bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of Tacrolimus and Cyclosporine in Liver Transplant Recipients Receiving 3 Direct-Acting Antivirals as Treatment for Hepatitis C Infection
Authors: Badri Prajakta S. , Parikh Apurvasena , Coakley Eoin P. , Ding Bifeng , Awni Walid M. , Dutta Sandeep , Menon Rajeev M.
Published: June 2016

Background:

Interactions between tacrolimus and cyclosporine (CSA) and the 3 direct-acting antiviral regimen (3D) of ombitasvir, paritaprevir/ritonavir, and dasabuvir necessitate a priori dose adjustments for the immunosuppressants to achieve desired levels. Modeling and simulations based on data in healthy subjects predicted that tacrolimus 0.5 mg every 7 days or 0.2 mg every 3 days, and CSA at one-fifth the total daily dose administered once daily, would achieve desired trough concentrations (C
trough) during 3D treatment. The success of these dosing recommendations was evaluated by analyzing pharmacokinetic data from liver transplant recipients in the CORAL-I study.

Methods:

A population pharmacokinetic model was developed using tacrolimus dosing and C
trough data before and during 3D treatment (n = 29). The model was used to simulate various tacrolimus dosing regimens and predict tacrolimus concentration–time profiles during 3D treatment. CSA C
trough data before and during 3D treatment (n = 5) were also summarized.

Results:

A one-compartment model with first-order absorption adequately described tacrolimus pharmacokinetic profiles during the first 4 weeks of 3D treatment. Estimated tacrolimus C
trough values (median; interquartile range) before and during 3D treatment were comparable (5.7 ng/mL; 4.9–6.5 ng/mL versus 5.2 ng/mL; 4.2–6.3 ng/mL, respectively). Based on simulations, in a patient with a starting C
trough of 6 ng/mL, 0.5 mg tacrolimus every 7 or 14 days or 0.2 mg tacrolimus every 3 days will result in C
trough levels of 6–9 ng/mL, 4–6 ng/mL, and 6–10 ng/mL, respectively, during 3D treatment. For CSA, C
trough values (median; interquartile range) before and during 3D treatment were comparable (126 ng/mL; 94–140 ng/mL versus 104 ng/mL; 82–140 ng/mL).

Conclusions:

Observed data for tacrolimus and CSA in liver transplant recipients confirm that the recommended dosing strategies are valid and therapeutic levels of immunosuppression can be maintained during 3D treatment.
MACULA RETINAL VASCULITIS AND CHOROIDITIS ASSOCIATED WITH GRANULOMATOSIS WITH POLYANGIITIS
Authors: Lim Lik Thai , Vasudevan Vinaya , Shelton Julie , Vitale Albert T. , Moorthy Ramana
Published: June 2016

Purpose:

To report a case series of two cases of granulomatosis with polyangiitis, previously known as Wegener granulomatosis, which developed macular necrosis, not previously associated with granulomatosis with polyangiitis, healed with fibrosis, despite aggressive immune-modulating therapy and good control of systemic disease.

Methods:

Case series of two cases with observation of treatment progress.

Results:

The results reported the progress of response to treatment in the two cases, which resulted in the final outcome of fibrosis in the macula region, despite being on aggressive immune-modulating therapy and good systemic control.

Conclusion:

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis can be associated with macular necrosis leading to fibrosis, unresponsive to immune-modulating therapy.
OCULAR MANIFESTATIONS OF MONOCLONAL IMMUNOGLOBULIN LIGHT CHAIN DEPOSITION DISEASE
Authors: Dhrami-Gavazi Elona , Freund K. Bailey , Lee Winston , Cohen Ben Z. , Seshan Surya V. , Yannuzzi Lawrence A.
Published: June 2016

Purpose:

To demonstrate unusual retinal findings in a patient with progressive renal failure due to idiopathic monoclonal immunoglobulin light chain deposition disease, using multimodal imaging.

Methods:

Observational case report of a 43-year-old white man with renal failure due to light chain deposition disease. His course over 6 years was documented with multimodal imaging including fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Additional evaluations included ocular ultrasound, electroretinography, positron emission tomography, serum protein electrophoreses, skeletal surveys to detect osteolytic lesions, and renal, liver, and rectal biopsies in search of amyloid.

