bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prolonged Recurrent Abdominal Pain is Associated With Ongoing Underlying Mucosal Inflammation in Patients who had an Episode of Acute Complicated Diverticulitis
Authors: Lahat Adi , Necula Daniela , Yavzori Miri , Picard Orit , Halperin Sharon , Eliakim Rami , Ben-Horin Shomron
Published: January 2018

Background:

Recent data suggest continuous chronic inflammation in patients after an acute diverticulitis (AD) episode.

Goals:

The aim of this article was to compare clinical parameters, inflammatory cytokine expression, and immune-cell infiltrates between patients after severe versus nonsevere AD, as defined by radiology examination during the acute episode.

Study:

Sixteen patients, after suffering an episode of AD, were included, and, of them, 8 had severe disease. Demographic data, disease characteristics, and inflammatory markers were collected. Tissue samples from diverticular and unaffected tissue were obtained during colonoscopy. Mucosal inflammation was assessed histologically and by measuring inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression.

Results:

Clinically, continued nonspecific abdominal symptoms were significantly more prevalent among patients after severe AD compared with patients after nonsevere AD (P=0.0002). Patients after severe AD also had significantly higher C reactive protein levels (9.85±7.5 vs. 3±2.1 mg/dL; P=0.027) and tendency for higher calprotectin levels (115.7±85 vs. 35±8.7 mg/g; P=0.08). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction–determined cytokines levels were 5.4±4.4, 5.14±10, and 0.8±0.82 for tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β, respectively, in affected mucosa compared with 1.06±1.57, 1.56±2.1, and 0.35±0.5, respectively, in nonaffected mucosa (P=0.01, 0.05, 0.14, respectively). Cytokine expression in patients after nonsevere AD did not differ significantly between affected and nonaffected mucosa. Histologic scores for crypt distortion, lymphoid aggregates, and lymphocyte infiltration were all significantly higher in patients after severe AD compared with patients after nonsevere AD (P<0.05 for all comparisons).

Conclusions:

Patients after severe AD have more prolonged chronic symptoms, higher inflammatory markers, higher tissue inflammatory cytokine levels, and more inflammatory infiltrates in diverticular colonic tissue than patients after nonsevere AD. These results may contribute to patients’ risk stratification and guide therapeutic decisions.
A Model for Adaptive Decision Making of “Ablate-and-Wait” Versus Transplantation in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Kim Hwi Young , Kim Won , Jung Yong Jin , Lee Jeong-Hoon , Yu Su Jong , Kim Yoon Jun , Yoon Jung-Hwan , Lee Hae Won , Kim Hyeyoung , Yi Nam-Joon , Lee Kwang-Woong , Suh Kyung-Suk
Published: January 2018

Background/Aims:

In patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), selection of candidates for liver transplantation (LT) requires refinement based on tumor biology to maximize the outcome. We aimed to prognosticate LT candidates with HCC using a risk prediction model for post-LT recurrence.

Patients and Methods:

A total of 197 consecutive patients were included who underwent LT for hepatitis B-related HCC within the Milan criteria. A risk prediction model was developed for post-LT recurrence using the Cox model and was internally validated.

Results:

Among those undergoing LT as their first HCC treatment (n=70, initial LT group), poor prognosis was associated with maximal tumor size and multinodularity. The remaining 127 patients (deferred LT group) received radiofrequency ablation (n=69) and/or transarterial chemoembolization (n=98) before LT. Multinodularity, maximal tumor size, posttransarterial chemoembolization progressive disease, baseline alpha-fetoprotein, and alpha-fetoprotein difference (between baseline and pre-LT) were incorporated into a risk prediction model for the deferred LT group, which was thereby stratified into low-risk (score<5), intermediate-risk, and high-risk (score≥8) subgroups. Recurrence-free survival was significantly different among the deferred LT prognostic subgroups (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

This risk prediction model may help refinement of “ablate-and-wait” strategy for LT candidates by avoiding LT in those with either high risk score at baseline or increasing score under repeated locoregional therapies.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Frequency, Severity, Age of Onset, Family History and Acid Suppressive Therapy Predict Barrett Esophagus in a Large Population
Authors: Bakr Omar , Zhao Wei , Corley Douglas
Published: January 2018

Goals:

To identify risk factors associated with Barrett esophagus (BE) for potential improved surveillance and risk reduction.

Background:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a known risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma, but the ability of GERD symptom frequency and severity to predict presence of its putative precursor lesion, BE, is less well-defined in large, community-based populations.

Study:

We conducted a case-control study within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California population. Cases had new diagnoses of BE. To identify risk factors in the general population, we contrasted cases with population controls; to identify risk factors only among patients with GERD, we contrasted cases with GERD patients who lacked BE.

