bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Complication Rate Between LeFort III and Monobloc Advancement With or Without Distraction Osteogenesis
Authors: Knackstedt Rebecca , Bassiri Gharb Bahar , Papay Frank , Rampazzo Antonio
Published: November 2017

Background:

LeFort III osteotomies or monobloc advancements, with or without distraction, can be used to treat mid-facial hypoplasia causing exorbitism and obstructive sleep apnea in syndromic patients. This report is a meta-analysis of the complication rates following LeFort III osteotomies or monobloc advancement with or without distraction.

Methods:

Triple database search was conducted to identify articles addressing mid-facial hypoplasia treated with LeFort III or monobloc in which complications were detailed. Complications were considered major if they required a second operation or were potentially life threatening. Statistical analysis was performed with Student t test.

Results:

Fifteen studies fit inclusion criteria. This yielded 363 total patients. In patients treated with a monobloc advancement, there was a statistically higher rate of major (P < 0.0001) and minor (P < 0.0001) complications, death (P = 0.02), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks (P < 0.0001), and meningitis/abscess (P < 0.0001) when distraction was used. In patients treated with a LeFort III, there was a statistically higher rate of reoperation when distraction was used (P = 0.001). In patients treated without distraction, there was a statistically higher rate of major (P < 0.0001) complications, death (P = 0.008), CSF leaks (P = 0.003), and reoperation (P < 0.0001) with a monobloc and a statistically higher rate of minor complications (P < 0.001) with a LeFort III.

Conclusion:

LeFort III proved to be a safer technique for the treatment of mid-facial hypoplasia. Although distraction was initially introduced to reduce complications, in this review, monobloc with distraction had the highest rate of major complications. There are multiple confounding factors that influence success of mid-face surgery and every patient must be evaluated and treated individually.
Long-term Prognosis and Recurrence of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis After Liver Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Ueda Yoshihide , Kaido Toshimi , Okajima Hideaki , Hata Koichiro , Anazawa Takayuki , Yoshizawa Atsushi , Yagi Shintaro , Taura Kojiro , Masui Toshihiko , Yamashiki Noriyo , Haga Hironori , Nagao Miki , Marusawa Hiroyuki , Seno Hiroshi , Uemoto Shinji
Published: November 2017

Background

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive cholestatic liver disease, with liver transplantation being the sole life-saving treatment for end-stage PSC-related liver disease. However, recurrence of PSC after liver transplantation is a common complication, with the risk factors for recurrence being controversial.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of 45 patients who had undergone liver transplantation for PSC at our institute. The risk factors for PSC recurrence and graft failure after liver transplantation were analyzed.

Results

The graft survival rates were 55.4% at 5 years and 32.8% at 10 years after liver transplantation for PSC. PSC recurrence was diagnosed in 16 (40%) of 40 patients, at a median 30 months (range, 9-70 months) after liver transplantation. The cumulative incidence rate of PSC recurrence was 24.5% at 3 years, 39.3% at 5 years, and 45.8% at 6 years. Among the 16 patients diagnosed with PSC recurrence, the graft survival rate was 56.3% at 5 years, and 21.9% at 10 years after the recurrence. Active inflammatory bowel disease after liver transplantation was identified as an independent risk factor for PSC recurrence. Age younger than 30 years at the time of PSC diagnosis and bacteremia were factors significantly associated with graft failure after liver transplantation on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

PSC frequently recurred and progressed to graft failure after liver transplantation for PSC. Maintaining an inactive status of inflammatory bowel disease might offer protection against PSC recurrence.
EGLN Inhibition Reduces Gastrointestinal Radiation Toxicity and Improves Survival in a Murine Model of Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Fujimoto Tara N. , Colbert Lauren E. , Molkentine Jessica M. , Baseler Laura , Deorukukhar Amit , Kingsley Charles V. , Tailor Ramesh C. , Sawakuchi Gabriel O. , Taniguchi Cullen M.
Published: November 2017

Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) almost always fatal since it is unresectable and chemotherapy is only modestly effective. The efficacy of radiation therapy (RT) for LAPC is limited by the potentially fatal toxicity to nearby intestines. There are no FDA-approved medications that can prevent this radiotoxicity, but we find that FG-4592, a small molecule inhibitor of EGLN proteins, significantly reduces radiation damage to the intestines without radioprotecting tumors. KPC (KrasLSL/+; Trp53FL/+; Ptf1aCre/+) animals received dose-escalated radiation treatments with and without FG-4592 for radioprotection. High-dose RT reduced death from local progression, improved survival, and shifted the patterns of failure to a late metastatic death compared to controls. The addition of FG-4592 to RT further improved survival compared to vehicle controls by eliminating radiation-induced gastrointestinal toxicity. Thus, selective protection of the intestinal tract by EGLN inhibition may enable higher, and potentially definitive doses of cytotoxic therapy to be delivered to LAPC.

