bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional Cervical Movement Characteristics in Healthy Subjects and Subgroups of Chronic Neck Pain Patients Based on Their Pain Location
Authors: Waeyaert Patirck , Jansen Daniel , Bastiaansen Marco , Scafoglieri Aldo , Buyl Ronald , Schmitt Maarten , Cattrysse Erik
Published: February 2016

Study Design.

A cross-sectional observational study of three-dimensional (3D) cervical kinematics in 41 chronic neck pain (CNPs) patients and 156 asymptomatic controls.

Objective.

The objective was to investigate 3D cervical kinematics by analyzing and comparing quantitative and qualitative parameters in healthy subjects and CNPs. Furthermore, subgroups were formed to explore the influence of pain-location on cervical kinematics. The possible correlation of kinematic parameters with the degree of functional disability was examined as well.

Summary of Background Data.

In patients with chronic neck pain, a clear pathological cause is frequently not identifiable. Therefore, the need to assess neck pain with a broader view than structure or anatomical-based divergences is desirable.

Methods.

Movements of the cervical spine were registered using an electromagnetic tracking system. Quantitative and qualitative kinematics were analyzed for active axial rotation, lateral bending, and flexion-extension motion components.

Results.

During lateral bending, the range of the main motion demonstrated significant higher values (P = 0.001) in the controls (mean: 68.67° ± 15.17°) than patients (mean: 59.28° ± 15.41°). Significant differences were demonstrated between subgroups for several kinematic parameters (P < 0.05). Although differences were predominantly recorded between the “symmetrical” and “asymmetrical” pain group, some parameters also distinguished subgroups from controls. On average, the symmetrical group showed significant less harmonic movement patterns, expressed by qualitative parameters, in comparison with the “asymmetrical” group and controls. Furthermore, the “asymmetrical” group showed significant lower scores on quantitative parameters than the “symmetrical” group and controls. The degree of functional disability correlated moderately with changes in qualitative parameters.

Conclusion.

In this study, chronic neck pain patients with a symmetrical pain pattern showed significant poorer quality of movement, while those with asymmetrical pain showed a significant reduction in quantitative measures. Subgrouping of neck patients based on pain location may be of help for further research and clinics.

Level of evidence: 4
Cervical cancer screening among homeless women in the Greater Paris Area (France): results of the ENFAMS survey
Authors: Vuillermoz Cécile , Vandentorren Stéphanie , Roze Mathilde , Rondet Claire , Chauvin Pierre
Published: February 2016

Little is known about the prevalence of cervical cancer screening (CCS) and its correlates among homeless women in France. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of women who had never been screened for cervical cancer and to identify the associated factors. This cross-sectional study was based on data collected in the ENFAMS survey, which was conducted in 2013 among 764 sheltered homeless mothers in the Greater Paris Area. Robust Poisson regression models were used to estimate the association between no lifetime CCS and certain sociodemographic and health-related factors (selected from the behavioral model of vulnerable populations). Analyses were carried out separately for women with and without a regular gynaecological follow-up (RGF). The proportion of never-screeners was 33% among the women with an RGF versus 64% among those without an RGF (P<0.001). Among the latter, never having been screened for CCS was associated mainly with socioeconomic conditions, the length of time lived in France, a history of delivery in France and the duration of homelessness. In those with an RGF, the factors were mainly poor health service utilization and language difficulties. This first quantitative study of CCS among homeless women in the Greater Paris Area points to the need for it to be proposed and performed more systematically in primary care. Every contact between this hard-to-reach population and health services should be an opportunity to check their screening status and to ensure that those in need actually undergo a Pap test.
European experience with methotrexate treatment in Crohn’s disease: a multicenter retrospective analysis
Authors: Kopylov Uri , Katsanos Konstantinos H. , van der Woude Christien Janneke , Karmiris Konstantinos , Hernandez Vicent , Odes Selwyn , Papamichael Konstantinos , Koutroubakis Ioannis E. , Bojic Daniela , Kaimakliotis Ioannis , Fiorino Gionata , Papageorgiou Neofytos , Pineda Juan R. , Strongili Konstantina , Sanroman Luciano , Mantzaris Gerassimos J. , Jojic Njegica , Paspatis Gregorios , Christodoulou Dimitrios K. , Ben-Horin Shomron , Tsianos Epameinondas V.
Published: February 2016

Introduction

Methotrexate (MTX) has been utilized for the treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD) for decades. Nevertheless, current data provide equivocal evidence on the efficacy of MTX in CD.

The aims of this study were to describe the efficacy of MTX for maintenance of remission in CD and to identify the factors associated with the probability of steroid-free clinical remission in a multicenter European referral center cohort.

Patients and methods

This was a retrospective cohort analysis. Consecutive patients treated with MTX for CD were included from 11 referral centers. Patients receiving concomitant treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors or thiopurines were excluded. The main outcome was steroid-free clinical remission; the secondary outcomes included the rate of complications leading to MTX discontinuation and duration of relapse-free survival in patients achieving the main outcome.

