bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical evaluation of the role of crystal defects on local equilibrium and effective diffusivity of hydrogen in iron
Authors: Bombac D. , Katzarov I. H. , Pashov D. L. , Paxton A. T.
Published: April 2017

Hydrogen diffusion and trapping in ferrite is evaluated by quantum mechanically informed kinetic Monte Carlo simulations in defective microstructures. We find that the lattice diffusivity is attenuated by two to four orders of magnitude due to the presence of dislocations. We also find that pipe diffusivity is vanishingly small along screw dislocations and demonstrate that dislocations do not provide fast diffusion pathways for hydrogen as is sometimes supposed. We make contact between our simulations and the predictions of Oriani's theory of ‘effective diffusivity’, and find that local equilibrium is maintained between lattice and trap sites. We also find that the predicted effective diffusivity is in agreement with our simulated results in cases where the distribution of traps is spatially homogeneous; in the trapping of hydrogen by dislocations where this condition is not met, the Oriani effective diffusivity is in agreement with the simulations to within a factor of two.

This paper is part of a thematic issue on Hydrogen in Metallic Alloys
Betweenness centrality profiles in trees
Authors: Fish Benjamin , Kushwaha Rahul , Turán György
Published: April 2017

Betweenness centrality of a vertex in a graph measures the fraction of shortest paths going through the vertex. This is a basic notion for determining the importance of a vertex in a network. The $k$-betweenness centrality of a vertex is defined similarly, but only considers shortest paths of length at most $k$. The sequence of $k$-betweenness centralities for all possible values of $k$ forms the betweenness centrality profile of a vertex. We study properties of betweenness centrality profiles in trees.

We show that for scale-free random trees, for fixed $k$, the expectation of $k$-betweenness centrality strictly decreases as the index of the vertex increases. We also analyse worst-case properties of profiles in terms of the distance of profiles from being monotone, and the number of times pairs of profiles can cross. This is related to whether $k$-betweenness centrality, for small values of $k$, may be used instead of having to consider all shortest paths. Bounds are given that are optimal in order of magnitude. We also present some experimental results for scale-free random trees.
Fibromyalgia, a missed comorbidity in spondyloarthritis: prevalence and impact on assessment and treatment
Authors: Mease Philip J.
Published: April 2017

Purpose of review

Fibromyalgia is a clinical representation of the neurobiological phenomenon of central sensitization, characterized by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and other symptoms. Fibromyalgia may occur in conjunction with chronic rheumatic diseases, driven by the effects of chronic pain and inflammation and likely influenced by the patient's genetic and psychoemotional background. This article reviews the data on prevalence of concomitant fibromyalgia and its impact on disease assessment in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Recent findings

Fibromyalgia occurs in 2–8% of the general population. In AxSpA cohorts the prevalence has been reported in 4–25%, and in PsA, 16–22%, the majority being female. Measures of disease activity which are comprised partly or wholly of patient-reported outcomes such as pain and patient global are significantly higher in patients with concomitant fibromyalgia and do not improve as much with treatment as more objective measures, a finding which has been observed in other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Fibromyalgia occurs in a significant proportion of patients with SpA and PsA. Disease activity measures with subjective elements are conflated in patients with fibromyalgia and do not reliably assess true inflammatory disease. This needs to be taken into account when evaluating the impact of immunomodulatory therapy.
Myxoid Spitz Nevi: Report of 6 Cases
Authors: Fernandez-Flores Angel , Riveiro-Falkenbach Erica , Cassarino David S.
Published: April 2017

Mucin deposition in Spitz nevus seems to be a very rare phenomenon, as there have only been 3 cases previously published. We report 6 additional cases, half of them in women, and half in men. The ages of the patients varied from 5 to 47 years (mean = 30.17). Sizes of the nevi varied from 3 to 6 mm. Four lesions were located on the extremities, whereas one was located on the trunk (there was no clinical information about the other). A vascular lesion was suspected in 2 cases. Excision with clear margins was achieved in all cases but one. So far, there have been no recurrences after follow-ups varying from 1 to 5 years. The biopsy showed a symmetrical melanocytic Spitz nevus in all cases. Three cases were compound, and 3 cases were junctional nevi. The epidermis was either acanthotic or hyperplastic in all cases, with no epidermal consumption. Kamino bodies were found in 4 cases. The deposit of mucin was moderate in 5 cases and mild in one case. Mucin was found in the stroma between the dermal melanocytes in cases of compound nevi and in the melanocytic nests of the junctional component.
The Facial Platysma and Its Underappreciated Role in Lower Face Dynamics and Contour
Authors: de Almeida Ada R.T. , Romiti Alessandra , Carruthers Jean D.A.
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

