bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BTrackS Balance Test for Concussion Management is Resistant to Practice Effects
Authors: Hearn Mason C. , Levy Susan S. , Baweja Harsimran S. , Goble Daniel J.
Published: April 2017

Objective:

Recent guidelines advocate for ongoing balance testing in the assessment of management of concussion injuries. This study sought to determine whether the Balance Tracking System (BTrackS) provides stable balance results over repeated administration and, thus, is a reliable tool for concussion management.

Design:

Repeated measures and test–retest reliability.

Setting:

University Biomechanics Laboratory.

Participants:

Random sample of 20 healthy young adults.

Interventions:

Force plate balance testing using BTrackS on days 1, 3, 8, and 15.

Main Outcome Measures:

Practice-induced changes in the average center of pressure excursion over 4 repeated administrations of the BTrackS Balance Test (BBT). Test–retest reliability of center of pressure excursion from day 1 to day 15.

Results:

No significant practice-induced balance differences were found across testing days (P > 0.4), and test–retest reliability of the BBT was excellent from day 1 to day 15 (R 0.92).

Conclusions:

These findings indicate that the BBT does not elicit a practice effect over repeat administrations. BTrackS provides excellent reliability and objectivity, which can increase clinician accuracy when monitoring sport-related concussions.
Vitamin D Status, Cardiometabolic, Liver, and Mental Health Status in Obese Youth Attending a Pediatric Weight Management Center
Authors: MacDonald Krista , Godziuk Kristine , Yap Jason , LaFrance Rena , Ansarian Mohammad , Haqq Andrea , Mager Diana R.
Published: April 2017

Background:

Vitamin D (VitD) deficiency and obesity are reaching epidemic proportions in North America, particularly in those with comorbid conditions such as diabetes or liver disease. The study objective was to determine the prevalence of suboptimal vitD status and interrelationships with anthropometric, cardiometabolic, liver, mental health, and lifestyle (sleep/screen time) parameters in an ambulatory population of children with obesity.

Methods:

Children (2–18 years) attending a pediatric weight management clinic (n = 217) were retrospectively reviewed. Variables studied included anthropometric (weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference), vitD (serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D), cardiometabolic (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein, low‐density lipoprotein, total cholesterol), liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, gamma‐glutamyl transferase), and mental health (number, diagnosis) parameters.

Results:

Suboptimal vitD status (25‐hydroxyvitamin D <75 nmol/L was present in 76% of children with obesity (12.0 ± 2.9 years). Blood pressure categorized as prehypertension, stage I hypertension, and stage II hypertension was present in 14%, 25%, and 7% of children, respectively. Mental health diagnoses including anxiety, attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder, mood disorders, and learning disabilities/developmental delays occurred in 18%, 17%, 10%, and 15%, of children, respectively. Waist circumferences >100 cm were associated with lower vitD levels (58 ± 18 vs 65 ± 17 nmol/L; P = 0.01). VitD status ≥50 nmol/L was associated with lower insulin (15.8 [11.7–23.1] mU/L vs 21.1 [14.3–34.2] mU/L; P < 0.01) and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (3.5 [2.5–4.9] vs 4.8 [3.1–6.9]; P < 0.01) values and systolic blood pressure percentiles (73.0 ± 25.8 vs 80.6 ± 17.0; P = 0.04).

Conclusions:

Children with obesity had a high prevalence of vitD deficiency, particularly those at risk for hypertension, reduced insulin sensitivity, and central obesity.
A Case of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and Kawasaki Disease: Concurrent or Overlapping Diagnoses?
Authors: Bechtel Allison S. , Joyce Michael
Published: April 2017

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is not always suspected at the time of presentation. It is often mistaken for other diagnoses; complicated by the fact that it is often associated with an inciting event that has significant overlap. Kawasaki disease, along with other disorders, such as Ebstein Barr Virus infection, are conditions that may lead HLH. Our patient had a presentation that was consistent with Kawasaki disease on initial presentation, however subsequently met the diagnostic criteria of HLH. It provided an interesting discussion about diagnoses with clinical criteria and how the overlap can sometimes delay or complicate initial diagnosis.
Specific Location of Disc Hemorrhage is Linked to Nerve Fiber Layer Defects
Authors: Yoo Young Cheol , Kim Joon Mo , Park Han Seok , Yoo Chungkwon , Shim Seong Hee , Won Yu Sam , Park Ki Ho , Chang Robert T.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects and the quadrant and proximal location of disc hemorrhages (DHs) in a large population examined for health screening.