Results

Between July 1992 and January 2012, 118 patients were identified for inclusion. MTX administration route was oral for induction in 31.4% and for maintenance in 49.1% of the patients. Steroid-free remission was achieved in 44/118 (37.2%) patients and was maintained relapse free by 28/44 (63.6%) for a median of 12 (3.5–18.5) months. At least one adverse effect was reported by 28.9% of the patients. No clinical or demographic factors were associated with either likelihood of achieving a clinical response or duration of relapse-free survival.

Conclusion

MTX treatment induced steroid-free clinical remission in over a third of CD patients and maintained it for a year in almost two-thirds of the responders. MTX should be considered a viable therapeutic option in CD patients refractory to other therapies.
Improved detection of delirium, implementation and validation of the CAM-ICU in elderly Emergency Department patients
Authors: Van de Meeberg Evelien K. , Festen Suzanne , Kwant Marieke , Georg Rita R. , Izaks Gerbrand J. , ter Maaten Jan C.
Published: February 2016

Objective

To evaluate the effect of routine use of the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) on the diagnosis rate of delirium in elderly Emergency Department (ED) patients and the validity of the CAM-ICU in the ED setting.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study in a tertiary care academic ED. We compared the diagnosis rate of delirium before implementation of the CAM-ICU, without routine use of a screening tool, with the diagnosis rate after implementation of the CAM-ICU. All consecutive patients aged 70 years or older were enrolled. The diagnosis rate before implementation was based on chart review and after implementation on a positive CAM-ICU score. In a subsample, the presence of delirium was evaluated independently according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria to assess the validity of the CAM-ICU.

Results

The total study population included 968 patients: 490 before and 478 after implementation of the CAM-ICU. The two groups were not significantly different in patient characteristics. Before implementation of the CAM-ICU, delirium was diagnosed in 14 patients (3%) and after implementation in 48 patients (10%) (P<0.001). The sensitivity of the CAM-ICU for delirium in the ED setting was 100%, specificity was 98%, positive predictive value was 92%, and negative predictive value was 100%.

Conclusion

The diagnosis rate of delirium after implementation of the CAM-ICU was three-fold higher than before. The CAM-ICU is a reliable screening tool in the ED, with high sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value.
An Abundance of Selves
Authors: Hammond Chad , Teucher Ulrich
Published: February 2016

Background:

Identity negotiations of people living with cancer have been shown to be significant psychosocial challenges throughout cancer trajectories but have not been adequately explored among young adults with cancer. Narrative approaches might help to reveal moments of (dis)empowerment that affect their identity negotiations.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to explore how young adults speak to their identities in relation to their narratives of having cancer and receiving care.

Methods:

A total of 21 young adults (18–45 years old) provided cancer narratives through semistructured life history interviews. Thematic narrative analysis was used to determine how participants represented themselves in their stories.

Results:

Participants used a wide diversity of identities well beyond those most familiar in dominant discourses (eg, patients, survivors, and fighters), and their identities frequently changed at significant “turning points” in their narratives, especially in relation to good and bad experiences of care.

Conclusions:

Cancer-related identities often undergo personal and social negotiation over time, and not just among young adults still feeling the effects of treatment. Psychosocial oncology could take further steps toward incorporating this fluidity and multiplicity within the discipline’s discourses of identity.

Implications for Practice:

The identities gathered here may contribute to a more comprehensive toolkit of narrative resources for empowering young adults (and others) with cancer, serving as a starting point for negotiating identities with their care providers. Our findings raise questions about which identities should be fostered and how healthcare professionals might be (unknowingly) involved in patients’ identity negotiations.
The Association Between Childhood Seizures and Later Childhood Emotional and Behavioral Problems: Findings From a Nationally Representative Birth Cohort
Authors: Kariuki Symon M. , Newton Charles R.J.C. , Prince Martin J. , Das-Munshi Jayati
Published: February 2016

Objectives

Emotional/behavioral disorders are often comorbid with childhood epilepsy, but both may be predicted by social disadvantage and fetal risk indicators (FRIs). We used data from a British birth cohort, to assess the association of epilepsy, single unprovoked seizures, and febrile seizures with the later development of emotional/behavioral problems.

Methods

A total of 17,416 children in the 1958 British birth cohort were followed up until age 16 years. Logistic and modified Poisson regression models were used to determine a) the association of social disadvantage at birth and FRI with epilepsy, single unprovoked seizures, and febrile seizures at 7 years, and emotional/behavioral disorders in later childhood, and (ii) the association of childhood seizures by age 7 years with emotional/behavioral disorders in later childhood, after accounting for social disadvantage and FRI.

