bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Versus Watchful Waiting and Pelvic Floor Disorders in Postpartum Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Wu You (Maria) , McInnes Natalia , Leong Yvonne
Published: February 2018

Objectives

Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is often recommended to treat postpartum urinary incontinence (UI). However, the role of postpartum PFMT in pelvic organ prolapse (POP), sexual function, and anal incontinence (AI) remains unclear. We therefore aim to assess the efficacy of postpartum PFMT on these pelvic floor disorders.

Methods

This study is a meta-analysis consisting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We searched databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PEDro. We also sought after grey literature including conference proceedings. We included RCTs comparing PFMT versus watchful waiting in women with stage II or less POP within 1 year postpartum. Two authors independently performed study screening, risk of bias assessments, and data extraction.

Results

Fifteen RCTs (3845 patients) were included. Women undergoing PFMT less likely report bothersome POP symptoms (risk ratio [RR], 0.48 [0.30–0.76]; very low-quality evidence). There is no significant difference in the number of women with stage II or greater POP (RR, 0.74 [0.45–1.24]; moderate-quality evidence). Fewer women receiving PFMT report the presence of sexual dysfunction (RR, 0.48 [0.30–0.77]; low-quality evidence). There is no significant difference in AI symptoms (RR, 1.11 [0.82–1.51]), but PFMT may be more beneficial for women with anal sphincter injuries (standardized mean differencein AI scores, −0.57 [−1.12 to −0.02]; low-quality evidence). Women receiving PFMT less likely report UI (RR, 0.44 [0.25–0.75]; moderate-quality evidence) with a more pronounced effect on stress UI (SUI).

Conclusions

At present, it remains uncertain whether postpartum PFMT improves POP symptoms because of very low-quality evidence, and more high-quality RCTs are needed in this area. The POP staging will likely not change with postpartum PFMT. The PFMT may result in improved postpartum sexual function compared to watchful waiting, and may provide benefit for AI in women with anal sphincter injuries. Postpartum PFMT likely reduces the risk of UI, particularly stress urinary incontinence symptoms. There is currently little evidence about postpartum PFMT and long-term pelvic floor function.
Does Patient Education Augment Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Preparedness and Attendance? A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Shannon Megan B. , Adams W. , Fitzgerald C.M. , Mueller E.R. , Brubaker L. , Brincat C.
Published: February 2018

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate patient attendance and preparedness for pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) after comparing standard counseling versus standard counseling plus an educational video.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial of 200 patients in a Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery practice was performed in a tertiary care referral center. Participants were randomized to 1 of 2 educational modalities after being prescribed PFPT. Women either received standard handout counseling or enhanced video counseling. A sample size of 96 per group (N = 192) was needed to detect a 20% difference in PFPT attendance corresponding to a priori estimates of 50% compliance for the standard counseling group (handout) versus 70% compliance for the enhanced counseling group (handout plus video). Compliance data were assessed at least 3 months after the initial referral to determine attendance at PFPT.

Results

Sixty-five percent of patients attended at least 1 PFPT visit, whereas 46.5% completed therapy. There was no difference between the standard and enhanced counseling groups in PFPT attendance (P = 0.056) or in completion of half the recommended visits (P = 0.17). Similarly, level of preparedness after viewing the assigned counseling modality did not differ between standard and enhanced counseling groups. For each additional completed visit, the odds of successfully completing PFPT increased by approximately 38% (odds ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.19–1.59).

Conclusions

The addition of enhanced patient counseling did not improve patient preparedness or odds of attending PFPT. Adherence behaviors surrounding PFPT attendance are multifactorial and require further qualitative research to elucidate barriers to PFPT attendance.
Surgical Anatomy of Vaginal Hysterectomy—Impact of a Resident-Constructed Simulation Model
Authors: Anand Mallika , Duffy Conor P. , Vragovic Olivera , Abbasi Wafaa , Bell Shannon L.
Published: February 2018

Objectives

Obstetrics and gynecology residents are less prepared to perform vaginal hysterectomy (VH), despite its advantages over other hysterectomy routes. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology have prioritized simulation training in VH. Our objective was to improve residents’ understanding of surgical anatomy of VH using a resident-constructed, low-cost, low-fidelity model.

Methods

A single simulation session was held in November 2016. Residents constructed a pelvic model, guided by 2 surgeons. A pretest and a posttest were administered. Experienced-based responses were tabulated for frequencies and contents. Improvement on knowledge-based questions was assessed using McNemar’s test.