Results:

We interviewed 953 patients; 320 patients with BE, 316 patients with GERD who lacked BE and 317 population controls. Compared with population controls, BE risk was highest among patients with the most frequent and severe GERD symptoms [odds ratio (OR), 27.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 14.52-50.21], nocturnal symptoms (OR, 5.40; 95% CI, 3.81-7.72), and family history of GERD (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.80-3.62) or BE (OR, 10.08; 95% CI, 2.83-35.84). Although at least weekly proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use was a risk factor for BE (OR, 9.85; 95% CI, 6.54-14.84), among PPI users in the general population, GERD symptoms were not strongly associated with the risk of BE. Compared with GERD controls, cases were more likely to have onset of GERD symptoms before 30 years of age (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.15-3.22) and a family history of BE (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.50-8.83).

Conclusions:

Severe and frequent GERD symptoms are strongly associated with increased risk of BE in the general population, especially in the absence of frequent PPI use. Among people with GERD, family history of BE and early age of symptom onset were stronger predictors of BE. These findings may improve identification of patients at highest risk for BE.
Hypoalbuminemia is Associated With Significantly Higher Liver Transplant Waitlist Mortality and Lower Probability of Receiving Liver Transplant
Authors: Ahn Joseph , Sundaram Vinay , Ayoub Walid S. , Frenette Catherine , Wong Robert J.
Published: January 2018

Goals:

To evaluate the predictive value of hypoalbuminemia on liver transplant (LT) waitlist survival and probability of receiving LT among adults with end-stage liver disease (ESLD).

Background:

Growing evidence reports on the negative prognostic value of hypoalbuminemia among ESLD patients awaiting LT.

Methods:

Using 2003 to 2015 United Network for Organ Sharing data, we retrospectively evaluated the impact of mild-moderate (2.5 to 3.4 g/dL) and severe hypoalbuminemia (<2.5 g/dL) on waitlist survival and probability of receiving LT among US adults awaiting LT. Outcomes were stratified by liver disease etiology and presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.

Results:

Among 128,450 adults listed for LT, 27.1% had normal albumin (≥3.5 g/dL), 53.7% mild-moderate hypoalbuminemia (2.5 to 3.4 g/dL), and 19.2% severe hypoalbuminemia (<2.5 g/dL) at time of listing. Patients with severe hypoalbuminemia had significantly lower 1-year waitlist survival compared with those with normal albumin (80.4% vs. 95.2%; P<0.001). On multivariate regression, severity of hypoalbuminemia was associated with increasing waitlist mortality, even after correcting for model for end stage liver disease-sodium and HCC [albumin, 2.5 to 3.4 g/dL: hazard ratio (HR), 1.81; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.62-2.01; P<0.001; <2.5 g/dL: HR, 2.46; 95% CI, 2.20-2.76; P<0.001]. Patients with hypoalbuminemia had significantly lower probability of receiving LT compared with those with normal albumin (albumin <2.5 g/dL: HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.78-0.83; P<0.001).

Conclusions:

ESLD patients with hypoalbuminemia have lower probability of LT despite significantly higher waitlist mortality compared with patients with normal albumin. If validated by further studies, incorporation of albumin into prognostication systems may improve the performance of US donor organ allocation systems.
Unpacking Care Coordination Through a Multiteam System Lens
Authors: Weaver Sallie J. , Che Xin Xuan , Petersen Laura A. , Hysong Sylvia J.
Published: January 2018

Background:

The 2016 President’s Cancer Panel Connected Health report calls for thoroughly characterizing the team structures and processes involved in coordinating care for people with chronic conditions. We developed a multilevel care coordination framework by integrating existing frameworks from the teams and care coordination literatures, and used it to review evidence examining care coordination processes for patients with cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and combinations of these conditions.

Methods:

We searched Pubmed/MedLINE, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane, PsycINFO (December 2009–June 2016), and references from previous reviews. Studies describing behavioral markers of coordination between ≥2 US health care providers caring for adults with cancer, chronic heart disease, diabetes, or populations with a combination of these conditions were included. Two investigators screened 4876 records and 180 full-text articles yielding 33 studies. One investigator abstracted data, a second checked abstractions for accuracy.

Results:

Most studies identified information sharing or monitoring as key coordination processes. To execute these processes, most studies used a designated role (eg, coordinator), objects and representations (eg, survivorship plans), plans and rules (eg, protocols), or routines (eg, meetings). Few examined the integrating conditions. None statistically examined coordination processes or integrating conditions as mediators of relationships between specific coordination mechanisms and patient outcomes.

Limitations:

Restricted to United States, English-language studies; heterogeneity in methods and outcomes.

Conclusions:

Limited research unpacks relationships between care coordination mechanisms, coordination processes, integrating conditions, and patient outcomes suggested by existing theory. The proposed framework offers an organizer for examining behaviors and conditions underlying effective care coordination.
Stem cell modeling of lipid genetics
Authors: Musunuru Kiran
Published: January 2018

Purpose of review

To summarize recent advances with respect to the use of human pluripotent stem cells to study the genetics of blood lipid traits.