Results

Higher scores on FRI and social disadvantage were associated with emotional/behavioral problems at 7, 11, and 16 years, but not with seizure disorders at age 7 years. Epilepsy was associated with emotional/behavioral problems at 7 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29–4.84), 11 years (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.04–3.81), and 16 years (OR = 5.47, 95% CI = 1.65–18.08), whereas single unprovoked seizures were associated with emotional/behavioral problems at 16 years (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.02–2.01), after adjustment for FRI and social disadvantage. Febrile convulsions were not associated with increased risk for emotional/behavioral problems.

Conclusions

Emotional/behavioral problems in children are related to an earlier diagnosis of epilepsy and single unprovoked seizures after accounting for social disadvantage and FRI, whereas febrile convulsions are not associated with emotional/behavioral problems.
In silico
regenerative medicine: how computational tools allow regulatory and financial challenges to be addressed in a volatile market
Authors: Geris L. , Guyot Y. , Schrooten J. , Papantoniou I.
Published: February 2016

The cell therapy market is a highly volatile one, due to the use of disruptive technologies, the current economic situation and the small size of the market. In such a market, companies as well as academic research institutes are in need of tools to advance their understanding and, at the same time, reduce their R&D costs, increase product quality and productivity, and reduce the time to market. An additional difficulty is the regulatory path that needs to be followed, which is challenging in the case of cell-based therapeutic products and should rely on the implementation of quality by design (QbD) principles.
In silico
modelling is a tool that allows the above-mentioned challenges to be addressed in the field of regenerative medicine. This review discusses such
in silico
models and focuses more specifically on the bioprocess. Three (clusters of) examples related to this subject are discussed. The first example comes from the pharmaceutical engineering field where QbD principles and their implementation through the use of
in silico
models are both a regulatory and economic necessity. The second example is related to the production of red blood cells. The described
in silico
model is mainly used to investigate the manufacturing process of the cell-therapeutic product, and pays special attention to the economic viability of the process. Finally, we describe the set-up of a model capturing essential events in the development of a tissue-engineered combination product in the context of bone tissue engineering. For each of the examples, a short introduction to some economic aspects is given, followed by a description of the
in silico
tool or tools that have been developed to allow the implementation of QbD principles and optimal design.
Osteosarcoma with apparent Ewing sarcoma gene rearrangement
Authors: Mathias Melissa , Chou Alexander J , Meyers Paul , Shukla Neerav , Hameed Meera , Agaram Narasimhan , Wang Lulu , Berger Michael F. , Walsh Michael , Kentsis Alex
Published: February 2016

Poorly differentiated round cell sarcomas present diagnostic challenges due to their variable morphology and lack of specific immunophenotypic markers. We present a case of a 15-year-old female with a tibial tumor that exhibited features of Ewing-like sarcoma, including apparent rearrangement of theEWSR1gene. Hybridization capture-based next-generation DNA sequencing showed evidence of complex genomic rearrangements, absence of known pathogenic Ewing-like chromosome translocations, and deletionsRB1, PTCH1, andATRX, supporting the diagnosis of osteosarcoma. This illustrates the potential of clinical genomic profiling to improve diagnosis and enable specifically targeted therapies for cancers with complex pathologies.
A fractional order network model for ZIKA
Authors: Elsaka H. , Ahmed E.
Published: February 2016

Zika is a fast spreading epidemic. So far it is known to have two transmission routes one via mosquito and the other is via sexual contact. It is dangerous on pregnant women otherwise it is mild
Into the tropics: phylogenomics and evolutionary dynamics of a contrarian clade of ants
Authors: Branstetter Michael G. , Longino John T. , Reyes-López Joaquín , Schultz Ted R. , Brady Seán G.
Published: February 2016

Aim.The standard latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG), in which species richness decreases from equator to pole, is a pervasive pattern observed in most groups of organisms. Despite its commonness, an increasing number of non-conforming lineages have been identified, presenting a challenge for general explanations of the standard LDG. Although problematic, documenting and studying these contrarian groups can help us to better understand LDGs generally. To that end we identify the ant tribe Stenammini, a diverse lineage with over 400 species, as a contrarian clade, and we attempt to explain the group's atypical diversity pattern using a historical approach. We evaluate the following alternative hypotheses: time-for-speciation/center-of-origin (TFS/COO), niche conservatism, and differences in diversification rate.Location.Global.Methods.We examine the shape of the LDG in Stenammini by plotting latitudinal midpoints for all extant species. We then infer a robust phylogeny using a phylogenomic approach that employs ultraconserved element loci and we use the phylogeny to estimate divergence dates, biogeographic history, and ancestral habitats. We also test for diversification rate heterogeneity across the tree and among lineages within the tribe.Results.Stenammini has a skewed inverse latitudinal diversity gradient with an extratropical richness peak in the northern temperate zone. Our phylogenomic approach resulted in a robust phylogeny revealing five major clades and several instances of non-monophyly among genera (Goniomma,Aphaenogaster). The tribe and most major lineages originated in the temperate zone and inhabited temperate niches. Crown Stenammini dates to 52 Ma (Eocene Climatic Optimum) and most major lineages appeared soon after during a period of global cooling. Despite its temperate origin, the group invaded the tropics at least six times, but failed to diversify greatly there. Across the tree diversification increased from 17.2-1.9 Ma following the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum, and among lineages there was a rate increase in HolarcticAphaenogaster+Messorjust prior to 17.2 Ma.Main Conclusions.Our results suggest that time, niche conservatism, and increased diversification have all contributed to the inverse latitudinal gradient in Stenammini. Among these processes, niche conservatism may be less important given that the tribe has dispersed to the tropics multiple times.
SNP-based heritability estimation: measurement noise, population stratification, and stability
Authors: Gamazon Eric R. , Park Danny S.
Published: February 2016