Methods

A total of 168,044 subjects older than 20 years underwent a single screening ophthalmic examination with color fundus photography as part of a comprehensive health screening program. The presence and location of DHs and RNFL defects were assessed. The DH locations were defined according to the quadrant location (inferotemporal, superotemporal, inferonasal, or superonasal) and the most proximal end of DHs relative to the disc center (cup base, cup margin, disc rim, or extrapapillary region). Using these two location descriptors as independent variables, a logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the effects of DH location on RNFL defects.

Results

Two hundred twenty-six eyes had DH and 120 (53.1%) of them had RNFL defects. After adjusting for proximal location, DHs located in the inferotemporal quadrant accompanied RFNL defects 12 times more frequently than those in the superonasal quadrant (odds ratio [OR], 11.81; P = .004). Conversely, after adjusting for quadrant location, the ORs for an associated RNFL defect were 3.73 (P < .001), 16.54 (P < .001), and 8.91 (P = .002) for DHs with the proximal end at the disc rim, cup margin, and cup base, respectively.

Conclusions

Among the four quadrants and four proximal locations, DHs were identified most frequently in the inferotemporal quadrant and outside the disc, respectively. Some DH locations, such as the inferotemporal quadrant and the cup margin, were associated with RNFL defects, whereas others were not.
Never Events in UK General Practice: A Survey of the Views of General Practitioners on Their Frequency and Acceptability as a Safety Improvement Approach
Authors: Stocks Susan J. , Alam Rahul , Bowie Paul , Campbell Stephen , de Wet Carl , Esmail Aneez , Cheraghi-Sohi Sudeh
Published: April 2017

Background

Never events (NEs) are serious preventable patient safety incidents and are a component of formal quality and safety improvement (Q&SI) policies in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. A preliminary list of NEs for UK general practice has been developed, but the frequency of these events, or their acceptability to general practitioner (GPs) as a Q&SI approach, is currently unknown. The study aims to estimate (1) the frequency of 10 NEs occurring within GPs' own practices and (2) the extent to which the NE approach is perceived as acceptable for use.

Methods

General practitioners were surveyed, and mixed-effects logistic regression models examined the relationship between GP opinions of NE, estimates of NE frequency, and the characteristics of the GPs and their practices.

Results

Responses from 556 GPs in 412 practices were analyzed. Most participants (70%–88%, depending on the NE) agreed that the described incident should be designated as a NE. Three NEs were estimated to have occurred in less than 4% of practices in the last year; however, two NEs were estimated to have occurred in 45% to 61% of the practices. General practitioners reporting that a NE had occurred in their practice in the last year were significantly less likely to agree with the designation as a NE compared with GPs not reporting a NE (odds ratio, 0.42; 95% CI = 0.36–0.49).

Conclusions

The NE approach may have Q&SI potential for general practice, but further work to adapt the concept and content is required.
Interactions between molecular chaperone P20 and Cyt2Ba7 toxin inBacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Shi Yongxia , Tang Mujin , Liao Yalin , Xu Wei
Published: April 2017

P20 or 20-kilodalton protein is a molecular chaperone protein inBacillus thuringiensis(Bt) which can increase yields and facilitates crystal formation of various insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs). In previous studies, aB. thuringiensisinsecticidal protein gene,cyt2Ba7, was cloned, expressed but its expression level is very low inB. thuringiensis. In this study, various expression vectors were constructed by incorporatingp20 in forward or reverse direction in the upstream ofcyt2Ba7 and transformed into aB. thuringiensisacrystalliferous strain 4Q7. The result showed that in the presence of P20, the expression of Cyt2Ba7 was significantly increased. Especially whenp20 gene was reversely inserted in the upstream ofcyt2Ba7 gene, the expression of Cyt2Ba7 was increased ∼3.2 times meanwhile more and bigger crystals were observed under electron microscopy. By using purified Cyt2Ba7, P20 protein and P20-specific antiserum, immunoblotting and ligand blot analysis demonstrated a strong binding affinity between P20 and Cyt2Ba7. These results reveal that P20 can promote the crystal formation and enhance the expression of Cyt2Ba7 as a molecular chaperone, which can be a powerful tool to boost the ICPs production inB. thuringiensisand help develop more effective insect control strategies.
TelNet- a database for human and yeast genes involved in telomere maintenance
Authors: Braun Delia M. , Chung Inn , Kepper Nick , Deeg Katharina I. , Rippe Karsten
Published: April 2017