The platysma is a superficial muscle involved in important features of the aging neck. Vertical bands, horizontal lines, and loss of lower face contour are effectively treated with botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A). However, its pars facialis, mandibularis, and modiolaris have been underappreciated.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the role of BoNT-A treatment of the upper platysma and its impact on lower face dynamics and contour.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of cases treated by an injection pattern encompassing the facial platysma components, aiming to block the lower face as a whole complex. It consisted of 2 intramuscular injections into the mentalis muscle and 2 horizontal lines of BoNT-A injections superficially performed above and below the mandible (total dose, 16 onabotulinumtoxinA U/side). Photographs were taken at rest and during motion (frontal and oblique views), before and after treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 161 patients have been treated in the last 2 years with the following results: frontal and lateral enhancement of lower facial contour, relaxation of high horizontal lines located just below the lateral mandibular border, and lower deep vertical smile lines present lateral to the oral commissures and melomental folds.

CONCLUSION

The upper platysma muscle plays a relevant role in the functional anatomy of the lower face that can be modulated safely with neuromodulators.
Comparison of Intracoronary and Intravenous Ultrasound-targeted Microbubble Destruction–mediated Ang1 Gene Transfection on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Canines With Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Cao Sheng , Zhou Qing , Chen Jin-ling , Cui Jing-jing , Shan Ying-guang , Hu Bo , Guo Rui-qiang
Published: April 2017

Intravenous ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (IV-UTMD) has made distinct but limited progress in gene therapy. Intracoronary (IC) injection may lead to more gene transfection than IV injection. This study compared the therapeutic effects of IC-UTMD–mediated and conventional IV-UTMD–mediated gene transfection in acute myocardial infarction (MI). A canine MI model was successfully established through transcatheter coronary artery embolism, and the animals were divided into several treatment groups: IC injection with UTMD and the negative control plasmid (IC-UTMD); IC injection of the angiopoietin 1 (Ang1) plasmid (IC-Ang1); IC injection with UTMD and the Ang1 plasmid (IC-UTMD-Ang1); and IV injection with UTMD and the Ang1 plasmid (IV-UTMD-Ang1). At 12 hours after injection, more green fluorescence was observed from the fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled Ang1 plasmid in the IC-UTMD-Ang1 group. After 1 month, compared with the IV-UTMD-Ang1 group, echocardiography showed that the IC-UTMD-Ang1 group exhibited increased left ventricular systolic function and myocardial infusion, with lower fibrous tissue levels and higher blood vessel density and Ang1 mRNA and protein levels. Similar cardiac troponin I and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide levels were observed in all groups. Compared with IV-UTMD, IC-UTMD can enhance Ang1 plasmid transfection efficiency after MI, promote gene expression and angiogenesis, and improve left ventricular remodeling without decreasing safety.
Peripheral inflammatory pain sensitisation is independent of mast cell activation in male mice
Authors: Lopes Douglas M. , Denk Franziska , Chisholm Kim I. , Suddason Tesha , Durrieux Camille , Thakur Matthew , Gentry Clive , McMahon Stephen B.
Published: April 2017

The immune and sensory systems are known for their close proximity and interaction. Indeed, in a variety of pain states, a myriad of different immune cells are activated and recruited, playing a key role in neuronal sensitisation. During inflammatory pain it is thought that mast cells (MC) are one of the immune cell types involved in this process, but so far the evidence outlining their direct effect on neuronal cells remains unclear. To clarify whether MC are involved in inflammatory pain states, we used a transgenic mouse line (Mctp5Cre-iDTR) in which MC could be depleted in an inducible manner by administration of diphtheria toxin. Our results show that ablation of MC in male mice did not result in any change in mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in the CFA model of inflammatory pain. Similarly, edema and temperature triggered by CFA inflammation at the injection site remained identical in MC depleted mice compared with their littermate controls. In addition, we show that Mctp5Cre-iDTR mice display normal levels of mechanical hypersensitivity after local injection of nerve growth factor (NGF), a factor well characterised to produce peripheral sensitisation and for being upregulated upon injury and inflammation. We also demonstrate that NGF treatment in vitro does not lead to an increased level of tumor necrosis factor-α in bone marrow-derived MC. Furthermore, our qRT-PCR data reveal that MC express negligible levels of NGF receptors, thereby explaining the lack of response to NGF. Together, our data suggest that MC do not play a direct role in peripheral sensitisation during inflammatory conditions.
Optimizing Portable Pulse Oximeter Measurement Accuracy and Consistency During Exercise
Authors: LaPier Jonas , Chatellier Megan
Published: April 2017

Purpose:

Monitoring oxygen saturation (SpO2) in some patient populations during exercise is vital. The objectives of this study were to determine whether under conditions of artificial hypoperfusion pulse oximeter performance during exercise was influenced by sensor type, attachment clip reinforcement, or a low pressure arm cuff.

