composite resection involving the chest wall.

Results:

One hundred patients were included. Composite resection patients had larger defects, as indicated by a greater incidence of multilevel vertebrectomies (70.2 percent versus 17 percent; p = 0.001). Thoracic spine patients were older (58.2 ± 10.4 years versus 48.6 ± 13.9 years; p < 0.001) and had a greater incidence of metastatic disease (88.7 percent versus 38.3 percent; p = 0.001). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that composite resections were not significantly associated with a higher rate of surgical, medical, or overall complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of composite resection subgroup demonstrated that flap separation of the spinal cord from the intrapleural space was protective against complications (OR, 0.22; 95 percent CI, 0.05 to 0.81; p = 0.03).

Conclusions:

Despite the large defect size in composite resection patients, there was no increase in complications compared to thoracic spine patients. In composite resection patients, separating the exposed spinal cord from the intrapleural space with well-vascularized soft tissue was protective against complications.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Risk, II.
Patient-Generated Actigraphy Data as a Novel Outcomes Instrument in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: McMahon Heather A. , Heineman John T. , DeGeorge Brent R.
Published: February 2020

Background

Currently, we lack objective measures to quantify outcomes in carpal tunnel syndrome. Instead, surgeons rely on patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) to assess the effect of carpal tunnel release (CTR). We assessed the validity and reliability of wearable activity monitors to objectively characterize the functional and sleep impact of CTR. We hypothesized that actigraphy could detect changes in sleep and activity and would demonstrate short-term impairment due the operative procedure.

Methods

This pilot, prospective, cohort study compared validated PROMS with actigraphy data obtained via wearable activity monitors (ActiGraph Link; ActiGraph Corp, Pensacola, Fla). Subjects completed baseline questionnaires and wore their device for 1 week preoperatively as a baseline. Subjects then underwent open CTR, wearing actigraphy devices for 4 weeks and completing questionnaires at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively. Preintervention and postintervention data were compared using paired-sample t test. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) questionnaire data were analyzed in accordance with published PROMIS scoring manuals and raw scores were converted to standardized T scores.

Results

Twenty subjects (5 males, 15 females) with moderate or severe carpal tunnel syndrome were enrolled. The mean age was 57.7 years. The PROMIS 29 average cumulative T score was 42.9 with average change of −0.072 preoperatively versus postoperatively. Average sleep disturbance T score was 38.9 preoperatively and 41.4 postoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference in T score in any domain. The mean actigraphy activity data demonstrated near immediate return to baseline activity. Actigraphy sleep data demonstrate improvement in sleep fragmentation and decreased duration of awakenings.

Conclusions

Overall, patient-generated data detected differences in sleep and activity preoperatively versus postoperatively and demonstrated only a short period of activity disruption after CTR, which may be used when counseling patients. These data support actigraphy as a viable adjunct to traditional PROMS to evaluate the impact of surgical intervention and therefore may be useful in the study of other diseases affecting the upper extremity.
Prevention of Oxygen Desaturation in Morbidly Obese Patients During Electroconvulsive Therapy
Authors: Koyama Yukihide , Tsuzaki Koichi , Suzuki Takeshi , Ozaki Makoto , Saito Shigeru
Published: February 2020

In general, preoxygenation is performed using a face mask with oxygen in a supine position, and oxygenation is maintained with manual mask ventilation during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). However, hypoxic episodes during ECT are not uncommon with this conventional method, especially in morbidly obese patients. The most important property of ventilatory mechanics in patients with obesity is reduced functional residual capacity (FRC). Thus, increasing FRC and oxygen reserves is an important step to improve oxygenation and prevent oxygen desaturation in these individuals. Head-up position, use of apneic oxygenation, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, and high-flow nasal cannula help increase FRC and oxygen reserves, resulting in improved oxygenation and prolonged safe apnea period. Furthermore, significantly higher incidence of difficult mask ventilation is common in morbidly obese individuals. Supraglottic airway devices establish effective ventilation in patients with difficult airways. Thus, the use of supraglottic airway devices is strongly recommended in these patients. Conversely, because muscle fasciculation induced by depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents markedly increases oxygen consumption, especially in individuals with obesity, the use of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents may contribute to better oxygenation in morbidly obese patients during ECT.
Halomonas urmiana sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from Urmia Lake in Iran
Authors: Khan Shehzad Abid , Zununi Vahed Sepideh , Forouhandeh Haleh , Tarhriz Vahideh , Chaparzadeh Nader , Hejazi Mohammad Amin , Jeon Che Ok , Hejazi Mohammad Saeid
Published: February 2020

