bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alveolar Dead-Space Fraction and Arterial Saturation Predict Postoperative Course in Fontan Patients*
Authors: Shostak Eran , Schiller Ofer , Merzbach Aviad , Shochat Tzippy , Amir Gabriel , Frenkel Georgy , Dagan Ovadia
Published: December 2019

Objectives:

Fontan surgery, the final surgical stage in single ventricle palliation, redirects systemic venous blood into the pulmonary circulation for gas exchange. A decrease in pulmonary blood flow can lead to major complications and grave outcomes. Alveolar dead-space fraction represents the portion of inhaled air that does not participate in gas exchange and hence quantifies ventilation-perfusion abnormalities in the lung. Increased alveolar dead-space fraction has been associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and worse outcome after congenital heart surgery. The association of alveolar dead-space fraction with clinical outcomes in patients undergoing Fontan operation has not been reported.

Interventions:

None.

Design, Setting, and Patients:

A retrospective charts review of all pediatric patients who underwent Fontan surgery during June 2010–November 2018 in a tertiary-care pediatric hospital. Associations between alveolar dead-space fraction and arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation to a composite outcome (surgical or catheter-based intervention, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use, prolonged ventilation, prolonged hospital length of stay, or death) were explored. Secondary endpoints were parameters of severity of illness, chest drainage duration, and length of stay.

Measurements and Main Results:

Of 128 patients undergoing Fontan operation, 34 met criteria for composite outcome. Alveolar dead-space fraction was significantly higher in the composite (0.33 ± 0.14) versus control (0.25 ± 0.26; p = 0.016) group. Alveolar dead-space fraction greater than or equal to 0.29 indicated a 37% increase in risk to meet composite criteria. Admission arterial oxygen saturation was significantly lower in composite versus control group (93.4% vs 97.1%; p = 0.005). Alveolar dead-space fraction was significantly associated with increased durations of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, duration of thoracic drainage, and parameters of severity of illness.

Conclusions:

Alveolar dead-space fraction and arterial saturation may predict complicated postoperative course in patients undergoing the Fontan operation.
Abdominal Pain in a Young Female Adolescent
Authors: Valle Alonso Joaquin , Ruffino Gabriella , Hurdidge Elizabeth
Published: December 2019

An adolescent female patient presented to the emergency department with diffuse, severe lower abdominal pain and vomiting. The initial suspected diagnosis was appendicitis. Point-of-care ultrasound did not visualize the appendix but demonstrated a suspected left ovarian torsion, which was confirmed by radiology-performed ultrasound. The clinical presentation, in combination with images obtained via point-of-care ultrasound, helped to expedite gynecology consultation and immediate surgery.
Prevalence of Bacteremia in Febrile Patients With Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Bala Natasha , Chao Jennifer , John Delna , Sinert Richard
Published: December 2019

Objective

Pneumococcal vaccination has decreased the bacteremia rate in both the general pediatric and sickle cell disease (SCD) populations. Despite this decrease, and an increasing concern for antibiotic resistance, it remains standard practice to obtain blood cultures and administer antibiotics in all febrile (>38.5°C) patients with SCD. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available studies of the prevalence of bacteremia in febrile patients with SCD.

Methods

We searched the medical literature up to November 2018 in PUBMED, EMBASE, and Web of Science with terms epidemiology, prevalence, bacteremia, and sickle cell anemia. We only included studies with patients after 2000, when the pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate (PCV7) vaccine became widely available. The prevalence of bacteremia [95% confidence interval (CI)] was calculated by dividing the number of positive blood cultures by the number of febrile episodes. The I
2 statistic measured heterogeneity between prevalence estimates. Bias in our studies was quantified by the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.

Results

Our search identified 228 citations with 10 studies meeting our inclusion/exclusion criteria. The weighted prevalence of bacteremia across all studies was 1.9% (95% CI, 1.22%–2.73%), and for Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia, it was 0.31% (95% CI, 0.16%–0.50%). Risks for bacteremia except central lines could not be determined because of the low prevalence of the outcome.

Conclusions

There appears to be a need to develop a risk stratification strategy to guide physicians to manage febrile patients with SCD based on factors including, but not limited to, history and clinical examination, vaccination status, use of prophylactic antibiotics, laboratory values, likely source of infection, and accessibility to health care.
Interlaboratory Concordance of ProMisE Molecular Classification of Endometrial Carcinoma Based on Endometrial Biopsy Specimens
Authors: Plotkin Anna , Kuzeljevic Boris , De Villa Vanessa , Thompson Emily F. , Gilks C. Blake , Clarke Blaise A. , Köbel Martin , McAlpine Jessica N.
Published: December 2019