Methods:

Six different portable oximeter models were tested on study participants at rest with a control (normothermic) and experimental (hypothermic) hand. Oximeters were then tested during treadmill walking at 1 and 2 mph with the experimental hand remaining hypothermic. Electrocardiographic measurements of heart rate were also taken simultaneously.

Results:

There were differences in SpO2 values between oximeter pairs following cold exposure at rest for most models (5 out of 6) but during walking for only 1 model. There were also differences between oximeter and electrocardiographic heart rate measurements for some models when study participants walked on a treadmill at 1 mph (1 out of 6) and 2 mph (3 out of 6).

Conclusions:

Results suggest that oximeter performance is better when measuring SpO2 than heart rate. Cold-induced hypoperfusion caused inaccuracies in SpO2 measurements, which were greater at rest than during exercise. Study results also suggest that some pulse oximeters perform better when the oximeter sensor attachment clip is reinforced with an elastic band.
Relationship Between Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Palliative Care Consultations, and Hospital Length of Stay
Authors: Wilson Christopher , Roy Danielle
Published: April 2017

Purpose:

Physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) treatment utilization in palliative care (PC) is not well documented. This study analyzed which hospitalized patients have received an order for a PC consultation and also received an order for PT or OT during that admission and described the patients most likely to have these services ordered.

Methods:

Palliative care orders were examined retrospectively for presence or absence of PT/OT orders in the context of primary PC diagnoses, age, and length of stay (LOS).

Results:

Of the 824 unique patients, 681 patients (83%) received at least 1 order for PT while 615 patients (75%) received at least 1 order for OT. Palliative care patients who received orders for PT and OT (9.7 days) and PT and/or OT (9.3 days) had a longer LOS (P < .0001) compared with those who did not receive either PT or OT (5.0 days).

Conclusions:

A large percentage of patients who received PC consultations also received PT and/or OT orders, and most of the time therapy was ordered before PC. On the basis of these findings, ordering providers may be consulting PT/OT to assist with discharge planning for medically complex patients with a longer anticipated LOS.
Microsurgery for Recurrent Vestibular Schwannoma After Previous Gross Total Resection
Authors: Perry Avital , Graffeo Christopher S. , Copeland William R. , Carlson Matthew L. , Neff Brian A. , Driscoll Colin L. , Link Michael J.
Published: April 2017

Objective:

To present a single-institution experience and supportive systematic literature review examining outcomes after repeat microsurgery for recurrent vestibular schwannoma (VS) following previous gross total resection (GTR).

Study Design:

Retrospective review of prospectively maintained VS database. Systematic literature review.

Setting:

Tertiary referral center.

Patients:

Six proven VS recurrences after primary GTR, treated via repeat microsurgery.

Intervention:

Repeat microsurgery.

Main Outcome Measures:

Facial nerve function, extent-of-resection, time-to-repeat surgery, same versus alternate approach at repeat surgery (relative to primary operation).

Results:

GTR was achieved in four (67%). House–Brackmann (HB) grade I–II facial nerve function was achieved in five (87%), including one that improved from preoperative HB grade V. An alternate surgical approach was chosen in four (67%). Systematic review identified four studies documenting 50 cases with patient-specific outcomes after repeat microsurgery for recurrent VS. Our cohort had significantly longer mean time-to-repeat surgery (117 vs. 64 months, p = 0.03), was significantly less likely to have HB III–VI function postrepeat (17% vs. 68%, p = 0.04), and was significantly less likely to undergo same approach surgery (33% vs. 90%, p = 0.0002); rates of GTR were nonsignificant (67% vs. 94%, p = 0.1).

Conclusion:

We report a six-patient series of microsurgery for recurrent VS after GTR, and the first systematic review of this rare and challenging entity. Anecdotally, our findings suggest that an alternate surgical approach may facilitate easier access to the tumor, with less scar encountered during the approach. Our results confirm that repeat microsurgery for recurrent VS is safe and effective, even for larger tumors not typically amenable to stereotactic radiosurgery.
Are Cervical Collars a Necessary Postprocedure Restriction in Patients With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Treated With Particle Repositioning Maneuvers?
Authors: Stewart Kirsten E. , Whelan Darren M. , Banerjee Anirvan
Published: April 2017

Introduction:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is managed with particle repositioning maneuvers (PRM), following which patients are advised of activity restrictions to prevent recurrence. This can include wearing a cervical collar.

Objective:

Does the use of BPPV postprocedure restriction with a cervical collar impact on the number of PRMs required to resolve a patient's symptoms?