Siddharth Krishna Kumar1 and co-authors claim to have shown that “GCTA applied to current SNP data cannot produce reliable or stable estimates of heritability.” Given the numerous recent studies on the genetic architecture of complex traits that are based on this methodology, these claims have important implications for the field. Through an investigation of the stability of the likelihood function under phenotype perturbation and an analysis of its dependence on the spectral properties of the genetic relatedness matrix, our study characterizes the properties of an important approach to the analysis of GWAS data and identified crucial errors in the authors’ analyses, invalidating their main conclusions.
Whole-genome sequence analyses of Western Central African Pygmy hunter-gatherers reveal a complex demographic history and identify candidate genes under positive natural selection
Authors: Hsieh PingHsun , Veeramah Krishna R. , Lachance Joseph , Tishkoff Sarah A. , Wall Jeffrey D. , Hammer Michael F. , Gutenkunst Ryan N.
Published: February 2016

African Pygmies practicing a mobile hunter-gatherer lifestyle are phenotypically and genetically diverged from other anatomically modern humans, and they likely experienced strong selective pressures due to their unique lifestyle in the Central African rainforest. To identify genomic targets of adaptation, we sequenced the genomes of four Biaka Pygmies from the Central African Republic and jointly analyzed these data with the genome sequences of three Baka Pygmies from Cameroon and nine Yoruba famers. To account for the complex demographic history of these populations that includes both isolation and gene flow, we fit models using the joint allele frequency spectrum and validated them using independent approaches. Our two best-fit models both suggest ancient divergence between the ancestors of the farmers and Pygmies, 90,000 or 150,000 yr ago. We also find that bidirectional asymmetric gene flow is statistically better supported than a single pulse of unidirectional gene flow from farmers to Pygmies, as previously suggested. We then applied complementary statistics to scan the genome for evidence of selective sweeps and polygenic selection. We found that conventional statistical outlier approaches were biased toward identifying candidates in regions of high mutation or low recombination rate. To avoid this bias, we assigned P-values for candidates using whole-genome simulations incorporating demography and variation in both recombination and mutation rates. We found that genes and gene sets involved in muscle development, bone synthesis, immunity, reproduction, cell signaling and development, and energy metabolism are likely to be targets of positive natural selection in Western African Pygmies or their recent ancestors.
Alternative splicing modulated by genetic variants demonstrates accelerated evolution regulated by highly conserved proteins
Authors: Hsiao Yun-Hua Esther , Bahn Jae Hoon , Lin Xianzhi , Chan Tak-Ming , Wang Rena , Xiao Xinshu
Published: February 2016

Identification of functional genetic variants and elucidation of their regulatory mechanisms represent significant challenges of the post-genomic era. A poorly understood topic is the involvement of genetic variants in mediating post-transcriptional RNA processing, including alternative splicing. Thus far, little is known about the genomic, evolutionary, and regulatory features of genetically modulated alternative splicing (GMAS). Here, we systematically identified intronic tag variants for genetic modulation of alternative splicing using RNA-seq data specific to cellular compartments. Combined with our previous method that identifies exonic tags for GMAS, this study yielded 622 GMAS exons. We observed that GMAS events are highly cell type independent, indicating that splicing-altering genetic variants could have widespread function across cell types. Interestingly, GMAS genes, exons, and single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) all demonstrated positive selection or accelerated evolution in primates. We predicted that GMAS SNVs often alter binding of splicing factors, with SRSF1 affecting the most GMAS events and demonstrating global allelic binding bias. However, in contrast to their GMAS targets, the predicted splicing factors are more conserved than expected, suggesting that cis-regulatory variation is the major driving force of splicing evolution. Moreover, GMAS-related splicing factors had stronger consensus motifs than expected, consistent with their susceptibility to SNV disruption. Intriguingly, GMAS SNVs in general do not alter the strongest consensus position of the splicing factor motif, except the more than 100 GMAS SNVs in linkage disequilibrium with polymorphisms reported by genome-wide association studies. Our study reports many GMAS events and enables a better understanding of the evolutionary and regulatory features of this phenomenon.
A modified discrete algebraic reconstruction technique for multiple grey image reconstruction for limited angle range tomography
Authors: Liang Zhiting , Guan Yong , Liu Gang , Chen Xiangyu , Li Fahu , Guo Pengfei , Tian Yangchao
Published: February 2016