The ends of linear chromosomes, the telomeres, comprise repetitive DNA sequences that are protected by the shelterin protein complex. Cancer cells need to extend these telomere repeats for their unlimited proliferation, either by reactivating the reverse transcriptase telomerase or by using the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. The different telomere maintenance (TM) mechanisms appear to involve hundreds of proteins but their telomere repeat length related activities are only partly understood. Currently, a database that integrates information on TM relevant genes is missing. To provide a reference for studies that dissect TM features, we here introduce theTelNetdatabase athttp://www.cancertelsys.org/telnet/. It offers a comprehensive compilation of more than 2,000 human and over 1,100 yeast genes linked to telomere maintenance. These genes were annotated in terms of TM mechanism, associated specific functions and orthologous genes, a TM significance score and information from peer-reviewed literature. This TM information can be retrieved via different search and view modes and evaluated for a set of genes on a statistics page. With these features TelNet can be integrated into the annotation of genes identified from bioinformatics analysis pipelines to determine possible connections with TM networks as illustrated by an exemplary application. We anticipate thatTelNetwill be a helpful resource for researchers that study TM processes.
Predicting clinical outcomes from large scale cancer genomic profiles with deep survival models
Authors: Yousefi Safoora , Amrollahi Fatemeh , Amgad Mohamed , Dong Coco , Lewis Joshua E. , Song Congzheng , Gutman David A , Halani Sameer H. , Velazquez Vega Jose Enrique , Brat Daniel J , Cooper Lee AD
Published: April 2017

Translating the vast data generated by genomic platforms into accurate predictions of clinical outcomes is a fundamental challenge in genomic medicine. Many prediction methods face limitations in learning from the high-dimensional profiles generated by these platforms, and rely on experts to hand-select a small number of features for training prediction models. In this paper, we demonstrate how deep learning and Bayesian optimization methods that have been remarkably successful in general high-dimensional prediction tasks can be adapted to the problem of predicting cancer outcomes. We perform an extensive comparison of Bayesian optimized deep survival models and other state of the art machine learning methods for survival analysis, and describe a framework for interpreting deep survival models using a risk backpropagation technique. Finally, we illustrate that deep survival models can successfully transfer information across diseases to improve prognostic accuracy. We provide an open-source software implementation of this framework calledSurvivalNetthat enables automatic training, evaluation and interpretation of deep survival models.
Epistatic interactions within the influenza virus polymerase complex mediate mutagen resistance and replication fidelity
Authors: Pauly Matthew D. , Lyons Daniel M. , Lauring Adam S.
Published: April 2017

Lethal mutagenesis is a broad-spectrum antiviral strategy that employs mutagenic nucleoside analogs to exploit the high mutation rate and low mutational tolerance of many RNA viruses. Studies of mutagen-resistant viruses have identified determinants of replicative fidelity and the importance of mutation rate to viral population dynamics. We have previously demonstrated the effective lethal mutagenesis of influenza virus using three nucleoside analogs as well as the virus’s high genetic barrier to mutagen resistance. Here, we investigate the mutagen-resistant phenotypes of mutations that were enriched in drug-treated populations. We find that PB1 T123A has higher replicative fitness than the wild type, PR8, and maintains its level of genome production during 5-fluorouracil treatment. Surprisingly, this mutagen-resistant variant also has an increased baseline rate of C to U and G to A mutations. A second drug-selected mutation, PA T97I, interacts epistatically with PB T123A to mediate high-level mutagen resistance, predominantly by limiting the inhibitory effect of nucleosides on polymerase activity. Consistent with the importance of epistatic interactions in the influenza polymerase, we find that nucleoside analog resistance and replication fidelity are strain dependent. Two previously identified ribavirin-resistance mutations, PB1 V43I and PB1 D27N, do not confer drug resistance in the PR8 background, and the PR8-PB1 V43I polymerase exhibits a normal baseline mutation rate. Our results highlight the genetic complexity of the influenza virus polymerase and demonstrate that increased replicative capacity is a mechanism by which an RNA virus can counter the negative effects of elevated mutation rates.