Molecular classifiers improve the consistency of categorization of endometrial carcinoma and provide valuable prognostic information. We aimed to evaluate the interlaboratory agreement in ProMisE assignment across 3 dedicated Canadian gynecologic oncology centers. Fifty cases of endometrial carcinoma diagnosed on biopsy were collected from 3 centers and 3 unstained sections were provided to each participating site so that immunohistochemistry for MSH6, PMS2, and p53 could be performed and interpreted at each center, blinded to the original diagnoses and the results from other centers. A core was taken for DNA extraction and POLE mutation testing. Overall accuracy and κ statistic were assessed. MSH6, PMS2, and p53 could be assessed for all 50 cases, with agreement for 140/150 results. There was a high level of agreement in molecular classification (κ=0.82), overall. Cases with a discordant result for one of the features used in classification (n=10) were reviewed independently and the most common reason for disagreement was attributable to the weak p53 staining in 1 laboratory (n=4). Interpretive error in PMS2 (n=1) and MSH6 (n=2) assessment accounted for 3 of the remaining disagreements. Interpretive error in the assessment of p53 was identified in 2 cases, with very faint p53 nuclear reactivity being misinterpreted as wild-type staining. These results show strong interlaboratory agreement and the potential for greater agreement if technical and interpretive factors are addressed. Several solutions could improve concordance: central quality control to ensure technical consistency in immunohistochemical staining, education to decrease interpretation errors, and the use of secondary molecular testing.
Microscope-Induced Thermal Burns During Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis
Authors: Yoshida Shuhei , Koshima Isao , Imai Hirofumi , Eldahshoury Tarek Elsayed Mohamed , Sasaki Ayano , Fujioka Yumio , Nagamatsu Shogo , Yokota Kazunori , Harima Mitsunobu , Yamashita Shuji
Published: December 2019

Bright illumination sources using xenon lamps have improved microsurgical visualization under an operating microscope; however, surgeons must recognize the potential for accidental thermal damage to soft tissues.

In this article, we present 2 reports of microscopic thermal burn in lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA).

A 23-year-old woman and a 57-year-old woman with bilateral lymphedema of the legs had LVAs on both legs under local anesthesia. The burn wound in a 23-year-old woman was full thickness, and the one in a 57-year-old woman was deep dermal burn. Both of them healed without skin grafting.

Working distance and high illumination intensity are important risk factor. The use of epinephrine as part the local anesthetic mixture that decreases blood flow is also a major risk factor for thermal burns. Lymphaticovenular anastomosis particularly requires high magnification, which leads to increasing the intensity and decreasing the working distance. The surgical conditions around LVA are inherently prone to microscope-induced thermal burns.
Value of Lymphadenectomy in Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Therapy for Esophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Raja Siva , Rice Thomas W. , Murthy Sudish C. , Ahmad Usman , Semple Marie E. , Blackstone Eugene H. , Ishwaran Hemant
Published: December 2019

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the effect on survival of extent of lymphadenectomy during esophagectomy for patients undergoing multimodality (neoadjuvant) therapy for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction using Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration data.

Summary Background Data:

Previous worldwide data demonstrated that optimum lymphadenectomy during esophagectomy alone for esophageal cancer provides accurate staging and maximum survival. However, for patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced adenocarcinoma, its value is unclear, leading to wide practice variability.

Methods:

A total of 3859 patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus or esophagogastric junction received neoadjuvant therapy. The endpoint was all-cause mortality, reported as gain or loss of lifetime within 10 years. Lifetime predicted for each regional lymph node resected used quantile survival random forest methodology.

Results:

Across all post-neoadjuvant ypTNM cancer categories, some degree of lymphadenectomy was associated with longer lifetime, but in a nonlinear fashion. For patients with ypN0 cancers, there was a modest gain in lifetime up to 25 lymph nodes resected and an incremental loss in lifetime as >25 were resected. For patients with ypN+ cancers, there was a robust gain in lifetime up to 30 lymph nodes resected and then an incremental loss in lifetime.

Conclusions:

Worldwide data for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction demonstrate that lymphadenectomy during esophagectomy is a valuable component of neoadjuvant therapy. Survival is maximized when an optimum range of nodes is resected.
A PCR assay to quantify patterns of HBV transcription
Authors: D’Arienzo Valentina , Magri Andrea , Harris James M. , Wing Peter A. C. , Ko Chunkyu , Rubio Claudia Orbegozo , Revill Peter A. , Protzer Ulrike , Balfe Peter , McKeating Jane A.
Published: December 2019

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the prototype member of the family Hepadnaviridae and replicates via episomal copies of a covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) genome of approximately 3.2 kb. The chromatinization of this small viral genome, with overlapping open reading frames and regulatory elements, suggests an important role for epigenetic pathways to regulate HBV transcription. However, the host pathways that regulate HBV transcription and the temporal nature of promoter usage in infected cells are not well understood, in part due to the compact genome structure and overlapping open reading frames. To address this we developed a simple and cost-effective PCR assay to quantify the major viral RNAs and validated this technique using current state-of-art de novo HBV infection model systems. Our PCR method is three orders of magnitude more sensitive than Northern blot and requires relatively small amounts of starting material, making this an attractive tool for assessing HBV transcription.
Demographic, clinical and laboratory features of leptospirosis–malaria co-infections in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Rao Mohan , Atiqah Nurul , Dasiman Mukmina , Amran Fairuz
Published: December 2019

Introduction. Co-infection of leptospirosis–malaria is not uncommon due to their overlapping geographical distribution in the tropics.