Results

Of 20 residents, 16 completed the pretest and 14 (70%) completed pretests and posttests. One hundred percent of postgraduate year (PGY)-4 had performed greater than 10 VH (11–21) and 75% of PGY-3 had performed 5 to 12 VH. Although 75% of PGY-3 and 100% of PGY-4 felt comfortable performing VH, baseline knowledge of essential surgical anatomy of VH was low (65.8%). The PGY-3 and -4 group (n=8) experienced a mean improvement of 24.4% (mean pretest score 65.8% vs mean posttest score 90%; 95% confidence interval, +14.1% to +33.3%, P=0.0005). The PGY-1 and -2 groups (n=6) experienced a mean improvement of 43.3% (mean pretest score, 41.7% vs mean posttest score, 85%; 95% confidence interval, +26.7% to +59.2%, P=0.001). After the session, all residents reported improved understanding surgical anatomy of VH and “more hands-on sessions” was the most frequently requested teaching aid.

Conclusions

Residents desire additional model-based simulation training in VH, and such structured, model-based simulations can identify and address gaps in resident knowledge of surgical anatomy of this important operation.
Acute Onset of Abdominal Muscle Dyskinesia ("Belly Dancer Syndrome") From Quetiapine Exposure: A Case Report
Authors: Yeh Jia-Yin , Tu Kun-Yu , Tseng Ping-Tao , Lee Yu , Lin Pao-Yen
Published: February 2018

Belly dancer syndrome, also called belly dance syndrome or belly dancer dyskinesia, is a kind of abdominal dyskinesia with painful sensation. Its etiology is still unclear and there are few studies reporting its association with antipsychotics. Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic that causes lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms than typical antipsychotics. Here, we presented the first case of belly dancer syndrome in a 71-year-old woman with major depressive disorder after short-term use of quetiapine.
Growth affects dispersal success in social mole-rats, but not the duration of philopatry
Authors: Torrents-Ticó Miquel , Bennett Nigel C. , Jarvis Jennifer U. M. , Zöttl Markus
Published: February 2018

In naked mole-rats (
Heterocephalus glaber
), some non-breeding males show faster growth and are more likely to disperse than others. These differences have been suggested to be the result of a specialized developmental strategy leading to shorter philopatry and independent breeding, as opposed to extended philopatry as non-reproductive helpers. However, it is unclear whether fast-growing males disperse sooner than slow-growing males. An alternative explanation is that variation in quality between individuals causes high-quality individuals to grow quickly and maximize dispersal success without reducing philopatry. Here we show that in Damaraland mole-rats (
Fukomys damarensis
), males that subsequently disperse successfully grow faster than other non-reproductive males. This pattern is predicted by both hypotheses and does not discriminate between them. However, contrary to the suggestion that faster growth represents a developmental specialization for early dispersal, fast-growing and slow-growing males remained equally long in their natal groups. Our study provides no evidence for adaptive divergence in male development leading either to early dispersal or extended philopatry. Instead of representing specialized dispersers, fast-growing males of this species may be high-quality individuals.
Tripsacum de novotranscriptome assemblies reveal parallel gene evolution with maize after ancient polyploidy
Authors: Gault Christine M. , Kremling Karl A. , Buckler Edward S.
Published: February 2018

Plant genomes reduce in size following a whole genome duplication event, and one gene in a duplicate gene pair can lose function in absence of selective pressure to maintain duplicate gene copies. Maize and its sister genus,Tripsacum, share a genome duplication event that occurred 5 to 26 million years ago. Because few genomic resources forTripsacumexist, it is unknown whetherTripsacumgrasses and maize have maintained a similar set of genes under purifying selection. Here we present high qualityde novotranscriptome assemblies for two species:Tripsacum dactyloidesandTripsacum floridanum. Genes with experimental protein evidence in maize were good candidates for genes under purifying selection in both genera because pseudogenes by definition do not produce protein. We tested whether 15,160 maize genes with protein evidence are resisting gene loss and whether theirTripsacumhomologs are also resisting gene loss. Protein-encoding maize transcripts and theirTripsacumhomologs have higher GC content, higher gene expression levels, and more conserved expression levels than putatively untranslated maize transcripts and theirTripsacumhomologs. These results indicate that gene loss is occurring in a similar fashion in both genera after a shared ancient polyploidy event. TheTripsacumtranscriptome assemblies provide a high quality genomic resource that can provide insight into the evolution of maize, an highly valuable crop worldwide.

Core ideas

Maize genes with protein evidence have higher expression and GC content

Tripsacumhomologs of maize genes exhibit the same trends as in maize

Maize proteome genes have more highly correlated gene expression withTripsacum

Expression dominance for homeologs occurs similarly between maize andTripsacum

A similar set of genes may be decaying into pseudogenes in maize andTripsacum
A very fast time scale of human motor adaptation: within movement adjustments of internal representations during reaching
Authors: Crevecoeur F. , Thonnard J.-L. , Lefèvre P.
Published: February 2018

Humans and other animals adapt motor commands to predictable disturbances within tens of trials in laboratory conditions. A central question is how does the nervous system adapt to disturbances in natural conditions when exactly the same movements cannot be practiced several times. Because motor commands and sensory feedback together carry continuous information about limb dynamics, we hypothesized that the nervous system could adapt to unexpected disturbances online. We tested this hypothesis in two reaching experiments during which velocity-dependent force fields were randomly applied. We found that within-movement feedback corrections gradually improved, despite the fact that the perturbations were unexpected. Moreover, when participants were instructed to stop at a via-point, the application of a force field prior to the via-point induced mirror-image after-effects after the via-point, consistent with within-trial adaptation to the unexpected dynamics. These findings suggest a fast time-scale of motor learning, which complements feedback control and supports adaptation of an ongoing movement.