In the course of screening halophilic bacteria in Urmia Lake in Iran, which is being threatened by dryness, a novel Gram-negative, moderately halophilic, heterotrophic and short rod-shaped bacteria was isolated and characterized. The bacterium was isolated from a water specimen and designated as TBZ3T. Colonies were found to be creamy yellow, with catalase- and oxidase-positive activities. The growth of strain TBZ3T was observed to be at 10–45 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0.5–20 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 7.5 %). Strain TBZ3T contained C16 : 0, cyclo-C19 : 0
 ω8c, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1
 ω7c and/or C16 : 1
 ω6c) and summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1
 ω7c and/or C18 : 1
 ω6c) as major fatty acids and ubiquinone-9 as the only respiratory isoprenoid quinone. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, glycolipid, unidentified phospholipid and unidentified polar lipids were detected as the major polar lipids. Strain TBZ3T was found to be most closely related to

Halomonas saccharevitans

AJ275T
, Halomonas denitrificans M29T and

Halomonas sediminicola

CPS11T with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 98.93, 98.15 and 97.60 % respectively and in phylogenetic analysis strain TBZ3T grouped with

Halomonas saccharevitans

AJ275T contained within a large cluster within the genus

Halomonas

. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties, strain TBZ3T represents a novel species of the

Halomonas

genus, for which the name Halomonas urmiana sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TBZ3T (=DSM 22871T=LMG 25416T).
Dyadobacter bucti sp. nov., isolated from subsurface sediment
Authors: He Xian-Lin , Zhou De , Gao Huiqun , Huang Fa-qi , Li Hao , Lv Jie
Published: February 2020

A Gram-reaction-negative, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated strain QTA69T, was isolated from a subsurface sediment sample collected at the Qiangtang basin, Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, PR China. Cells were catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain QTA69T was a member of the genus

Dyadobacter

and was closely related to

Dyadobacter sediminis

,

Dyadobacter ginsengisoli

and

Dyadobacter psychrophilus

with sequence similarities from 97.90 % to 96.85 %. Strain QTA69T grew at 4–35 °C, and the optimum temperature was 25–28 °C. It grew at the pH range of 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0–8.0) and its NaCl tolerance was 0–2.0 % (optimum, 0–1.0 %). The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and C 16:1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c), iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 1ω5c. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 8.41 Mbp and a G+C content of 46.87 mol%. Based on whole genome average nucleotide identity values, phenotypic data, phylogenetic data and genotypic data, strain QTA69T represents a novel species of genus

Dyadobacter

, for which the name Dyadobacter bucti sp. nov is proposed. The type strain is QTA69T (=CGMCC 1.13688T=KCTC 72024T).
Conditional requirement of SglT for type IV pili function and S-motility in Myxococcus xanthus
Authors: Troselj Vera , Pathak Darshankumar T. , Wall Daniel
Published: February 2020

Myxobacteria exhibit complex social behaviors such as predation, outer membrane exchange and fruiting body formation. These behaviors depend on coordinated movements of cells on solid surfaces that involve social (S) motility. S-motility is powered by extension-retraction cycles of type 4 pili (Tfp) and exopolysaccharides (EPS) that provide a matrix for group cellular movement. Here, we characterized a new class of S-motility mutants in