Results:

The patient's ocular course mirrored the severity of his renal dysfunction for which he required a renal transplant. Changes observed in the native kidney recurred in the transplant 2 years later, as evidenced by immunohistochemistry, revealing thick linear deposits of kappa chains, with no complement, overlying the glomerular basement membrane. The systemic workup was negative for amyloid but showed an overwhelming ratio of kappa to lambda light chains on serum protein electrophoreses and no clinical signs of plasma cell dyscrasias, all consistent with idiopathic light chain deposition disease. The patient presented with a generalized, bilateral “leopard-spot” fundus appearance on fundus autofluorescence, striking globular subretinal deposits on spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and subfoveal subretinal fluid without retinal pigment epithelium detachment or choroidal effusions. The subfoveal fluid did not respond to intravitreal injections of antiangiogenic agents or steroids but resolved after renal transplantation. A temporary posttransplant visual improvement was associated with lessening of the subretinal drusenoid deposits demonstrated by multimodal imaging. The terminal vision deterioration was associated with amorphous, vitelliform-like material deposition and atrophic changes.

Conclusion:

This case may illustrate a resemblance in the renal glomerulus basement membrane and retinal pigment epithelium–Bruch membrane complex, because the authors observed deposits of excess monoclonal kappa chains manifesting as extracellular, proteinaceous aggregates on the basement membrane of the glomerulus, and striking, globular subretinal deposits that overlay a thickened retinal pigment epithelium–Bruch membrane complex. The ocular lesions' refractoriness to intravitreal treatments could be attributed to the fact that they represent proteinaceous aggregates similar to those documented in the glomeruli. This is the first report of generalized, large, subretinal drusenoid deposits and their course, as documented through multimodal imaging, paralleling the chronology of systemic changes in a patient with light chain deposition disease.
Diabetes Mellitus is Associated With Higher Risk of Developing Decompensated Cirrhosis in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients
Authors: Saeed Mohammed J. , Olsen Margaret A. , Powderly William G. , Presti Rachel M.
Published: June 2016

Goals:

To investigate the association of diabetes with risk of decompensated cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Background:

Direct-acting antivirals are highly effective in treating CHC but very expensive. CHC patients at high risk of progression to symptomatic liver disease may benefit most from early treatment.

Study:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the 2006 to 2013 Truven Health Analytics MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database including inpatient, outpatient, and pharmacy claims from private insurers. CHC and cirrhosis were identified using ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes; baseline diabetes was identified by diagnosis codes or antidiabetic medications. CHC patients were followed to identify decompensated cirrhosis. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model the risk of decompensated cirrhosis by baseline cirrhosis.

Results:

There were 75,805 CHC patients with median 1.9 years follow-up. A total of 10,317 (13.6%) of the CHC population had diabetes. The rates of decompensated cirrhosis per 1000 person-years were: 185.5 for persons with baseline cirrhosis and diabetes, 119.8 for persons with cirrhosis and no diabetes, 35.3 for persons with no cirrhosis and diabetes, and 17.1 for persons with no cirrhosis and no diabetes. Diabetes was associated with increased risk of decompensated cirrhosis in persons with baseline cirrhosis (adjusted hazard ratio=1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-1.6) and in persons without baseline cirrhosis (adjusted hazard ratio=1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-2.1).

Conclusions:

In a privately insured US population with CHC, the adjusted risk of decompensated cirrhosis was higher in diabetic compared with nondiabetic patients. Diabetes status should be included in prioritization of antiviral treatment.
Complete Platysma Transection in Neck Rejuvenation: A Critical Appraisal
Authors: Pelle-Ceravolo Mario , Angelini Matteo , Silvi Erminia
Published: June 2016

Background:

The most common features of aging in the anterior neck are skin laxity and anterior platysma bands. Most neck correction techniques fail to obtain lasting correction of these despite promising early improvement. The authors use a major procedure to obtain the best results, combining full neck undermining with complete platysma transection and midline platysma approximation. Even using this technique, the authors have had concerns about the long-term results, and are aware of the lack of published studies of results using this technique.

Methods:

A prospective study was conducted on 150 consecutive neck-lift patients operated on by the same senior surgeon (M.P.C.) between 2010 and 2014 to evaluate patient satisfaction and recurrence rates of anterior skin laxity and platysma bands. Patients were reviewed at 3 months (138 cases) and 1 year (96 cases). At both time points, patients completed questionnaires on level of satisfaction and eventual complaints regarding their surgical treatment, and were objectively evaluated for skin excess and recurrent bands.

Results:

At 1 year, 76 percent of the patients were satisfied with the outcome using this technique, although satisfaction had been 100 percent at 3 months. However, only 52 percent showed no anterior neck skin excess and 55 percent had no recurrence of bands 1 year after surgery.