Recent findings

Human pluripotent stem cell models have been used to elucidate the mechanisms by which genes contribute to dyslipidemia, to discover new lipid-related DNA variants and genes, and to perform drug screens.

In addition to enabling a better understanding of the genetic basis of lipid metabolism, human pluripotent stem cells are identifying potential therapeutic targets as well as potential therapies.
Associations of Comorbid Anxiety With Medication Adherence and Psychiatric Symptomatology in a Population of Nonadherent Bipolar Disorder Subjects
Authors: Aftab Awais , Levin Jennifer , Aebi Michelle , Bhat Chetan , Sajatovic Martha
Published: January 2018

This analysis was conducted on baseline data from 178 nonadherent bipolar disorder subjects in a randomized controlled trial. Medication adherence was measured with Tablets Routine Questionnaire as percentage of days with missed doses. Inclusion criteria required at least 20% nonadherence. Medication adherence, symptomatology, and functioning in individuals with and without a comorbid anxiety disorder were compared. There were 78.9% of subjects who had at least one or more current anxiety disorder, with the most common being posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The percentage of days with missed doses over the past month was significantly lower in those with anxiety disorders compared with those without (40.1% vs 50.5%, p = 0.03). Those with comorbid anxiety disorders and those with greater number of anxiety disorder diagnoses had significantly worse mean scores on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression–Bipolar Version, and Global Assessment of Functioning.
Whose Responsibility Is It? Beliefs About Preventing HIV Transmission Among Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Truong Hong-Ha M. , Fatch Robin , Tan Judy Y. , Raymond H. Fisher , McFarland Willi
Published: January 2018

HIV-negative and HIV-positive men believed that they both are responsible for preventing HIV. Responsibility beliefs, however, did not always correspond with discussing HIV status or refraining from serodiscordant condomless anal sex. Discrepancies between individuals' HIV prevention responsibility beliefs and their sexual risk behaviors merit further examination, particularly in the preexposure prophylaxis era.
Outpatient versus Inpatient Primary Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery: Analysis of Early Complications
Authors: Kantar Rami S. , Cammarata Michael J. , Rifkin William J. , Plana Natalie M. , Diaz-Siso J. Rodrigo , Flores Roberto L.
Published: January 2018

Background:

Fiscal constraints are driving shorter hospital lengths of stay. Outpatient primary cleft lip surgery has been shown to be safe, but outpatient primary cleft palate surgery remains controversial. This study evaluates outcomes following outpatient versus inpatient primary cleft lip and palate surgery.

Methods:

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric database was used to identify patients undergoing primary cleft lip and palate surgery between 2012 and 2015. Patient clinical factors and 30-day complications were compared for outpatient versus inpatient primary cleft lip and palate surgery. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results:

Three thousand one hundred forty-two patients were included in the primary cleft lip surgery group and 4191 in the primary cleft palate surgery group. Patients in the cleft lip surgery group with structural pulmonary abnormalities had a significantly longer hospital length of stay (β, 4.94; p = 0.001). Patients undergoing outpatient surgery had a significantly higher risk of superficial (OR, 1.99; p = 0.01) and deep wound dehiscence (OR, 2.22; p = 0.01), and were at a significantly lower risk of reoperation (OR, 0.36; p = 0.04) and readmission (OR, 0.52; p = 0.02).

Conclusions:

Outpatient primary cleft lip surgery is safe and has a complication profile similar to that of inpatient surgery. Outpatient primary cleft palate surgery is common practice in many U.S. hospitals and has a significantly higher rate of wound complications, and lower rates of reoperation and readmission. In properly selected patients, outpatient palatoplasty can be performed safely.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
The Effect of Impactful Articles on Clinical Practice in the United States: Corticosteroid Injection for Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis
Authors: Fujihara Yuki , Huetteman Helen E. , Chung Ting-Ting , Shauver Melissa J. , Chung Kevin C.
Published: January 2018

Background:

Following publication of high-level evidence demonstrating that it is not an effective treatment for lateral epicondylitis, a reduction in the corticosteroid injection rate would be expected. The authors aimed to clarify current clinical practice pattern for lateral epicondylitis and identify factors that influence the introduction of evidence into clinical practice.

Methods:

In this administrative claims analysis, the authors used 2009 to 2015 Truven MarketScan data to extract claims for corticosteroid injection, physical therapy, platelet-rich plasma injection, and surgery for lateral epicondylitis. The authors performed multivariable analysis using a generalized estimating equation model to identify the variables that potentially affect the odds of receiving a given treatment.