The `missing wedge', which is due to a restricted rotation range, is a major challenge for quantitative analysis of an object using tomography. With prior knowledge of the grey levels, the discrete algebraic reconstruction technique (DART) is able to reconstruct objects accurately with projections in a limited angle range. However, the quality of the reconstructions declines as the number of grey levels increases. In this paper, a modified DART (MDART) was proposed, in which each independent region of homogeneous material was chosen as a research object, instead of the grey values. The grey values of each discrete region were estimated according to the solution of the linear projection equations. The iterative process of boundary pixels updating and correcting the grey values of each region was executed alternately. Simulation experiments of binary phantoms as well as multiple grey phantoms show that MDART is capable of achieving high-quality reconstructions with projections in a limited angle range. The interesting advancement of MDART is that neither prior knowledge of the grey values nor the number of grey levels is necessary.
The high-field magnet endstation for X-ray magnetic dichroism experiments at ESRF soft X-ray beamline ID32
Authors: Kummer K. , Fondacaro A. , Jimenez E. , Velez-Fort E. , Amorese A. , Aspbury M. , Yakhou-Harris F. , van der Linden P. , Brookes N. B.
Published: February 2016

A new high-field magnet endstation for X-ray magnetic dichroism experiments has been installed and commissioned at the ESRF soft X-ray beamline ID32. The magnet consists of two split-pairs of superconducting coils which can generate up to 9 T along the beam and up to 4 T orthogonal to the beam. It is connected to a cluster of ultra-high-vacuum chambers that offer a comprehensive set of surface preparation and characterization techniques. The endstation and the beam properties have been designed to provide optimum experimental conditions for X-ray magnetic linear and circular dichroism experiments in the soft X-ray range between 400 and 1600 eV photon energy. User operation started in November 2014.
Crystal structures of three anhydrous salts of the Lewis base 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) with the ring-substituted benzoic acid analogues 4-aminobenzoic acid, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid
Authors: Smith Graham , Lynch Daniel E.
Published: February 2016

The anhydrous salts of the Lewis base 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) with 4-aminobenzoic acid [1-aza-8-azoniabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene 4-aminobenzoate, C9H17N2+·C7H6NO2−(I)], 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid [1-aza-8-azoniabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene 3,5-dinitrobenzoate, C9H17N2+·C7H3N2O6−, (II)] and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA) [1-aza-8-azoniabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene 2-hydroxy-3,5-dinitrobenzoate, C9H17N2+·C7H3N2O7−, (III)] have been determined and their hydrogen-bonded structures are described. In both (II) and (III), the DBU cations have a common disorder in three of the C atoms of the six-membered ring moieties [site-occupancy factors (SOF) = 0.735 (3)/0.265 (3) and 0.686 (4)/0.314 (4), respectively], while in (III), there is additional rotational disorder in the DNSA anion, giving two sites (SOF = 0.72/0.28, values fixed) for the phenol group. In the crystals of (I) and (III), the cation–anion pairs are linked through a primary N—H...Ocarboxylhydrogen bond [2.665 (2) and 2.869 (3) Å, respectively]. In (II), the ion pairs are linked through an asymmetric three-centreR12(4), N—H...O,O′ chelate association. In (I), structure extension is through amine N—H...Ocarboxylhydrogen bonds between the PABA anions, giving a three-dimensional structure. The crystal structures of (II) and (III) are very similar, the cation–anion pairs being associated only through weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds, giving in both overall two-dimensional layered structures lying parallel to (001). No π–π ring associations are present in any of the structures.
Crystal structure of 5-chloromethyl-N-methyl-4-[(4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl]isoxazolidine-3-carboxamide
Authors: Brahmi Jihed , Nasri Soumaya , Aouadi Kaïss , Jeanneau Erwann , Vidal Sébastien , Msaddek Moncef
Published: February 2016

The title compound, C15H18ClN5O2, crystallizes with two independent molecules (AandB) in the asymmetric unit. In both molecules, the isoxazolidine rings have an envelope conformation with the O atoms at the flap positions. Each molecule has three stereogenic centres with configurations 2(S), 3(S) and 4(R), confirmed by resonant scattering. Their conformations are significantly different, for example in moleculeAthe phenyl ring is inclined to the triazole ring by 32.5 (2)°, while in moleculeBthe corresponding dihedral angle is 10.7 (2)°. In the crystal, theAandBmolecules are linkedviaan N—H...O and a C—H...O hydrogen bond. These units are linked by C—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming slabs parallel to theabplane. There are C—H...π interactions present within the slabs.
Crystal structure of diaquatris(1-ethyl-1H-imidazole-κN3)(sulfato-κO)nickel(II)
Authors: Holczbauer Tamas , Domjan Attila , Fodor Csaba
Published: February 2016

