bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topical Minocycline Effectively Decontaminates and Reduces Inflammation in Infected Porcine Wounds
Authors: Daly Lauren Tracy , Tsai David M. , Singh Mansher , Nuutila Kristo , Minasian Raquel A. , Lee Cameron C. Y. , Kiwanuka Elizabeth , Hackl Florian , Onderdonk Andrew B. , Junker Johan P. E. , Eriksson Elof , Caterson Edward J.
Published: October 2016

Background:

Wound infection can impair postoperative healing. Topical antibiotics have potential to treat wound infection and inflammation and minimize the adverse effects associated with systemic antibiotics.

Methods:

Full-thickness porcine wounds were infected with Staphylococcus aureus. Using polyurethane wound enclosure devices, wounds were treated with topical 100 μg/ml minocycline, topical 1000 μg/ml minocycline, topical saline control, or 4 mg/kg intravenous minocycline. Bacteria were quantified in wound tissue and fluid obtained over 9 hours. Immunosorbent assays were used to analyze inflammatory marker concentrations. Minocycline’s effect on in vitro migration and proliferation of human keratinocytes and fibroblasts was tested using scratch assays and metabolic assays, respectively.

Results:

After 6 hours, 100 and 1000 μg/ml topical minocycline decreased bacteria in wound tissue to 3.5 ± 0.87 and 2.9 ± 2.3 log colony-forming units/g respectively, compared to 8.3 ± 0.9 log colony-forming units/g in control wounds (p < 0.001) and 6.9 ± 0.2 log colony-forming units/g in wounds treated with 4 mg/kg intravenous minocycline (p < 0.01). After 2 hours, topical minocycline reduced concentrations of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (p < 0.01), and inflammatory cell counts in wound tissue (p < 0.05). In noninfected wounds, topical minocycline significantly reduced interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and inflammatory cell counts after 4 hours (p < 0.01). Matrix metalloproteinase-9 concentrations decreased after 1-hour treatment (p < 0.05). Keratinocyte and fibroblast in vitro functions were not adversely affected by 10 μg/ml minocycline or less.

Conclusions:

Topical minocycline significantly reduces bacterial burden and inflammation in infected wounds compared with wounds treated with intravenous minocycline or control wounds. Minocycline also decreases local inflammation independently of its antimicrobial effect.
The Influence of Insurance Type on Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Analysis of Nationwide Practice Trends
Authors: Sears Erika D. , Swiatek Peter R. , Hou Hechuan , Chung Kevin C.
Published: October 2016

Background:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of insurance type on use of diagnostic testing, treatments, and the efficiency of care for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods:

The 2009 to 2013 Truven MarketScan Databases were used to identify adult patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Insurance type was categorized as fee-for-service versus capitated managed care. Multivariable regression models were created to evaluate the relationship between insurance type and costs, number of visits, treatment, and electrodiagnostic study use, and controlling for demographic characteristics and comorbidities.

Results:

The cohort included 233,572 patients, of which 86 percent carried fee-for-service insurance. Predicted probabilities were clinically similar between the capitated and fee-for-service insurance types for therapy (0.23 versus 0.24), steroid injection (0.07 versus 0.09), and electrodiagnostic study use (0.44 versus 0.47). The difference in predicted probabilities between the insurance groups was greatest for surgery use (0.22 versus 0.28 for managed care and fee-for-service, respectively). The mean number of visits was similar between the two groups (2.1 versus 2.0 visits). In the controlled analysis, managed care was associated with a 10 percent decrease in cost compared to patients with fee-for-service (p< 0.001).

Conclusions:

Managed care was associated with a lower probability of surgery than fee-for-service, but similar use of less costly services. These data may be used to predict future practice trends with increased implementation of bundled payment reimbursement. Routine collection of validated patient outcomes measures is critical to assess patient outcomes associated with anticipated reduction of surgical services.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Risk, II.
The Changing Nasolabial Dimensions following Repair of Unilateral Cleft Lip: An Anthropometric Study in Late Childhood
Authors: Knight Zena L. , Ganske Ingrid , Deutsch Curtis K. , Mulliken John B.
Published: October 2016

Background:

Repair of unilateral cleft lip and nasal deformity in three dimensions requires anticipation of changes in the fourth dimension that can be determined by periodic and objective assessment.

Methods:

Fifty patients with unilateral cleft lip with or without cleft palate underwent primary repair from 1999 to 2004 and were followed through 2014. Anthropometry was performed immediately postoperatively and at a first and second follow-up interval, occurring at an average age of 6.6 and 11.5 years, respectively. Measured differences between cleft and noncleft sides included heminasal width (subnasale-alare), cutaneous labial height (subnasale-crista philtri inferior, subalare-crista philtri inferior), and transverse labial width at the cutaneous-vermilion border (crista philtri inferior-chelion). Contrasts for the rates of growth were assessed with t tests for correlated measures. Using the same method, the difference between growth on cleft and noncleft sides in the second period was compared to that in the first period.