Results:

Among 711,726 claims, the authors found that the odds of receiving a corticosteroid injection increased slightly after publication of contradictory evidence (OR, 1.7; 95 percent CI, 1.04 to 1.11 in 2015). Being male (OR, 1.21; 95 percent CI, 1.19 to 1.23), older (OR, 1.16; 95 percent CI, 1.13 to 1.19), and having managed care insurance (OR, 1.15; 95 percent CI, 1.13 to 1.18) significantly contributed to increased odds of receiving corticosteroid injections. Patients seen at facilities in the South (OR, 1.33; 95 percent CI, 1.30 to 1.36 compared with the Northeast) and by plastic/orthopedic surgeons (OR, 2.48; 95 percent CI, 2.43 to 2.52) also had increased odds of receiving corticosteroid injection.

Conclusions:

Corticosteroid injection use did not decrease after publication of impactful articles, regardless of provider specialty or other patient-related factors. This finding emphasizes that there are various barriers for even high-level evidence to overcome the inertia of current practice.
Accessory Nerves of the Forehead: A Newly Discovered Frontotemporal Neurovascular Bundle and Its Implications in the Treatment of Frontal Headache, Migraine Surgery, and Cosmetic Temple Filler Injection
Authors: Amirlak Bardia , Chung Michael H. , Pezeshk Ronnie A. , Sanniec Kyle
Published: January 2018

Background:

Surgical decompression of peripheral cranial and spinal nerves at several anatomically studied trigger sites has demonstrated significant efficacy in bringing permanent relief to migraine sufferers. In their experience performing frontal nerve decompression on migraine patients, the authors noticed a previously undescribed accessory nerve and vessel in the frontotemporal area, and report its implication in migraine surgery and cosmetic filler injection.

Methods:

A retrospective review of 113 patients who underwent frontal migraine decompression surgery with the senior author at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center from July of 2012 to May of 2016 was performed. For the included 76 patients, measurements of this nerve had been taken intraoperatively using high-definition endoscopic assistance, and topographic measurements were correlated with endoscopic location of the nerve.

Results:

This frontotemporal nerve (FTN) was present in 55 percent, and the bilateral incidence was 57 percent of those. An accompanying vessel was also present in 81 percent of nerve complexes. Both nerve and vessel varied in size. A large vessel was present in 8 percent of all patients, and a medium vessel was present in 20 percent. Consistently, the nerve exited a foramen in the frontal bone on average 3.4 ± 0.47 cm superior to the lateral canthus.

Conclusions:

The identification and proper avulsion neurectomy of this newly described sensory FTN may lead to better surgical response rate during migraine surgery. In addition, this nerve should be considered during nerve block and botulinum toxin injections in migraine treatment. The existence of the accompanying vessel could have significant implications in the safety of filler and fat injections to this area.
The Skoog Lip Repair for Unilateral Cleft Lip Deformity: The Uppsala Experience
Authors: Falk-Delgado Alberto , Lång Anna , Hakelius Malin , Skoog Valdemar , Nowinski Daniel
Published: January 2018

Background:

The Uppsala Craniofacial Center has been treating patients with unilateral cleft lip deformity using the lip repair technique described by Tord Skoog. The aim of this study was to determine complications after lip surgery and the incidence and indications for lip revisions in all patients born with unilateral cleft lip from 1960 to 2004.

Methods:

All patients who were born from 1960 to 2004 with unilateral cleft lip, cleft lip and alveolus, or cleft lip and palate and underwent lip repair were studied retrospectively. The timing, indication, complications of the primary procedure, and type of secondary surgery were recorded. Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher’s exact tests were used, with Bonferroni correction.

Results:

The study included 443 patients. The total rate of early surgical complications was 6 percent (n = 26). Secondary surgery for short upper lip was performed in 3.8 percent (n = 17), 8.4 percent (n = 37) underwent reduction of excess vermillion, 8.6 percent (n = 38) underwent scar revision, 11 percent (n = 51) underwent revision for incongruent vermillion-cutaneous border, and 10 percent (n = 45) underwent revision for other indications. Altogether, 45 percent had no secondary revisions.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Skoog lip repair is associated with a low total revision rate, and a short-lip deformity is rare.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
One-Stage versus Two-Stage Repair of Asymmetric Bilateral Cleft Lip: A 20-Year Retrospective Study of Clinical Outcome
Authors: Chung Kyung Hoon , Lo Lun-Jou
Published: January 2018

Background:

Both one- and two-stage approaches have been widely used for patients with asymmetric bilateral cleft lip. There are insufficient long-term outcome data for comparison of these two methods. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical outcome over the past 20 years.

Methods:

The senior author’s (L.J.L.) database was searched for patients with asymmetric bilateral cleft lip from 1995 to 2015. Qualified patients were divided into two groups: one-stage and two-stage. The postoperative photographs of patients were evaluated subjectively by surgical professionals and laypersons. Ratios of the nasolabial region were calculated for objective analysis. Finally, the revision procedures in the nasolabial area were reviewed. Statistical analyses were performed.