In the title complex, [Ni(SO4)(C5H8N2)3(H2O)2], the NiIIion is coordinated by three facial 1-ethyl-1H-imidazole ligands, one monodentate sulfate ligand and two water molecules in a slightly distorted octahedral coordination environment. In the crystal, two pairs of O—H...O hydrogen bonds link complex molecules, forming inversion dimers incorporatingR24(8),R22(8) andR22(12) rings. The dimeric unit also contains two symmetry-unique intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds. In addition, weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds, weak C—H...π interactions and π–π interactions with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.560 (2) Å combine to form a three-dimensional network. One of the ethyl groups is disordered over two sets of sites with occupancies in the ratio 0.586 (7):0.414 (7).
(3E)-5-Chloro-3-(2-phenylhydrazinylidene)-1H-indol-2(3H)-one
Authors: Bittencourt Viviane C. D. , Almeida Roberta M. F. C. , Bortoluzzi Adailton J. , Gervini Vanessa C. , Oliveira Adriano Bof de
Published: February 2016

The reaction between 5-cholroisatin and phenylhydrazine yields the title compound, C14H10ClN3O. The molecular structure deviates slightly from the ideal planarity, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.1372 (12) Å for the non-H atoms. An N—H...O intramolecular interaction is observed, which supports anEconformation with respect to the C=N bond. In the crystal, molecules are linked by a pair of N—H...O interactions into an inversion dimer. The dimers are linked by weak C—H...Cl interactions, formng a tape structure along [101]. The tapes are also linked through a weak π–π interaction [centroid–centroid distance = 3.5773 (8) Å] into a layer parallel to (-111). Anin silicoevaluation of the title compound with a topoisomerase enzyme was performed and the global free energy of −26.59 kJ mol−1was found.
Di-μ-chlorido-bis[(2,2′-bipyridine-κ2N,N′)chlorido(N,N-dimethylformamide-κO)nickel(II)]
Authors: Glazier Brian M. , Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: February 2016

The title compound, [Ni2Cl2(μ-Cl)2(C10H8N2)2(C3H7NO)2], exists as a centrosymmetric dimer of two octahedral nickel centers. In the crystal, two chloride ions bridge the two nickel centers with one terminal chloride ion bound to each nickel atom. Coupled with a chelating bipyridine ligand and an O-boundN,N-dimethylformamide solvent molecule, each nickel center exhibits an slightly distorted octahedral coordination environment. The meridional chloride ions all sit in equatorial positions, with the bipyridine ligand occupying one equatorial and one axial position, and theN,N-dimethylformamide ligand occupying the final axial position. The 2,2′-bipyridine ligand binds to nickel in a near planar fashion, with the non-H atoms possessing a mean devation from planarity of 0.046 Å. No π–π interactions are observed in the crystal.
7-Bromo-1H-indole-2,3-dione
Authors: Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: February 2016

The title compound, C8H4BrNO2, has a single planar molecule in the asymmetric unit with the non-H atoms possessing a mean deviation from planarity of 0.034 Å. The molecules dimerize in the solid state through N—H...O hydrogen bonds. These dimers are further linked by intermolecular Br...O close contacts of 3.085 (2) Å to yield infinite chains along [20-1]. The nine-membered rings of the isatins stack along theaaxis, with parallel slipped π–π interactions [intercentroid distance = 3.8320 (7) Å, interplanar distance = 3.341 (2) Å and slippage = 1.876 (4) Å].
“I don’t know what fun is”: examining the intersection of social capital, social networks, and social recovery
Authors: Boeri Miriam , Gardner Megan , Gerken Erin , Ross Melissa , Wheeler Jack
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand how people with problematic drug use access positive social capital. Social capital is defined as relations that provide valuable resources to individuals through participation in social networks. People with low-socioeconomic status remain at a disadvantage for acquiring positive social capital, a component of recovery capital. The concept of social recovery emphasizes the relational processes of recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

– In-depth life history data were collected from 29 individuals who used heroin, cocaine, crack, or methamphetamine for at least five years, have less than a high-school education, and unstable employment and housing. Qualitative data were coded for social networks accessed throughout the life course, distinguished by bonding, bridging, and linking social capital.

Findings

– Social networks included drug treatment programs; non-drug-using family and friends; religious/spiritual groups; workplace networks; and social clubs/activities. Bonding and/or bridging social capital were acquired through treatment, family and friends, religious/spiritual groups, workplaces, and social clubs. Linking social capital was not acquired through any social network available, and many barriers to accessing mainstream social networks were found.

Research limitations/implications

– This is a small study conducted in the USA.

Practical implications

– Social recovery is proposed as an analytical tool as well as for developing prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies.