Importance

RNA viruses exist as genetically diverse populations. This standing genetic diversity gives them the potential to adapt rapidly, evolve resistance to antiviral therapeutics, and evade immune responses. Viral mutants with altered mutation rates or mutational tolerance have provided insights into how genetic diversity arises and how it affects the behavior of RNA viruses. To this end, we identified variants within the polymerase complex of influenza virus that are able tolerate drug-mediated increases in viral mutation rates. We find that drug resistance is highly dependent on interactions among mutations in the polymerase complex. In contrast to other viruses, influenza virus counters the effect of higher mutation rates primarily by maintaining high levels of genome replication. These findings suggest the importance of maintaining large population sizes for viruses with high mutation rates and show that multiple proteins can affect both mutation rate and genome synthesis.
Germ cell connectivity enhances cell death in response to DNA damage inDrosophilatestis
Authors: Lu Kevin L. , Yamashita Yukiko M.
Published: April 2017

Two broadly known characteristics of germ cells in many organisms are their development as a ‘cyst’ of interconnected cells and their high sensitivity to DNA damage. Here we provide evidence that these characteristics are linked, and that interconnectivity is a mechanism that confers to theDrosophilatestis a high sensitivity to DNA damage. We show that all germ cells within a cyst die simultaneously even when only a subset of them exhibit detectable DNA damage. Compromising connectivity results in cysts in which only a subset of germ cells die upon DNA damage, lowering overall germ cell death. Our data indicate that a death-promoting signal is shared through the intercellular connections of germ cells. Taken together, we propose that intercellular connectivity is a mechanism that uniquely increases the sensitivity of the germline to DNA damage, thereby protecting the integrity of gamete genomes that are passed on to the next generation.
Feature engineering coupled machine learning algorithms for epileptic seizure forecasting from intracranial EEGs
Authors: Kumar Rishav , Jhelumi Rishi Raj Singh , Singh Achintye Madhav , Kumar Prasoon
Published: April 2017

Epilepsy is one of the major neurological disorders affecting nearly 1 percentage of the global population. The major blunt is born by under developed and developing countries due to expensive treatment of epileptic conditions. Further, the lack of proper forecasting methods for an occurrence of epileptic seizures in epileptic-drug resistant patients or patients not amenable for surgery affects their psychological behaviour and restricts their daily activities. The forecasting is usually performed by human experts that leave a wide gap for human-bias and human error. Therefore, in the current work, we have evaluated the efficiency of several machine learning algorithms to automatically identify the preictal patterns corresponding to epileptic seizures from intracranial EEG signals. The robustness of the machine learning algorithms were tested after the data set was pre-processed using carefully chosen feature engineering strategies viz. denoised Fourier transforms as well as cross-correlation across electrodes in time and frequency domain. Extensive experimentations were carried out to determine the best combination of feature engineering techniques and machine learning algorithms. The best combination of feature engineering techniques and machine learning algorithm resulted in 0.7685 AUC (Area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve) on the random test samples. The suggested approach was fairly good at prediction of epilepsy in random samples and therefore, it can be used in epileptic seizure forecasting in patients where medication/surgery is ineffective. Eventually, our strategy reveals a robust method for brain disorders forecasting from EEGs.
New M
+, M
3+-arsenates – the framework structures of AgM
3+(HAsO4)2 (M
3+ = Al, Ga) and M
+GaAs2O7 (M
+ = Na, Ag)
Authors: Schwendtner Karolina , Kolitsch Uwe
Published: April 2017

The crystal structures of hydrothermally synthesized silver(I) aluminium bis[hydrogen arsenate(V)], AgAl(HAsO4)2, silver(I) gallium bis[hydrogen arsenate(V)], AgGa(HAsO4)2, silver gallium diarsenate(V), AgGaAs2O7, and sodium gallium diarsenate(V), NaGaAs2O7, were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data collected at room temperature. The first two compounds are representatives of the MCV-3 structure type known for KSc(HAsO4)2, which is characterized by a three-dimensional anionic framework of corner-sharing alternating M
3+O6 octahedra (M = Al, Ga) and singly protonated AsO4 tetrahedra. Intersecting channels parallel to [101] and [110] host the Ag+ cations, which are positionally disordered in the Ga compound, but not in the Al compound. The hydrogen bonds are relatively strong, with O...O donor–acceptor distances of 2.6262 (17) and 2.6240 (19) Å for the Al and Ga compounds, respectively. The two diarsenate compounds are representatives of the NaAlAs2O7 structure type, characterized by an anionic framework topology built of M
3+O6 octahedra (M = Al, Ga) sharing corners with diarsenate groups, and M
+ cations (M = Ag) hosted in the voids of the framework. Both structures are characterized by a staggered conformation of the As2O7 groups.
Crystal structure of isopropyl 2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate: a pharmacopoeia reference standard
Authors: Isaiev Ivan , Shishkina Svitlana , Ukrainets Igor , Bevz Elena
Published: April 2017