Results:

A total of 95 consecutive patients were qualified for evaluation. Average follow-up was 13.1 years. A two-stage method was used in 35 percent of the patients, and a one-stage approach was used in 65 percent. All underwent primary nasal reconstruction. Among the satisfaction rating scores, the one-stage repair was rated significantly higher than two-stage reconstruction (p = 0.0001). Long-term outcomes of the two-stage patients and the unrepaired mini-microform deformities were unsatisfactory according to both professional and nonprofessional evaluators. The revision rate was higher in patients with a greater-side complete cleft lip and palate as compared with those without palatal involvement.

Conclusions:

The results suggested that one-stage repair provided better results with regard to achieving a more symmetric and smooth lip and nose after primary reconstruction. The revision rate was slightly higher in the two-stage patient group.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
Theexpa1-1mutant reveals a new biophysical lateral root organogenesis checkpoint
Authors: Ramakrishna Priya , Rance Graham A , Vu Lam Dai , Murphy Evan , Swarup Kamal , Moirangthem Kamaljit , Jørgensen Bodil , van de Cotte Brigitte , Goh Tatsuaki , Lin Zhefeng , Voβ Ute , Beeckman Tom , Bennett Malcolm J , Gevaert Kris , De Smet Ive
Published: January 2018

In plants, post-embryonic formation of new organs helps shape the adult organism. This requires the tight regulation of when and where a new organ is formed, and a coordination of the underlying cell divisions. To build a root system, new lateral roots are continuously developing, and this process requires asymmetric cell division in adjacent pericycle cells. Characterization of anexpansin a1(expa1) mutant has revealed a novel checkpoint during lateral root formation. Specifically, a minimal pericycle width was found to be necessary and sufficient to trigger asymmetric pericycle cell divisions during auxin-driven lateral root formation. We conclude that a localized radial expansion of adjacent pericycle cells is required to position the asymmetric cell divisions and generate a core of small daughter cells, which is a prerequisite for lateral root organogenesis.

SIGNFICANCE STATEMENT

Organ formation is an essential process in plants and animals, driven by cell division and cell identity establishment. Root branching, where lateral roots form along the primary root axis, increases the root system and aids capture of water and nutrients. We have discovered that tight control of cell width is necessary to co-ordinate asymmetric cell divisions in cells that give rise to a new lateral root organ. While biomechanical processes have been shown to play a role in plant organogenesis, including lateral root formation, our data give new mechanistic insights into the cell size checkpoint during lateral root initiation.
Exploring the context of diacidic motif D-E as a signal for unconventional protein secretion in eukaryotic proteins
Authors: Padmanabhan Sreedevi , Ranjan Biswal Malay , Manjithaya Ravi , Prakash Meher K.
Published: January 2018

Unconventional protein secretion (UPS) is an important phenomenon with fundamental implications to cargo export. How eukaryotic proteins transported by UPS are recognized without a conventional signal peptide has been an open question. It was recently observed that a diacidic amino acid motif (ASP-GLU or DE) is necessary for the secretion of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) from yeast under nutrient starvation. Taking cue from this discovery, we explore the hypothesis of whether the diacidic motif DE, which can occur fairly ubiquitously, along with its context, can be a generic signal for unconventional secretion of proteins. Two different definitions of context were evaluated: structural order and charge signature in the neighborhood of DE as one, and the nature of the amino acid insertion (‘X’) when a D-X-E motif is present, as another. We observe that among the eukaryotic proteins we studied, the odds of the protein being secreted are higher when the DE motif occurs in the disordered region of the protein, with higher hydrophobicity and lower charge or when the insertion X has a propensity for phosphorylation.
The Principle of Similitude in Biology: From Allometry to the Formulation of Dimensionally Homogenous ‘Laws’
Authors: Escala Andrés
Published: January 2018

Meaningful laws of nature must be independent of the units employed to measure the variables. The principle of similitude (Rayleigh 1915) or dimensional homogeneity, states that only commensurable quantities (ones having the same dimension) may be compared, therefore, meaningful laws of nature must be homogeneous equations in their various units of measurement, a result which was formalized in the Π theorem (Vaschy 1892; Buckingham 1914). However, most relations in allometry do not satisfy this basic requirement, including the ‘3/4 Law’ (Kleiber 1932) that relates the basal metabolic rate and body mass, besides it is sometimes claimed to be the most fundamental biological rate (Brown et al. 2004) and the closest to a law in life sciences (Brown et al. 2004). Using the Π theorem, here we show that it is possible to construct an unique homogeneous equation for the metabolic rates, in agreement with data in the literature. We find that the variations in the dependence of the metabolic rates on body mass are secondary, coming from variations in the allometric dependence of the heart frequencies. This includes not only different classes of animals (mammals, birds, invertebrates) but also different aerobic conditions (basal and maximal). Our results demonstrate that most of the differences found in the allometric exponents (White et al. 2007) are due to compare incommensurable quantities and that our dimensionally homogenous formula, unify these differences into a single formulation. We discuss the ecological implications of this new formulation in the context of the Malthusian’s, Fenchel’s and Calder’s relations.
Classifying bladder cancer subtypes
Authors: Kaya Cihan , Pabon Nicolas Arcenio
Published: January 2018

Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder is is estimated to have killed over 16,000 people in the United States in 2016. Like breast cancer, bladder cancer is a heterogeneous disease, and characterization of it’s various subtypes can be useful for forecasting prognosis and treatment efficacy. According to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project, the mRNA expression profiles of bladder tumours can be used to cluster the tumors into four different categories: I - Papillary-like, II ‐Luminal A, III - basal/squamous-like, and IV - other (similar to III). However it is not clear whether these mRNA expression based clusters correlate with other molecular and genetic features of the tumor cells. In other words, do differences in mRNA expression profile contain the same information as differences in protein expression, micro RNA (miRNA) expression, copy number variation and somatic mutation data. We tried to recreate mRNA based bladder tumor clusters from other multi-omic data for 328 bladder cancer tumor samples using a special deep and wide belief network composed of restricted Boltzmann machines and a multilayer perceptron. For 10-fold cross validation, we got 79% average test accuracy which implies that that differences in mRNA expression between bladder tumor cells can be reliably, though not perfectly, inferred from different molecular and genetic features of the tumors.
3-Nitrobenzaldehyde
Authors: Engwerda Antonius H.J. , Brugman Sander J.T. , Tinnemans Paul , Vlieg Elias
Published: January 2018

Polymorph I of the title compound, C7H5NO3, is approximately planar: the dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the nitro group is 10.41 (4)° and the aldehyde O atom deviates from the ring plane by 0.165 (1) Å. In the crystal, aromatic π–π stacking interactions are observed [centroid–centroid separation = 3.7363 (5) Å].
A comparative study of modified cubic B-spline differential quadrature methods for a class of nonlinear viscous wave equations
Authors: Mittal Ramesh Chand , Dahiya Sumita
Published: January 2018

Purpose

In this study, a second-order standard wave equation extended to a two-dimensional viscous wave equation with timely differentiated advection-diffusion terms has been solved by differential quadrature methods (DQM) using a modification of cubic B-spline functions. Two numerical schemes are proposed and compared to achieve numerical approximations for the solutions of nonlinear viscous wave equations.

Design/methodology/approach

Two schemes are adopted to reduce the given system into two systems of nonlinear first-order partial differential equations (PDE). For each scheme, modified cubic B-spline (MCB)-DQM is used for calculating the spatial variables and their derivatives that reduces the system of PDEs into a system of nonlinear ODEs. The solutions of these systems of ODEs are determined by SSP-RK43 scheme. The CPU time is also calculated and compared. Matrix stability analysis has been performed for each scheme and both are found to be unconditionally stable. The results of both schemes have been extensively discussed and compared. The accuracy and reliability of the methods have been successfully tested on several examples.

Findings

A comparative study has been carried out for two different schemes. Results from both schemes are also compared with analytical solutions and the results available in literature. Experiments show that MCB-DQM with Scheme II yield more accurate and reliable results in solving viscous wave equations. But Scheme I is comparatively less expensive in terms of CPU time. For MCB-DQM, less depository requirements lead to less aggregation of approximation errors which in turn enhances the correctness and readiness of the numerical techniques. Approximate solutions to the two-dimensional nonlinear viscous wave equation have been found without linearizing the equation. Ease of implementation and low computation cost are the strengths of the method.

Originality/value

For the first time, a comparative study has been carried out for the solution of nonlinear viscous wave equation. Comparisons are done in terms of accuracy and CPU time. It is concluded that Scheme II is more suitable.
A coupling method incorporating digital image processing and discrete element method for modeling of geomaterials
Authors: Meng Qingxiang , Wang Huanling , Xu Weiya , Zhang Qiang
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present a digital image processing (DIP)-based discrete element method (DEM) for the analysis of heterogeneous geomaterials. Taking a soil and rock mixture as an example, the direct shear test is used to illustrate the application of this method. The numerical result is validated by the laboratory experiment and implies its feasibility in the analysis of heterogeneous geomaterials.

Design/methodology/approach

This method has two major steps. Based on a modification of the connected-component labeling algorithm, a novel vectorization method, which can transform the digital photos to vectorized geometry automatically, is proposed first. Then, a simple yet effective method for the generation of heterogeneous DEM models is presented using the simulation of simplicity technique.

Findings

DIP-DEM method is a feasible approach for the analysis of mechanical behavior of heterogeneous material. For soil and rock mixtures (SRM), the horizantal deformation at peak shear point becomes larger with the normal stress. Compared with pure soil, the rock aggregates mainly improve the friction angle of SRM.