Significance Statement

An important function of the nervous system is to adapt motor commands in anticipation of predictable disturbances, which supports motor learning when we move in novel environments such as force fields. Here we show that movement control when exposed to unpredictable disturbances exhibit similar traits: motor corrections become tuned to the force field, and they evoke after effects within an ongoing sequence of movements. We propose and discuss the framework of adaptive control to explain these results: a real-time learning algorithm, which complements feedback control in the presence of model errors. This candidate model potentially links movement control and trial-by-trial adaptation of motor commands.
Pairwise library screen systematically interrogates Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 specificity in human cells
Authors: Tycko Josh , Barrera Luis A. , Huston Nicholas , Friedland Ari E. , Wu Xuebing , Gootenberg Jonathan S. , Abudayyeh Omar O. , Myer Vic E. , Wilson Christopher J. , Hsu Patrick D.
Published: February 2018

We report a high-throughput screening approach to measure Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 (SaCas9) genome editing variation in human cells across a large repertoire of 88,692 single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) paired with matched or mismatched target sites in a synthetic cassette. We incorporated randomized barcodes that enable ‘whitelisting’ of correctly synthesized molecules for further downstream analysis, in order to circumvent the limitation of oligonucleotide synthesis errors. We find SaCas9 sgRNAs with a 21-nucleotide spacer are most active against off-targets with single and double mismatches, compared to shorter or longer sgRNAs. Using this dataset, we developed an SaCas9 specificity model that performs well in ranking off-target sites. The barcoded pairwise library screen enabled high-fidelity recovery of guide-target relationships, providing a scalable framework for the investigation of CRISPR enzyme properties and general nucleic acid interactions.
Information transfer in QT-RR dynamics: Application to QT-correction
Authors: Potapov Ilya , Latukka Joonas , Kim Jiyeong , Luukko Perttu , Aalto-Setälä Katriina , Räsänen Esa
Published: February 2018

The relation between the electrical properties of the heart and the beating rate is essential for the heart functioning. This relation is central when calculating the “corrected QT interval” — an important measure of the risk of potentially lethal arrhythmias. We use the transfer entropy method from information theory to quantitatively study the mutual dynamics of the ventricular action potential duration (the QT interval) and the length of the beat-to-beat (RR) interval. We show that for healthy individuals there is a strong asymmetry in the information transfer: the information flowfrom RR to QTdominates over the opposite flow (from QT to RR), i.e. QT depends on RR to a larger extent than RR on QT. Moreover, thehistoryof the intervals has a strong effect on the information transfer: at sufficiently long QT history length the information flow asymmetry inverts and the RR influence on QT dynamics weakens. Finally, we demonstrate that the widely used QT correction methods cannot properly capture the changes in the information flows between QT and RR. We conclude that our results obtained through a model-free informational perspective can be utilised to improve and test the QT correction schemes in clinics.
The timing of hemodynamic changes reliably reflects spiking activity
Authors: Zaidi Ali Danish , Birbaumer Niels , Fetz Eberhard , Logothetis Nikos , Sitaram Ranganatha
Published: February 2018

Functional neuroimaging is a powerful non-invasive tool for studying brain function, using changes in blood-oxygenation as a proxy for underlying neuronal activity. The neuroimaging signal correlates with both spiking, and various bands of the local field potential (LFP), making the inability to discriminate between them a serious limitation for interpreting hemodynamic changes. Here, we record activity from the striate cortex in two anesthetized monkeys (Macaca mulatta), using simultaneous functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and intra-cortical electrophysiology. We find that low-frequency LFPs correlate with hemodynamic signal’s peak amplitude, whereas spiking correlates with its peak-time and initial-dip. We also find spiking to be more spatially localized than low-frequency LFPs. Our results suggest that differences in spread of spiking and low-frequency LFPs across cortical surface influence different parameters of the hemodynamic response. Together, these results demonstrate that the hemodynamic response-amplitude is a poor correlate of spiking activity. Instead, we demonstrate that the timing of the initial-dip and the hemodynamic response are much more reliable correlates of spiking, reflecting bursts in spike-rate and total spike-counts respectively.
Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Use Podosomes to Transcellularly Home to the Bone Marrow
Authors: Rademakers Timo , Goedhart Marieke , Hoogenboezem Mark , García Ponce Alexander , van Rijssel Jos , Samus Maryna , Schnoor Michael , Butz Stefan , Huveneers Stephan , Vestweber Dietmar , Nolte Martijn A. , Voermans Carlijn , van Buul Jaap D.
Published: February 2018