Aim. This study aimed to describe and compare the demographic, clinical and laboratory features of leptospirosis–malaria co-infection (LMCI) against leptospirosis mono-infection (LMI) in Peninsular Malaysia.

Methodology. Data of patients admitted to various hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia from 2011 to 2014 diagnosed with leptospirosis in our laboratory were obtained from their admission records. Co-infections with malaria were identified via blood film for malaria parasites (BFMP). Description with inferential statistics analysis and multiple logistic regressions were used to distinguish features between dual and mono-infections.

Results. Of 111 leptospirosis-positive patients, 26 (23.4 %) tested positive for malaria. Co-infections were predominant among male patients with a mean age of 33 years and were prevalent among immigrant populations who had settled in high-density suburban areas. Chills and rigor with splenomegaly were the only significant distinguishing clinical features of LMCI while leukocytosis and raised transaminases were significant laboratory parameters. Only chills and rigor demonstrated a predictive value for LMCI from analysis of multiple logistic regressions. No death was attributed to co-infection in this study, in contrast to LMI (11.8 %, n=10).

Conclusion. The significant prevalence of LMCI found in this study with overlapping demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters makes diagnosis of co-infection challenging. It is essential to evaluate co-infection in endemic areas. Strengthened awareness of LMCI, comprehensive diagnostic services and further prospective studies are warranted.
Modulation of cortical slow oscillatory rhythm by GABABreceptors: an experimental and computational study
Authors: Perez-Zabalza M , Reig R , Manrique J , Jercog D , Winograd M , Parga N , Sanchez-Vives MV
Published: December 2019

Slow wave oscillations (SWO) dominate cortical activity during deep sleep, anesthesia and in some brain lesions. SWO consist of Up states or periods of activity interspersed with Down states or periods of silence. The rhythmicity expressed during SWO integrates neuronal and connectivity properties of the network and it is often altered in neurological pathological conditions. Different mechanisms have been proposed to drive the transitions between Up and Down states, in particular, adaptation mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to the Up-to-Down transition. Synaptic inhibition, and specially GABABreceptors, have also been proposed to have a role in the termination of Up states. The interplay between these two potential mechanisms, adaptation and inhibition, is not well understood and the role of slow inhibition is not yet clear regarding the full cycle of the slow oscillatory rhythm. Here we contribute to its understanding by combining experimental and computational techniques. GABABreceptors-blockade not only elongated Up states, but also affected the subsequent Down states, and thus the whole cycle of the oscillations. Furthermore, while adaptation tends to yield a rather regular behavior, GABABreceptors-blockade decreased the variability of the sequence of Up and Down states. Interestingly, variability changes could be accomplished in two different ways: either accompanied by a shortening or by a lengthening of the duration of the Down state. Even when the most common observation is the lengthening of the Down states, both changes are expressed experimentally and also in numerical simulations. Our simulations suggest that the sluggishness of GABABreceptors to follow the excitatory fluctuations of the cortical network can explain these different network dynamics modulated by GABABreceptors.
Statistical Pattern Recognition Reveals Shared Neural Signatures for Displaying and Recognizing Specific Facial Expressions
Authors: Volynets Sofia , Smirnov Dmitry , Saarimäki Heini , Nummenmaa Lauri
Published: December 2019

Human neuroimaging and behavioural studies suggest that somatomotor “mirroring” of seen facial expressions may support their recognition. Here we show that viewing specific facial expressions triggers the representation corresponding to that expression in the observer’s brain. Twelve healthy female volunteers underwent two separate fMRI sessions: one where they observed and another where they displayed three types of basic facial expressions (joy, anger and disgust). Pattern classifier based on Bayesian logistic regression was trained to classify facial expressions i) within modality (trained and tested with data recorded while observing or displaying expressions) and ii) between modalities (trained with data recorded while displaying expressions and tested with data recorded while observing the expressions). Cross-modal classification was performed in two ways: with and without functional realignment of the data across observing / displaying conditions. All expressions could be accurately classified within and also across modalities. Brain regions contributing most to cross-modal classification accuracy included primary motor and somatosensory cortices. Functional realignment led to only minor increases in cross-modal classification accuracy for most of the examined ROIs. Substantial improvement was observed in the occipito-ventral components of the core system for facial expression recognition. Altogether these results support the embodied emotion recognition model and show that expression-specific somatomotor neural signatures could support facial expression recognition.
Loss of Tsc1 from striatal direct pathway neurons impairs endocannabinoid-LTD and enhances motor routine learning
Authors: Benthall Katelyn N. , Cording Katherine R. , Agopyan-Miu Alexander H.C.W. , Chen Emily Y. , Bateup Helen S.
Published: December 2019