Originality/value

As a universal method taking advantage of both DIP and DEM, this method has broad application prospects in related fields.
Differential quadrature solutions for the nonconservative instability of a class of single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: De Rosa Maria Anna , Lippiello Maria , Tomasiello Stefania
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the nonconservative instability of a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) with an added mass through nonlocal theories. The governing equations are discretized by means of the differential quadrature (DQ) rules, as introduced by Bellman and Casti. DQ rules have been largely used in engineering and applied sciences. Recently, they were applied to enhance some numerical schemes, such as step-by-step integration schemes and Picard-like numerical schemes.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present paper, the DQ rules are used to investigate the nonconservative instability of a SWCNT through nonlocal theories.

Findings

To show the sensitivity of the SWCNT to the values of added mass and the influence of nonlocal parameter on the fundamental frequencies values, some numerical examples have been performed and discussed. Yet, the effect of the different boundary conditions on the instability behaviour has been investigated. The validity of the present model has been confirmed by comparing some results against the ones available in literature.

Originality/value

Applying the nonlocal elasticity theory, this paper presents a re-formulation of Hamilton’s principle for the free vibration analysis of a uniform Euler–Bernoulli nanobeam. The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the free vibration response of an SWCNT with attached mass and for various values of small scale effects.
Entrepreneurial intention and the effects of entrepreneurial education
Authors: Passoni Diego , Glavam Rafael Bianchini
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the levels of entrepreneurial intention (EI) among academics from different fields of university knowledge and to evaluate the effect of entrepreneurial education (EE) on students taking management, engineering and accounting courses.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey has been conducted with 491 academics from different fields of knowledge at the Brazilian undergraduate level to compare their EI levels and to validate the effect of EE in the EI in management, engineering and accounting courses.

Findings

This study has demonstrated that EE has a positive effect on EI among undergraduate management and engineering students.

Research limitations/implications

This study has been restricted to some fields of knowledge within the undergraduate courses at university level. It has generated specific conclusions and recommendations that cannot be generalised. It suggests new lines of research from its results.

Practical implications

This study may encourage investment in EE programmes in certain fields of knowledge within institutions and communities that need to foster entrepreneurship as a driver of economic development.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence of the impact of EE on EI among academics from different fields of knowledge in higher education institutions in Brazil, as well as compares and lists the undergraduate courses where students have more entrepreneurial intention.
Promoting entrepreneurial intention through a higher education program integrated in an entrepreneurship ecosystem
Authors: Ferrandiz Julia , Fidel Pilar , Conchado Andrea
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the current knowledge of the effects of a higher education program for entrepreneurs, integrated in an entrepreneurial ecosystem, in the entrepreneurial intention of the students.

Design/methodology/approach

For this, group dynamics have been carried out with the students to know the process of entrepreneurial learning, the acquisition of competences, the mentoring received and the influence of the program in its entrepreneurial intention in the short and medium term.

Findings

The results suggest that the program positively influences students’ entrepreneurial intention, especially in the medium term. In particular, they point out that working personal skills in the program contribute to the development of their entrepreneurial project. On the other hand, mentoring requires a more methodical accompaniment and a greater degree of specialization of the mentors.

Research limitations/implications

This research represents an excellent first step toward a better understanding of the factors that influence entrepreneurial intention. In addition, they lead to improve existing knowledge about the impact of entrepreneurial higher education. The only limitation of the paper is given by its nature as a case study.

Practical implications

The case study aims to provide the results of the practical experience of a higher education program in entrepreneurship and serve as a basis for future lines of research that address the research gap based on the need of identification of best practices in entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial behavior.

Social implications

This work brings practical experience that inspires diverse social actors as managers of higher education programs, managers of ecosystems entrepreneurs and public institutions.

Originality/value

Our findings respond to previous concerns on the results of programs aimed at training future entrepreneurs. Besides, this work describes an interesting case study based on a postgraduate program, while most of the previous studies have been limited to undergraduate programs.
Megaprojects redefined – complexity vs cost and social imperatives
Authors: Pitsis Alexandra , Clegg Stewart , Freeder Daphne , Sankaran Shankar , Burdon Stephen
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview from the literature on how best to define megaprojects in contemporary contexts. There is a need for a definition that encompasses a complex matrix of characteristics, inclusive of positive and negative aspects, which are not necessarily industry or sector specific. Whilst megaprojects have often been described and defined in terms of cost, they are more accurately delineated by their convolutions. Intricacies arise from political intrigues surrounding funding of such projects and managing and governing complex social and organizational relations. Points for future research are also identified.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of international megaproject literature over the past five years combined with seminal works was undertaken, drawing on the broad literature of project and program management combined with elements of organizational theory. Whilst some examples are cited, in-depth case analysis has not been covered.