Conclusions:

Despite obtaining satisfactory results in most patients, this technique has several downsides: it is time consuming, there is the risk of iatrogenic deformities unless it is carried out precisely, the postoperative recovery is often very long, and there is a significant failure to maintain long-term correction. After 25 years’ experience with these deficiencies, a reconsideration of the most appropriate procedure for correction of the anterior neck is warranted.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Outbreaks associated with duodenoscopes: new challenges and controversies
Authors: Rubin Zachary A. , Murthy Rekha K.
Published: June 2016

Purpose of review

Recent outbreaks of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae related to duodenoscopes in the United States and Europe have gained international attention and resulted in new regulations, especially in the United States, affecting healthcare facilities. In this review, we summarize findings from recent duodenoscope-related outbreaks, highlight what is known about the risk of transmission from these devices and discuss controversies about current recommendations to prevent transmission.

Recent findings

Between 2013 and 2015, several US and European healthcare facilities reported outbreaks of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae associated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures. Unlike prior outbreaks (attributed to lapses in cleaning and reprocessing), the recent outbreaks occurred in spite of adherence to current reprocessing guidelines. Factors associated with infection transmission include a low margin of safety for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures and complex design features of duodenoscopes. Outbreaks were halted with enhanced cleaning and surveillance measures or by adopting gas sterilization methods. New guidance from manufacturers and federal agencies has been issued as a result of these recent outbreaks; however, concerns remain that the new measures may not eliminate risks to patients.

Recent duodenoscope-related outbreaks have highlighted the need for a reassessment of current guidelines for endoscope reprocessing and for new design of duodenoscope components. Although we summarize the US experience, this review has global implications for the safe cleaning and disinfection of these instruments.
Iron(III)-Based Magnetic Resonance–Imageable Liposomal T1 Contrast Agent for Monitoring Temperature-Induced Image-Guided Drug Delivery
Authors: Kneepkens Esther , Fernandes Adriana , Nicolay Klaas , Grüll Holger
Published: June 2016

Objectives

Drug-loaded temperature-sensitive liposomes (TSLs) allow heat-triggered local drug delivery to tumors. When magnetic resonance–guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) is applied to heat up the tumor, corelease of a drug together with an MR contrast agent (CA) from TSLs allows for indirect imaging of the drug release with MR imaging. However, liposomal encapsulation of commonly used gadolinium (Gd)-based MR CAs leads to prolonged retention times in the liver and spleen, which could lead to a transmetallation and redistribution of Gd to other organs. Therefore, an alternative non–Gd-containing T1-MR CA based on encapsulated Fe-succinyl deferoxamine (Fe-SDFO) is proposed as a safe alternative for similar Gd-based systems in image-guided drug delivery applications.

Materials and Methods

Temperature-sensitive liposomes were loaded with either doxorubicin or Fe-SDFO. Both systems were characterized in vitro with respect to stability, release kinetics, and MR imaging properties. In an in vivo proof-of-concept study, rats bearing a subcutaneous glioma on their hind limb were injected intravenously with a mixture of TSLs encapsulating doxorubicin or Fe-SDFO. Afterwards, the tumors were subjected to an MR-HIFU treatment (2 × 10–15 minutes at 42°C, n = 5) or a control treatment (n = 5). The release of Fe-SDFO from TSLs was quantified in vivo with R1 maps and correlated with the ex vivo determined tumor doxorubicin concentration.

Results

Temperature-sensitive liposomes containing doxorubicin or Fe-SDFO were comparable in diameter and phase transition temperature Tm. Both systems showed a fast release at 42°C and good stability at 37°C. Unheated Fe-SDFO-TSLs displayed an r1 of 0.80 ± 0.01 mM−1s−1 (T = 37°C, B = 3 T), which increased to 1.35 ± 0.02 mM−1s−1 after release at 42°C. In MR-HIFU studies, tumor R1 maps showed an average relaxation rate change upon heating of ΔR1 = 0.20 ± 0.04 s−1. The R1 change across the tumor was not always homogeneous. The doxorubicin uptake in the tumor showed a linear correlation with the induced ΔR1 (R2
adj = 0.41).