Myxococcus xanthus

. These mutants have a distinctive phenotype: they lack S-motility even though they produce pili and EPS and the phenotype is temperature-sensitive. The point mutations were mapped to a single locus, MXAN_3284, named sglT. Similar to pilT mutants, sglT mutants are hyperpiliated and, strikingly, the temperature-sensitive phenotype is caused by null mutations. Our results indicate that SglT plays a critical role in Tfp function associated with pilus retraction and that the block in pili retraction is caused by a Tfp assembly defect in the absence of SglT at high-temperature growth.
Functional loss of a non-canonical BCOR-PRC1.1 complex accelerates SHH-driven medulloblastoma formation
Authors: Kutscher Lena M. , Okonechnikov Konstantin , Batora Nadja V. , Clark Jessica , Silva Patricia B. G. , Vouri Mikaella , van Rijn Sjoerd , Sieber Laura , Statz Britta , Gearhart Micah D. , Mack Norman , Orr Brent A. , Korshunov Andrey , Mercier Audrey L. , Ayrault Olivier , Kool Marcel , Bardwell Vivian J. , Pfister Stefan M. , Northcott Paul A. , Kawauchi Daisuke
Published: February 2020

Medulloblastoma is a childhood brain tumor arising from the developing cerebellum. In Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)-subgroup medulloblastoma, aberrant activation of SHH signaling causes increased proliferation of granule neuron progenitors (GNPs) and predisposes these cells to tumorigenesis. A second, cooperating genetic hit is often required to push these hyperplastic cells to malignancy and confer mutation-specific characteristics associated with oncogenic signaling. Somatic loss-of-function mutations of the transcriptional co-repressorBCORare recurrent and highly enriched in SHH-medulloblastoma. To investigateBCORas a putative tumor suppressor, we used a germline genetically engineered mouse model to delete exons 9/10 ofBcor(BcorΔE9-10) in GNPs during development. This leads to reduced expression of C-terminally truncated BCOR (BCORΔE9-10). WhileBcorΔE9-10alone did not promote tumorigenesis or affect GNP differentiation,BcorΔE9-10combined with loss of the SHH-receptor genePtch1resulted in highly penetrant medulloblastomas. InPtch1+/-;BcorΔE9-10tumors, the growth factor geneIgf2was aberrantly upregulated, and ectopicIgf2overexpression was sufficient to drive tumorigenesis inPtch1+/- GNPs. BCOR directly regulatesIgf2, likely through the PRC1.1 complex; the repressive histone mark H2AK119Ub is decreased at theIgf2promoter inPtch1+/-;BcorΔE9-10tumors. Overall, our data suggests that BCOR-PRC1.1 disruption leads toIgf2overexpression, which transforms preneoplastic cells to malignant tumors.
High precisionNeisseria gonorrhoeaevariant and antimicrobial resistance calling from metagenomic Nanopore sequencing
Authors: Sanderson Nicholas D , Swann Jeremy , Barker Leanne , Kavanagh James , Hoosdally Sarah , Crook Derrick ,   the GonFast Investigators Group, Street Teresa L , Eyre David W
Published: February 2020

The rise of antimicrobial resistantNeisseria gonorrhoeaeis a significant public health concern. Against this background, rapid culture-independent diagnostics may allow targeted treatment and prevent onward transmission. We have previously shown metagenomic sequencing of urine samples from men with urethral gonorrhoea can recover near-completeN. gonorrhoeaegenomes. However, disentangling theN. gonorrhoeaegenome from metagenomic samples and robustly identifying antimicrobial resistance determinants from error-prone Nanopore sequencing is a substantial bioinformatics challenge.

Here we demonstrate anN. gonorrhoeaediagnostic workflow for analysis of metagenomic sequencing data obtained from clinical samples using R9.4.1 Nanopore sequencing. We compared results from simulated and clinical infections with data from known reference strains and Illumina sequencing of isolates cultured from the same patients. We evaluated three Nanopore variant callers and developed a random forest classifier to filter called SNPs. Clair was the most suitable variant caller after SNP filtering. A minimum depth of 20x reads was required to confidently identify resistant determinants over the entire genome. Our findings show that metagenomic Nanopore sequencing can provide reliable diagnostic information inN. gonorrhoeaeinfection.
Improving model-based fNIRS analysis using mesh-based anatomical and light-transport models
Authors: Tran Anh Phong , Yan Shijie , Fang Qianqian
Published: February 2020

Significance

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has become an important research tool in studying human brains. Accurate quantification of brain activities via fNIRS relies upon solving computational models that simulate the transport of photons through complex anatomy.