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which patients frequently present with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A core diagnostic criterion for ASD is the presence of restricted, repetitive behaviors, which may result from abnormal activity in striatal circuits that mediate motor learning, action selection and habit formation. Striatal control over motor behavior relies on the coordinated activity of two subtypes of principle neurons, direct pathway and indirect pathway spiny projection neurons (dSPNs or iSPNs, respectively), which provide the main output of the striatum. To test if altered striatal activity is sufficient to cause changes to motor behavior in the context of TSC, we conditionally deletedTsc1from dSPNs or iSPNs in mice and determined the consequences on synaptic function and motor learning. We find that mice with loss of Tsc1 from dSPNs, but not iSPNs, have enhanced motor routine learning in the accelerating rotarod task. In addition, dSPN Tsc1 KO mice have impaired endocannabinoid-mediated long-term depression (eCB-LTD) at cortico-dSPN synapses in the dorsal striatum. Consistent with a loss of eCB-LTD, disruption of Tsc1 in dSPNs, but not iSPNs, results in a strong enhancement of corticostriatal synaptic drive. Together these findings demonstrate that within the striatum, dSPNs show selective sensitivity to Tsc1 loss and indicate that enhanced cortical activation of the striatal direct pathway is a potential contributor to altered motor behaviors in TSC.
Randomly primed, strand-switching MinION-based sequencing for the detection and characterization of cultured RNA viruses
Authors: Young Kelsey T. , Lahmers Kevin K. , Sellers Holly S. , Stallknecht David E. , Poulson Rebecca L. , Saliki Jerry T. , Tompkins S. Mark , Padykula Ian , Siepker Chris , Howerth Elizabeth W. , Todd Michelle , Stanton James B.
Published: December 2019

RNA viruses rapidly mutate, which can result in increased virulence, increased escape from vaccine protection, and false negative detection results. Targeted detection methods have a limited ability to detect unknown viruses and often provide insufficient data to detect coinfections or identify antigenic variants. Random, deep sequencing is a method that can more fully detect and characterize RNA viruses and is often coupled with molecular techniques or culture methods for viral enrichment. Viral culture coupled with third-generation sequencing were tested for the ability to detect and characterize RNA viruses. Cultures of bovine viral diarrhea virus, canine distemper virus, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, infectious bronchitis virus, two influenza A viruses, and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus were sequenced on the MinION platform using a random, reverse primer in a strand-switching reaction, coupled with PCR-based barcoding. Reads were taxonomically classified and used for reference-based sequence building using a stock personal computer. This method accurately detected and identified complete coding sequence genomes with a minimum of 20× coverage depth for all seven viruses, including a sample containing two viruses. Each lineage-typing region had at least 26× coverage depth for all viruses. Furthermore, analyzing the canine distemper virus sample through a pipeline devoid of canine distemper virus reference sequences modeled the ability of this protocol to detect unknown viruses. These results show the ability of this technique to detect and characterize dsRNA, negative- and positive-sense ssRNA, nonsegmented, and segmented RNA viruses.
Quantification of Microtubule Stutters: Dynamic Instability Behaviors that are Strongly Associated with Catastrophe
Authors: Mahserejian Shant M. , Scripture Jared P. , Mauro Ava J. , Lawrence Elizabeth J. , Jonasson Erin M. , Murray Kristopher S. , Li Jun , Gardner Melissa , Alber Mark , Zanic Marija , Goodson Holly V.
Published: December 2019

Microtubules (MTs) are cytoskeletal fibers that undergo dynamic instability (DI), a remarkable process involving phases of growth and shortening separated by stochastic transitions called catastrophe and rescue. Dissecting dynamic instability mechanism(s) requires first characterizing and quantifying these dynamics, a subjective process that often ignores complexity in MT behavior. We present aStatisticalTool forAutomatedDynamicInstabilityAnalysis (STADIA), which identifies and quantifies not only growth and shortening, but also a category of intermediate behaviors that we term ‘stutters.’ During stutters, the rate of MT length change tends to be smaller in magnitude than during typical growth or shortening phases. Quantifying stutters and other behaviors with STADIA demonstrates that stutters precede most catastrophes in our dimer-scale MT simulations andin vitroexperiments, suggesting that stutters are mechanistically involved in catastrophes. Related to this idea, we show that the anti-catastrophe factor CLASP2γ works by promoting the return of stuttering MTs to growth. STADIA enables more comprehensive and data-driven analysis of MT dynamics compared to previous methods. The treatment of stutters as distinct and quantifiable DI behaviors provides new opportunities for analyzing mechanisms of MT dynamics and their regulation by binding proteins.
Poly[1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium [tri-μ-isothiocyanato-manganate(II)]]
Authors: Peppel Tim , Köckerling Martin
Published: December 2019