Method:

Combination of retrospective and prospective review of 624 patients treated in a tertiary UK hospital. All were diagnosed with posterior canal BPPV and received a modified Epley maneuver (PRM). The “with cervical collar” (WC) retrospective group 2002 to 2009 (n = 263) were advised to wear a cervical collar for 48 hours postprocedure, and the “no cervical collar” (NC) prospective group 2010 to 2014 (n = 361) were not. The main outcome measure was the resolution of patient symptoms following a PRM for BPPV. Quantitative and statistical analysis using χ2 test was undertaken.

Results:

In the WC group, 84% (n = 221) had resolution of symptoms after the first PRM, versus 82.8% (n = 299) in the NC group. After the second PRM 11% (n = 29) resolved, versus 13.6% (n = 49) in the NC group. After the third PRM 4.9% (n = 13) resolved, versus 3.6% (n = 13) in the NC group. Both clinically and statistically there was no significant difference in outcome between groups.

Conclusions:

Our review of 624 patients is the largest study in this subject and the results demonstrate that wearing a cervical collar following PRM for BPPV concedes no significant benefit. Excluding this from postprocedure guidance allows patients to manage without the inconvenience of wearing a cervical collar, and allows departments to update clinical guidance.
Atlantean Evolution in Darwin’s Finches—Issues and Perspectives in Species Delimitation using Phenotypic Data
Authors: Cadena Carlos Daniel , Jiménez Iván , Zapata Felipe
Published: April 2017

Progress in the development and use of methods for species delimitation employing phenotypic data lags behind conceptual and practical advances in molecular genetic approaches. The basic evolutionary model underlying the use of phenotypic data to delimit species assumes random mating and quantitative polygenic traits, so that phenotypic distributions within a species should be approximately normal for individuals of the same sex and age. Accordingly, two or more distinct normal distributions of phenotypic traits suggest the existence of multiple species. In light of this model, we show that analytical approaches employed in taxonomic studies using phenotypic data are often compromised by three issues: (1) reliance on graphical analyses of phenotypic space that do not consider the frequency of phenotypes; (2)exclusion of characters potentially important for species delimitation following reduction of data dimensionality; and (3) use of measures of central tendencies to evaluate phenotypic distinctiveness. We outline approaches to overcome these issues based on statistical developments related to normal mixture models and illustrate them empirically with a reanalysis of morphological data recently used to claim that there are no morphologically distinct species of Darwin’s ground-finches (Geospiza). We found negligible support for this claim relative to taxonomic hypotheses recognizing multiple species. Although species limits among ground-finches merit further assessments using additional sources of information, our results bear implications for other areas of inquiry including speciation research: because ground-finches have likely speciated and are not trapped in a process of “Sisyphean” evolution as recently argued, they remain useful models to understand the evolutionary forces involved in speciation. Our work underscores the importance of statistical approaches grounded on appropriate evolutionary models for species delimitation. Approaches allowing one to fit normal mixture models withouta prioriinformation about species limits offer new perspectives in the kind of inferences available to systematists, with significant repercusions on ideas about the structure of biological biodiversity. [morphology; normal mixture model; phenotype; principal components analysis; species limits; variable selection.]
SOMSC: Self-Organization-Map for High-Dimensional Single-Cell Data of Cellular States and Their Transitions
Authors: Peng Tao , Nie Qing
Published: April 2017

Measurements of gene expression levels for multiple genes in single cells provide a powerful approach to study heterogeneity of cell populations and cellular plasticity. While the expression levels of multiple genes in each cell are available in such data, the potential connections among the cells (e.g. the lineage relationship) are not directly evident from the measurement. Classifying cellular states and identifying transitions among those states are challenging due to many factors, including the small number of cells versus the large number of genes collected in the data. In this paper we adapt a classical self-organizing-map approach to single-cell gene expression data, such as those based on qPCR and RNA-seq. In this method (SOMSC), a cellular state map (CSM) is derived and employed to identify cellular states inherited in a population of measured single cells. Cells located in the same basin of the CSM are considered as in one cellular state while barriers between the basins provide information on transitions among the cellular states. Consequently, paths of cellular state transitions (e.g. differentiation) and a temporal ordering of the measured single cells are obtained. Applied to a set of synthetic data, two single-cell qPCR data sets and two single-cell RNA-seq data sets for a simulated model of cell differentiation, and systems on the early embryo development, haematopoietic cell lineages, human preimplanation embryo development, and human skeletal muscle myoblasts differentiation, the SOMSC shows good capabilities in identifying cellular states and their transitions in the high-dimensional single-cell data. This approach will have broad applications in studying cell lineages and cellular fate specification.
Quantifying rates of cell migration and cell proliferation in co-culture barrier assays reveals how skin and melanoma cells interact during melanoma spreading and invasion
Authors: Haridas Parvathi , Penington Catherine J. , McGovern Jacqui A. , McElwain D. L. Sean , Simpson Matthew J.
Published: April 2017