Conclusions

Doxorubicin-loaded and Fe-SDFO–loaded TSLs displayed favorable release and stability characteristics in vitro. An in vivo proof-of-concept study showed the feasibility of monitoring drug release using the newly designed iron(III)-based CA loaded TSLs. The measured R1-contrast change correlated with the amount of doxorubicin delivered to the tumor. Moreover, the pattern of R1 change could elucidate the pattern of drug release across the tumor. This new iron(III)-based liposomal MR CA is a promising alternative to comparable Gd-based systems.
Aggregation tendencies of a femaleVaejovis carolinianuspopulation on France mountain, Tennessee
Authors: Baggett Bob A. , Ritter Hannah E. , Melendez Margaret E.
Published: June 2016

France Mountain is located within Overton County which is part of the Upper Cumberland region of Middle Tennessee contains only one species of scorpion, also the only species native to the state,Vaejovis carolinianus. This species is poorly researched, and little is known about its life history and ecology. The objectives of this study were to determine if femaleV. carolinianusprefer to form aggregations under large cover objects or seek out retreat sites where they would be the sole occupant. Based on past research, we hypothesized that females would form aggregations under large cover objects instead of being the sole occupant. A total of 32 scorpions were captured during August and September 2014. During laboratory trials, three scorpions were placed in a plywood tray containing sand substrate and three equally-sized large ceramic tiles. The scorpions were left undisturbed for a 24-hour period, after which the tiles were lifted to check for aggregations. Each group of three scorpions was in the research tray for three consecutive days. Four rounds of aggregation trials were conducted, and t-tests as well as linear regression were used to analyze the data collected. The results of the t-test showed that femaleV. carolinianus, when given a choice of similarly-sized large cover objects, would select a retreat site where they were the sole occupant; therefore, our initial hypothesis was rejected. Linear regression found relative humidity affected aggregation occurrence, for the largest number of aggregations occurred when the relative humidity was between 67 and 73%.
Quantitative, model-based estimates of variability in the serial interval ofPlasmodium falciparummalaria
Authors: Huber John H. , Johnston Geoffrey L. , Greenhouse Bryan , Smith David L. , Perkins T. Alex
Published: June 2016

Background: The serial interval is a fundamentally important quantity in infectious disease epidemiology that has numerous applications to inferring patterns of transmission from case data. Many of these applications are apropos to efforts to eliminatePlasmodium falciparum (Pf)malaria from locations throughout the world, yet the serial interval for this disease is poorly understood quantitatively.

Results: To obtain a quantitative estimate of the serial interval forPfmalaria, we took the sum of components of thePfmalaria transmission cycle based on a combination of mathematical models and empirical data. During this process, we identified a number of factors that account for substantial variability in the serial interval across different contexts. Treatment with antimalarial drugs roughly halves the serial interval, seasonality results in different serial intervals at different points in the transmission season, and variability in within-host dynamics results in many individuals whose serial intervals do not follow average behavior.

Conclusions: These results have important implications for epidemiological applications that rely on quantitative estimates of the serial interval ofPfmalaria and other diseases characterized by prolonged infections and complex ecological drivers.
Bayesian inference of ancestral recombination graphs for bacterial populations
Authors: Vaughan Timothy G. , Welch David , Drummond Alexei J. , Biggs Patrick J. , George Tessy , French Nigel P.
Published: June 2016

Homologous recombination is a central feature of bacterial evolution, yet confounds traditional phylogenetic methods. While a number of methods specific to bacterial evolution have been developed, none of these permit joint inference of a bacterial recombination graph and associated parameters. In this paper, we present a new method which addresses this shortcoming. Our method uses a novel Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm to perform phylogenetic inference under the ClonalOrigin model of Didelot et al. (Genetics, 2010). We demonstrate the utility of our method by applying it to rMLST data sequenced from pathogenic and non-pathogenicEscherichia coliserotype O157 and O26 isolates collected in rural New Zealand. The method is implemented as an open source BEAST 2 package, Bacter, which is available via the project web page attgvaughan.github.io/bacter
Exploring change conversations through the rhetoric of French leaders
Authors: Ben Lahouel Béchir , Montargot Nathalie
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to capitalize on a linguistic perspective to analyze the rhetoric of French leaders about organizational change.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the research questions, the authors opted for a lexical content analysis. They use Ford and Ford’s (1995) change conversational framework and the speech act theory to analyze French CEOs’ letters to stakeholders, over the period 2007-2012.

Findings

The authors find that leaders’ rhetoric consists of three types of change conversations, namely, initiative, for understanding and for performance, that were underpinned by a network of assertive, expressive and commissive speech acts.

Practical implications

The results reveal that the communication of change to external stakeholders can be characterized as supportive change conversations, offering assurance on the necessity, appropriateness and expected benefits of change.