Aim

We aim to highlight the importance of accurate anatomical modeling in the context of fNIRS, and propose a robust method for creating high-quality brain/full-head tetrahedral mesh models for neuroimaging analysis.

Approach

We have developed a surface-based brain meshing pipeline that can produce significantly better brain mesh models compared to conventional meshing techniques. It can convert segmented volumetric brain scans into multi-layered surfaces and tetrahedral mesh models, with typical processing times of only a few minutes and broad utilities, such as in Monte Carlo or finite-element based photon simulations for fNIRS studies.

Results

A variety of high quality brain mesh models have been successfully generated by processing publicly available brain atlases. In addition, we compare 3 brain anatomical models - the voxel-based brain segmentation, tetrahedral brain mesh and layered-slab brain model, and demonstrate noticeable discrepancies in brain partial-pathlengths when using approximated brain anatomies, ranging between −1.5-23% with the voxelated brain and 36-166% with the layered-slab brain.

Conclusion

The generation and utility of high-quality brain meshes can lead to more accurate brain quantification in fNIRS studies. Our open-source meshing toolboxes “Brain2Mesh” and “Iso2Mesh” are freely available at http://mcx.space/brain2mesh.
Rescue Ebola Patients in silico
Authors: Zhao Gang , Binder Sebastian , Pongratz Georg , Meyer-Hermann Michael
Published: February 2020

Ebola, one of the most pathogenic and lethal viruses, repeatedly leads to severe outbreaks with large numbers of casualties. By integration of data of fatal, non-fatal and asymptomatic cases, we developed a mathematical model of the immune response to Ebola infections and found that TNF-α can explain subsequent cytokine responses and allows to quantitatively stratify patients into survivors and fatal cases. The model further suggests that antibodies provide the key resolving mechanism in survivors while IFN-γ is the key defense mechanism in fatal cases. Exogenous IFN-γ and inhibition of excessive inflammation have the potential to rescue fatal Ebola infections in silico. In view of the high mortality of this disease, limited real life studies, and the unforeseeable next outbreak, our in silico analysis is meant as a guide for future research by the determination of the most efficient strategies for Ebola treatment.
Binding affinity and conformational preferences influence kinetic stability of short oligonucleotides on carbon nanotubes
Authors: Alizadehmojarad Ali A. , Zhou Xingcheng , Beyene Abraham G. , Chacon Kevin , Sung Younghun , Landry Markita P. , Vuković Lela
Published: February 2020

DNA-wrapped single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have found a widespread use in a variety of nanotechnology applications. Yet, the relationship between structural conformation, binding affinity and kinetic stability of these polymers on SWNTs remains poorly understood. Here, we used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experiments to explore this relationship for short oligonucleotides adsorbed on SWNTs. First, using classical MD simulations of oligonucleotide-(9,4)-SWNT hybrid complexes, we explored the relationship between ssDNA and ssRNA surface conformation and sequence chemistry. We screened the conformation of 36 sequences of short ssDNA and ssRNA polymers on (9,4) SWNT, where the contour lengths were selected so the polymers can, to a first approximation, wrap once around the SWNT circumference. From these screens, we identified structural motifs that we broadly classified into “rings” and “non-rings.” Then, several sequences were selected for detailed investigations. We used temperature replica exchange MD calculations to compute two-dimensional free energy landscapes characterizing the conformations of select sequences. “Ring” conformations seemed to be driven primarily by sequence chemistry. Specifically, strong (n,n+2) nucleotide interactions and the ability of the polymer to form compact structures, as for example, through sharp bends in the nucleotide backbone, correlated with ring-forming propensity. However, ring-formation probability was found to be uncorrelated with free energy of oligonucleotide binding to SWNTs (ΔGbind). Conformational analyses of oligonucleotides, computed free energy of binding of oligonucleotides to SWNTs, and experimentally determined kinetic stability measurements show that ΔGbindis the primary correlate for kinetic stability. The probability of the sequence to adopt a compact, ring-like conformation is shown to play a secondary role that still contributes measurably to kinetic stability. For example, sequences that form stable compact rings (C-rich sequences) could compensate for their relatively lower ΔGbindand exhibit kinetic stability, while sequences with strong ΔGbind(such as (TG)3(GT)3) were found to be kinetically stable despite their low ring formation propensity. We conclude that the stability of adsorbed oligonucleotides is primarily driven by its free energy of binding and that if ring-like structural motifs form, they would contribute positively to stability.