Malignant spreading involves the migration of cancer cells amongst other native cell types. For example,in vivomelanoma invasion involves individual melanoma cells migrating through native skin, which is composed of several distinct subpopulations of cells. Here, we aim to quantify how interactions between melanoma and fibroblast cells affect the collective spreading of a heterogeneous population of these cellsin vitro. We perform a suite of circular barrier assays that includes: (i) monoculture assays with fibroblast cells; (ii) monoculture assays with SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells; and (iii) a series of co-culture assays initiated with three different ratios of SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells and fibroblast cells. Using immunostaining, detailed cell density histograms are constructed to illustrate how the two subpopulations of cells are spatially arranged within the spreading heterogeneous population. Calibrating the solution of a continuum partial differential equation to the experimental results from the monoculture assays allows us to estimate the cell diffusivity and the cell proliferation rate for the melanoma and the fibroblast cells, separately. Using the parameter estimates from the monoculture assays, we then make a prediction of the spatial spreading in the co-culture assays. Results show that the parameter estimates obtained from the monoculture assays lead to a reasonably accurate prediction of the spatial arrangement of the two subpopulations in the co-culture assays. Overall, the spatial pattern of spreading of the melanoma cells and the fibroblast cells is very similar in monoculture and co-culture conditions. Therefore, we find no clear evidence of any interactions other than cell-to-cell contact and crowding effects.
Genome-wide TOP2A DNA cleavage is biased toward translocated and highly transcribed loci
Authors: Yu Xiang , Davenport James W. , Urtishak Karen A. , Carillo Marie L. , Gosai Sager J. , Kolaris Christos P. , Byl Jo Ann W. , Rappaport Eric F. , Osheroff Neil , Gregory Brian D. , Felix Carolyn A.
Published: April 2017

Type II topoisomerases orchestrate proper DNA topology, and they are the targets of anti-cancer drugs that cause treatment-related leukemias with balanced translocations. Here, we develop a high-throughput sequencing technology to define TOP2 cleavage sites at single-base precision, and use the technology to characterize TOP2A cleavage genome-wide in the human K562 leukemia cell line. We find that TOP2A cleavage has functionally conserved local sequence preferences, occurs in cleavage cluster regions (CCRs), and is enriched in introns and lincRNA loci. TOP2A CCRs are biased toward the distal regions of gene bodies, and TOP2 poisons cause a proximal shift in their distribution. We find high TOP2A cleavage levels in genes involved in translocations in TOP2 poison–related leukemia. In addition, we find that a large proportion of genes involved in oncogenic translocations overall contain TOP2A CCRs. The TOP2A cleavage of coding and lincRNA genes is independently associated with both length and transcript abundance. Comparisons to ENCODE data reveal distinct TOP2A CCR clusters that overlap with marks of transcription, open chromatin, and enhancers. Our findings implicate TOP2A cleavage as a broad DNA damage mechanism in oncogenic translocations as well as a functional role of TOP2A cleavage in regulating transcription elongation and gene activation.
Religious struggles after Typhoon Haiyan: a case study from Bantayan Island
Authors: O’Connell Erin P. , Abbott Roger P. , White Robert S.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine religious struggles and loss of faith in Christian survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and explore whether any demographic characteristics or experiences during the disaster may have contributed to these responses.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey was used to assess a variety of concepts related to religious responses after disaster. Data were collected using a mix of non-random, convenience sampling methods, with a total sample of 1,929 responses.

Findings

Religious struggles, anger toward God, and apostasy after the typhoon was generally low, although a significant minority of respondents expressed feelings of confusion about God and wondered whether God cared about them. Factors that influenced the experience of religious struggles included: education level, socio-economic status, denomination, barangay, loss of loved ones in the disaster, format of post-disaster church fellowship meetings, and the importance of God in their lives prior to the disaster.

Practical implications

Having an appropriate and supportive faith-based environment for those of faith to work through religious struggles is important for supporting emotional and psychological recovery after disaster.