The title compound, C11H14O3, is used as a pharmacopoeia reference standard for determining impurities in the drug Pregabalin, used for the treatment of epilepsy and diabetic neuropathic pain. The molecule is far from being planar, with the dihedral angle between the planes of the aromatic ring and the carboxyl fragment (O—C=O) being 76.1 (6)°. The isopropyl substituent is located in a synperiplanar position relative to the C=O bond and is turned so that the C—O—C—H torsion angle is −43.7°. In the crystal, bifurcated O—H...(O,O) hydrogen bonds, enclosing R
1
2(5) ring motifs, lead to the formation of chains propagating along the c-axis direction. Inversion-related chains are linked by the C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming undulating layers lying parallel to the bc plane.
Crystal structure of aqua-trans-bis(dimethyl sulfoxide-κO)(pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato-κ3
O
2,N,O
6)nickel(II)
Authors: Liu Chen , Felts Ashley C. , Takahashi Daisuke , Kinden Wynnry , Abboud Khalil A.
Published: April 2017

In the title complex, [Ni(C7H3NO4)(C2H6OS)2(H2O)], the NiII cation is situated on a twofold rotation axis and exhibits a distorted octahedral NO5 coordination environment defined by a tridentate pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid dianion (dpa2−), two dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) molecules, and a water molecule. In the crystal, the complex molecules are linked by O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional network whereby DMSO molecules from neighboring complexes overlap to form layers parallel to (001), alternating with layers of NiII–dpa2− moieties. The title complex is isotypic with its cobalt(II) analogue.
International drug policy – health before politics
Authors: Ford Chris , Saville Sebastian
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain how international drug policy continues to have a hugely damaging effect on population health, human rights and wellbeing, not only on individuals who consume and/or sell drugs but also on societies as a whole. And to review whether anything has changed after United Nations General Assembly Special Session.

Design/methodology/approach

UNGASS had been seen as a real opportunity for scientific evidence to become the driver of future drug policy. This paper looks at any changes that have since taken place that might support such an aspiration.

Findings

The authors found the criminalisation and incarceration of people who use drugs, mainly from the most marginalised sections of society, remains the primary response in almost every member state of the UN and there are at least 33 countries that retain the death penalty for drug offences. The impact on the health of people who inject drugs (PWIDs) living with HIV is devastating and overdose and AIDS related mortality are the leading causes of death. Hepatitis C infections among PWIDs are increasing at epidemic levels even though this now a curable disease.

Practical implications

Changes in drug policy urgently needed.

Originality/value

This paper is an important review of the health implications of bad drug policy.
A turning point for UK drug policy: opportunity or stasis
Authors: Stothard Blaine
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the current policy stasis in UK drug policy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines reports, statistics and policy statements by government agencies.

Findings

Delays in revising a national strategy appear to have no clear explanation. Responses to drugs issues, including drug-related deaths, appear to lack urgency or concern at a policy making level.

Research limitations/implications

Complacency and lack of regard to evidence appear to inform current policy and strategy. Ways of overcoming this stasis are not identified.

Practical implications

There is a need for factors leading to reform and change to be identified and implemented, by government and others.

Social implications

The situations and needs of drug users do not appear as a government priority. Continued reductions in public spending – austerity – are reducing treatment provision.

Originality/value

The paper attempts to identify factors which inhibit policy reform in the UK so that future reform becomes more realistic.
The influence of global players on the drug control system: an analysis of the role of the Russian Federation
Authors: Tinasti Khalid , Barbosa Isabela
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The negotiations leading to the UN Special Session (UN General Assembly Special Session on drugs (UNGASS)) on drugs have highlighted the lack of consensus among the global players, with some strengthening the prohibitionist approach and others seeking policy reforms. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the Russian Federation’s national policies and diplomatic activism to influence the outcome of the negotiations at the multilateral level.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of the federal legislation on drug control and the legislation on HIV/AIDS has been undertaking in October 2016. Peer-reviewed, grey literature, policy documents, UN reports and news reports were used to gather information on the country’s response to drugs internally and externally.

Findings

Despite its limited regional influence on harm reduction and declining financial power, the Russian Federation has been successful in preserving its international priorities by opposing harm reduction and maintaining the prohibition paradigm in the UNGASS outcome.

Research limitations/implications

Every effort was made to identify valid sources of information on the levers of influence of the Russian Federation. Little data were available on the real outcome of the efforts deployed in influencing the BRICS and other regional and international assemblies.