One Sentence Summary

The EGLN inhibitor FG-4592 allows higher, and potentially definitive, doses of radiation to be delivered to pancreatic cancer by reducing normal tissue toxicity without protecting tumors.
WeSeqMiner: A Weka package for building machine-learning models for sequence data
Authors: Hogan Daniel , Maruthachalam Bharathikumar V. , Geyer C. Ronald , Kusalik Anthony
Published: November 2017

In most cases, the application of machine learning techniques to biological sequence data requires a vector representation of the sequences. Extracting the numerical features from sequence data can be time consuming, especially if the user lacks programming skills. To this end, we propose a Weka package called WeSeqMiner, which provides several useful filters for extracting numerical features from sequence data for use in the Weka machine learning workbench. Motivated with an example, we show that the WeSeqMiner package integrates well with the Weka API, allowing transformations to be incorporated into Weka workflows for predictive model generation. WeSeqMiner can be installed by pointing the Weka package manager to the URL github.com/djhogan/WeSeqMiner/raw/master/WeSeqMiner.zip. The Javadoc for WeSeqMiner classes can be accessed at djhogan.github.io/seqminer.
EEG Decoding Reveals the Temporal Dynamics and Functional Relevance of Goal-Relevant Representations
Authors: Hubbard Jason , Kikumoto Atsushi , Mayr Ulrich
Published: November 2017

Models of action control assume that abstract task-set settings regulate lower-level stimulus/response representations. Yet, we know little about the functional and dynamic properties of task-set representations in humans. Using a cued task-switching paradigm, we show that information about task sets and lower-level stimulus/response aspects can be extracted through decoding analyses from the scalp electrophysiological signal (EEG) on the single-trial level and with high temporal resolution. Task-sets are active throughout the entire processing cascade and trial-to-trial variations in task-set strength emerges as a remarkably strong predictor of variability in performance, both within and between individuals. Also, taskset strength is related to stimulus representation strength at an early period and to the strength of response representations at a later period, consistent with the notion that task-sets coordinate successive, lower-level representations in a concurrent manner. These results demonstrate a powerful approach towards uncovering stages of information processing and their relative importance for performance.
Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance Factors Localize to Spatially and Temporally Ordered Liquid Droplet Assemblages
Authors: Wan Gang , Fields Brandon D. , Spracklin George , Phillips Carolyn , Kennedy Scott
Published: November 2017

Epigenetic information can be inherited for multiple generations (termed transgenerational epigenetic inheritance or TEI)1,2. Non-coding RNAs have emerged as important mediators of TEI, although the mechanism(s) by which non-coding RNAs mediate TEI remains poorly understood. dsRNA-mediated gene silencing (RNAi) inC. elegansis a robust example of RNA-directed TEI3–5. To further our understanding of RNA-directed TEI, we conducted a genetic screen inC. elegansto identify genes required for RNAi inheritance. Our screen identified the conserved RNA helicase/Zn finger protein ZNFX-1 and the Argonaute protein WAGO-4. We find that WAGO-4 and ZNFX-1 act cooperatively in inheriting generations to maintain small interfering (si)RNA expression over generational time. ZNFX-1/ WAGO-4 localize to a liquid droplet organelle termed the P granule in early germline blastomeres. Later in development, ZNFX-1/WAGO-4 appear to separate from P granules to form independent foci that are adjacent to, yet remain distinct, from P granules. ZNFX-1/WAGO-4 labeled foci exhibit properties reminiscent of liquid droplets and we name these foci Z granules. In the adult germline, Z granules assemble into ordered tri-droplet assemblages with P granules and another germline droplet-like foci termed theMutatorfoci. This work identifies a conserved RNA-binding protein that drives RNA-directed TEI inC. elegans, defines a new germline foci that we term the Z granule, demonstrates that liquid droplet formation is under developmental control, and shows that liquid droplets can assemble into spatially ordered multi-droplet structures. We speculate that temporal and spatial ordering of liquid droplets helps cells organize and coordinate the complex RNA processing pathways underlying gene regulatory systems, such as RNA-directed TEI.
Raw sequence to target gene prediction: An integrated inference pipeline for ChIP-seq and RNA-seq datasets
Authors: Wani Nisar , Raza Khalid
Published: November 2017

Gene expression patterns determine the manner whereby organisms regulate various cellular processes and therefore their organ functions.These patterns do not emerge on their own, but as a result of diverse regulatory factors such as, DNA binding proteins known as transcription factors (TF), chromatin structure and various other environmental factors. TFs play a pivotal role in gene regulation by binding to different locations on the genome and influencing the expression of their target genes. Therefore, predicting target genes and their regulation becomes an important task for understanding mechanisms that control cellular processes governing both healthy and diseased cells.In this paper, we propose an integrated inference pipeline for predicting target genes and their regulatory effects for a specific TF using next-generation data analysis tools.
What are the most influencing factors in reconstructing a reliable transcriptome assembly?
Authors: Ghaffari Noushin , Abante Jordi , Singh Raminder , Blood Philip D. , Pipes Lenore , Mason Christopher , Johnson Charles D.
Published: November 2017