Originality/value

This paper is the first work, in the French context, which integrates change conversations and speech act perspectives to examine the way leaders communicate with external stakeholders through CEOs letters. Previous research focused specially on communicating change with internal stakeholders.
The unseen costs of flexible working
Authors: Drury Pauline
Published: June 2016

Purpose

To examine the impact of employing temporary contract workers (“temps”) alongside permanent employees on the social capital of the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses discourse analysis to analyze data from semi-structured interviews with both temporary workers and permanent employees in a range of occupations at seven companies in different industries in Finland.

Findings

Agency workers, temporary workers or just “temps” – call them what you like, but reliance on individuals employed on a short-term contract basis appears to be here to stay. Since the 1990s, the use of temps has doubled across Europe and is still rising. The argument is that this provides the employer with a cheaper, more flexible workforce. But asking temporary and permanent employees to work together has a significant impact on the social fabric of the organization.

Practical implications

Suggests that human resource managers review contracts with agencies providing temporary workers. Notes that practices that leave temps feeling like “second-class citizens” can damage the social fabric of the workgroup and undermine team effectiveness.

Social implications

Highlights potentially harmful effects on social capital and organizational performance resulting from an unequal treatment of temps and permanent employees doing the same job within a workgroup.

Originality/value

A qualitative study focusing on the feelings and emotions evoked by the growing use of temporary contract workers from the viewpoint of both the temps and the permanent employees they work with.
Smoothing the passage to India
Authors: Cole Graham
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

The global nature of business in the twenty-first century has opened up new opportunities for multinational corporations (MNCs). Many are increasingly paying attention to the key emerging markets, where robust growth has largely been the norm over recent decades. China and India are the obvious targets. Both the nations consistently exceed the average growth worldwide and have experienced a meteoric rise through the economy rankings. Where the rate of expansion is concerned, China has long been the benchmark. However, by 2030, India is predicted to become the leader in this respect.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent, information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
All in it together?
Authors: Linacre Simon
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Come election time, there are relatively few policies the politicians actually get scrutinized on. The economy gets all the headlines, alongside health and defense, as well as some eye-catching new idea political parties adopt to attract voters. However, rarely do specific policies at the micro level come under the spotlight, unless the media can spot inaccuracies or impending disaster with which they can use for a few inches of newsprint.

Practical implications

This paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Social philosophy curriculum in social science and humanities structured doctoral programmes
Authors: Bastalich Wendy
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe an experiment in a non-credit bearing series of social philosophy workshops offered to social science and humanities disciplines in an Australian university.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper outlines the design rationale and learning objectives for the workshop series. The data set includes qualitative student responses to 501 post-workshop questionnaires and 14 in-depth qualitative responses to a follow-up online questionnaire.

Findings

The data suggest that social philosophy methodology curriculum offered within a multi-discipline peer context can facilitate an appreciation among students of the centrality of theory and the value of diverse discipline approaches in research. The last part of the paper explores what underpins this – a kind of un-learning or uncertainty regarding the veracity of different philosophical approaches to research, tied to a de-centring of research subjectivity that allows for the co-existence of multiple voices. Language learning, the inclusion of post-modern perspectives and an unbiased presentation of a wide range of thinkers within a challenging intellectual context are central to this.

Research limitations/implications

The emerging trend towards university-wide doctoral training offers opportunities for useful innovations in research education. University-wide social philosophy curriculum can play a role in facilitating constructive negotiation of theoretical complexity both within and across social science and humanities disciplines.

Originality/value

The contemporary social science and humanities research context is a challenging space, characterised by intra-discipline methodological plurality, and the risk of marginalisation by more dominant instrumentalist, end-user and science-driven perspectives. The trend towards bringing different methodological perspectives together within inter-disciplinary research and team supervision of doctoral students can lead to conceptual misunderstanding and research delays. The capacity to negotiate and translate conceptual perspectives, often within complex research relationships, has then become an increasingly important academic skill. Within this context, university-wide doctoral training has emerged, but there has been little discussion of doctoral curricula beyond that devised for professional doctorates within the discipline in the non-US higher education literature. This paper contributes to emerging scholarship on research education by describing the sorts of relational, textual and conceptual processes that might be created in the multi-discipline social science and humanities context to produce an appreciation for the different philosophical foundations of research knowledge.
Post-PhD non-academic careers: intentions during and after degree
Authors: McAlpine Lynn
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Although more than half of the PhD graduates do not take up traditional academic positions, the little we know of how they navigate into the non-academic workforce is somewhat conflicting. This study aims to contribute to our knowledge by examining over time the experiences of post-PhD social scientists who went into non-academic careers. It examines how post-PhD social scientists in non-academic careers characterize their experience of the PhD; how they imagine their post-PhD careers during the degree and how this influenced their doctoral activity; and to what extent their intentions changed over time and how agentive they were in managing challenges or disappointments.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a longitudinal qualitative narrative approach to examine the experience of eight post-PhD social scientists beginning during their degrees through their initial years after graduation outside academia.