Bone marrow (BM) endothelium plays an important role in homing of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) upon transplantation, but surprisingly little is known on how endothelial cells regulate local permeability and HSPC transmigration. We show that temporal loss of VE-cadherin function promotes vascular permeability in BM, even upon low dose irradiation and strongly enhanced homing of transplanted HSPCs to BM of irradiated mice. Intriguingly, stabilizing junctional VE-cadherinin vivoreduced BM permeability, but did not prevent HSPC migration into the BM, suggesting that HSPCs enter the bone marrow by transcellularly crossing the endothelium. Indeed, HSPCs induce podosomes to cross human BM endothelial monolayers in a transcellular manner. By contrast, HSPC rather use the paracellular route when VE-cadherin function is inhibited. Taken together, VE-cadherin is crucial for BM vascular homeostasis and HSPC homing, and may therefore serve as a potential therapeutic target to improve HSPC homing strategies.
Endoglycosidase S enables a highly simplified clinical chemistry assay procedure for direct assessment of serum IgG undergalactosylation in chronic inflammatory disease
Authors: Vanderschaeghe Dieter , Meuris Leander , Raes Tom , Grootaert Hendrik , Van Hecke Annelies , Verhelst Xavier , Van de Velde Frederique , Lapauw Bruno , Van Vlierberghe Hans , Callewaert Nico
Published: February 2018

Over the past 30 years, it has been firmly established that a wide spectrum of (autoimmune) diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s and lupus, but also other pathologies like alcoholic and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH and NASH) are driven by chronic inflammation and are hallmarked by a reduced level of serum IgG galactosylation. IgG (under)galactosylation is a promising biomarker to assess disease severity, and monitor and adjust therapy. However, this biomarker has not been implemented in routine clinical chemistry due to a complex analytical procedure that necessitates IgG purification, which is difficult to perform and validate at high throughput.

We addressed this issue by using endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Streptococcus pyogenes (endoS) to specifically release Fc N-glycans in whole serum. The entire assay can be completed in a few hours and only entails adding endoS and labeling the glycans with APTS. Glycans are then readily analyzed through capillary electrophoresis. We demonstrate in two independent patient cohorts that IgG undergalactosylation levels obtained with this assay correlate very well with scores calculated from PNGaseF-released glycans of purified antibodies. Our new assay allows to directly and specifically measure the degree of IgG galactosylation in serum through a fast and completely liquid phase protocol, without the requirement for antibody purification. This should help advancing this biomarker towards clinical implementation.
Tracing the Transitions from Pluripotency to Germ Cell Fate with CRISPR Screening
Authors: Hackett Jamie A. , Huang Yun , Günesdogan Ufuk , Holm-Gretarsson Kristjan , Kobayashi Toshihiro , Surani M. Azim
Published: February 2018

Early mammalian development entails a series of cell fate transitions that includes transit through naïve pluripotency to post-implantation epiblast. This subsequently gives rise to primordial germ cells (PGC), the founding population of the germline lineage. To investigate the gene regulatory networks that control these critical cell fate decisions, we developed a compound-reporter system to track cellular identity in a model of PGC specification (PGC-like cells; PGCLC), and coupled it with unbiased genome-wide CRISPR screening. This enabled identification of key genes both for exit from pluripotency and for acquisition of PGC fate, with further characterisation revealing a central role for the transcription factors Nr5a2 and Zfp296 in germline ontogeny. Abrogation of these genes results in significantly impaired PGCLC development due to widespread activation (Nr5a2−/−) or inhibition (Zfp296−/−) of WNT pathway components. This leads to aberrant upregulation of the somatic programme or failure to appropriately activate germline genes in PGCLC, respectively, and consequently loss of germ cell identity. Overall our study places Zfp296 and Nr5a2 as key components of an expanded PGC gene regulatory network, and outlines a transferable strategy for identifying critical regulators of complex cell fate transitions.
Rare, pathogenic germline variants in Fanconi Anemia genes increase risk for squamous lung cancer
Authors: Selvan Myvizhi Esai , Klein Robert J. , Gümüş Zeynep H.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with substantially better prognosis in early stage as opposed to late stage disease. Identifying genetic factors for lung squamous carcinoma (SqCC) risk will enable their use in risk stratification, and personalized intensive surveillance, early detection, and prevention strategies for high-risk individuals.

Study Design and Participants

We analyzed whole-exome sequencing datasets of 318 cases and 814 controls (discovery cohort) and then validated our findings in an independent cohort of 444 patients and 3,479 controls (validation cohort), all of European descent, totaling a combined cohort of 765 cases and 4,344 controls. We focused on rare pathogenic variants found in the ClinVar database and used penalized logistic regression to identify genes in which such variants are enriched in cases. All statistical tests were two-sided.