Originality/value

This paper presents an overview of the national policies of the Russian Federation, a global player, and provides a better understanding of how the national approach to illicit drugs and their perception influences its international position. It analyses the geographic, economic and diplomatic sphere of influence of the country in drug policies, and provides explanations on the successes and shortcomings of the Russian influence at the multilateral discussions on drugs.
Refocusing metrics: can the sustainable development goals help break the “metrics trap” and modernise international drug control policy?
Authors: Bewley-Taylor David R.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which the dominant metrics currently used to measure the success of the UN based global drug prohibition regime are in many ways inadequate and consequently contribute to systemic inertia. Within this context, it seeks to explore the potential of explicitly linking drug policy to the recently launched sustainable development agenda (SDA) and the associated sustainable development goals (SDGs) to initiate a change in approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Framing the topic in terms of international relations (IR) and regime analysis, prominent examples of where current metrics are imprecise (the relationship between production and seizures), misconceived (drug use) and missing (a range of drug and drug policy related harms) are explored. Attention is then given to an examination of international development as a model for measuring drug control outcomes, including a discussion of the SDGs in general and the intersection between drug policy interventions and several goals in particular.

Findings

While aware of the complexity of the issue area, the paper finds that there are considerable shortcomings in the way international drug policy outcomes are currently assessed. Although methodological problems are likely to persist, linking drug policy with the SDGs and their associated metrics offers the potential to help to shift the focus of international policy in a manner that would benefit not only UN system-wide coherence on the issue, but also assist in the achievement of the regime’s own overarching goal; to safeguard the “health and welfare” of humankind.

Practical implications

With the next high-level review of international drug policy due to take place in 2019, the paper offers policy makers with a way to begin to refocus drug policy metrics, and subsequently review outcomes, in line with the UN system-wide SDA.

Originality/value

As an emerging domain of inquiry, the paper not only explores a hitherto largely unexplored – yet increasingly important – facet of UN level policy evaluation, formulation and implementation, but also helps to fill a gap in the IR literature on regime dynamics.
The relational expectations of women managing women
Authors: Hurst Jane , Leberman Sarah , Edwards Margot
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the expectations women have of their women managers and/or women employees and to suggest personal and organizational strategies to strengthen those relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on a first phase of research using narrative inquiry into the lived experiences of women managing and/or being managed by women, workshops were held with 13 participants to explore their relationship expectations of women managers and/or employees.

Findings

While the participants initially believed they expected the same things of a manager or employee irrespective of gender, a closer examination revealed gender-based expectations. Women expect a higher degree of emotional understanding and support from a woman manager, than they would from a man. They also expect a woman manager to see them as an equal, take a holistic view of them as people, understand the complexities of their lives and provide flexibility to accommodate those complexities.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory study in an under-researched area. Extensive further research is warranted.

Practical implications

Understanding the expectations women have of their women managers enables the development of both personal and organizational strategies aimed at strengthening those relationships.

Originality/value

These findings begin a dialogue on the often-unspoken and unrecognized gender-based expectations women have of their relationships with women managers and/or women employees. Although considerable research exists on gender stereotypes in the workplace, little research exists on these gender-based relational expectations.
Women in leadership in Kuwait: a research agenda
Authors: Al-Salem Athmar , Speece Mark
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine perceptions in Kuwait about women’s leadership in management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study includes a review of data on the gender gap across Middle East/North Africa (MENA) countries, comparison with selected Asian and Western countries and summaries of multiple small surveys in Kuwait on women in management. The surveys were all convenience samples ranging from 100-500, targeting middle-class respondents.

Findings

The MENA is behind most of the world in closing the gender gap, but progress among Gulf Cooperation Council countries has been fairly rapid. Many Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) indicators are comparable to other non-Western cultural areas. Multiple surveys in Kuwait show fairly widespread acceptance of women in leadership positions. Respondents feel that characteristics of women vs men managers are different, but strengths and weaknesses by gender balance out, so that men and women perform about the same. Traditional Kuwaiti culture seems conducive to women in management, but some specific cultural barriers remain. In particular, thediwaniyya, social gatherings to network and discuss current affairs, andwasta, connections, are dominated by men in modern Kuwaiti society. These are essentially social capital issues.

Practical implications

Fostering continued progress for women in management requires recognition of the actual social and cultural situation; simply arguing that Kuwait should be more Western in how it does things does not seem very useful.

Originality/value

Research on women in management in MENA is not very extensive, but is important for understanding how to facilitate opportunities for women. In Kuwait, there seems to be general acceptance that women can be leaders in managerial positions, and little overt discrimination. However, lack of access to traditional social capital networks puts women at a disadvantage. Research needs to focus on this issue to help develop ways to overcome this subtle obstacle to further progress.
The effects of gender role orientation and career/family role salience on organizational identification and intention to leave
Authors: Liu Huimin , Ngo Hang-yue
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how gender role orientation (i.e. masculinity and femininity) and career/family role salience affect individuals’ organizational identification (OID) and intention to leave. Alternative models were developed to specify different relationships among the study variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via a questionnaire survey of 362 employees from three large companies in China. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate alternative models and test the hypotheses.