Findings

The analysis highlights variation in clarity of career vision, strategic career thinking and action, knowledge of career opportunity structures and changes in career intentions over time. Still, for all individuals, the PhD was considered a powerful learning experience which continued to influence their lives.

Practical implications

Overall, the results make clear that post-PhD trajectories are best built from the beginning of the PhD, a conclusion that has curriculum implications.

Originality/value

This study incorporates the career question into the development of junior researchers highlighting the need to attend not only to objective measures of career success but also subjective intentions, investments, choices and assessments. Further, the constructs developed within an academic work context to understand career trajectories proved robust in analyzing non-academic work experience.
Spectrum management issues for heterogeneous networks in commons spectrum
Authors: Nicholls Rob
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse some of the spectrum management policy implications of an evolving set of wireless technologies. Specially, deployment of heterogeneous networks (HetNets) as part of the rollout of long-term evolution networks and their expected use as the heart of next-generation services raises the question as to whether such networks should lead to any spectrum management policy changes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the use and variety of HetNets when using licensed and unlicensed or commons spectrum.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that there is little need to change current spectrum licensing regimes to deal with these networks in a licensed spectrum. However, it also shows that the deployment of HetNets other than WiFi in an unlicensed spectrum creates an information asymmetry, which means that spectrum regulators will find assessment of spectrum demand more difficult. The paper also highlights the problem facing spectrum regulators when there is a potential for interference to unlicensed services which are widely deployed but have no right to protection from interference.

Practical implications

Spectrum regulators will need to understand the extent to which an unlicensed spectrum is being used by mobile network operators to deliver wireless broadband services. This understanding is needed to be able to address potential interference with other services using an unlicensed spectrum and to be able to forecast spectrum demand.

Originality/value

The development of technologies that are designed to be used by existing mobile network operators for the delivery of wireless broadband services using an unlicensed spectrum creates novel regulatory challenges. This paper reviews some of these.
Examining predictors of online news use: perceived bias in traditional media and preference for partisan news
Authors: Yoo Woohyun , Shin Dong-Hee
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine, in the context of online news use, the predictive values of two factors: perceived bias in traditional media and preference for partisan news.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used data collected as part of the Pew Internet and American Life Project between December 28, 2009, and January 19, 2010. The data were analyzed using linear regression analysis.

Findings

The findings provide evidence of the values of two potentially significant predictors of online news use: a perception of bias in traditional media and preference for partisan news. In addition, higher levels of political partisanship were shown to intensify the positive effect of perceived bias in traditional media on online news use in new media outlets, reinforcing the impact of preference for partisan news on participatory online news use.

Research limitations/implications

Depending on individual decisions, the internet can either help to empower deliberative democracy (where diverse and different voices coexist) or lead to an extremely polarized society.

Originality/value

With the explosive growth of the internet as a news source, media scholars have explored the factors that encourage people to rely on the internet for news and information. Nevertheless, certain attributes of online news consumption originating from individual attitudes about and perceptions of the media environment remain underspecified. This research helps advance an understanding of the types of people who seek news online and how they use various sources.
Theory and practice in M&A valuations
Authors: Mazzariol Patrick , Thomas Mark
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Academics and practitioners are in relative agreement on what drives a company’s fundamental value, primarily it’s current assets and future cash flows. The practice of paying a premium may thus be due to the non-tangible factors associated with perceived value that currently are not incorporated into the assets of the company and the expected growth of the cash flows.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper looks at the most common theoretical models used in the calculation of the value of a firm. It then explains how human factors can cause divergence in the original price set.