Results

We observed an overall enrichment of rare, deleterious germline variants in Fanconi Anemia genes in cases with SqCC (joint analysis OR=3.08, p=1.4e-09, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.2–4.3). Consistent with previous studies, BRCA2 in particular exhibited an increased overall burden of rare, deleterious variants (joint OR=3.2, p=8.7e-08, 95% CI=2.1–4.7). More importantly, rare deleterious germline variants were enriched in Fanconi Anemia genes even without the BRCA2 rs11571833 variant that is strongly enriched in lung SqCC cases (joint OR=2.76, p=7.0e-04, 95% CI=1.6–4.7).

Conclusions

These findings can be used towards the development of a genetic diagnostic test in the clinic to identify SqCC high-risk individuals, who can benefit from personalized programs, improving prognosis.
A novel model for the induction of postnatal murine hip deformity
Authors: Killian Megan L. , Atkins Penny R. , Locke Ryan C. , James Michael G. , Anderson Andrew E. , Clohisy John C.
Published: February 2018

Acetabular dysplasia is a recognized cause of hip osteoarthritis (OA). A paucity of animal models exists to investigate structural and functional changes that mediate morphology of the dysplastic hip and drive the subsequent arthritic cascade. Utilizing a novel murine model, this study investigated the role of surgically-induced unilateral instability of the postnatal hip on the initiation and progression of acetabular dysplasia and impingement up to 8-weeks post-injury. Specifically, C57BL6 mice were used to develop titrated levels of hip instability (mild, moderate, severe, and femoral head removal) at 3-weeks of age, a critical time for hip maturation. Joint shape, acetabular coverage, histomorphology, immunohistochemistry, and statistical shape modeling were used to assess overall quality of joint health and three-dimensional hip shape following 8 weeks of titrated destabilization. This titrated approach included mild, moderate, severe, and complete instability via surgical destabilization of the murine hip. Acetabular coverage was reduced following severe, but not moderate, instability. Moderate instability induced lateralization of the femoral head without dislocation, whereas severe instability led to complete dislocation and formation of pseudoacetabula. Mild instability did not result in statistically significant morphological changes to the hip. Complete destabilization via femoral head removal led to reduced joint space volume and reduced bone volume ratio in the remnant proximal femur. Collectively, these results support the notion that hip instability, driven by loss of function, leads to morphometric changes in the maturing mouse hip. This model could be useful for future studies investigating the mechanical and cellular adaptations to hip instability during maturation.
Time-resolved ion imaging at free-electron lasers using TimepixCam
Authors: Fisher-Levine Merlin , Boll Rebecca , Ziaee Farzaneh , Bomme Cédric , Erk Benjamin , Rompotis Dimitrios , Marchenko Tatiana , Nomerotski Andrei , Rolles Daniel
Published: February 2018

The application of a novel fast optical-imaging camera, TimepixCam, to molecular photoionization experiments using the velocity-map imaging technique at a free-electron laser is described. TimepixCam is a 256 × 256 pixel CMOS camera that is able to detect and time-stamp ion hits with 20 ns timing resolution, thus making it possible to record ion momentum images for all fragment ions simultaneously and avoiding the need to gate the detector on a single fragment. This allows the recording of significantly more data within a given amount of beam time and is particularly useful for pump–probe experiments, where drifts, for example, in the timing and pulse energy of the free-electron laser, severely limit the comparability of pump–probe scans for different fragments taken consecutively. In principle, this also allows ion–ion covariance or coincidence techniques to be applied to determine angular correlations between fragments.
X-ray Raman spectroscopy of lithium-ion battery electrolyte solutions in a flow cell
Authors: Ketenoglu Didem , Spiekermann Georg , Harder Manuel , Oz Erdinc , Koz Cevriye , Yagci Mehmet C. , Yilmaz Eda , Yin Zhong , Sahle Christoph J. , Detlefs Blanka , Yavaş Hasan
Published: February 2018

The effects of varying LiPF6salt concentration and the presence of lithium bis(oxalate)borate additive on the electronic structure of commonly used lithium-ion battery electrolyte solvents (ethylene carbonate–dimethyl carbonate and propylene carbonate) have been investigated. X-ray Raman scattering spectroscopy (a non-resonant inelastic X-ray scattering method) was utilized together with a closed-circle flow cell. Carbon and oxygenK-edges provide characteristic information on the electronic structure of the electrolyte solutions, which are sensitive to local chemistry. Higher Li+ion concentration in the solvent manifests itself as a blue-shift of both the π* feature in the carbon edge and the carbonyl π* feature in the oxygen edge. While these oxygenK-edge results agree with previous soft X-ray absorption studies on LiBF4salt concentration in propylene carbonate, carbonK-edge spectra reveal a shift in energy, which can be explained with differing ionic conductivities of the electrolyte solutions.
Three zinc iodide complexes based on phosphane ligands: syntheses, structures, optical properties and TD–DFT calculations
Authors: Chen Di , Wang Qiu-Hua , Chai Wen-Xiang , Song Li
Published: February 2018