The title compound, {(C9H11N2)[Mn(NCS)3]}
n
, has been obtained as a side product of the salt metathesis reaction of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, (EMIm)Br, and K2[Mn(NCS)4]. The structure consists of discrete 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium cations and an anionic two-dimensional network of manganese(II)-based complex anions, interconnected by thiocyanate ions. Every Mn2+ ion is coordinated by three S atoms of three NCS− ions and three N atoms of further three NCS− ions in a meridional octahedral fashion.
Building a bulletproof whistleblowing environment: an accountant’s perspective
Authors: Rajeevan Shanmugavel
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the appropriateness of the factors that contribute to building a better whistleblowing environment and culture within an organisation and provide guidelines on how to build a better whistleblowing environment within an organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 592 questionnaires were circulated to 148 accounting firms licensed to carry out statutory audits of public limited companies expecting responses from 4 stakeholders from each entity. Out of the 592 questionnaires, only 148 questionnaires were usable, representing a 25 per cent overall response rate.

Findings

It is recommended to encourage a proactive whistleblowing environment by encouraging whistleblowing culture among employees of the organisations. However, there is disagreement among the respondents for some of the selected components that contribute to building a better whistleblowing environment and culture within an organisation.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can be used by the management of the organisations to identify frail areas of whistleblowing initiatives within the organisation and take remedial actions rectify the issues. Authorities can use the findings of the study to implement or amend the existing rules and regulations to encourage whistleblowing.

Originality/value

This study in contrast to the existing studies on determinants of whistleblowing attributes, provides knowledge on developing components/guidelines to encourage whistleblowing attributes and culture.
Innovation and co-creation in knowledge intensive business services: the Spinner model
Authors: Figueiredo Ronnie , Ferreira João J.M. , Silveira Rogério Guerra , Villarinho Alvaro Teixeira
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the propensity for innovation and co-creation in service companies in receipt of knowledge intensive business services (KIBS) type services through their intensive incorporation of knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to achieve this study objective, the authors first carried out a literature review in order to specify the scope of the construct; second, the authors applied a survey based on the “Spinner model”; third, the authors undertook research on KIBS clients and restricted the results to this population sample; and fourth, based on the validated and applied models deriving from the base construct, the authors presented the results obtained.

Findings

This concludes that the “Spinner” model is valid for explaining the propensity for innovation and co-creation in companies receiving KIBS. The results demonstrate evidence of innovation processes as a result of the intensive application of knowledge associated with co-creation and knowledge transfers.

Research limitations/implications

This provides managers with a better understanding of the barriers that may obstruct the implementation of co-creation and knowledge transfers. Hence, the variables analysed may guide managers in defining and planning innovation strategies. Furthermore, this enables each company receiving such services to validate them and establish indices for the innovation propensity of specialist (knowledge intensive) service providers within the framework of benchmarking exercises.

Originality/value

This study sets out a new means of analysing the propensity for innovation and the co-creation of knowledge by companies making recourse to knowledge intensive services. From the theoretical point of view, this defines a new construct and a means of classification for companies supplying services designed for their propensity for innovation and co-creation. From the practical perspective, this study provides the companies subject to research with the opportunity to perceive their respective position in relation to other companies. In addition to this, ranking companies in such a way may drive the need to develop new knowledge for future co-creation and innovation processes.
Executive education program faculty leaders: their “BASIC” roles
Authors: Haskins Mark E.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This article highlights and codifies the primary responsibilities of those individuals tasked with leading an executive education (EE) custom program design, development, and delivery team. The perspective presented is comprehensive and client centric.

Design/methodology/approach

The personal insights presented are based on over 20 years of serving as an EE program faculty leader (FL) on some of the largest and longest-running custom clients at one of the world’s premiere EE providers, while also observing others serving in that same capacity on other clients.

Findings

The primary, ongoing responsibilities of a FL are presented in a fashion analogous to the key players in the custom home building setting. Those roles are: architect, builder, supervisor, inspector, and client liaison. Each role is highlighted and explained.

Practical implications

The FL roles described herein are easily understood and immediately actionable as a robust array of priorities for those potentially cast in a FL role or its equivalent.