Reconstructing the genome and transcriptome for a new or extant species are essential steps in expanding our understanding of the organism’s active RNA landscape and gene regulatory dynamics, as well as for developing therapeutic targets to fight disease. The advancement of sequencing technologies has paved the way to generate high-quality draft transcriptomes. With many possible approaches available to accomplish this task, there is a need for a closer investigation of the factors that influence the quality of the results. We carried out an extensive survey of variety of elements that are important in transcriptome assembly. We utilized the human RNA-Seq data from the Sequencing Quality Control Consortium (SEQC) as a well-characterized and comprehensive resource with an available, well-studied human reference genome. Our results indicate that the quality of the library construction significantly impacts the quality of the assembly. Higher coverage of the genome is not as important as the quality of the input RNA-Seq data. Thus, once a certain coverage is attained, the quality of the assembly is mainly dependent on the base-calling accuracy of the input sequencing reads; and it is important to avoid saturating the assembler with extra coverage.
Hyperacuity Bayesian methods to enhance temporal resolution of two-photon recording of the complex spikes in the cerebellar Purkinje cells
Authors: Hoang Huu , Sato Masa-aki , Kawato Mitsuo , Toyama Keisuke
Published: November 2017

Two-photon imaging is a major recording technique in neuroscience but its low sampling rate imposes a severe limit of elucidating high temporal profiles of neuronal dynamics. Here we developed two hyperacuity Bayesian algorithms to improve spike detection and spike time precision, minimizing the estimation error supervised by the ground-truth given as the electrical spike signals. The benchmark showed that our algorithms outperformed other unsupervised algorithms maximizing the likelihood of the estimates for both experimental and simulation data. We argue that the supervised algorithms are useful tools to improve spike estimation of two-photon recording in case ground truth signals are available.
The para hydroxy acetanilide and acetanilide mixture for the protection from corrosion of alloyed zinc
Authors: Zouied Daoiya , Zouaoui Emna , Medjram Mohamed Salah , Chikha Olfa , Dob Karima
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Corrosion and corrosion inhibition of alloyed zinc electrode were investigated in neutral chloride solution using electrochemical techniques. The purpose of this study is to study the corrosion inhibition of acetanilide and para hydroxy acetanilide as organics inhibitors for corrosion control of alloyed zinc electrode in NaCl 3 per cent solution.

Design/methodology/approach

A volt lab PGZ 301, assembled using alloyed zinc working electrode, a platinum counter electrode and a saturated calomel electrode as the reference electrode, was used in the experiment. This research was conducted using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques.

Findings

Acetanilide, para hydroxy acetanilide and their mixture provided inhibitions efficiencies of 88 per cent at 40 ppm, 87 per cent with 80 ppm and 99.86 per cent with (40 ppm AC + 80 ppm PHA), respectively. The study also discusses the corrosion inhibition mechanism of the protective layers. The adsorption of acetanilide and para hydroxy acetanilide on metal surface obeyed Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm. Polarization measurements showed that the acetanilide and the para hydroxy acetanilide, and their mixture acted as cathodic inhibitors in NaCl solution, and the inhibitor molecules followed physical adsorption on the surface of alloyed zinc.

Originality/value

The other new inhibitors which are very efficient inhibitors and to be applied in the field of prevention and control against corrosion.
A review of contributing parameters in corrosion of oil and gas wells
Authors: Mobaraki Nejad Ali
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an insight into the main parameters that govern corrosion mechanisms in production tubing of oil and gas wells.

Design/methodology/approach

Corrosion has been an old concern for the oil industry. None of the three major sectors of the oil industry, namely, upstream, midstream and downstream, are immune of corrosion attacks. However, the upstream sector (oil and gas production facilities) is more vulnerable to corrosion because of its extreme conditions such as high temperature and pressure, multiphase flow, complicated water chemistry, presence of acidic gases, etc. This paper is a general review of the influence of such parameters on corrosion mechanisms of oil and gas wells.

Findings

In recent years, many technical papers have been published in this area. However, none of them provide a general review of the all contributing parameters on corrosion under field conditions.

Originality value

Modeling and corrosion mitigating processes under downhole conditions require a thorough understanding of the influencing parameters. This paper aims to provide an insight into the main parameters that govern corrosion mechanisms in production tubing of oil and gas wells.
Electrochemical study on the corrosion rate of X52 steel exposed to different soils
Authors: Quej-Ake L.M. , Contreras A.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to study the corrosion rate of X52 pipeline steel exposed to three types of soils collected in Campeche State in México. The electrochemical evaluation for X52 steel exposed to soils ranging from saturated soil until dry conditions was carried out for a period of 21 days. Owing to its versatility to study the steel corrosion process exposed to different types of soils, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization and cyclic voltammetry tests were performed. Additionally, optical and electronic microscopy observations of the steel surface were carried out.