Originality/value

This study explores how disasters can impact individuals’ beliefs and their relationship with God in a non-Western context. This information enhances our understanding on how humanitarian and faith-based organizations can help support emotional and psychological recovery among impacted populations, particularly those who experience struggles.
An integrative approach to understand vulnerability and resilience post-disaster
Authors: Rey Tony , Le De Loic , Leone Frederic , Gilbert David
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a multidimensional approach for effectively managing natural disasters; this paper has three research objectives. First, it provides an analysis on the hydro-geomorphological effects of the cyclone in the urban context. Second, it proposes an analysis for the vulnerability and resilience recovery of the populations living in urban areas. Third, it specifies the implications for sustainable recovery and longer-term disaster risk reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

A detailed case study of the tropical cyclone Pam was carried out to identify hydro-geomorphologic effects and damages in an urban area and specific problems associated with managing natural disaster in Vanuatu.

Findings

The investigations reveal that living in an urban area increases a population’s exposure to hydrological, weather and sea-related risks. Whereas advice on cyclones seems to work very well, the coastal risks and floods seem to be underestimated with a very high exposure and vulnerability to risk. Pre-existing vulnerabilities were exacerbated after cyclone Pam. However, other communities have been able to reinforce their resilience through local initiatives. The government and outside aid were very quick to react, despite problems of coordination, exchange of information, communication and long-term strategy.

Practical implications

The bottom-up, top-down, local and global approaches, applied on the time scales, should lead to actions that will reinforce the ability of the people of Vanuatu to adapt to high-energy events and to the effects of climate change.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the importance of understanding how the urban communities are vulnerable to natural hazards and of strategies for increasing their resilience.
Forensic investigation of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami disaster
Authors: Nakasu Tadashi , Ono Yuichi , Pothisiri Wiraporn
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Using the forensic investigation (FORIN) approach, the purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that exacerbated the loss of human life in one of the most devastated local municipalities on the coast by 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (GEJET) disaster.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper begins by reviewing the extent of damage to the local municipalities along the Sanriku ria coast, which has a long history of tsunami disasters. Second, the paper compares previous major tsunami events by using a human vulnerability index, and applies this index to detect the city of Rikuzentakata. Third, the paper identifies the root causes of the GEJET disaster in the city. Interview records with disaster victims were used to elucidate the main factors that exacerbated the number of deaths.

Findings

The study indicates that the FORIN approach can be effectively applied to identify the target city for this case study and to point to those factors the most exacerbated human sufferings, and also provides many lessons based on research findings and methodologies to support building resilient societies in the future.

Originality/value

This paper indicates FORIN approach as an effective research template by investigating the GEJET disaster.
Human resource development practices, managers and multinational enterprises in Australia
Authors: Sablok Gitika , Stanton Pauline , Bartram Timothy , Burgess John , Boyle Brendan
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the HRD practices of multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in Australia to understand the value that MNEs place on investment in their human capital, particularly managerial talent.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a representative sample of 211 MNEs operating in Australia, this paper investigates the extent (using frequencies) and determinants (using logistic regression analysis) of training and development expenditure, management development strategies, talent management and succession planning policies.

Findings

The findings suggest that less than 20 per cent of MNEs operating in Australia are investing over 4 per cent of their annual pay bill on training and development. Furthermore, almost a quarter of firms invest less than 1 per cent in training and development. However, most MNEs invest in their managers and those with high potential through the use of management development programmes, talent management strategies and succession planning. Interestingly, in comparison to US MNEs, Australian MNEs were less likely to use management development or talent management programmes for senior management or high performing staff.

Research limitations/implications

The current study is cross-sectional and represents a snapshot of MNEs’ HRD practices at one point in time. The study measured the perceptions of the most senior HR manager and did not include the views of other organisational participants. The authors suggest the need for future research studies that incorporate longitudinal research designs and the views of different organisational actors.

Practical implications

HR managers or HRD specialists need to develop a strong understanding of the Australian institutional context, as well as demonstrate the importance/business case for an integrative approach to HRD.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study the HRD practices of MNEs operating in Australia, particularly focusing on the value that MNEs place on their human capital.
Optimal design of multi-layer thermal protection of variable thickness
Authors: Nenarokomov Aleksey V. , Salosina Margarita O. , Alifanov Oleg M.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The presented paper aims to consider algorithm for optimal design of multilayer thermal insulation.

Design/methodology/approach

Developed algorithm is based on a sequential quadratic programming method.

Findings

2D mathematical model of heat transfer in thermal protection was considered in frame of thermal design of spacecraft. The sensitivity functions were used to estimate the Jacobean of the object functions.

Research limitations/implications

Design of distributed parameter systems and shape optimization may be thought of as geometrical inverse problems, in which the positions of free boundaries are determined along with the spatial variables. In such problems, the missing data (i.e. the position of boundaries) are compensated for by the presence of the so-called inverse problem additional conditions. In the case under consideration, such conditions are constrains on the temperature values at the discrete points of the system.

Practical implications

Results are presented how to apply the algorithm suggested for solving a practical problem – thickness sampling for a thermal protection system of advanced solar probe.