Three zinc iodide complexes based on phosphane ligands, namely diiodidobis(triphenylphosphane-κP)zinc(II), [ZnI2(C18H15P2)2], (1), diiodidobis[tris(4-methylphenyl)phosphane-κP]zinc(II), [ZnI2(C21H21P2)2], (2), and [bis(diphenylphosphoryl)methane-κ2O,O′]zinc(II) tetraiodidozinc(II), [Zn(C25H22O2P2)3][ZnI4], (3), have been synthesized and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the structures of (1) and (2) are both mononuclear four-coordinated ZnI2complexes containing two monodentate phosphane ligands, respectively. Surprisingly, (2) spontaneously forms an acentric structure, suggesting it might be a potential second-order NLO material. The crystal structure of complex (3) is composed of two parts, namely a [Zn(dppmO2)3]2+cation [dppmO2is bis(diphenylphosphoryl)methane] and a [ZnI4]2−anion. The UV–Vis absorption spectra, thermal stabilities and photoluminescence spectra of the title complexes have also been studied. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD–DFT) calculations reveal that the low-energy UV absorption and the corresponding light emission both result from halide-ligand charge-transfer (XLCT) excited states.
(4-Nitrophenyl)methyl 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-1-carboxylate: crystal structure and Hirshfeld analysis
Authors: Zukerman-Schpector Julio , Soto-Monsalve Monica , De Almeida Santos Regina H. , Garcia Ariel L. L. , Correia Carlos Roque D. , Jotani Mukesh M. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: February 2018

In the title compound, C12H12N2O4, the dihydropyrrole ring is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0049 Å) and is nearly coplanar with the adjacent C2O2residue [dihedral angle = 4.56 (9)°], which links to the 4-nitrobenzene substituent [dihedral angle = 4.58 (8)°]. The molecule is concave, with the outer rings lying to the same side of the central C2O2residue and being inclined to each other [dihedral angle = 8.30 (7)°]. In the crystal, supramolecular layers parallel to (10-5) are sustained by nitrobenzene-C—H...O(carbonyl) and pyrrole-C—H...O(nitro) interactions. The layers are connected into a three-dimensional architecture by π(pyrrole)–π(nitrobenzene) stacking [inter-centroid separation = 3.7414 (10) Å] and nitro-O...π(pyrrole) interactions.
Rethinking Thai higher education for Thailand 4.0
Authors: Buasuwan Prompilai
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss gaps and key challenges facing higher education in Thailand with reference to the implementation of the policy of Thailand 4.0 adopted by the Royal Thai Government.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews were conducted with Thai Government officials, university administrators and faculty members to formulate the concept of a creative society in Thailand. Documentary analysis of university policy documents was used to investigate the roles and practices of universities in fostering creativity and innovation. Questionnaire surveys were used to obtain views of university administrators and faculty members on the existing roles and practices of Thai university in promoting a creative society, and their level of expectation toward the roles and practices required to promote a creative society. Priority need index (PNI) and One-way ANOVA were used to identify the gaps and challenges of Thai higher education in promoting a creative society.

Findings

The concepts of the creative society found in this study were in lines with the goals of Thailand 4.0, which are to foster creativity, innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. It was found that development of learning networks, public-private-community engagement, new mind-set and skill-set of lecturers and students, and new technology are required for a successful implementation of Thailand 4.0.

Research limitations/implications

Although the author has identified some progress in Thailand toward achieving the goals of Thailand 4.0, it is clear that key factors that contribute to the fostering of creativity and innovation require further investigation. These factors include socio-cultural factors, creative learning and teaching, mind-set and skill-set, new technology and learning networks, and public-private-community engagement.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper can be used to identify some of the key challenges of Thai higher education in achieving the aims of Thailand 4.0.

Social implications

The findings of this paper have demonstrated that successfully implementation of Thailand 4.0 requires both educational and cultural reform.

Originality/value

This research conducted by the author in 2013-2015 showed that some important reforms are being implemented to achieve some of the aims of Thailand 4.0.
From psychosocial working environment to good performance: the role of work engagement
Authors: Lazauskaite-Zabielske Jurgita , Urbanaviciute Ieva , Rekasiute Balsiene Rita
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of work engagement in the relationship between job and personal resources and performance results.

Design/methodology/approach

Two samples from public (n=250) and private sector (n=475) organizations were surveyed. The hypotheses were tested through AMOS using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results of the study confirmed the assumptions of the Job Demands-Resources Model. Specifically, job resources and personal resources predicted performance results via work engagement in both samples. Moreover, in alignment with previous studies (e.g. Bakker et al., 2004), work engagement was moderately related to job performance.