Design/methodology/approach

Electrochemical cell arrangement was described elsewhere (Quej-Ake et al., 2014). Owing to soil being an electrolytic system with high resistivity and impedance, all electrodes were placed as close as possible, and iR-drop compensation was taken into account using two rods of graphite as an auxiliary electrode. In addition, the conductivity of the soil (Rs) obtained from EIS was used to correct the potential of the working electrode according to iR-drop, and an analysis of ohmic drop from the polarization curves was carried out.

Findings

Saturated conditions of the three soils were initially considered as the most corrosive conditions for X52 steel surface. Finally, 21 days of immersion time was taken into account as the more drastic condition. So, according to results, X52 steel exposed to beach sand was more susceptible to the corrosion process (0.092 mm/year). iR corrected was negligible at low over-potentials region in saturated soils, which is inside the linear region of Tafel or the activation region. In addition, high cathodic peak potential value obtained from cyclic voltammetry for X52 steel exposed to saturated soil may be attributed to hydrogen evolution reaction and neutral pH.

Research limitations/implications

The paper has implications for research. It bridges the gap between theory and practice.

Originality/value

Cyclic voltammetry is a really important tool for the electrochemical analysis of the pipeline steel surface exposed to saturated soils, but is not adequate for analysis of steel exposed to dried soils. In addition, the physicochemical results show that fissures, voids and extra-oxygen presence could also affect the electrochemical responses obtained for X52 steel exposed to soils.
Continuous improvement methodologies and practices in hospitality and tourism
Authors: Farrington Thomas , Antony Jiju , O’Gorman Kevin D.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a systematic literature review (SLR) of continuous improvement (CI) research in the hospitality and tourism management (HTM) literature. The paper also notes trends, parallels, inconsistencies and opportunities towards a clearer understanding of current scholarship.

Design/methodology/approach

This SLR finds a dearth of research in the field. After parameter expansion and exclusions, 35 papers across 11 journals are reviewed.

Findings

Studies of CI methodologies and practices are published infrequently, tending to focus on total quality management in European contexts. Despite the guiding customer-centric principles of CI methodologies, studies focus on improving internal processes rather than the service encounter.

Research limitations/implications

The review is guided by sections of the ABS 2015 list, which excludes some journals. Books, conference papers and trade magazine articles are not reviewed.

Practical implications

This paper identifies clear needs for CI research with a specific hospitality management focus, the development of CI toolkits and curricula for hospitality managers. The development and deployment of CI methodologies and practices in HTM literature and industry should lead to long-term service improvements.

Originality/value

This study asserts the need for further context-specific, practice-led research into the refinement and long-term utility of CI methodologies and practices, towards demonstration of significant bottom-line industry impact. The paper also offers a clear SLR methodology and a definition for CI in hospitality.
Knowledge-advanced innovative behaviour: a hospitality service perspective
Authors: Edghiem Farag , Mouzughi Yusra
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature and implications of knowledge advanced through service employees’ innovative behaviour and leading to initiating innovation within the hotel service subsector.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study research method was applied to achieve the research objectives, which investigated two hotel properties resembling two personal–interactive service systems. In total, 52 semi-structured interviews were conducted along with other qualitative research methods, including the direct observation of employees, review of management archives/literature and the assessment of “micro cases”.

Findings

The research outcome highlights the role of knowledge as supplementary to the interlinked process of idea generation and development. A novel classification of two types of knowledge is revealed as pre-encounter and encounter-dependent knowledge, implicating four patterns of service employees’ innovative behaviour.

Practical implications

This paper recommends practical measures to nurture service employees’ innovative behaviour, leading to innovation.

Originality/value

This study contributes to service innovation research by providing an in-depth assessment at the micro level, overlooked to date, of the nature of knowledge and the service employees’ role in initiating innovation within the hotel service subsector.
Learning from press releases: implications for hospitality innovation
Authors: Zach Florian J. , Krizaj Dejan , McTier Brian
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test the usefulness of the literature-based innovation output (LBIO) approach to identify innovation types from press releases of hospitality firms and to evaluate if the typology captures the effect of innovation on firm value.

Design/methodology/approach

The LBIO approach was applied to three years of press releases from two publicly traded lodging firms in the USA announcing innovations. A database of lodging and innovation relevant terms was compiled. Starting with classifications found in the innovation literature, the researchers coded each announcement. Coded announcements were clustered into innovation types using pairwise similarity analysis. Event study analysis assessed the efficacy of the overall method to find types that were useful to measure the impact on firm value from the company’s adoption of an innovation.

Findings

Cluster analysis identified four lodging innovation types: property and location, marketing, strategic development and guest experiences. These types corresponded closely with the innovation classification suggested by the Oslo Manual. The event study found that the typology was useful in determining the market value effects of an innovation.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused on innovation; future studies might test other organizational factors. The study uses data from two large, publicly traded hospitality firms and may not extend to smaller, privately held businesses. A key implication is that human coding is sufficient to identify innovation types that correspond closely with existing classifications and affect firm value.