Results:

Heminasal width remained narrower on the cleft side, but this difference decreased over time. Subnasale-crista philtri inferior remained longer on the cleft side; there was no difference between the rate of growth on the cleft and noncleft sides in the second period. Subalare-crista philtri inferior remained shorter on the cleft side by a consistent difference at both times of follow-up measurements. Transverse labial width at the cutaneous-vermilion border remained shorter on the cleft side, but this difference decreased in the second period.

Conclusion:

Understanding how nasolabial features change with growth is critical to crafting the initial repair of unilateral cleft lip and nasal deformity.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Barriers to Reconstructive Surgery in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study of 453 Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Patients in Vietnam
Authors: Yao Caroline A. , Swanson Jordan , Chanson Dayana , Taro Trisa B. , Gura Barrie , Figueiredo Jane C. , Wipfli Heather , Hatcher Kristin , Vanderburg Richard , Magee William P.
Published: October 2016

Background:

Despite health system advances, residents of low- and middle-income countries continue to experience substantial barriers in accessing health care, particularly for specialized care such as plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Methods:

A cross-sectional household survey of patients seeking surgical care for cleft lip and/or cleft palate was completed at five Operation Smile International mission sites throughout Vietnam (Hanoi, Nghe An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, An Giang, and Bac Lieu) in November of 2014.

Results:

Four hundred fifty-three households were surveyed. Cost, mistrust of medical providers, and lack of supplies and trained physicians were cited as the most significant barriers to obtaining surgery from local hospitals. There was no significant difference in household income or hospital access between those who had and had not obtained cleft surgery in the past. Fewer households that had obtained cleft surgery in the past were enrolled in health insurance (p < 0.001). Of those households/patients who had surgery previously, 83 percent had their surgery performed by a charity. Forty-three percent of participants did not have access to any other surgical cleft care and 41 percent did not have any other access to nonsurgical cleft care.

Conclusions:

The authors highlight barriers specific to surgery in low- and middle-income countries that have not been previously addressed. Patients rely on charitable care outside the centralized health care system; as a result, surgical treatment of cleft lip and palate is delayed beyond the standard optimal window compared with more developed countries. Using these data, the authors developed a more evidence-based framework designed to understand health behaviors and perceptions regarding reconstructive surgical care.
A Three-Dimensional Micro–Computed Tomographic Study of the Intraosseous Lunate Vasculature: Implications for Surgical Intervention and the Development of Avascular Necrosis
Authors: van Alphen Nick A. , Morsy Mohamed , Laungani Alexis T. , Kadar Assaf , Vercnocke Andrew J. , Lachman Nirusha , Ritman Erik L. , Moran Steven L.
Published: October 2016

Background:

The purpose of this study was to use micro–computed tomography to demonstrate the intraosseous vascularity of the lunate within a three-dimensional orientation to identify areas of greatest perfusion and define vascular “safe zones” for surgical intervention.

Methods:

Fourteen upper extremities were injected with a lead-based contrast agent. The lunates were harvested and scanned using a micro–computed tomography scanner. The intraosseous vascularity was incorporated into a three-dimensional image. Vessel number, diameter, distribution, and pattern were evaluated and analyzed. Vascularity of all specimens was projected onto one representative lunate to identity areas of higher and lower vascularity.

Results:

Twelve specimens had nutrient vessels entering the bone from volar and dorsal; two specimens had no dorsal vessels. The intraosseous vascularity could be classified according to the Y, I, and X patterns described by Gelberman et al. Average number and diameter of vessels were 2.3 and 118.1 μm, respectively, for volar; and 1.4 and 135.8 μm, respectively, for dorsal. The long axis of the lunate showed the highest vascularity on both axial and lateral views. Lower vascularity was observed in the dorsoradial and volar-ulnar quadrants on the axial view, and in the proximal part on the lateral view. Lunate shape was not associated with an increase or decrease in nutrient vessels or vascular pattern.

Conclusions:

Vascular safe zones were identified, allowing for potentially safer surgical interventions to the lunate. Volar approaches to the lunate may result in localized ischemia in a subset of patients with absent dorsal nutrient vessels. This study may help to better define patients at risk for Kienböck disease.
Advances and Innovations in Microsurgery
Authors: Park Julie E. , Chang David W.
Published: October 2016

Learning Objectives:

After reading this article, the participant should be able to: 1. summarize the evolution of perforator, chimeric, and free style flaps; 2. define and give examples of supermicrosurgery as well as understand its application in treatment of lymphedema; and 3. appreciate the development and advancements of composite tissue allotransplantation.