Findings

Empirical evidence proves that the price paid for a company can easily reach 40-50 per cent above this calculation of the current value. Until valuation models can account for the factors that drive premium pricing, it is necessary to recognize that intangible and, in some cases, emotional aspects will have a great influence on the final price.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
M&As: four questions to ask before the proposal
Authors: Studer Pauline , Thomas Mark
Published: June 2016

Purpose

According to the Irish writer, Oscar Wilde, a second marriage is the “triumph of hope over experience”. Many mergers and acquisitions (M&As) could be cast in the same light. This paper aims to outline four crucial questions senior managers should ask before embarking on a merger or acquisition.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

Repeated studies have found that more than 50 per cent of M&As destroy rather than create value. Companies wishing to embark upon a merger or acquisition should thus think carefully before signing and ensure that they have made an impartial and critical analysis of the price, financing of the deal, complementarity and the cultural differences between the two organisations. If senior managers did this systematically before popping the question, the business world would certainly see less heartbreak.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organisations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Seller side HR perspectives during M&A deals
Authors: Pathak Atul Arun
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the HR issues that seller organizations face during the pre-deal stage of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). It recommends the HR strategies that strategies that seller-side organizations need to adopt to improve their chances of successful M&A.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores the HR-related issues faced by seller-side organizations. It highlights the key dilemmas and challenges involved at this stage of M&A deals. It recommends the HR strategies that seller companies can follow during the pre-deal stage of an M&A deal.

Findings

What the seller’s HR leaders do (and do not do) during the run up to an M&A deal can significantly affect the success of the post-deal integration and future success of the combined firm. During the pre-deal phase of an M&A journey, HR leaders face a range of dilemmas. They have to decide whether to maintain business as usual or change their HR strategy, decide when to hide information and when (and what) to communicate internally and also have to prepare the seller organization for an HR audit by the buyer firm.

Practical implications

HR leaders in seller organizations need to continue to increase the value of the organization by continually aligning the HR strategy to the organization’s overall corporate and business strategy. During the early stages of the deal, they have to camouflage certain confidential details. When the deal is at an advanced stage, HR leaders have to communicate extensively with employees about the deal. They need to ensure that the organization is prepared for an HR audit by prospective buyers. However, they also have to ensure that the reasons for the seller organization’s success are not revealed fully and prematurely.

Social implications

It concedes that during an M&A deal, the HR leaders of a seller organization need to balance the interests of multiple stakeholders. These include the firm’s owners, top managers, employees and key customers. Those who are unable to do this effectively and consistently may end up harming the interest of the seller organization during an M&A deal.

Originality/value

The paper considers the highly dynamic e-commerce industry in India. It is a sector that is seeing rapid growth. Many new players are entering the market and the battle is for size and scale. In such a scenario, companies such as Flipkart are using the M&A route to scale up inorganically. Recently, Flipkart acquired Myntra, a strong player in the online retailing of fashion garments. The paper provides insights in to the challenges faced by the seller organization’s HR managers during the pre-deal stage of M&A transactions and recommends strategies that they should follow.
The 100 billion dollar Heinz-Kraft deal
Authors: Chaboud Isabelle
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the motivations behind the merger of Heinz and Kraft. This merger, finalized on July 2nd, was one of the largest mergers to take place in 2015. Warren Buffet via Berkshire Hathaway and the Brazilian, Jorge Paulo Lemann, orchestrated the deal, at the headquarters of 3G Capital. What were the motivations and objectives of this merger? A few months after the deal, what measures have been introduced?

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

It remains to be seen if the Berkshire Hathaway – 3G Capital partnership will continue and manage to achieve their predicted 1.5 billion dollars in cost reduction by the end of 2017. Such predictions should be taken with a grain of salt, given the fact that even though Heinz has improved its profitability, it is not yet on a path towards growth. In addition, it is worth asking whether customer demands for healthier products will permit Kraft to develop its sales, in particular outside of the USA. In any case, cost reduction will not be sufficient.

Practical implications

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Implementing environmental sustainability in logistics operations: a case study
Authors: Jørsfeldt Liliyana Makarova , Hvolby Hans-Henrik , Nguyen Vivi Thuy
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to develop an in-depth understanding of how supplier–buyer relationships, particularly in operational coordination, are affected when a company introduces an environmental sustainability target (CO2emissions reduction) into its supply chain operations. The investigation focuses on the joint activities of the logistics function of the company (buyer) and the third-party logistics providers (3PLs) (suppliers).

Design/methodology/approach

This single-case study takes the perspective of a sustainability-conscious Danish company that outsources logistics services to 3PLs but maintains internal logistics as a boundary function. The value offering point/order penetration point (VOP/OPP) methodology is used.

Findings

The results showed that the introduction of sustainability led to the emergence of multiple decoupling points in both the demand and the supply chains. The logistics function therefore began to play the role of “integrator” across both the functions in the company and the organizations in the supply chain. The findings indicate the need to develop clear cross-functional and inter-organizational coordination mechanisms.