Originality value

This study successful learns from hospitality press releases to identify a hospitality innovation typology and tests type impact on firm value.
Brand strategies in social media in hospitality and tourism
Authors: Moro Sérgio , Rita Paulo
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present an automated literature analysis to unveil the drivers for incorporating social media in tourism and hospitality brand strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

To gather relevant literature, Google Scholar was queried with “brand”/“branding” and “social media” for articles in ten top-ranked tourism and hospitality journals, resulting in a total of 479 collected articles. The methodology adopted for the analysis is based on text mining and topic modeling procedures. The topics discovered are characterized by terms belonging to a dictionary previously compiled and provide a segmentation of the articles in coherent sets of the literature.

Findings

Most of the 213 articles that encompass a strong relation between social media and branding are mentioning mainly brand building stages. A large research gap was found in hospitality and tourism considering that, besides advertising, no topic was discovered related to known brand strategies such as co-branding or franchising.

Practical implications

The present analysis concludes that specialized tourism and hospitality literature needs to keep pace with research that is being conducted on a wide range of industries to assess the influence of social media.

Originality/value

The automated analysis approach used has no precedent in tourism and hospitality research. By including an innovative topical concept map, it led to identifying and summarizing the topics, providing a clear picture on the findings. This study calls for research by specialized tourism and hospitality publications, eventually leading to special issues on this vibrant subject.
Disability, hospitality and the new sharing economy
Authors: Boxall Kathy , Nyanjom Julie , Slaven Janine
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the place of disabled guests in the new world of hotel and holiday accommodation shaped by the sharing economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses Levitas’s (2013) Utopia as Method as a methodological tool to develop the hypothetical future scenarios, which are used to explore the place of disabled guests in peer-to-peer holiday accommodation.

Findings

Analysis of the hypothetical scenarios suggests that without state intervention, the place of disabled guests in both traditional hotels and peer-to-peer holiday accommodation is far from secure.

Research limitations/implications

This is a new area and the authors’ discussion is therefore tentative in its intent.

Practical implications

Planners and policymakers should consult with, and take account of, the needs of disabled people and other socially excluded groups when regulating shared economy enterprises. It may be helpful to put in place broader legislation for social inclusion rather than regulate peer-to-peer platforms. Any recourse to markets as a means of resolving access issues needs also to acknowledge the limited power of socially excluded groups within both traditional and sharing economy markets.

Social implications

The hypothetical scenarios discussed within this paper offer planners, policymakers and tourism stakeholders opportunities to think through the access and inclusion needs of disabled guests in the shared economy sector.

Originality/value

The paper extends discussion of hospitality and disability access to include shared economy approaches and the place of disabled guests in the new world of holiday accommodation shaped by the sharing economy.
Unmasking the contributing factors of entrepreneurial activities among men and women in Ghana
Authors: Quartey Peter , Danquah Michael , Owusu George , Iddrisu Abdul Malik
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Using the 2010 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) survey data, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the contributing factors of entrepreneurial propensity among males and females in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a measure of entrepreneurial propensity that takes into account individuals who are involved in starting a new business (nascent entrepreneurs) as a dependent variable and socio-demographic characteristics, and perceptual variables as explanatory variables, the study adopts robust empirical estimation techniques to examine how these variables influence the probability of starting a new business among men and women in Ghana.

Findings

The probability of being a male nascent entrepreneur is significantly dependent upon a wide range of factors including demographic, economic, perceptual and contextual elements, albeit with important variations across gender. An individuals’ subjective assessment of fear of failure in starting a business and of having the requisite entrepreneurial capabilities; the age of the individual; gender of the individual; work status and contextual factors matters for entrepreneurial propensity in Ghana. However, important differences exist in the drivers of entrepreneurial propensity for males and females with females’ entrepreneurship attributed largely to conditions of necessity relative to their male counterparts.

Originality/value

The main value of this paper is to use the GEM survey (which is nationally representative) for Ghana to analyze the contributing factors of the entrepreneurial propensity among men and women in Ghana.
The dynamics of Zakat donation experience among Muslims: a phenomenological inquiry
Authors: Kashif Muhammad , Faisal Jamal Khurrum , Abdur Rehman Mohsin
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The charitable organizations must understand the forces influencing donor behaviours. This issue has been debated rigorously among researchers belonging to Western societies; however, the exploration of donation experience among non-Western academics is limited. This study aims to discover the phenomenon of Zakat donation experience – an Islamic religious act of charity donation performed among Muslims to enhance our understanding of religious consumption practices in a Muslim country setting of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used phenomenological methodology to collect data from 35 donors via face-to-face interviews.

Findings

The informants advocate individuality while making Zakat donations and believe that an independent donation experience brings them with higher levels of happiness, intrinsic drive to spend more and spiritual comfort. The Zakat donation is regarded as a great source of self-protection against the realm of evil spirits which is entirely a new finding with respect to charity donations. The informants identified several reasons for not donating through charities which mainly include lack of trust and limited product mix offered by charitable organizations.