Although microsurgery may seem like a highly specialized niche within plastic surgery, it is more than just a discipline that focuses on small anastomoses. It is a tool and a way of thinking that allows us to embody the true tenets of plastic surgery, as quoted by Tagliocozzi. What began as a challenge of returning amputated tissue to the body and achieving wound closure has evolved into a refinement of technique and change in philosophy that empowers the plastic surgeon to work creatively to “restore, rebuild, and make whole.”
Techniques and Perforator Selection in Single, Dominant DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: Algorithmic Approach to Maximize Efficiency and Safety
Authors: Mohan Anita T. , Zhu Lin , Wang Zhen , Vijayasekaran Aparna , Saint-Cyr Michel
Published: October 2016

Background:

Perforator selection is critical to deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap harvest. Commitment to a single perforator has the potential benefit of a simpler dissection, but may increase fat necrosis or perfusion-related complications compared with multiple perforator harvest.

Methods:

A 3-year retrospective study was carried out of all patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction performed by the senior author (M.S.-C). Data were collected on patient demographics and surgical outcomes.

Results:

One hundred eighty-three flaps were performed (105 patients) over 3 years. One hundred fifty-six bilateral (78 patients) and 24 unilateral flaps were included in the final study. Mean age was 47.8 ± 8.4 years and mean body mass index was 29.1 ± 5.3 kg/m2. Seventy-five percent of flaps were based on single dominant perforators. Single perforators were used in 33.3 percent of flaps weighing over 1000 g, 80 and 74 percent of flaps weighing 500 to 1000 g and less than 500 g, respectively (p= 0.01). There were no differences in overall complications between single- versus multiple-perforator DIEP flaps. Neither body mass index nor flap weight posed additional risk to overall complications. Conversion to a muscle-sparing flap was 9.4 percent.

Conclusions:

The authors present an algorithm for perforator selection, stepwise approach to flap harvest, and considerations for intraoperative decision-making in DIEP flap reconstruction. Single–dominant perforator flaps can be safely performed, but inclusion of the largest perforator is critical to flap perfusion. Additional perforators must be weighed against the associated tradeoff with donor-site morbidity. The threshold for conversion to a muscle-sparing flap is reduced with increased clinical experience.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
CENP-F couples cargo to growing and shortening microtubule ends
Authors: Kanfer Gil , Peterka Martin , Arzhanik Vladimir K. , Drobyshev Alexei L. , Ataullakhanov Fazly I. , Volkov Vladimir A. , Kornmann Benoît
Published: October 2016

Dynamic microtubule ends exert pulling and pushing forces on intracellular membranes and organelles. However, the mechanical linkage of microtubule tips to their cargoes is poorly understood. CENP-F is a non-motor microtubule-binding protein that participates in microtubule binding at kinetochores and in the mitotic redistribution of the mitochondrial network. CENP-F-driven mitochondrial transport is linked to growing microtubule tips, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Here we show that CENP-F tracks growing microtubule ends in living cells. In vitro reconstitution demonstrates that microtubule tips can transport mitochondria and CENP-F-coated artificial cargoes over micrometer-long distances, during both growing and shrinking phases. Based on these and previous observations, we suggest that CENP-F might act as a transporter of mitochondria and other cellular cargoes by attaching them to dynamic microtubule ends.
Resistance to malaria through structural variation of red blood cell invasion receptors
Authors: Leffler Ellen M. , Band Gavin , Busby George B.J. , Kivinen Katja , Si Le Quang , Clarke Geraldine M. , Bojang Kalifa A. , Conway David J. , Jallow Muminatou , Sisay-Joof Fatoumatta , Bougouma Edith C. , Mangano Valentina D. , Modiano David , Sirima Sodiomon B. , Achidi Eric , Apinjoh Tobias O. , Marsh Kevin , Ndila Carolyne M. , Peshu Norbert , Williams Thomas N. , Drakeley Chris , Manjurano Alphaxard , Reyburn Hugh , Riley Eleanor , Kachala David , Molyneux Malcolm , Nyirongo Vysaul , Taylor Terrie , Thornton Nicole , Tilley Louise , Grimsley Shane , Drury Eleanor , Stalker Jim , Cornelius Victoria , Hubbart Christina , Jeffreys Anna E. , Rowlands Kate , Rockett Kirk A. , Spencer Chris C.A. , Kwiatkowski Dominic P. ,   Malaria Genomic Epidemiology Network
Published: October 2016