Originality/value

The procedure proposed in the paper to solve a design problem is based on the method of quadratic approximation of the initial problem statement as a Lagrange formulation. This has allowed to construct a rather universal algorithm applicable without modification for solving a wide range of thermal design problems.
Top ranked hospitals: does diversity inclusion matter?
Authors: Futrell Gary D. , Clemons Tiffany N.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to compare the mission statements of the hospitals listed on the 2014 US News & World Report’s Best Hospitals List to investigate the research question, “Are high ranking hospitals (HRH) more likely than low ranking hospitals (LRH) to address cultural diversity in strategic statements?”

Design/methodology/approach

The strategic statements of 44 HRH and 56 LRH were compared using chi-square and Fisher’s exact test.

Findings

While the data do not support the notion that HRHs are more likely than LRHs to address diversity in strategic statements, HRHs are more likely than LRHs to actually devote resources to address the issues of cultural diversity.

Research limitations/implications

The current research is limited to a sample taken from the US News & World Report Best Hospitals. This is not a definitive list, and a multitude of third-party hospital raters exist – each with its own unique metrics.

Practical implications

The results do not show a relationship between a hospital’s mission statement and its ranking in the US News List of Best Hospitals. However, the findings suggest that hospitals that maintain a dedicated diversity manager/office do tend to be higher ranked.

Originality/value

This is the first known investigation of the relationship between the inclusion of diversity in hospital mission statements and hospital rankings. The research suggests that addressing diversity in strategic statements is simply not enough and that dedicated, ground-level resources are necessary to properly impact quality care and third-party ratings.
Wikipedia editing and information literacy: a case study
Authors: Dawe Lydia , Robinson Ainslie
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the success of a Wikipedia editing assessment designed to improve the information literacy skills of a cohort of first-year undergraduate health sciences students.

Design/methodology/approach

In this action research case study (known hereafter as “the project” to differentiate this action research from the students’ own research), students researched, wrote and published Wikipedia articles on Australia-centric health topics. Students were given a pre- and post-test to assess levels of self-confidence in finding, evaluating and referencing information. Student work was also analysed in terms of article length and quantity and the type of information sources used.

Findings

Tests revealed that students’ self-confidence in their information literacy skills improved overall. Analysis of student work revealed that students wrote longer articles and incorporated more references than expected. References used were of appropriate quality relevant to the article despite minimal instructions.

Originality/value

There are few studies that investigate information literacy development through Wikipedia editing in Australian universities. This study shows that Wikipedia editing is an effective way to carry out student assessment prior to essay writing and an innovative platform to improve information literacy skills in undergraduate students.
The influence of contextual support on persistent sharing willingness of QQ group members
Authors: Yuan Liuliang , Liu Wei
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the ways to encourage members in QQ knowledge-communication groups to persistently share knowledge in terms of contexts and autonomous motivations.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on self-determination theory, three important contextual factors of QQ knowledge-communication groups were selected as exogenous variables and three typical autonomous motivations as mediating variables to construct a knowledge-sharing model. Internet questionnaire surveys and data collection were conducted to test proposed hypotheses by means of structural equation modeling with AMOS.

Findings

Reciprocity, learning, and altruism have significant positive influence on persistent sharing willingness, and the degree to which each factor influences persistent sharing willingness differs considerably. Autonomy support, perceived usefulness, and relatedness support have no significantly direct influence on persistent sharing willingness, but they indirectly influence the persistent sharing behaviors by the mediating effect of different autonomous motivations.

Originality/value

This study contributes theoretically and practically. First, the results suggest that a particular motivation in different contexts has a different degree of autonomy. In addition, explanations are offered for the phenomenon that suggest that controlled motivations directly affect autonomous motivations. It was found that the contextual factors of competence support and relatedness support also have influence on different autonomous motivations, and hence encourage knowledge-sharing behaviors. Specific suggestions for QQ group managers and information seekers are proposed.
Assessing distance education students satisfaction with web-based services
Authors: Arif Muhammad , Ameen Kanwal , Rafiq Muhammad
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Universities across the globe are spending an increasing amount of their budgets to offer web-based services to cater information need especially off-campus students. However, the success of web-based services depends on how well the target users are satisfied with the use of the web services. The purpose of this paper is to assess students’ satisfaction with the use of the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) web-based services.

Design/methodology/approach

Pilot tested questionnaire-based survey was administered to collect data from a sample of 388; selected through systematic sampling technique from the study’s population consisted of master level students belonged to 11 different academic departments of the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities at the AIOU from all over Pakistan.