Abstract Figure
Valorization of CO2through lithoautotrophic production of sustainable chemicals inCupriavidus necator
Authors: Nangle Shannon N. , Ziesack Marika , Buckley Sarabeth , Trivedi Disha , Loh Daniel M. , Nocera Daniel G. , Silver Pamela A.
Published: February 2020

Coupling recent advancements in genetic engineering of diverse microbes and gas-driven fermentation provides a path towards sustainable commodity chemical production.Cupriavidus necatorH16 is a suitable species for this task because it effectively utilizes H2and CO2and is genetically tractable. Here, we demonstrate the versatility ofC. necatorfor chemical production by engineering it to produce three products from CO2under lithotrophic conditions: sucrose, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and lipochitooligosaccharides (LCOs). We engineered sucrose production in a co-culture system with heterotrophic growth 30 times that of WTC. necator. We engineered PHA production (20-60% DCW) and selectively altered product composition by combining different thioesterases and phaCs to produce copolymers directly from CO2. And, we engineeredC. necatorto convert CO2into the LCO, a plant growth enhancer, with titers of ∼1.4 mg/L—equivalent to yields in its native source,Bradyrhizobium. We applied the LCOs to germinating seeds as well as corn plants and observed increases in a variety of growth parameters. Taken together, these results expand our understanding f how a gas-utilizing bacteria can promote sustainable production.
Deep Neural Networks Point to Mid-level Complexity of Rodent Object Vision
Authors: Vinken Kasper , de Beeck Hans Op
Published: February 2020

In the last two decades rodents have been on the rise as a dominant model for visual neuroscience. This is particularly true for earlier levels of information processing, but high-profile papers have suggested that also higher levels of processing such as invariant object recognition occur in rodents. Here we provide a quantitative and comprehensive assessment of this claim by comparing a wide range of rodent behavioral and neural data with convolutional deep neural networks. These networks have been shown to capture the richness of information processing in primates through a succession of convolutional and fully connected layers. We find that rodent object vision can be captured using low to mid-level convolutional layers only, without any convincing evidence for the need of higher layers known to simulate complex object recognition in primates. Our approach also reveals surprising insights on assumptions made before, for example, that the best performing animals would be the ones using the most complex representations – which we show to likely be incorrect. Our findings suggest a road ahead for further studies aiming at quantifying and establishing the richness of representations underlying information processing in animal models at large.
Evaluation of excavation-induced movements through case histories in Hangzhou
Authors: Ying Hong-Wei , Cheng Kang , Zhang Li-Sha , Ou Chang-Yu , Yang Yong-Wen
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Deep excavation in soft clay often causes additional deformations to surroundings. Then, if deformations cannot be predicted reasonably, the adjacent buildings may be threatened by the deep excavation. Based on the good field observations from ten deep excavations in Hangzhou, this paper aims to thoroughly investigate the characteristics of wall deflections and ground settlements induced by deep excavations.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of good field observation of ten deep excavations, the performances of excavations, supported by contiguous pile in Hangzhou, were studied, and also compared with other case histories.