Plasmodium falciparuminvades human red blood cells by a series of interactions between host and parasite surface proteins. Here we analyse whole genome sequence data from worldwide human populations, including 765 new genomes from across sub-Saharan Africa, and identify a diverse array of large copy number variants affecting the host invasion receptor genesGYPAandGYPB. We find that a nearby reported association with severe malaria is explained by a complex structural variant that involves the loss ofGYPBand gain of two hybrid genes, each with a GYPB extracellular domain and GYPA intracellular domain. This variant reduces the risk of severe malaria by 40% and has recently risen in frequency in parts of Kenya. We show that the structural variant encodes the Dantu blood group antigen, and therefore a serologically distinct red cell phenotype. These findings demonstrate that structural variation of red blood cell invasion receptors is associated with natural resistance toP. falciparummalaria.
PatternMarkers & GWCoGAPS for novel data-driven biomarkers via whole transcriptome NMF
Authors: Stein-O’Brien Genevieve L , Carey Jacob L , Lee Wai-shing , Considine Michael , Favorov Alexander V , Flam Emily , Guo Theresa , Li Sijia , Marchionni Luigi , Sherman Thomas , Sivy Shawn , Gaykalova Daria A , McKay Ronald D , Ochs Michael F , Colantuoni Carlo , Fertig Elana J
Published: October 2016

Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) algorithms associate gene expression with biological processes (e.g., time-course dynamics or disease subtypes). Compared with univariate associations, the relative weights of NMF solutions can obscure biomarkers. Therefore, we developed a novel PatternMarkers statistic to extract genes for biological validation and enhanced visualization of NMF results. Finding novel and unbiased gene markers with PatternMarkers requires whole-genome data. However, NMF algorithms typically do not converge for the tens of thousands of genes in genome-wide profiling. Therefore, we also developed Genome-Wide CoGAPS Analysis in Parallel Sets (GWCoGAPS), the first robust whole genome Bayesian NMF using the sparse, MCMC algorithm, CoGAPS. This software contains analytic and visualization tools including a Shiny web application, patternMatcher, which are generalized for any NMF. Using these tools, we find granular brain-region and cell-type specific signatures with corresponding biomarkers in GTex data, illustrating GWCoGAPS and patternMarkers ascertainment of data-driven biomarkers from whole-genome data.

Availability

PatternMarkers & GWCoGAPS are in the CoGAPS Bioconductor package (3.5) under the GPL license.

Contact

gsteinobrien@jhmi.edu;ccolantu@jhmi.edu;ejfertig@jhmi.edu
A simple molecular mechanism explains multiple patterns of cell-size regulation
Authors: Delarue Morgan , Weissman Daniel , Hallatschek Oskar
Published: October 2016

Increasingly accurate and massive data have recently shed light on the fundamental question of how cells maintain a stable size trajectory as they progress through the cell cycle. Microbes seem to use strategies ranging from a pure sizer, where the end of a given phase is triggered when the cell reaches a critical size, to pure adder, where the cell adds a constant size during a phase. Yet the biological origins of the observed spectrum of behavior remain elusive. We analyze a molecular size-control mechanism, based on experimental data from the yeastS. cerevisiae, that gives rise to behaviors smoothly interpolating between adder and sizer. The size-control is obtained from the titration of a repressor protein by an activator protein that accumulates more rapidly with increasing cell size. Strikingly, the size-control is composed of two different regimes: for small initial cell size, the size-control is a sizer, whereas for larger initial cell size, is is an imperfect adder. Our model thus indicates that the adder and critical size behaviors may just be different dynamical regimes of a single simple biophysical mechanism.
Adaptive, arousal-related adjustments of perceptual biases optimize perception in a dynamic environment
Authors: Krishnamurthy Kamesh , Nassar Matthew R. , Sarode Shilpa , Gold Joshua I
Published: October 2016

Prior expectations can be used to improve perceptual judgments about ambiguous stimuli. However, little is known about if and how these improvements are maintained in dynamic environments in which the quality of appropriate priors changes from one stimulus to the next. Using a novel sound-localization task, we show that changes in stimulus predictability lead to arousal-mediated adjustments in the magnitude of prior-driven biases that optimize perceptual judgments about each stimulus. These adjustments depend on task-dependent changes in the relevance and reliability of prior expectations, which subjects update using both normative and idiosyncratic principles. The resulting variations in biases across task conditions and individuals are reflected in modulations of pupil diameter, such that larger stimulus-evoked pupil responses correspond to smaller biases. These results suggest a critical role for the arousal system in adjusting the strength of perceptual biases with respect to inferred environmental dynamics to optimize perceptual judgements.
Quantitative Modeling and Automated Analysis of Meiotic Recombination
Authors: White Martin A. , Wang Shunxin , Zhang Liangran , Kleckner Nancy
Published: October 2016