Originality/value

The EE role of FL is an important one. This article is unique providing a robust and succinct depiction of the multi-faceted role for FLs to embrace in order to richly and effectively fulfill that position.
Application of lean in construction using value stream mapping
Authors: Ramani Prasanna Venkatesan , KSD Laxmana Kumara Lingan
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Lean construction is a technique that aims at reducing waste in construction and maximizing productivity. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effectiveness of Lean technique in managing construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of structural steel erection project was chosen where the value stream mapping lean tool is applied and the possible improvement in productivity was observed. The current state of the activities in the erection process was mapped first which was followed by preparing the Future State Map of the activities after eliminating the non-value adding tasks.

Findings

The modifications from Future State Map were carried out at the project and the results exhibited a substantial increase in productivity by reducing the project duration by 13 days which is about 30 per cent savings from the expected completion time after the implementation of Lean technique.

Originality/value

Traditionally lean concept has been widely used in process-oriented manufacturing industry whereas it is relatively new to the project-oriented construction industry. This current research has focused on applying lean tool to a real time construction project at the site level and measuring its outcome practically. The results of this study are real and affirm the effectiveness of applying lean concept to construction projects. It will be major paradigm shift in terms of managing construction projects.
Colegio Brillo De Luna. Modelo De Negocio Sostenible
Authors: Villalobos Araya Rodrigo
Published: December 2019

Learning outcomes

En cursos de Emprendimiento el caso permitiría debatir el aporte de la innovación social. Por otra parte, en cursos de Estrategia el caso permitiría diseñar el modelo de negocio para un emprendimiento social, evaluar la creación, entrega y captura de valor de una empresa social. Dependiendo del curso y el enfoque que quiera dársele a la discusión del caso, puede servir como soporte para los siguientes objetivos: Comprensión de conceptos: • Explicar el aporte de la innovación social para la solución de problemáticas de una región. • Describir los recursos y propuesta de valor del modelo de negocio de una empresa social. Fomento de actitudes: • Comprender la importancia de la ética y la responsabilidad en el desarrollo de emprendimientos sociales.

Case overview/synopsis

El caso aborda la oportunidad que tiene el Colegio Especial Brillo de Luna, al desarrollar un emprendimiento social, el cual requiere proyección, evaluación y apoyo a la gestión. En este contexto la directora del colegio debe proponer un modelo de negocio que sea sostenible a largo plazo en el mercado y que genere valor compartido. La relación institucional del Colegio Brillo de Luna con la empresa Cristalchile, a través del emprendimiento social del reciclaje de vidrio, podría generar valor económico, medioambiental y social a la comunidad escolar y la empresa.

Complexity academic level

Cursos en los que podría aplicarse el caso: Emprendimiento, Estrategia.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Aplicación de convenios de comercialización en genéricos farmacéuticos: un análisis de la marca Starpram de Maple Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Padela Shoaib M. Farooq , Qureshi Jawaid Ahmed , Bashir Salman
Published: December 2019

Learning outcomes

(Core) Objetivos de aprendizaje esperados (y resultados): 1) comprender las decisiones de posicionamiento de marca, construcción de marca y extensión de categoría de una marca farmacéutica (operativa en una de las industrias más competitivas y reguladas de un país en desarrollo); 2) analizar los resultados de las decisiones relacionadas con ventas estratégicas, creación de marca, marketing y reestructuración estratégica para superar los desafíos del crecimiento; y 3) Diseñar soluciones estratégicas para el desarrollo de la marca.

Case overview/synopsis

Este caso explora la estrategia de lanzar y establecer una marca farmacéutica en una industria que tiende a ser una industria altamente técnica y la más regulada. Representa datos de investigación de mercado, análisis de la industria, dura competencia, asuntos regulatorios y elabora diversas decisiones estratégicas tomadas por la empresa. Los datos primarios para el caso se acumulan a través de entrevistas en profundidad de seis expertos de la industria en marketing farmacéutico que estaban bien familiarizados con Maple Pharma y datos secundarios se extraen de la literatura sustantiva. Maple Pharmaceuticals lanzó Starpram, una marca de antidepresivos genéricos de alto crecimiento y alto potencial (en la categoría de sistema nervioso central) que contiene la molécula / sustancia química de escitalopram. Tenía experiencia y ventaja competitiva en flujos cardiovasculares y antidiabéticos, pero dicha iniciativa parecía tener una extensión de categoría, con la intención de diversificar el riesgo y expandir la compañía para lograr mayores economías de escala. El primer año en que los ingresos por ventas de Starpram parecieron demasiado sombríos como para estimular la inauguración de nuevos productos. En consecuencia, se realizó una revisión estratégica para establecer la marca en la industria farmacéutica altamente fragmentada. La empresa carecía de experiencia en la categoría de antidepresivos, junto con ventas deficientes, combinación de marketing y estrategia de marketing en general. Finalmente, la gerencia ejerció una reestructuración estratégica para establecer el valor de marca y el crecimiento observado.