Findings

The maximum wall deflections (dhm) rang mostly from 0.7 to 1.2 per cent He, where He is the final excavation depth, larger than those in Taipei and Shanghai. The observed maximum ground settlement in the Hangzhou cases generally ranges from 0.2 to 0.8 per cent He. Then, the settlement influence zone extends to a distance of 2.0-4.0 He from the excavation. The relatively large movements and influence zones in Hangzhou may be attributed to low stability numbers, large excavation widths and the creep effect. The excavation width is justified to have a significant influence on the wall deflection. Therefore, to establish a semi-empirical formula for predicting the maximum wall deflection, it is necessary to include the factor of excavation width.

Originality/value

The relevant literature concentrated on the characteristics of deep excavations supported by the contiguous pile wall in Hangzhou soft clay can rarely be found. Based on the ten deep excavations with good field observation in Hangzhou, the characteristics of wall deflection and ground settlements were comprehensively studied for the first time, which can provide some theoretical support for similar projects.
A counterexample to FORM and SORM
Authors: Ávila da Silva Júnior Claudio Roberto , Damazio Pedro Danizete , Matioli Luiz Carlos , Cavichiolo João Lucas
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to presents a counterexample that points to an inconsistency generated by the first- and second-order approximation methods, FORM and SORM, respectively, procedures for elliptical problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The classical results of theory measure and functional analysis were used.

Findings

The FORM and SORM are known to find solutions in a Gaussian space. This procedure does not satisfy the conditions of the Lax–Milgram theorem and does not assure the existence and uniqueness of the solution.

Research limitations/implications

This paper alerts the engineering research community that uses these methods, initiating discussion and improvement of FORM and SORM procedures.

Practical implications

This paper puts in check the feasibility of using FORM and SORM in engineering problems.

Originality/value

From the moment they were introduced to the engineering and scientific communities, the FORM and SORM were taken as the bases for solving various problems found in the literature and indifferent documents scattered throughout the world over the past 50 years, for FORM, and 40 years, for SORM. Even though it was a very serious fault, at least for elliptical problems, pointed out in this work, it went unnoticed all those years by the research community. Therefore, the contribution of this paper is to present the engineering community that uses FORM and SORM in elliptical problems an unnoticed failure since the introduction of these methods.
Contractor prequalification for green buildings—evidence from Turkey
Authors: Gurgun Asli Pelin , Koc Kerim
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Competent contractors are one of the critical stakeholders to achieve targeted sustainability objectives in green building (GB) projects. Prior to contractor selection, prequalification is an important step, which requires contractors with certain capabilities in addition to traditional features. This study aims to develop a systematic and practical model for prequalification in GB projects using a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach by adopting the analytical hierarchy process (AHP).

Design/methodology/approach

TheAHP model with 8 main criteria groups and 25 sub-criteria is structured based on literature review and professional opinions accompanied by a pilot study. Then, interviews with experts, who are experienced in the development and application phases of GB projects in Turkey, are arranged to collect judgements. The agreement levels between different groups of experts are analysed via Pearson's and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Model applicability is tested on six hypothetical contractors for practicality.

Findings

The results show that i) financial capabilities, ii) legal status and iii) sustainability groups are the top three main criteria, while i) compliance with schedule requirements of the client, ii) current legal status including suits, iii) negative litigation history records, iv) contractor's compliance capacity to client's sustainability checklist for the proposed project and v) sustainability with lower life cycle cost (durability, maintenance, constructability) are the top five sub-criteria.

Originality/value

There is a gap in the literature analysing contractor prequalification phase in GB projects. This study attempts to fill this lack provided with a practical evaluation tool.
Customer competency for improving firm decision-making performance in e-commerce
Authors: Gupta Vivek , Gupta Laxmi , Dhir Sanjay
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze customers’ purchasing behavior with respect to perceived benefit and the perceived risk towards customer competency in firms. In this research, the authors validate the concept of customer competency in eight dimensions (i.e. e-trust, quality of products and services, customer support, application design, reasonable price, availability of user-generated content, replacement and returns and risk in purchasing products) and examine empirically its impression on company’s decision-making performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings are based on an empirical analysis of survey data from 69 respondents and demonstrate a large, significant and positive relationship between customer competency and firm’s decision-making performance.