Social implications

– A greater focus on social recovery is needed to achieve sustained recovery for individuals lacking access to, and engagement in mainstream social networks.

Originality/value

– This paper further develops a new conceptual framework to use in recovery research and practice.
Gender, recovery and contemporary UK drug policy
Authors: Wincup Emma
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a gendered reading of the 2010 UK drug strategy and draw out the implications of the new recovery paradigm for female drug users.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper explores the concept of recovery at a theoretical level, uncovering the taken-for-granted assumptions in the three overarching principles: freedom from dependence; well-being; and citizenship. It also analyses the available quantitative and qualitative evidence on women’s access to recovery capital to explore the role gender might play in the journey to recovery.

Findings

– Strategic thinking around recovery in the UK is largely silent on gender. However, close scrutiny of the available, albeit limited, evidence base on female drug users and feminist scholarship on the principles of well-being and citizenship suggests the need to understand recovery against a backdrop of the social and normative context of women’s lives.

Originality/value

– Recent analyses of contemporary UK drug policy have focused on the conflation of recovery with abstinence and the displacement of the harm reduction agenda. They have failed to draw out the implications for particular groups of drug users such as women. The pursuit of recovery-based drug policy is not peculiar to the UK so the paper offers a case study of its gendered application in a particular national context.
Third-party purchase: an empirical study of Chinese third-party logistics users
Authors: Shi Yangyan , Zhang Abraham , Arthanari Tiru , Liu Yanping
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– Third-party purchase (3PP) is a new value-added service offered by third-party logistics (3PL) providers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the perception of 3PP service from the perspective of 3PL users.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted a survey of Chinese 3PL users and received 242 usable responses. The authors then employed structural equation modeling to test the conceptual model.

Findings

– The authors found that the likelihood of 3PL users using a 3PP service is significantly associated with uncertainty, but not with asset specificity or frequency or transaction size. 3PP usage is significantly associated with value-to-client.

Originality/value

– This research is the first survey study of 3PP as a value-added service offered by 3PL providers, from the perspective of 3PL users. The findings suggest that 3PL users are very positive about the value of 3PP service. The 3PP market is still in its infancy but it has great potential, especially for commodity items that have less demand uncertainty.
Framework to improve performance through implementing Lean Six Sigma strategies to oil exporting countries during recession or depression
Authors: Chaurasia Basant , Garg Dixit , Agarwal Ashish
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– Today’s global business environment essential requirement to an industries reduction of wastes, reduction of variations, reduction of lead time and innovative feature quality product with minimum cost. That strives to improve customer satisfaction, break through strategies to solve problems with fastest process speed. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) strategy and framework can help during recession or upcoming recession to improve business excellencies and companies strategies against recession. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper followed views of authors, industrial experts from oil industries regarding LSS strategy, framework, comparative key factors of Lean and Six Sigma to overcome continuously decline oil prices globally. LSS strategy will proactively work as preventive tool for insipid economical growth of oil-exporting countries.

Findings

– To follow the LSS guidelines, oil-exporting countries can improve their business performance during ongoing oil price fall that may be influenced on gross domestic product of countries.

Originality/value

– The case study may provide some help to survive ongoing crisis of continuously fallen oil price that is highly problematic for oil-exporting countries.
After 20 years, what has remained of TQM?
Authors: Bernardino Lis Lisboa , Teixeira Francisco , Jesus Abel Ribeiro de , Barbosa Ava , Lordelo Maurício , Lepikson Herman Augusto
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– Many Brazilian organizations have adopted total quality management (TQM). However, this model has lost prominence in academic and business environments. The purpose of this paper is to determine which aspects of TQM have endured over 20 years.

Design/methodology/approach

– With descriptive and exploratory objectives, this study used case studies of four companies that have adopted TQM, using temporal and comparative approaches in Brazil. The analysis explores the transcendence of disseminated aspects of TQM.

Findings

– The results revealed 19 percent disuse of TQM practices, 28 percent disuse of TQM tools and 57 percent disuse of TQM methodologies. However, the principles of TQM showed an average use of 96 percent, i.e. the predominant management philosophy remains part of the organizational environment of the companies. Although many practices, tools and methodologies are not described or named in the same way, their essence remains preserved and other practices, tools and methodologies have been incorporated into the automated systems of the companies.

Research limitations/implications

– Simple statistical tools are used as we use an exploratory and qualitative approach (with just four samples), making generalizations impossible. For future research the authors suggest a more quantitative approach using more complex statistical tools.

Originality/value

– The originality is demonstrated by the investigation of the cases of disuse, which contradicts most studies that analyze success stories. This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of how certain aspects of the models or “fads” survive or disappear over time.
ICT and sustainability in smart cities management
Authors: Bifulco Francesco , Tregua Marco , Amitrano Cristina Caterina , D'Auria Anna
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– Contemporary debate is increasingly focused on ICT and sustainability, especially in relation to the modern configuration of urban and metropolitan areas in the so-called smartization process. The purpose of this paper is to observe the connections between smart city features as conceptualized in the framework proposed by Giffinger et al. (2007) and new technologies as tools, and sustainability as the goal.