Findings

This paper found that masculinity was positively related to career role salience, whereas femininity was positively related to family role salience. Career role salience, but not family role salience, was positively related to OID, which in turn was negatively related to intention to leave. A positive relationship was also found between femininity and OID, as well as between family role salience and intention to leave.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional nature of the data of this study precludes any definitive inferences about causality and directionality. The use of self-report measures also invites the potential threat of common method variance. The generalizability of results has been restricted, given that the respondents were drawn from three large companies.

Practical implications

Organizations may provide more resources and support for their employees so as to increase their career role salience, which in turn enhances their level of OID. For employees who are high in femininity, employers may offer family-friendly programs to help them address resource drain from family to work, and hence to retain them.

Originality/value

This study provided evidence for the linkage between gender role orientation with career/family role salience. It also revealed the impacts of career/family role salience on OID and intention to leave. Some gender differences in this regard were highlighted.
MyManagement: women managers in gendered and sexualised workplaces
Authors: McKie Linda , Jyrkinen Marjut
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The authors report on research with women managers, documenting their strategies in response to gendered and sexualised working life. The paper aims to offer a conceptual framework and suggest ways in which employing organisations and workers might recognise and address the myriad forms of discrimination.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative design was pursued with 15 one-to-one interviews and two focus groups involving 12 women managers aged from their 30s to 60s. Data were collected in Finland. Women were recruited through business networks. Participants worked in a range of private sector and voluntary sector organisations.

Findings

Finland is a country which enjoys an international reputation for gender equality, but across the data, women recounted numerous examples of how they navigate working life to manage sexualised and discriminatory encounters and comments. Women reported feeling under constant surveillance for their looks, dress and behaviours in and outside the workplace. Further, ageing brought with it challenges to remain energetic and youthful and enhance the image of the organisation.

Originality/value

Although a considerable body of research exists on (gendered) aesthetic labour at work in service and hospitality work, there are limited data on this in business and middle management. With an ageing workforce, and women continuing to encounter pressures with their physical appearance, behaviours and dress, they continually develop ways to negotiate their careers. The authors propose the concept of “MyManagement” as a self-technology to denote the ways how women manage workplace relationships, working life and career development as organisational practices remain gendered.
A study on improving the calibration of body scanner built on multiple RGB-Depth cameras
Authors: Wu Ge , Li Duan , Zhong Yueqi , Hu PengPeng
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The calibration is a key but cumbersome process for 3D body scanning using multiple depth cameras. The purpose of this paper is to simplify the calibration process by introducing a new method to calibrate the extrinsic parameters of multiple depth cameras simultaneously.

Design/methodology/approach

An improved method is introduced to enhance the accuracy based on the virtual checkerboards. Laplace coordinates are employed for a point-to-point adjustment to increase the accuracy of scanned data. A system with eight depth cameras is developed for full-body scanning, and the performance of this system is verified by actual results.

Findings

The agreement of measurements between scanned human bodies and the real subjects demonstrates the accuracy of the proposed method. The entire calibration process is automatic.

Originality/value

A complete algorithm for a full human body scanning system is introduced in this paper. This is the first publically study on the refinement and the point-by-point adjustment based on the virtual checkerboards toward the scanning accuracy enhancement.
Pattern generation rules for basic women’s suits
Authors: Gu Bingfei , Gu Pinying , Liu Guolian
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on how to automatically generate the individualized patterns for women’s suits based on the 3D body point-cloud images.

Design/methodology/approach

With the software Imageware, the point-cloud data of the female body were measured according to the female body feature to obtain the heights, widths, depths and girths at various landmarks. Then the relationship between the height of each landmark and the body height was analyzed to build the height calculation rules by software SPSS, and the prediction models of body girths were established from the body widths and depths using regression analysis for pattern generation.

Findings

The pattern generation rules were built with the relationships between a human body and the garment patterns using the graphic flattening method. Based on the above rules, the final patterns were drafted automatically by using these dimensions to fit the subjects. The try-on experiment also showed that the individualized suits could fit the subjects’ body well at some feature landmarks.