Findings

The results reveal that majorly three dimensions of competency, i.e. application design, reasonable price and user-generated content (UGC), will impact significantly the decision making performance of firm. This is the empirical study to conceptualize, operationalize and validate the concept of customer competency and to study its impact on decision-making performance. The validity of customer competency constructs as conceived and operationalized suggests the potential future scope by evaluating its relationship with possible antecedents and consequences. For practitioners, the result provides important guidelines for increasing firm’s decision-making performance through the use of customer behavior.

Research limitations/implications

Further in this research, it is critical to understand that other constructs of customer competency may likewise play an important part in the advancement of expectations of customers. These constructs comprise customers’ self-effectiveness, encouragement and innovation thinking (i.e. observed comparative advantage, complexity and compatibility) of business-to-customer firms in e-commerce. Future research studying these constructs could improve the understanding of success factors for e-commerce firms. The model used in this study can further be extended to understand the variance in a firm’s decision-making.

Originality/value

The prime target of this questionnaire was to gather all of the information about how consumers behave while interacting with e-commerce portals. The questions were based on the factors identified in literature reviews. Previous studies also look at consumer competency toward a particular internet portal and its vendors; however, through this survey, the authors want to look at how consumers behave while shopping on e-commerce portals. This was a clear representation of the authors’ research strategy.
Hotel guests’ social commerce intention
Authors: Huang GuoQiong Ivanka , Chen Yun Victoria , Wong IpKin Anthony
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize a dyadic theoretical model which takes social-oriented and individual-initiative drivers into account and illustrates a mechanism between social commerce intention and its antecedents in the hospitality industry. To understand tourist social commerce behaviors, the current study puts forward a comprehensive model and investigates the impact among social support, social capital, participant involvement and social identification on tourist propensity to engage in social commerce with behaviors such as to like, share, post reviews and make purchases.

Design/methodology/approach

The current research draws on social exchange theory and social penetration theory to study how social-oriented drivers (i.e., social support and social capital) and individual-initiated drivers (i.e., participant involvement and social identification) could better explain tourists’ social commerce intentions. Structural equation modeling was performed based on a sample of 569 hotel guests from 61 hotels in Macau.

Findings

Results reveal that social capital mediates the relationship between social support and social commerce behavioral intention. This chain of relationship is moderated by social identification in that the more a hotel guest identifies himself/herself as an in-group member of an online community, the more likely he/she would engage in social commerce behaviors.

Practical implications

The diffusion velocity of marketing effect is manifested through customers’ social commerce intentions and behaviors, which helps managers to identify the importance in maintaining a supportive atmosphere to nurture intimate member-to-member and member-to-provider relationships.

Originality/value

The present study enriches the social penetration theory and social exchange theory by showing how both individual and social perspectives could jointly influence hotel guest propensity to post likes and comments and to reserve hotel rooms, as means to build more intimate relationships with the members within a virtual community.
Reaching sustainability during a digital transformation: a PLS approach
Authors: El Hilali Wail , El Manouar Abdellah , Janati Idrissi Mohammed Abdou
Published: February 2020

Purpose

In a world where big data have become crucial to guarantee the success of companies, digital transformation came to help companies transition towards a digital business and accept the changes in the organizational structure as well as the market. Nonetheless, even with the ever-growing importance shed on it, few articles and studies have linked it to the sustainability paradigm. Empirical studies that have linked between the factors of digital transformation and a more sustainable business are still scant. Many efforts are still needed to reduce the knowledge gap between these two concepts. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by examining (empirically) the effect of digital transformation on sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The study validates five different hypotheses highlighted by the literature using structural equation model (SEM) analysis from partial least square (PLS) approach. It uses a new conceptual framework using a survey data, answered by 41 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Morocco from different industries.

Findings

Using PLS-SEM modeling, the results show that customers, data and innovation, which are drivers that companies should work on during a digital transformation, have a significant impact on companies’ quest to reach sustainability. However, and in contrast to the existing literature, authors find that competition did not play a significant role in enhancing the companies’ commitment to sustainability.