Originality/value

The present study expands previous research by investigating how job and personal resources facilitate engagement and performance expressed in terms of annual performance appraisal results.
Barriers to implementing lean construction practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) construction industry
Authors: Sarhan Jamil , Xia Bo , Fawzia Sabrina , Karim Azharul , Olanipekun Ayokunle
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers to implementing lean construction in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) construction industry and to prioritise the principal factors that constitute these barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was initially used to reveal the global barriers to implementing lean construction. Subsequently, these barriers were incorporated into a structured questionnaire, and a convenience sample of 282 construction professionals in the KSA construction industry was surveyed. The results were analysed using mean item score (MIS), Mann–Whitney U test and principal component analysis (PCA).

Findings

The findings revealed 22 barriers to lean construction implementation in the KSA construction industry. Principal factors that constitute these barriers were found to be traditional practices, client related, technological, performance and knowledge and cost-related barriers in descending order of pervasiveness. The study also proposes solutions to overcome these principal barriers.

Originality/value

This study provides a global overview of the barriers to implementing lean construction. It contributes to the body of knowledge, as it uncovers for the first time the barriers to implementing lean construction in the KSA construction industry with reference to the socio-cultural, economic and operational context of the KSA. Thus, it is relevant to other countries in the Middle East because of their shared similarities to the KSA. Furthermore, the solutions proposed to overcome these barriers in the KSA construction industry can be applied in other countries where similar barriers are identified.
e-Tendering readiness in construction: the posterior model
Authors: Al Yahya Moath , Skitmore Martin , Bridge Adrian , Nepal Madhav , Cattell David
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to varied a conceptual model for e-Tendering readiness in any construction organisation prior of implementing e-Tendering system.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on conceptual model called e-Tendering readiness model (e-TRM), this paper empirically examines the e-TRM’s interactions and causal relationships between e-Tendering constructs and e-Tendering readiness. The paper uses the structural equation modelling technique to test the hypothesised positive inter-relationships. A questionnaire survey is conducted for respondents of construction organisations in Saudi Arabia to understand their current e-Tendering readiness and importance of e-Tendering variables.

Findings

Supported by empirical evidence, this paper recognised that three out of nine constructs have direct influences on the e-Tendering readiness. However, one of the constructs, which is for the first time hypothesised and tested has the most effect.

Research limitations/implications

Ultimately, the empirical test for the e-TRM is conducted in certain case (Saudi Arabia); however, the e-TRM needs to be tested in other case area for more verification.

Practical implications

The study findings update previous information technology/information system models in construction by adding this tested model to the research literature on traditional and electronic tendering and the body of knowledge in the construction industry.

Originality/value

The service providers construct is proposed and tested for the first time, which is necessary to support the successful e-Tendering implementation.
Customer value co-creation and new service evaluation: the moderating role of outcome quality
Authors: Xu Hong , Liu Yuqing , Lyu Xingyang
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine how the degree of value co-creation affects Chinese customers’ evaluations of new tourism and hospitality services, and how the outcome quality moderates this relationship under different conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed hypotheses are tested using a self-reporting questionnaire-based survey and two experimental designs. Data analysis entailed hierarchical multiple regression analysis, a simple slope test and a two-way ANOVA.

Findings

Three component studies assessed boundary conditions for the positive effects of the degree of value co-creation on customers’ evaluations of new services. Studies 1 and 2 indicated that unequivocal high-quality outcomes amplified positive effects, which were reversed by unequivocal low-quality outcomes. Study 3 demonstrated that in Chinese contexts of ambiguous outcomes, the relationship between the degree of co-creation and new service evaluation was positively mediated by self-integration in private contexts and negatively mediated by loss of face in public contexts.

Practical implications

This study identifies critical factors influencing successful service innovation in China within different contexts. Its finding of context-dependent customer engagement in value co-creation has managerial implications for facilitating favorable new service evaluations.

Originality/value

This exploratory study addresses a research gap regarding service innovation, offering insights into positive and negative influences of customer value co-creation on new service evaluation, under different outcome quality conditions in the domestic Chinese hospitality and tourism sector.
Satisfaction with democracy and social capital in Greece
Authors: Daskalopoulou Irene
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how different types of social capital contribute to the satisfaction with democracy (SWD) in Greece. Understanding the relationship between different variants of social capital and SWD allows one to situate the Greek democracy in the continuum of democracy types, from primary to modern.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses microdata extracted from the European Values Surveys of 2002-2010 and multivariate regression analysis.

Findings

The results are compatible with a conception of the Greek political organization as a civil virtue democracy. A change in the nature of the relationship is observed after the recent economic crisis in the country.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the empirical knowledge regarding the relationship between different variants of social capital and SWD.