Design/methodology/approach

– The connections are identified through a content analysis performed using NVivo on official reports issued by organizations, known as industry players within smart city projects, listed in the Navigant Research Report 2013.

Findings

– The results frame ICT and sustainability as “across-the-board elements” because they connect with all of the services provided to communities in a smart city and play a key role in smart city planning. Specifically, sustainability and ICT can be seen as tools to enable the smartization process.

Research limitations/implications

– An all-in-one perspective emerges by embedding sustainability and ICT in smart interventions; further research could be conduct through direct interviews to city managers and industry players in order to understand their attitude towards the development of smart city projects.

Practical implications

– Potential approaches emerging from this research are useful to city managers or large corporations partnering with local agencies in order to increase the opportunities for the long-term success of smart projects.

Originality/value

– The results of this paper delineate a new research path looking at the development of new models that integrate drivers, ICT, and sustainability in an all-in-one perspective and new indicators for the evaluation of the interventions.
Students’ choice and evaluation of information sources at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
Authors: Kean Cheryl , Walker Godfrey , Kerr-Campbell Maureen , Mckoy-Johnson Faith
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the kinds of resources used by students at the University of the West Indies Mona Campus, to start their research and to find out their perception of the quality of the resources they use.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was distributed manually to undergraduates, and the responses were collated and analysed using Excel software.

Findings

– The findings revealed that Google was the resource most likely to be used by respondents to start their research, and the resource least used was the librarian (ask a librarian).

Originality/value

– This represents original research for the Mona Campus. It is important in helping the library to understand an aspect of the research habits and preferences of the undergraduate community it serves and will help the library in further decision-making, as it seeks to build awareness among the undergraduate population, of the library resources available to them.
Immaterial labour, public librarians, and third-generation public libraries
Authors: Stevenson Siobhan A
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to draw attention to one specific upper-level government policy document in which a discourse of perpetual innovation and customer service is promoted, and the kinds of questions such discursive interventions raise for the future of work in public libraries; and second, to demonstrate the explanatory potential of the concept of immaterial labour for questions relating to emerging labour processes in libraries. The concepts of “prosumer” and Web 2.0 are included as discursive resources of relevance to any discussion of immaterial labour.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents a critical discourse analysis of a public policy visioning document for public libraries in Ontario, Canada, with reflections on related literatures.

Findings

– The concept of immaterial labour provides an additional analytic tool suitable for questions of relevance to public librarians and library scholars. Within the government text under review which deals specifically with the future of the public library to 2020, the identity of the public librarian is alarmingly absent. Conversely, the library patron as a producer and consumer is privileged.

Research limitations/implications

– Failure to attend to the broader policy arena within which the public library resides creates dangerous blind spots for public library professionals, educators and researchers.

Practical implications

– This paper demonstrates the value of a discourse analysis for uncovering the ideological dimensions of policy documents, while simultaneously modelling the method using the kind of policy text commonly produced in governments around the world.

Social implications

– This paper shows how failure to attend to the broader policy arena within which the public library resides creates dangerous blind spots for the public library community.

Originality/value

– This paper contextualizes the immaterial and volunteer labour of the public library user as producer/consumer in the context of the future of the frontline professional and waged librarian.
Faculty information behaviour in the electronic environment
Authors: Borrego Ángel , Anglada Lluís
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– This study aims to investigate how the transition from print to electronic scholarly communication has affected faculty’s information behaviour and their perception of academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

– An online survey was distributed among academics affiliated to the member universities of the Consortium of University Services of Catalonia. A total of 2,230 replies were received.

Findings

– Journal articles are the most relevant information resource used for research and teaching purposes. Databases are the preferred starting point for bibliographic searches, although a significant proportion of scholars rely on Internet search engines. The main source for gaining access to documents is libraries, followed by free materials available online. Scholarly journals are the preferred channel for disseminating research outputs, with the open access being a factor of marginal interest when deciding where to publish.

Originality/value

– The results of this study should be useful to guide policies regarding scientific information and research and, more specifically, policies regarding academic libraries.
Idiosyncratic Risk of House Prices: Evidence from 26 Million Home Sales
Authors: Peng Liang , Thibodeau Thomas G.
Published: February 2016

This paper uses about 26 million home sales to measure house price idiosyncratic risk for 7,580 U.S. zip codes during three periods: (1) when the U.S. housing market was stable (1996–2000), (2) booming (2001–2007) and (3) busting (2007–2012), and investigates the determinants of house price risk. We find very strong relationships between risk and some basic housing market characteristics. There is a U‐shaped relationship between risk and zip‐code level median household income; risk is higher in zip codes with more appreciation volatility; and risk is not compensated with higher appreciation.