Practical implications

Based on the findings of this research, the authors suggest charitable organizations to ensure procedural transparency and emphasize on Zakat collection, distribution and utilization methods to attract more donors.

Originality/value

The study contributes generally to charity marketing knowledge and specifically to consumer decision-making of religious acts performed in Muslim societies. The phenomenological method of inquiry and its application to study an Islamic act of donation has limited discussion in previous studies, which is a unique product of this study.
Preventing the use of financial institutions for money laundering and the implications for financial privacy
Authors: Le Nguyen Chat
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the implication of money laundering preventive measures for financial privacy, with the focus on banking secrecy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper, first, sets out the principal measures imposed on financial service providers to prevent money laundering. The interaction between the preventive measures and the desire for financial privacy is then discussed.

Findings

The adequate implementation of the preventive measures is highly important for financial institutions to be secure from money laundering. Nonetheless, the enforcement of these measures is becoming much more intrusive into financial privacy. In practice, financial privacy should be weighted fairly against the objectives of preventive measures.

Originality/value

This paper would be a good guidance on how to deal with tension and potential conflicts of interests between law enforcement authorities and financial service providers and between the protection of financial privacy and the objectives of the money laundering preventive measures.
Two viruses, MCV1 and MCV2, which infect Marinitoga bacteria isolated from deep‐sea hydrothermal vents: functional and genomic analysis
Authors: Mercier C. , Lossouarn J. , Nesbø C. L. , Haverkamp T. H. A. , Baudoux A. C. , Jebbar M. , Bienvenu N. , Thiroux S. , Dupont S. , Geslin C.
Published: November 2017

Viruses represent a driving force in the evolution of microorganisms including those thriving in extreme environments. However, our knowledge of the viral diversity associated to microorganisms inhabiting the deep‐sea hydrothermal vents remains limited. The phylum of Thermotogae, including thermophilic bacteria, is well represented in this environment. Only one virus was described in this phylum, MPV1 carried by Marinitoga piezophila. In this study, we report on the functional and genomic characterization of two new bacterioviruses that infect bacteria from the Marinitoga genus. Marinitoga camini virus 1 and 2 (MCV1 and MCV2) are temperate siphoviruses with a linear dsDNA genome of 53.4 kb and 50.5 kb respectively. Here, we present a comparative genomic analysis of the MCV1 and MCV2 viral genomes with that of MPV1. The results indicate that even if the host strains come from geographically distant sites, their genomes share numerous similarities. Interestingly, heavy metals did not induce viral production, instead the host of MCV1 produced membrane vesicles. This study highlights interaction of mobile genetic elements (MGE) with their hosts and the importance of including hosts‐MGEs' relationships in ecological studies.
CUT IT OUT!
Authors: VERMEULEN FREEK
Published: November 2017

Extra services do not always mean customer satisfaction; companies can perform better by striving to do less, says Freek Vermeulen
THE POWER OF BARGAINING
Authors: KU GILLIAN
Published: November 2017

There is a time for transparency in negotiations. But how much can you reveal – and when should you hold back? Gillian Ku addresses the tricky questions
TRUST ME. I'M IN CHARGE
Authors: PARKE MICHAEL , ERICKSON TAMMY
Published: November 2017

Michael Parke and Tammy Erickson share five key tips on transparency
PRIVATE EQUITY: NOBODY DOES IT BETTER
Authors: ALESZCZYK ALEKSANDER A , DE GEORGE EMMANUEL T , ERTAN AYTEKIN , VASVARI FLORIN
Published: November 2017

How exactly is value created? New research gives some pointers. By Aleksander A Aleszczyk, Emmanuel T De George, Aytekin Ertan and Florin Vasvari
POLARISING PROSPERITY
Authors: PAPAIOANNOU ELIAS
Published: November 2017

The rich have done well in recent decades. The ultra‐rich have done even better. Elias Papaioannou explains
PRIORITISE PURPOSE AND PEOPLE
Authors: BACHANI JYOTI
Published: November 2017

Jyoti Bachani explains why organisations should shift their focus from control and compliance to purpose and people
WHY TRUTH IS NOT ENOUGH
Authors: EDMANS ALEX
Published: November 2017

Facts shape our view of the world – but they can also grossly mislead. By Alex Edmans
MY WEEK
Authors: MON THIRI THANT
Published: November 2017

Thiri Thant Mon MBA2006 shares her unique schedule with Anna Johnston
Reliability of body‐weight scalars on the assessment of propofol induction dose in obese patients
Authors: Araújo A. M. , Machado H. S. , Falcão A. C. , Soares‐da‐Silva P.
Published: November 2017

Background

Obese patients require specific perioperative care when compared with non‐obese patients. The present study aimed to analyse the ability of size descriptors to estimate propofol induction dose in class II and III obese patients.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study on adult patients with body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 35 kg/m2 and on adult patients with BMI lower than 35 kg/m2 was carried out. General anaesthesia was induced with remifentanil, propofol and rocuronium. Propofol infusion was started at 2000 mg/h until loss of consciousness. Bioelectrical impedance analysis and Brice modified interview was completed during pre‐ and post‐operative evaluation, respectively. Measurements of propofol plasma concentration were performed using gas chromatography/ion trap‐mass spectrometry.