Practical implications

Authors’ findings encourage firms to seize the opportunity of digital transformation to embrace sustainability, because the implementation of these two concepts requires radical changes at the business model level. Authors suggest that the road to achieve sustainability in a digital era should focus on three main axes, enhancing the customer experience and adopting customer centricity, building data analytics capabilities and shifting innovation to the business model level.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first research papers that explain how to reach sustainability during a digital transformation. The originality of this paper lies in the fact that it focuses on SMEs as they remain the backbone of the Moroccan economy. This study is also novel for showing with empirical evidences that working on the axes of customers, data and innovation, during a digital transformation journey, will improve sustainable practices within businesses.
Audit certification, earnings management and risk governance: a moderated-mediation analysis
Authors: Fakhfakh Imen , Jarboui Anis
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to document the mediating effect of earnings management on the relation between the components of audit certification. The study is performed under different levels of corporate governance effectiveness in the Tunisian context. The main objective is to empirically examine the ability of discretionary accruals to mediate the relationship between the audit reporting quality and audit risk and to define how the levels of risk governance moderate this relation.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling (SEM) approach is applied for a panel data set of 28 Tunisian companies listed in the Tunis Stock Exchange (TSE) between 2006 and 2013. Furthermore, a moderated-mediation model is developed to examine the mediating role of earnings management. This model is considered to emphasize the moderating role of corporate governance on the relationship between audit-reporting quality and audit risk.

Findings

The results of this study show that earnings management mediates the moderating role of corporate governance on the relationship between timely disclosure and audit risk. Thus, this investigation empirically demonstrates that risk governance moderates both the relationship between the timely disclosure and earnings management, and the relationship between earnings management and audit risk, i.e., the mediating role of earnings management varies depending on the level of risk governance.

Practical implications

Investors and other external users of financial statements need to care about the audit risk by the audit-reporting quality (audit accuracy and timely disclosure). Moreover, all factors that may influence the audit risk should be identified. This identification can help guide the reforms to improve the functioning of the financial market.

Originality/value

This study can enhance knowledge and understanding on how motivational and environment factors influence the audit risk. Using data from the Tunisian market, this work fills a research gap by examining the audit risk and identifies a new governance risk index. The specificity of the country where the study is elaborated refers to its accurate “revolutionary” transitional phase. Tunisia aims to enhance economic growth and to establish general strategic governance of the country, particularly strategic governance of companies.
Art therapy: an underutilized, yet effective tool
Authors: Bitonte Robert A. , Santo Marisa De
Published: February 2020

Art therapy has been recognized as beneficial and effective since first described by Adrian Hill in 1942. Even before this time, art therapy was utilized for moral reinforcement and psychoanalysis. Art therapy aids patients with, but not limited to, chronic illness, physical challenges, and cancer in both pediatric and adult scenarios. Although effective in patient care, the practice of art therapy is extremely underutilized, especially in suburban areas. While conducting our own study in northeastern Ohio, USA, we found that only one out of the five inpatient institutions in the suburban area of Mahoning County, Ohio, that we contacted provided continuous art therapy to it's patients. In the metropolitan area of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, only eight of the twenty-two inpatient institutions in the area provided art therapy. There could be many reasons as to why art therapy is not frequently used in these areas, and medical institutions in general. The cause of this could be the amount of research done on the practice. Although difficult to conduct formal research on such a broad field, the American Art Therapy Association has succeeded in doing such, with studies showing improvement of the patient groups emotionally and mentally in many case types.
An overview of risk factors associated to post-partum depression in Asia
Authors: Mehta Shubham , Mehta Nidhi
Published: February 2020

Post partum depression (PPD) is an important complication of child-bearing. It requires urgent interventions as it can have long-term adverse consequences if ignored, for both mother and child. If PPD has to be prevented by a public health intervention, the recognition and timely identification of its risk factors is must. We in this review have tried to synthesize the results of Asian studies examining the risk factors of PPD. Some risk factors, which are unique to Asian culture, have also been identified and discussed. We emphasize on early identification of these risk factors as most of these are modifiable and this can have significant implications in prevention of emergence of post partum depression, a serious health issue of Asian women.