Many morphological features, in both physical and biological systems, exhibit spatial patterns that are specifically characterized by a tendency to occur with even spacing (in one, two or three dimensions). The positions of crossover (CO) recombination events along meiotic chromosomes provides an interesting biological example of such an effect (1–3). In general, mechanisms that explain such patterns may (a) be mechanically-based, (b) occur by a reaction-diffusion mechanism in which macroscopic mechanical effects are irrelevant, or (c) involve a combination of both types of effects. We have proposed that meiotic CO patterns arise by a mechanical mechanism, have developed mathematical expressions for such a process based on a particular physical system with analogous properties (the so-called “beam-film model”), and have shown that the beam-film model can very accurately explain experimental CO patterns as a function of the values of specific defined parameters (4–7). Importantly, the mathematical expressions of the beam-film model can apply quite generally to any mechanism, whether it involves mechanical components or not, as long as its logic and component features correspond to those of the beam-film system (3; below). Furthermore, via its various parameters, the beam-film model discretizes the patterning process into specific components. Thus, the model can be used to explore the theoretically predicted effects of various types of changes in the patterning process. Such predictions can expand detailed understanding of the bases for various biological effects (e.g. 2, 5). We present here a new MATLAB program that implements the mathematical expressions of the beam-film model with increased robustness and accessibility as compared to programs presented previously. As in previous versions, the presented program permits both: (i) simulation of predicted CO positions along chromosomes of a test population; and (ii) easy analysis of CO positions, both for experimental data sets and for data sets resulting from simulations. The goal of the current presentation is to make these approaches more readily accessible to a wider audience of researchers. Also, the program is easily modified, and we encourage interested users to make changes to suit their specific needs. A link to the program is available on the Kleckner laboratory web site:http://projects.iq.harvard.edu/kleckner_lab.
Crystal structure of fuculose aldolase from the Antarctic psychrophilic yeastGlaciozyma antarcticaPI12
Authors: Jaafar Nardiah Rizwana , Littler Dene , Beddoe Travis , Rossjohn Jamie , Illias Rosli Md , Mahadi Nor Muhammad , Mackeen Mukram Mohamed , Murad Abdul Munir Abdul , Abu Bakar Farah Diba
Published: October 2016

Fuculose-1-phosphate aldolase (FucA) catalyses the reversible cleavage of L-fuculose 1-phosphate to dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and L-lactaldehyde. This enzyme from mesophiles and thermophiles has been extensively studied; however, there is no report on this enzyme from a psychrophile. In this study, the gene encoding FucA fromGlaciozyma antarcticaPI12 (GaFucA) was cloned and the enzyme was overexpressed inEscherichia coli, purified and crystallized. The tetrameric structure of GaFucA was determined to 1.34 Å resolution. The overall architecture of GaFucA and its catalytically essential histidine triad are highly conserved among other fuculose aldolases. Comparisons of structural features between GaFucA and its mesophilic and thermophilic homologues revealed that the enzyme has typical psychrophilic attributes, indicated by the presence of a high number of nonpolar residues at the surface and a lower number of arginine residues.
A better career environment for women: developing a blueprint for individuals and organisations
Authors: Holton Viki , Dent Fiona Elsa
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the findings from empirical research conducted with women managers about their careers and to propose a template or blueprint for how individuals and organisations might create a better career environment for women.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on a research study that included interviews with 20 senior women managers from a range of sectors and countries and a self-completion survey questionnaire completed by 1,402 women.

Findings

The paper illustrates the difficulties that women continue to face in the workplace and how terms such as leadership, management and team leader may be gender biased. There is a need for employers and for individuals to consider a variety of different approaches to help create a more positive career environment for women.

Research limitations/implications

The findings have implications for career development structures and talent management processes within organisations. They also would be useful for professional associations.

Practical implications

The template proposed offers a useful guide to help organisations reflect on possible gender bias in career development structures.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the understanding of the issues that women managers face and highlight the practical changes employers could make to help address these issues.
Exploring the value co-creation process on guided tours (the ‘AIM-model’) and the experience-centric management approach
Authors: Zátori Anita
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of the paper was to explore the influence of the experience-centric approach and the concept of co-creation on service design and provision and to analyze the process of on-site experience co-creation between provider and consumer, particularly, how tour providers and tour guides enhance and support the process of co-creation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study reviews the literature on experience-centric approach and value co-creation, discusses personal resources and experience-centric service design as resources for co-creation. It analyzes primary data from 33 interviews and 28 observations of 11 sightseeing tour providers.

Findings

The methods and tools of tour providers’ service design were explored and evaluated whether they fit the criteria of the concept of co-creation and experience-centric approach. The findings show that small-group tour providers use the concept of co-creation to the biggest extent, followed by alternative tour providers. The study also analyzed what types of service designs support a co-creative service provision. Three steps were identified as steps to support and realize experience and value co-creation from the side of the service provider. Based on the empirical results, the attention-involve-make discover (AIM) model was created, which proposes that the process of value and experience co-creation happens by provoking attention, by engaging and involving and, finally, by making consumers to discover.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper lies in the creation of the AIM-model illustrating the on-site co-creation process in the context of guided tours, which can further be tested in other fields and areas.
Reframing “building back better” for post-disaster housing design: a community perspective
Authors: Rahmayati Yenny
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This study aims to reframe the common concept of post-disaster reconstruction “building back better”, especially in the context of post-disaster housing design.

Design/methodology/approach

An Aceh post-tsunami housing reconstruction project is used as a case study with qualitative methodology through in-depth interviews of selected respondents.