Complexity academic level

Licenciados (MBA), MS, PhD (ciencias de la administración).

Subject Code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Prey: Reteniendo talento ad portas de una alianza con Policía de Investigaciones
Authors: Kuschel Katherina , Cotapos Francisco , González Miguel-Ángel , Salcedo Nestor U.
Published: December 2019

Learning outcomes

Un estudiante de este programa podrá evaluar eficazmente las variables relacionadas con la decisión de una alianza estratégica para el crecimiento mientras, simultáneamente se enfrenta a otras dificultades internas, como lidiar con un equipo “no comprometido”. Además, el estudiante podrá equilibrar y ponderar de manera efectiva los recursos actuales y necesarios, entendiendo que los marcos conceptuales POLC y FODA son útiles y válidos para entender compañías jóvenes basadas en alta tecnología.

Case overview/synopsis

El caso cuenta la historia de Tomás Pollak, fundador y CEO de Prey Project, una compañía de software que rastrea equipos robados. El caso cubre el período de 6 años, desde la fundación de la empresa en 2009, hasta su situación en julio de 2015, cuando la compañía enfrentó la decisión de implementar o no una alianza con una institución pública: Policía de Investigaciones de Chile. Tomás debe decidir si toma o no la oportunidad, a la vez que intenta desesperadamente reclutar y retener el talento de la compañía. Este caso destaca varios desafíos de administración y estrategia que comúnmente enfrentan emprendedores, y busca generar discusión en clase sobre cómo estos conceptos de administración siguen siendo relevantes para una startup.

Complexity academic level

Estudiantes de pregrado y postgrado o MBA. Cursos de Creación de Negocios, Emprendimiento Tecnológico, Administración/Gestión, Dirección Estratégica/Estrategia.

Supplementary materials

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Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Institutional investors vs retail investors
Authors: Jaiyeoba Haruna Babatunde , Abdullah Moha Asri , Ibrahim Khairunisah
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Guided by several pioneered studies, the purpose of this paper is to comprehensively investigate the investment behaviours of Malaysian retail and institutional investors in an attempt to identify whether the influence of psychological biases is equally applicable to investor divides.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers have adopted a quantitative research design by way of survey methodology to obtain data from institutional and retail investors in Malaysia. In addition, the authors have mainly employed second-order measurement invariance analysis to uncover the difference across investor divides.

Findings

The tests of measurement invariance at the model level indicate an insignificant difference between institutional investors and retail investors. The post hoc test (at the path level) reveals that institutional and retail investors are similar with respect to representative heuristic, overconfidence bias and anchoring bias; though the results also show that they are different with respect to religious bias and herding bias.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the findings of this study, it is generally not logical to assume that institutional investors completely behave rational during investment decisions. Besides, future researchers are called upon to directly compare the investment decisions of institutional and retail investors with respect to whether the influence of psychological biases is equally applicable to them, particularly on the investigated psychological biases and other psychological biases that are not covered in this study.

Originality/value

This study has offered insight into whether the influence of psychological biases is equally applicable to institutional and retail investors in Malaysia using second-order measurement invariance analysis. This study is unique in context and the approach it has adopted.
School technology leadership vision and challenges
Authors: Gonzales Miguel M.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the significant challenges school administrators encountered leading a one-to-one laptop school and what vision school administrators have for one-to-one laptop use in the classroom.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology for this study was a case study approach. In total, 15 school administrators were interviewed from the Western region of the USA.

Findings

Results from the study indicated that significant challenges for school administrators were budgeting and sustaining the initiative, and negotiating and setting expectations for instructional use with teachers. School administrators also envisioned one-to-one laptop use as a mean to enhance student-centered learning and inquiry.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed which examines how school administrators make financial decisions in regards to sustaining one-on-one laptop initiatives and how they manage conflict with teachers in respect to one-to-one laptop instruction.

Originality/value

Minimal literature exists which examines the challenges and vision of school technology leaders. Policy-makers and school administrators can use the findings to recreate teacher evaluation forms, develop conflict management strategies and teaching standards that are aligned and conducive to one-to-one laptop schools.
The impact of foreign capital inflows on economic growth and employment in Egypt
Authors: Abouelfarag Hanan AbdelKhalik , Abed Mohamed Sayed
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to trace the effects of both foreign direct investment (FDI) and external debt on economic growth and employment in Egypt over the 1985–2014 period.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis includes three stages: an aggregate time series analysis, a panel model that includes six economic sectors and a set of single-sector models. The “autoregressive distributed lag” approach is utilized either in the time series or in the panel models.