Results

Forty patients were enrolled in the study. The median values of fat free mass (FFM) in BMI < 35 kg/m2 and BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 groups were 70% and 55% of total body weight, respectively. Our results did not demonstrate a strong correlation level between the studied size descriptors and propofol induction dose in both groups. Nevertheless, when propofol doses were normalized by FFM, an apparent convergence of the empirical cumulative distribution functions was observed.

Conclusion

None of the size descriptors was seen to be an effective predictor of the propofol induction dose in class II and III obese patients when a fixed infusion rate was used. Due to the observed variability between patients, guiding propofol induction dose against a clinical endpoint of unconsciousness appears more appropriate in order to avoid side effects related both with under or overdosing of propofol.
Ethiopian wolves conflict with pastoralists in small Afroalpine relicts
Authors: Eshete Girma , Marino Jorgelina , Sillero‐Zubiri Claudio
Published: November 2017

The peaceful coexistence between people and the rare Ethiopian wolf Canis simensis is being challenged by conflicts rising due to livestock predation by wild carnivores. Understanding the cultural and socio‐economic context of these conflicts can help to prevent negative attitudes and retaliatory killings, which have the potential to seriously compromise the survival of Ethiopian wolf populations in small Afroalpine relicts. With this objective in mind, questionnaire surveys were conducted in 140 households around the Aboi Gara range in north Ethiopia. Half of the households reported losing sheep and goats to wolves and golden jackals Canis aureus, with an annual average loss of 1.2 heads per year (10% of the average herd size), equivalent to 92 US$. Aboi Gara pastoralists considered wolves and jackals to be equally responsible for livestock killings. Households with large herds, closer to Afroalpine habitats, and using Afroalpine pastures for longer periods, reported more predation by wild carnivores. Most respondents (62%) expressed a positive attitude towards Ethiopian wolves, particularly literate people and those with smaller herds. We suggest ways to diminish conflict, including best livestock guarding techniques to lessen the risk of livestock predation by wild carnivores in Afroalpine areas.
RCAT reflects symptom control and quality of life in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients
Authors: Liedtke J.‐P. , Mandl A. , Köther J. , Chwieralski J. , Shah‐Hosseini K. , Raskopf E. , Pieper‐Fürst U. , Allekotte S. , Mösges R.
Published: November 2017

Background

The Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN) Taskforce has requested more data on correlations between various patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical trials on allergy. We compared three tools—the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT), Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and Rhinitis Total Symptom Score (RTSS)—to determine whether the RCAT alone is a sufficient primary outcome parameter in clinical trials on allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Methods

In two double‐blind, placebo‐controlled immunotherapy studies, 33 patients allergic to grass pollen and 94 to birch pollen completed two questionnaires (RCAT and RQLQ) and kept their own symptom diary from which the RTSS was calculated.

Results

Upon comparing RCAT and RQLQ results, we found strong correlations of r = −0.871 for grass pollen–allergic patients and r = −0.795 for birch pollen–allergic patients. The comparison between RCAT and RTSS results showed a strong correlation of r = −0.811 (grass pollen–allergic patients) and a moderate correlation of r = −0.539 (birch pollen–allergic patients). In the RCAT, 69.7% of grass pollen–allergic patients and 45.7% of birch pollen–allergic patients receiving guideline‐concordant therapy were regarded as having insufficiently controlled symptoms.

Conclusion

The strong correlations suggest that the RCAT alone is equivalent to the RQLQ with respect to patients' symptom control and quality of life. Patients with uncontrolled symptoms can be identified using the RCAT. Hence, the physician can decide whether symptomatic therapy can be intensified or allergy immunotherapy should be administered.
Identification of alpha‐gal sensitivity in patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic anaphylaxis
Authors: Carter M. C. , Ruiz‐Esteves K. N. , Workman L. , Lieberman P. , Platts‐Mills T. A. E. , Metcalfe D. D.
Published: November 2017

IgE antibodies (Ab) specific to galactose‐α‐1,3‐galactose (alpha‐gal) are responsible for a delayed form of anaphylaxis that occurs 3‐6 hours after red meat ingestion. In a unique prospective study of seventy participants referred with a diagnosis of idiopathic anaphylaxis (IA), six (9%) were found to have IgE to alpha‐gal. Upon institution of a diet free of red meat, all patients had no further episodes of anaphylaxis. Two of these individuals had indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM). Those with ISM had more severe clinical reactions but lower specific IgE to alpha‐gal and higher serum tryptase levels, reflective of the mast cell burden. The identification of alpha‐gal syndrome in patients with IA supports the need for routine screening for this sensitivity as a cause of anaphylaxis, where reactions to alpha‐gal are delayed and thus may be overlooked.
Advanced anterior segment imaging in keratoconus: a review
Authors: Gokul Akilesh , Vellara Hans R , Patel Dipika V
Published: November 2017