Originality/value

Using a typology approach, the micro-relationship between democracy and social capital is analyzed as embedded in a continuum of different democracy types. In addition, this is the first study that uses microdata to analyze the effect of social capital upon SWD in Greece. The results of the study provide valuable understanding of the social and institutional arrangements that might sustain Greece’s efforts to meet its overall developmental challenges.
Subsistence farmers’ access to agricultural credit and its adequacy
Authors: Saqib Shahab E. , Kuwornu John K.M. , Ahmad Mokbul Morshed , Panezai Sanaullah
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The Government of Pakistan has allocated a substantial proportion of agricultural credit to subsistence farmers. The purpose of this paper is to analyze farmers’ access to credit and its adequacy in the light of current agricultural credit policy of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has used both secondary and primary data for analysis. Secondary data were collected from the annual reports of Pakistan Economic Survey and State Bank of Pakistan. Primary data were collected from 168 subsistence farmers through households’ survey. Farmers’ credit access and credit adequacy were measured using credit access ratio and credit adequacy ratio, respectively. The Student’s t-test and analysis of variance were used to assess the differences in credit access and adequacy among farmers’ groups (i.e. upper, medium and lower subsistence farmers). Tobit regression model was employed to determine the factors influencing credit adequacy among farmers.

Findings

The empirical results revealed that the amount of credit provided to subsistence farmers was less than stated in the national agricultural credit policy. Upper subsistence farmers had more access to credit than lower and medium subsistence farmers. Lower subsistence farmers had above average access to informal sources of credit, and had below average access to formal sources. The findings also revealed that lower subsistence and medium subsistence farmers had the highest credit inadequacy of funds for investment in agriculture. The results of the Tobit regression revealed that age, education, experience, household size, total landholding of farmer and proportion of own land influenced the agricultural credit adequacy.

Practical implications

Most of the credit was distributed among the upper subsistence farmers. Lower subsistence farmers were still largely dependent on informal credit for farm production activities. The Government of Pakistan performed poor in the implementation of agricultural credit policy, and has failed to help subsistence farmers in their access to formal credit. It is needed to revamp the agricultural credit policy and facilitate credit acquisition by subsistence farmers, particularly for tenant farmers. It is important that the Government may classify the subsistence farmers into subgroups, and reallocate the funds accordingly. This study has lessons and implications for agricultural finance initiatives in developing countries.

Originality/value

Previous studies have focused primarily on access to agricultural credit. However, this study has adopted a holistic approach by using secondary and primary data to assess the farmers’ access to credit and adequacy. In addition, limited literature is available to explore the farmers’ accessibility and adequacy of agricultural credit. Furthermore, this study has focused exclusively on the farmers who are living in the flood-prone areas of Pakistan.
Impact of knowledge sharing and absorptive capacity on project performance: the moderating role of social processes
Authors: Ali Imran , Musawir Ata Ul , Ali Murad
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This study aims to propose an integrated model to examine the impact of knowledge governance, knowledge sharing and absorptive capacity (ACAP) on project performance in the context of project-based organizations (PBOs). This study also examines the moderating role of social processes on the relationships among these variables.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the proposed model, cross-sectional data were collected regarding projects from 133 PBOs in Pakistan’s information technology/software industry. The data were analyzed using the partial least squares – structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method and PRCOESS tool. Finally, this study also uses causal asymmetry analysis to check asymmetric relationship in the key constructs.

Findings

The results generally support the proposed model. Knowledge governance and knowledge sharing are important antecedents for improving the ACAP of the project, which in turn significantly improves project performance. Additionally, social processes positively moderate the relationship between knowledge sharing and ACAP, as well as between ACAP and project performance.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest that PBOs should invest in developing a knowledge governance system that guides and stimulates knowledge sharing within and between projects. This would boost the ACAP of projects and lead to superior project performance.

Originality/value

This study addresses the important issue of knowledge management in IT/software projects. It proposes a unique model that integrates the key constructs of knowledge management and describes their effect on project performance.
Researcher, I have heard of your innovation. Will you marry me?
Authors: Calvo Nuria , Feás Jacobo , Rodeiro-Pazos David , Pérez Braulio , Fernández-López Sara
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the determinants of firms’ attitudes to R&D cooperation with universities with the goal to propose a model of knowledge transfer university-firm.

Design/methodology/approach

By understanding university-industry cooperation as a process, the model in this study is based on two factors: the “promoter of university-industry relations” (PUIR) and a technological system that is able to match the research supply of universities with the demand for innovation of the firms. A total of 375 firms, 420 research groups and 18 experts in knowledge transfer from Spain, Portugal and France have been involved in this study.

Findings

This study provides the first evidences of the relation between the number of matches’ demand-supply of research, the number of university-firm relations and the willingness to cooperate; all of these presented in the knowledge transfer model. Results also reinforce the utility of the role of PUIR and the matching system in the open innovation process.

Research limitations/implications

However, more evidences are necessary to get a complete validation of the model. In the future, the continuous utilization of the matching system by the PUIRs of the selected regions will allow the authors to evaluate how well the system is working by analysing the possible increases in formal collaboration university-firm in the area of R&D.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature through aligning the open innovation and intellectual capital theories in the specific and complex context of university-firm collaboration. Also, little research regarding this topic has been noticed in SUDOE European Union (EU) countries (SUDOE is an EU territorial cooperation programme that supports regional development by funding transnational projects).