Research limitations/implications

This is a single-case study in a Danish context.

Practical implications

The study provides rich insights into managing the implementation of sustainability in supply chain operations, and it exemplifies how the VOP/OPP tool can be applied by 3PLs to develop sustainable offerings.

Originality/value

The current research on sustainable supply chain management takes into account the entire supply chain. In contrast, this study focuses on the logistics function. The VOP/OPP concept is used to capture the processes used in actual practice, and both the buyer and the supplier are considered potential co-producers of value.
Movement correlates of lizards’ dorsal pigmentation patterns
Authors: Halperin Topaz , Carmel Liran , Hawlena Dror
Published: June 2016

Understanding the ecological function of an animal's pigmentation pattern is an intriguing research challenge. We used quantitative information on lizard foraging behaviour to search for movement correlates of patterns across taxa.

We hypothesized that noticeable longitudinal stripes that enhance escape by motion dazzle are advantageous for mobile foragers that are highly detectable against the stationary background. Cryptic pigmentation patterns are beneficial for less‐mobile foragers that rely on camouflage to reduce predation.

Using an extensive literature survey and phylogenetically controlled analyses, we found that striped lizards were substantially more mobile than lizards with cryptic patterns. The percentage of time spent moving was the major behavioural index responsible for this difference.

We provide empirical support for the hypothesized association between lizard dorsal pigmentation patterns and foraging behaviour. Our simple yet comprehensive explanation may be relevant to many other taxa that present variation in body pigmentation patterns.
Surfactin variants mediate species‐specific biofilm formation and root colonization in Bacillus
Authors: Aleti Gajender , Lehner Sylvia , Bacher Markus , Compant Stéphane , Nikolic Branislav , Plesko Maja , Schuhmacher Rainer , Sessitsch Angela , Brader Günter
Published: June 2016

Cyclic lipopeptides (cLP) and especially surfactins produced by Bacillus spp. trigger biofilm formation and root colonization and are crucial for biocontrol activity and systemic resistance in plants. Bacillus atrophaeus 176s isolated from the moss Tortella tortuosa produces the cLP fengycins, iturins and surfactins, possesses antifungal activities and can protect tomato, lettuce and sugar beet against Rhizoctonia solani infection. In B. atrophaeus we identified for the first time the variant surfactin C, which differs from surfactin A produced by B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens by an isoleucine instead of a leucine at position 7 of the lipopeptide backbone. The analysis of the complete surfactin gene clusters revealed that the dissimilarity is encoded in the adenylation domain of srfC and show that surfactin variations are distributed in a species‐specific manner in bacilli. We demonstrate that the surfactin A and C with subtle structural differences have varying signal strengths on biofilm formation and root colonization and act specifically on the respective producing strain. This became evident as biofilm formation and root colonization but not swarming motility in surfactin biosynthesis mutants was restored differentially in the presence of exogenously supplemented cognate and non‐cognate surfactin variants.
Distribution and expression of microbial rhodopsins in the Baltic Sea and adjacent waters
Authors: Brindefalk Björn , Ekman Martin , Ininbergs Karolina , Dupont Christopher L. , Yooseph Shibu , Pinhassi Jarone , Bergman Birgitta
Published: June 2016

Rhodopsins are light‐driven ion‐pumping membrane proteins found in many organisms and are proposed to be of global importance for oceanic microbial energy generation. Several studies have focused on marine environments, with less exploration of rhodopsins in brackish waters. We investigated microbial rhodopsins in the Baltic Sea using size‐fractionated metagenomic and metatranscriptomic datasets collected along a salinity gradient spanning from ∼0 to 35 PSU. The normalised genomic abundance of rhodopsins in Bacteria, as well as rhodopsin gene expression, was highest in the smallest size fraction (0.1–0.8 μm), relative to the medium (0.8–3.0 μm) and large (>3.0 μm) size fractions. The abundance of rhodopsins in the two smaller size fractions displayed a positive correlation with salinity. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes rhodopsins were the most abundant while Actinobacteria rhodopsins, or actinorhodopsins, were common at lower salinities. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that rhodopsins have adapted independently to the marine‐brackish transition on multiple occasions, giving rise to green light‐adapted variants from ancestral blue light‐adapted ones. A notable diversity of viral‐like rhodopsins was also detected in the dataset and potentially linked with eukaryotic phytoplankton blooms. Finally, a new clade of likely proton‐pumping rhodopsin with non‐canonical amino acids in the spectral tuning and proton accepting site was identified.