Advances in anterior segment imaging have enhanced our ability to detect keratoconus in its early stages and characterize the pathologic changes that occur. Computerized corneal tomography has elucidated the alterations in shape of the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces and alterations in thickness as the disease progresses. Automated screening indices such as the keratoconus screening index were developed to assist in detecting keratoconus in suspicious cases. In vivo assessment of keratoconic corneas has revealed that compromised corneal biomechanics can now be measured clinically. Optical coherence tomography has demonstrated alterations in corneal epithelial thickness and distribution in keratoconus, has a role in assessing Descemet's membrane detachment in acute corneal hydrops (ACH) and the depth of the demarcation line following corneal collagen cross‐linking. In vivo confocal microscopy has exhibited cellular changes that occur in keratoconus and provided insight into cellular events that may be related to the development of neovascularization in ACH.
LINC00473 antagonizes the tumour suppressor miR‐195 to mediate the pathogenesis of Wilms tumour via IKKα
Authors: Zhu Shibo , Fu Wen , Zhang Liyu , Fu Kai , Hu Jinhua , Jia Wei , Liu Guochang
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Although dramatic improvements of overall survival has achieved in patients with favourable histology Wilms tumour, disease recurrence is still the main cause of cancer‐related death in childhood. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as oncogenes or tumour suppressors are dysregulated during carcinogenesis. However, the role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of Wilms tumour is unknown. Here, an lncRNA LINC00473 signature that functioned as oncogene was identified in Wilms tumour.

Methods

Wilms tumour (n = 15) and relative normal tissues were collected. The LINC00473 expression and function in Wilms tumour was determined. The LncRNA‐miRNA network of LINC00473 was analysed in vitro and vivo.

Results

We uncovered that the expression of LINC00473 was elevated in tumour tissues than that in relative normal tissues. Higher LINC00473 levels correlated to higher stage and unfavourable histology Wilms tumour. Mechanistically, knockdown of LINC00473 inhibited cell vitality and induced Bcl‐2‐dependent apoptosis and G1/S arrest via CDK2 and cyclin D1. Moreover, LINC00473 harboured binding sites for miR‐195 and limited miR‐195 availability in a dose‐dependent manner. Forced expression of miR‐195 impaired tumour survival and metastasis, which, however, could be restored by LINC00473. Furthermore, IKKα was the downstream of LINC00473/miR‐195 signals and could be directly targeted by miR‐195 to participate LINC00473‐induced tumour progression. Loss‐of‐function of LINC00473 in vivo effectively promoted the regression of Wilms tumour via miR‐195/IKKα‐mediated growth inhibition.

Conclusion

LINC00473 as an oncogene is up‐regulated to participate into the molecular pathogenesis of Wilms tumour via miR‐195/IKKα.
Soluble major histocompatibility complex molecules in immune regulation: highlighting class II antigens
Authors: Bakela Katerina , Athanassakis Irene
Published: November 2017

The involvement of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens in the development and regulation of immune response has been well defined over the years, starting from maturation, antigenic peptide loading, migration to the cell membrane for recognition by the T‐cell receptor and recycling for immune response cessation. During this intracellular trafficking, MHC antigens find a way to be excreted by the cells, because they can be found as soluble MHC class I (sMHC‐I) and class II (sMHC‐II) molecules in all body fluids. Although secretion mechanisms have not been sufficiently studied, sMHC molecules have been shown to display important immunoregulatory properties. Their levels in the serum have been shown to be altered in a variety of diseases, including viral infections, inflammation, autoimmunities and cancer, etc. while they seem to be involved in a number of physiological reactions, including maintenance of tolerance, reproduction, as well as mate choice vis‐à‐vis species evolution. The present review aims to present the thus far existing literature on sMHC molecules and point out the importance of these molecules in the maintenance of immune homeostasis.
The immunogenetics of neurological disease
Authors: Misra Maneesh K. , Damotte Vincent , Hollenbach Jill A.
Published: November 2017

Genes encoding antigen‐presenting molecules within the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) account for the highest component of genetic risk for many neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, myasthenia gravis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Myriad genetic, immunological and environmental factors may contribute to an individual's susceptibility to neurological disease. Here, we review and discuss the decades long research on the influence of genetic variation at the MHC locus and the role of immunogenetic killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor (KIR) loci in neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, myasthenia gravis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The findings of immunogenetic association studies are consistent with a polygenic model of inheritance in the heterogeneous and multifactorial nature of complex traits in various neurological diseases. Future investigation is highly recommended to evaluate both coding and non‐coding variation in immunogenetic loci using high‐throughput high‐resolution next‐generation sequencing technologies in diverse ethnic groups to fully appreciate their role in neurological diseases.