Findings

The empirical results of this research reveal that foreign investment exerts a weak positive effect on economic growth and employment in Egypt. External debt exerts an insignificant effect on economic growth and employment in the aggregate model. The sectoral analysis reveals that the effect varies greatly between sectors; the effect of FDI on output is positive in the financial, tourism and other service sectors, while it is insignificant in the agricultural, construction and manufacturing sectors.

Practical implications

It is important not to depend on external debt as an easy way to obtain capital. Greater efforts should be exerted to increase the absorptive capacity of the Egyptian economy so as to benefit from the positive spillover effect of foreign investment as much as possible.

Originality/value

With respect to Egypt, very limited studies have focussed on the role of external debt on growth and that of FDI and external debt on the employment level. There is no general agreement concerning the effect of FDI on economic growth. Therefore, this research explores the effect of FDI and external debt on the Egyptian economy utilizing both aggregate and sectoral data.
A novel generalized thermoelasticity with higher-order time-derivatives and three-phase lags
Authors: Abouelregal Ahmed E.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

In this work, a modified thermoelastic model of heat conduction, including higher order of time derivative, is constructed by extending the Roychoudhuri model (TPL) (Choudhuri, 2007). In this new model, Fourier’s law of heat conduction is replaced by using Taylor series expansions, including three different phase lags for the heat flux, the thermal displacement and the temperature gradient. The generalized thermoelasticity models of Lord–Shulman (Lord and Shulman, 1967), Green and Naghdi (1991), dual-phase lag (Tzou, 1996) and three-phase lag (TPL) (Choudhuri, 2007) are obtained as special cases. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim of this work is to establish a new generalized mathematical model of thermoelasticity that includes TPL in the vector of heat flux, and in the thermal displacement and temperature gradients extending TPL model (Li et al., 2019e). In this model, Fourier law of heat conduction is replaced by using Taylor series expansions to a modification of the Fourier law with introducing three different phase lags for the heat flux vector, the temperature gradient, and the thermal displacement gradient and keeping terms up with suitable higher orders.

Findings

The established high-order three-phase-lag heat conduction model reduces to the previous models of thermoelasticity as special cases.

Originality/value

In this paper, a TPL thermoelastic model is developed by extending the Roychoudhuri (Sherief and Raslan, 2017) model (TPL) considering the Taylor series approximation of the equation of heat conduction. This model is an alternative construction to the TPL model. The new model includes high order of TPL in the vector of heat flux, and in the thermal displacement and temperature gradients.
Below‐ground responses to insect herbivory in ecosystems with woody plant canopies: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Kristensen Jeppe Å. , Rousk Johannes , Metcalfe Daniel B.
Published: December 2019

Insect herbivory can have important consequences for the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Despite a growing recognition of the role of herbivores in above‐ground–below‐ground interactions, our current understanding is mainly restricted to studies of vertebrates in grassland and tundra ecosystems, while ecosystems with tree‐like canopies (termed forests below) and invertebrates remain understudied.

Here, we assess the current state of knowledge of one key aspect of plant–herbivore interactions by conducting a meta‐analysis of the peer‐reviewed literature on the below‐ground consequences of above‐ground insect herbivory in forest ecosystems. Main results are reported as aggregated relative effect sizes (Cohen's d).

We find that above‐ground insect herbivory reduced below‐ground carbon (C) allocation by plants to roots (−0.56) and root exudation (−0.85), causing shifts in root–symbiont communities, for example, a decrease (−0.67) in the abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Microbial decomposer abundances showed no significant responses, while soil faunal abundances increased (0.50). C and nitrogen (N) mineralization rates (C: 0.48, N: 0.48) along with nutrient leaching (C: 0.30, N: 0.77) increased, with a stronger response to outbreak relative to background insect densities. The negative responses increased in strength in colder and dryer biomes while positive responses were reinforced in warmer and wetter biomes, thus extending previously shown effects for vertebrate herbivores to also include insect herbivory. The positive response by soil fauna to insect herbivory was the notable exception. This may be associated with the limited physical soil disturbance caused by insects compared to ungulates. Furthermore, we identified an under‐representation in the literature of large areas of boreal and tropical biomes calling for research priorities to fill these knowledge gaps. We present three recommendations for future research: addressing (a) biological drivers of biogeochemistry and response pathways, (b) knowledge gap from boreal and tropical forests, and (c) heterogeneity of herbivore disturbances.

Synthesis. Insect herbivores significantly accelerate soil C and N cycling during outbreaks in forest ecosystems, but we lack knowledge on the underlying biological drivers. Overall, below‐ground responses to insect herbivory are similar to vertebrate herbivory responses, which may simplify implementing herbivory effects into ecosystem models. Nonetheless, we identify a few important differences and general knowledge gaps on which we base recommendations for future research.