Findings

The study findings have shown that the term “building back better” is not a familiar term for housing recipients. Whichever different personal background post-disaster survivors come from, whether they are housewife, civil servant, fisherman, university student, businessman or a professional, none have ever heard this phrase. All found it hard to understand the term. This study argues that the “building back better” concept is good in policy but not working in practice. As a result, housing recipients not only were dissatisfied with their new houses but also found that the new housing configurations profoundly altered their traditional way of life. In light of these findings, the paper argues that the concept of “building back better” needs to be reframed to take account of the cultural individual and communal needs and wants of post-disaster survivors.

Research limitations/implications

This study discusses only one aspect of post-disaster reconstruction that is the design of housing reconstruction.

Practical implications

Results from this study provide a practical contribution for reconstruction actors especially designers, architects and planners. It helps them to reconsider the common concepts they have used for post-disaster reconstruction processes particularly in designing housing reconstruction projects.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the question of how tsunami survivors in Aceh reacted to the design of their new post-tsunami houses and what they had done themselves to make their homes a better and nicer place to live within their own cultural needs. This study also sought to understand what motivated the opinions the respondents had about the design of housing reconstruction after the tsunami in Aceh generally. In addition, the study investigated whether survivors knew the phrase and the credo of “building back better” in a post-disaster context.
Autonomous evacuation and local community
Authors: Kakimoto Ryuji , Yamada Fumihiko
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The Aso area of Kumamoto Prefecture and the western part of Oita Prefecture in Japan experienced heavy rainfall from midnight until morning on 12 July 2012. Flooding and landslides caused by this torrential rain killed 31 people and injured 11. This paper aims to analyze a time series of flood risk perception and evacuation behavior, and to identify factors that promote effective autonomous evacuation.

Design/methodology/approach

A time series of flood risk perception and evacuation behavior following the 2012 flood was developed and systematically analyzed. Differences between the data sets (compiled from survey data) for the evacuated group and the non-evacuated group were statistically evaluated. Then, an evacuation behavior model was developed to simulate which households would be likely to evacuate in different scenarios. The relationship between disaster prevention and activities of a local community were also statistically assessed.

Findings

This study concludes that an assessment of river conditions and evacuation advice from fellow local community members are the factors that most strongly influence and promote autonomous evacuation. This study also revealed that the everyday activities of a local community have the potential to foster effective disaster prevention and emergency responses if they promote the building of relationships between community members.

Originality/value

The research focused on actual decision-making and autonomous evacuation behavior. Whereas previous studies were limited to the analysis of activities of disaster prevention on a normal day, this study proved that the usual activity level in local community activities and relationships significantly affected evacuation behavior.
An international comparative analysis of local hazard mitigation plan evaluation for flood
Authors: Kim Hwayoung , Kakimoto Ryuji
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This research aims to identify the qualitative differences between local hazard mitigation plan (LHMP) of the developing country when compared to those of developed countries. It also seeks to demonstrate the relative importance of public private partnership and the need for PPs to be integrated into LHMP because they help to create strong LHMP, thereby making communities will become more resilient to not only floods but also other natural disasters. It focuses on the components of hazard mitigation from a developed country perspective and how these influence the contents/focus of the LHMP especially when compared to those of a developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on official information such as population, climate and major threat that has faced, research sites were selected. Each LHMP can be downloaded from the official city websites, except Korea. Through plan evacuation protocols the LHMP for each city – USA (Baltimore), Japan (Kumamoto) and Korea (Pohang) – were assessed three times by the research team. Plans were evaluated using a plan coding evacuation process.

Findings

The LHMP of the developing country did not contain maps illustrating to the people who are exposed to flood and evacuation routes and who are vulnerable (both economically and physically), when compared with the developed countries plan. However, quicker response because of simple political hierarchy can be possible in Japan and Korea when compared to the USA, which has three different tiers of political governments – federal, State and Local government – though Korea is a developing country.

Originality/value

In recent times, pre-disaster response, which is a proactive approach to natural disasters, is an emerging issue rather than post disaster response because of sustainable and resilient ideas of the locals that have repeatedly suffered from natural hazards. This study compares LHMPs of each country to better understand strengths and weakness, as well as to identify strategies that will enhance the quality of mitigation plan for the developed country and developing country. It is hoped that this study will inform and augment existing literature by assisting underdeveloped and developing countries suffering from floods with the preparation of their LHMPs based on the suggestion of this research.
Alternative dispute resolution in Palestine: the myth and dilemma of construction mediation
Authors: Besaiso Haytham , Fenn Peter , Emsley Margaret
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques in the Palestinian construction industry. It also seeks to identify some of the drivers and barriers to the greater use of particular ADR techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 12 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with senior ADR practitioners comprising nine construction professionals, two eminent lawyers and a retired judge.