Findings

Based on 318 useful questionnaires, response rate 82 percent, the results show that majority of the students were satisfied with the use of at the AIOU web-based services except for online mailing books tracking system, library web OPAC and web radio service. However,t-test analysis shows that no difference was found in the opinion of male and female respondents in terms of their satisfaction with the use of the web services. ANOVA results indicate that there was no significant difference depicted in satisfaction with the use of the web services among the respondents enrolled in different disciplines of the faculty. Similarly, no significant difference was found among different age groups. Moreover, the respondents belonging to all five provinces; Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Baluchistan, Gilgit Baltistan, and Federal Capital territory showed the same level of satisfaction with the use of the services. The results of regression analysis (R2=0.226) denote that both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use significantly predicted, 22.6 percent, in students’ satisfaction with the use the web services.

Practical implications

The study provides valuable recommendations which may be helpful for web administration of the university to improve AIOU web-based services.

Originality/value

To the best knowledge, this is the first study conducted to investigate the satisfaction with the use of the university web-based services in distance education’s perspective of Pakistan.
Pleasure in the use of new technologies: the case of e-book readers
Authors: Antón Carmen , Camarero Carmen , Rodríguez Javier
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the adoption process of e-book readers and examine how the perception concerning the advantages of this technology and its incompatibility with consumer values determine the pleasure felt and its effective use. The authors also propose that consumer involvement with information and communication technologies (ICTs) moderates these effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Hierarchical moderated regression analysis is used to test the proposed model with survey data from a sample of e-book reader owners.

Findings

Appraisal of the device’s reading features and the possibility for free downloading increases the pleasure found with its use and the extent to which it is actually used, whereas attachment to paper books decreases the emotional feeling, with some of these effects being moderated by the individual’s involvement with new ICTs. Pleasure mediates the influence of perceived advantages and attachment to the older technology on the use of the e-book reader device.

Practical implications

Two challenges to practitioners are suggested: to overcome the rejection of users who are less eager to experience pleasure and to use the e-reader, and to find the product’s objective or sensory characteristics that provide pleasure and promote long-lasting use.

Originality/value

The study extends previous studies on e-book readers by emphasizing the need to go beyond adoption intention. It analyzes effective use as a crucial measure of the true adoption of this technology and incorporates the perspective offered by the appraisal theory of emotion, which explains the key role of pleasure in this process.
A typology of collaborative research networks
Authors: Hayat Tsahi , Lyons Kelly
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Many studies have investigated how the structure of the collaborative networks of researchers influences the nature of their work, and its outcome. Co-authorship networks (CANs) have been widely looked at as proxies that can help bring understanding to the structure of research collaborative ties. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for describing what influences the formation of different research collaboration patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use social network analysis (SNA) to analyze the co-authorship ego networks of the ten most central authors in 24 years of papers (703 papers and 1,118 authors) published in the Proceedings of CASCON, a computer science conference. In order to understand what lead to the formation of the different CANs the authors examined, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with these authors.

Findings

Based on this examination, the authors propose a typology that differentiates three styles of co-authorship: matchmaking, brokerage, and teamwork. The authors also provide quantitative SNA-based measures that can help place researchers’ CAN into one of these proposed categories. Given that many different network measures can describe the collaborative network structure of researchers, the authors believe it is important to identify specific network structures that would be meaningful when studying research collaboration. The proposed typology can offer guidance in choosing the appropriate measures for studying research collaboration.

Originality/value

The results presented in this paper highlight the value of combining SNA analysis with interviews when studying CAN. Moreover, the results show how co-authorship styles can be used to understand the mechanisms leading to the formation of collaborative ties among researchers. The authors discuss several potential implications of these findings for the study of research collaborations.
Lessons from CXC for Caribbean higher education institutions
Authors: Griffith Stafford Alexander
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how higher education institutions in the Caribbean may benefit from the quality assurance measures implemented by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an outcomes model of quality assurance to analyse the measures implemented by the CXC to assure quality in its examinations. It considers how higher education institutions in the Caribbean can benefit from the approach to quality assurance used by that organization.

Findings

The paper suggests that there are several ways in which the quality assurance in higher education institutions may be improved by using an outcomes model which focuses on the centrality of the student experience by learning from the experiences of the CXC.

Research limitations/implications

The research uses a methodology of theoretical analysis, that is the selection and discussion of theoretical material and descriptive material, in a particular context, and considers their applicability for improving practice, in this case, in higher education institutions in the Caribbean. It therefore does not engage the collection and analysis of quantitative or qualitative data.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that quality assurance practices of higher education institutions in the Caribbean should take into account the lessons that may be learned from the quality assurance measures implemented by the CXC.

Originality/value

The paper calls attention to the need for higher education institutions to make the shift away from a purely institutional approach to quality assurance by adopting a more student-centred approach.