Originality/value

In order to realize tailor-made and meet the consumers’ demands for individualized clothes, the development of garment CAD system has become inevitable in the garment industry. This paper could provide the foundation for automatic pattern generation, and technical support for tailor-made.
Investigation of the effects of silicone emulsions having different particle sizes on knitted fabrics depending on the type of yarn
Authors: Sancar Besen Burcu , Balci Onur
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of silicone-based softeners, which were developed with different particle sizes (nano, micro, and macro) and chemical structures, on the performance of 100 percent cotton fabrics knitted with different type of yarn (ring, open-end, and compact).

Design/methodology/approach

In the study, the silicone emulsions having expected particle sizes were produced at laboratory conditions. The produced silicone emulsions were applied to knitted fabrics with both padding and exhaust methods at different concentrations. Some characterization tests (particle size and zeta potential) were applied to the silicone emulsions before the applications. After the applications, CIELab values, whiteness and color fastness, hyrophility, abrasion, pilling, bursting strength, and stiffness performances of the samples were tested. The changes of the investigated properties were also examined via ANOVA.

Findings

According to the results, it was found that the silicone applications caused the CIELab values, whiteness degree, hyrophility, pilling, bursting strength and stiffness performance of the fabrics to change depending on the particle sizes of the emulsions, the yarn type of the fabrics, the application type, and the concentration of the silicone emulsions. When the ANOVA results were examined, it was seen that the types of the yarn and the silicone emulsions were the most effective working parameters on the results.

Research limitations/implications

Because no additives were added to the produced silicone emulsions, in the future research, they can be developed with the use of some additives. Thus, it can resolve some of the disadvantages of the silicone emulsions on the textiles.

Practical implications

While applying the silicone softeners to the knitted fabrics, the type of the yarn and the particle sizes of the emulsions must be determined according to each other, in order to obtain enough handle performance without causing negative change on the other important properties of the knitted fabrics.

Originality/value

When the studies regarding silicone softeners were investigated, it was found that there were no studies about the effect of the silicone softeners having different particle sizes on the physical and chemical structures of the knitted fabrics depending on the type of yarn and some working parameters such as concentration and type of the application.
Memory and machine attributes-based profiling and elliptic curve cryptography-based multi-level authentication for the security of Internet of Things
Authors: V. Jog Vivek , T. Senthil Murugan
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Due to the connectivity of the multiple devices and the systems on the same network, rapid development has become possible in Internet of Things (IoTs) for the last decade. But, IoT is mostly affected with severe security challenges due to the potential vulnerabilities happened through the multiple connectivity of sensors, devices and system. In order to handle the security challenges, literature presents a handful of security protocols for IoT. The purpose of this paper is to present a threat profiling and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC)-based mutual and multi-level authentication for the security of IoTs. This work contains two security attributes like memory and machine-related attributes for maintaining the profile table. Also, the profile table stores the value after encrypting the value with ECC to avoid storage resilience using the proposed protocol. Furthermore, three entities like, IoT device, server and authorization centre (AC) performs the verification based on seven levels mutually to provide the resilience against most of the widely accepted attacks. Finally, DPWSim is utilized for simulation of IoT and verification of proposed protocol to show that the protocol is secure against passive and active attacks.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, the authors have presented a threat profiling and ECC-based mutual and multi-level authentication for the security of IoTs. This work contains two security attributes like memory and machine-related attributes for maintaining the profile table. Also, the profile table stores the value after encrypting the value with ECC to avoid storage resilience using the proposed protocol. Furthermore, three entities like, IoT device, server and AC performs the verification based on seven levels mutually to provide the resilience against most of the widely accepted attacks.

Findings

DPWSim is utilized for simulation of IoT and verification of the proposed protocol to show that this protocol is secure against passive and active attacks. Also, attack analysis is carried out to prove the robustness of the proposed protocol against the password guessing attack, impersonation attack, server spoofing attack, stolen verifier attack and reply attack.

Originality/value

This paper presents a threat profiling and ECC-based mutual and multi-level authentication for the security of IoTs.
Analytical solution of a hyperbolic partial differential equation and its application
Authors: He Ping , Li Yangmin
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the analytical solution of a hyperbolic partial differential equation (PDE) and its application.

Design/methodology/approach

The change of variables and the method of successive approximations are introduced. The Volterra transformation and boundary control scheme are adopted in the analysis of the reaction-diffusion system.

Findings

A detailed and complete calculation process of the analytical solution of hyperbolic PDE (1)-(3) is given. Based on the Volterra transformation, a reaction-diffusion system is controlled by boundary control.

Originality/value

The introduced approach is interesting for the solution of hyperbolic PDE and boundary control of the reaction-diffusion system.