Findings

This research has explored the practices of mediation, adjudication and expert evaluation in the Palestinian construction industry and has identified deficiencies in implementation and the roles that the cultural and legal contexts play in this. The research findings cast some doubt on the results of previous studies asserting the widespread use of construction mediation.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to knowledge by bringing new insight into the practice of particular ADR techniques in the Palestinian construction industry and in identifying challenges to the more widespread adoption of these ADR techniques. This paper exposes the myth of the popularity of construction mediation and the dilemma to the use of mediation brought by the social construction and conceptualisation of the mediator’s role.
Ready for the future? A survey on open access with scientists from the French National Research Center (CNRS)
Authors: Schöpfel Joachim , Ferrant Coline , André Francis , Fabre Renaud
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to present empirical evidence on the opinion and behaviour of French scientists (senior management level) regarding open access (OA) to scientific and technical information.

Design/methodology/approach

The results are part of a nationwide survey on scientific information and documentation with 432 directors of French public research laboratories conducted by the French National Research Center (CNRS) in 2014.

Findings

The CNRS senior research managers (laboratory directors) globally share the positive opinion towards OA revealed by other studies with researchers from the UK, Germany, the USA and other countries. However, they are more supportive of open repositories (green road) than of OA journal publishing (gold). The response patterns reveal a gap between generally positive opinions about OA and less supportive behaviours, principally publishing articles with article processing charges (APCs). A small group of senior research managers does not seem to be interested in green or gold OA and reluctant to self-archiving and OA publishing. Similar to other studies, the French survey confirms disciplinary differences, i.e. a stronger support for self-archiving of records and documents in HAL by scientists from Mathematics, Physics and Informatics than from Biology, Earth Sciences and Chemistry; and more experience and positive feelings with OA publishing and payment of APCs in Biology than in Mathematics or in Social Sciences and Humanities. Disciplinary differences and specific French factors are discussed, in particular in the context of the new European policy in favour of Open Science.

Originality/value

For the first time, a nationwide survey was conducted with the senior research management level from all scientific disciplines. The response rate was high (>30 per cent), and the results provide good insight into the real awareness, support and uptake of OA by senior research managers who provide both models (examples for good practice) and opinion leadership.
Looking beyond place branding: the emergence of place reputation
Authors: Bell Fraser
Published: October 2016

Purpose

As place branding is reaching an impasse in terms of its development with numerous shortcomings being uncovered, this commentary suggests that the practice can be repositioned as part of the more comprehensive notion of place reputation. By building on the idea of corporate reputation and embryonic evidence of its application to geographical entities, this paper aims to argue for a more substantial translation of this concept to cities and regions.

Design/methodology/approach

This idea was investigated through empirical work in English second-tier cities, specifically concerning semi-structured interviews with local and regional stakeholders on the topic of place reputation conducted in 2014.

Findings

The empirical work found that place branding and place reputation can remain complimentary to one another, are entwined and are problematic to disentangle. This discovered that place branding is not as effective when used in isolation, and the concept benefits from the support of a more comprehensive reputation management strategy. In addition, this study found that the idea of reputational capital is a key theory for the development of reputation, allowing this broad notion to be tackled in terms of audiences, domains and sectors.

Originality/value

Moreover, this commentary constitutes a novel piece of research, and this is achieved by exploring gaps in both interdisciplinary place branding and corporate literatures of reputation being applied to place. This is addressed from a relational economic geography perspective, with the support of reputational capital which has links to Pierre Bourdieu’s (1986) Forms of Capital, this seeks to raise issues and add value to current place branding debates.
Library anxiety, library use and academic performance of undergraduate students in Pakistan
Authors: Jan Sajjad Ullah , Anwar Mumtaz Ali , Warraich Nosheen Fatima
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the status of library anxiety, which has received relatively little research attention in Pakistan, and its relationship with library use, academic performance (grade point average), gender and academic discipline among the undergraduate students.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a questionnaire from 725 fourth year undergraduate students of three different disciplines from three universities. The participation was voluntary. The data were processed using SPSS version 20.

Findings

A majority of the respondents (72.1 per cent) experienced a mild library anxiety. The factors: user education and user knowledge were the greatest sources of library anxiety. Findings revealed differences in library anxiety on the basis of gender and academic discipline. Library anxiety and academic performance had a significant negative relationship with each other.

Originality/value

This is the first study in Pakistan that addressed library anxiety and its relationship with library use, academic discipline and academic performance using a large group (N = 725) of undergraduate students.
An Isolated Perfused Rat Kidney Model for the Evaluation of the Effect of Glucose on Renal Tubular Epithelial Morphology
Authors: Zhou Chong , Yool Andrea J. , Byard Roger W.
Published: October 2016

An isolated perfused kidney model was used to evaluate the effect of hyperglycemia on renal tubular epithelial cell morphology. Ten Sprague–Dawley rat kidneys were perfused with Krebs–Henseleit buffer containing 70 mmol/L of glucose (five for 1 h and five for 2 h). Two control groups consisted of 10 kidneys perfused with Krebs–Henseleit buffer without hyperglycemia (five for 1 h and five for 2 h), and 10 nonperfused contralateral kidneys placed in the same environment for the same duration. The hyperglycemia group had significantly increased renal tubular vacuolization (p < 0.001) compared to both control groups at 1 and 2 h. The isolated perfused kidney model recapitulates the renal tubular vacuolization phenotype found in hyperglycemia and may be a potential tool for the investigation into causal factors in renal histology. The full pattern of the Armanni–Ebstein phenomenon was not, however, reproduced, suggesting that this change requires more time or involves more complex factors.
Triceps Skinfold Thickness Is Associated With Lumbar Bone Mineral Density in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Lin Yu‐Li , Lai Yu‐Hsien , Wang Chih‐Hsien , Kuo Chiu‐Huang , Liou Hung‐Hsiang , Hsu Bang‐Gee
Published: October 2016

Anthropometric measurements, including body mass index (BMI), body weight and total fat mass are associated with the bone mineral density (BMD) in the general population. Compared to that in the general population, BMD was lower in dialysis patients. However, the association between anthropometric measurements and BMD is not well‐established among peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. To study this, we conducted a cross‐sectional study in 48 chronic PD patients. Anthropometric parameters, biochemical data, and BMD measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry in lumbar vertebrae (L2–L4) were collected. Among these PD patients, eight patients (16.7%) had osteoporosis and 22 patients (45.8%) osteopenia, while 18 patients were normal. Older age, decreased height, lower body weight, BMI, triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), mid‐arm fat area (MAFA), and higher adiponectin levels were observed in our patients with lower lumbar T‐scores. Height, body weight, waist circumference, BMI, body fat mass, TSF, mid‐arm circumference, MAFA, and serum phosphorus levels were positively, while age, adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with lumbar BMD levels. According to our multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analysis, TSF (R2 change = 0.080, P = 0.017) and body weight (R2 change = 0.333, P = 0.002) were both correlated with low lumbar BMD. In conclusion, either TSF or body weight in our chronic PD patients was proved to be an independent predictor for osteolytic bone lesions.
Is Efficacy of the Anti‐Cd20 Antibody Rituximab Preventing Hemolysis Due to Passenger Lymphocyte Syndrome?
Authors: Tsujimura Kazuma , Ishida Hideki , Tanabe Kazunari
Published: October 2016

Passenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS) often occurs after ABO‐mismatched solid organ and/or bone marrow transplantation between a donor and recipient. Viable donor B‐lymphocytes transferred during organ transplantation produce antibodies against recipient red cell antigens, leading to hemolysis. The incidence of PLS has been reported to be around 9% after renal transplantation. A previous report showed that rituximab (Rit) was useful for treatment of PLS in allogeneic stem cell transplantation, bowel transplant and severe cases of hemolysis. However, the effectiveness of Rit in preventing PLS after renal transplantation has not yet been evaluated. The participants in this study were 85 patients who had undergone ABO‐mismatched renal transplantation from January 2005 to April 2013. Rit was administered to these patients before transplantation. None of the patients that received Rit treatment developed PLS. Thus administration of Rit before transplantation effectively controlled the production of antibodies by B‐lymphocytes, which probably prevented the development of PLS.
Senescence‐associated DNA methylation is stochastically acquired in subpopulations of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Franzen Julia , Zirkel Anne , Blake Jonathon , Rath Björn , Benes Vladimir , Papantonis Argyris , Wagner Wolfgang
Published: October 2016

Replicative senescence has a major impact on function and integrity of cell preparations. This process is reflected by continuous DNA methylation (DNAm) changes at specific CpG dinucleotides in the course of in vitro culture, and such modifications can be used to estimate the state of cellular senescence for quality control of cell preparations. Still, it is unclear how senescence‐associated DNAm changes are regulated and whether they occur simultaneously across a cell population. In this study, we analyzed global DNAm profiles of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to demonstrate that senescence‐associated DNAm changes are overall similar in these different cell types. Subsequently, an Epigenetic‐Senescence‐Signature, based on six CpGs, was either analyzed by pyrosequencing or by bar‐coded bisulfite amplicon sequencing. There was a good correlation between predicted and real passage numbers in bulk populations of MSCs (R2 = 0.67) and HUVECs (R2 = 0.97). However, when we analyzed the Epigenetic‐Senescence‐Signature in subclones of MSCs, the predictions revealed high variation and they were not related to the adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation potential of the subclones. Notably, in clonally derived subpopulations, the DNAm levels of neighboring CpGs differed extensively, indicating that these genomic regions are not synchronously modified during senescence. Taken together, senescence‐associated DNAm changes occur in a highly reproducible manner, but they are not synchronously co‐regulated. They rather appear to be acquired stochastically—potentially evoked by other epigenetic modifications.