Findings

Albeit that the scale of some megaprojects is comparable to national GDPs, seven more characteristics beyond size have been identified, which distinguish megaprojects from large projects. These include: reach; duration; risks and uncertainties; widely disparate actors; areas of controversy such as dispute resolution; and legal and regulatory issues.

Research limitations/implications

The paper takes a broad overview and whilst some examples are cited, in-depth case analysis has not been covered. The overview does however provide a good synopsis of the future research areas that warrant exploration.

Practical implications

The paper identifies a range of analytical areas for major future research including further exploration of institutional analysis. Areas for further analysis include stakeholder issues; collaboration and understanding between technical and business personnel and reforming notions of procurement and contractual arrangements.

Social implications

Rigorous stakeholder engagement is critical for success in megaprojects, and collaborative learnings need to be exchanged. The longer term social and economic impacts need to be viewed as an imperative rather than a hindrance to the planning and execution of megaprojects and complexity rather than cost more aptly defines megaprojects.

Originality/value

The paper moves the definition of megaprojects to beyond measurement on the basis of cost to complexity and social and economic variables.
Megaproject management and leadership: a narrative analysis of life stories – past and present
Authors: Sankaran Shankar
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to glean leadership lessons of megaproject managers through the life stories of four purposefully selected managers from two contemporary and two landmark megaprojects.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative inquiry approach applying thematic analysis is used to capture lessons learnt from these stories with a focus on leading megaprojects. Narrative analysis has been used in organization studies and this paper is an attempt to use it in project management research.

Findings

Common strategies used by all four megaproject managers to be successful include: selecting the right people and building their capability; building trust with stakeholders; dealing with institutional power and politics effectively; and having the courage to innovate. There were also some differences in the approaches used by these managers due the times in which these projects were implemented.

Research limitations/implications

The use of narrative inquiry is new to project management literature. As the life stories were not presented in the same way it was difficult to analyze them in the same manner, and further data had to be collected. This could have been avoided if it were feasible to collect narratives directly from the megaproject managers. This is being planned in future research emerging from this paper.

Practical implications

This study helps megaproject managers to exhibit leadership attributes that would be required to execute such large complex projects that have wide implications for the society, economy and the environment.

Social implications

Megaprojects are often considered major displacements that cause social and geophysical issues that affect the environment. Lessons learnt from these stories could be useful to avoid such issues. The stories analyzed showed the human side of the megaproject managers toward people related, health and societal issues.

Originality/value

Narrative inquiry is new to project management literature. In the past, project management literature has focused on extracting lessons learnt from historical and classical projects, but lessons from life stories of project managers have not been used for the same purpose.
The governance of major public infrastructure projects: the process of translation
Authors: Brunet Maude , Aubry Monique
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the process of translation of an institutionalized governance framework as adapted to a major project in practice. Although infrastructure projects have been studied for decades, most studies have emphasized economic or contingency-based perspectives. Of those studies, some researchers have focused on governance frameworks for public infrastructure projects, and their impact for shaping the front-end phase of those projects. Yet, little is known about the way actors translate and enact those governance frameworks into practice. Understanding this translation process will lead to a better understanding of the overall performance of major infrastructure projects.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative research is based on a case study of one public infrastructure project in the health sector in Quebec, Canada. Through non-participant observation and interviews, the planning phase of the project is presented as it unfolds.

Findings

The process of translation is presented, from the ostensive, institutionalized governance framework, to appropriation into performative practices, which resulted in 12 specific practices: four “structuring” practices at the institutional level, five “normalizing” practices at the organizational level and three “facilitating” practices at the project level.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is to enrich our understanding of the governance of major public infrastructure projects with process- and practice-based theories.
The complex influences of quality management leadership and workforce involvement on manufacturing firm success
Authors: Formby Sam K. , Malhotra Manoj K. , Ahire Sanjay L.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Quality management constructs related to management leadership and workforce involvement have consistently shown strong correlation with firm success for years. However, there is an increasing body of research based on complexity theory (CT) suggesting that constructs such as these should be viewed as variables in a complex system with inter-dependencies, interactions, and potentially nonlinear relationships. Despite the significant body of conceptual research related to CT, there is a lack of methodological research into these potentially nonlinear effects. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the theoretical and practical importance of non-linear terms in a multivariate polynomial model as they become more significant predictors of firm success in collaborative environments and less significant in more rigidly controlled work environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Multivariate polynomial regression methods are used to examine the significance and effect sizes of interaction and quadratic terms in operations scenarios expected to have varying degrees of complex and complex adaptive behaviors.

Findings

The results find that in highly collaborative work environments, non-linear and interaction effects become more significant predictors of success than the linear terms in the model. In more rigid, less collaborative work environments, these effects are not present or significantly reduced in effect size.

Research limitations/implications

This study shows that analytical methods sensitive to detecting and measuring nonlinearities in relationships such as multivariate polynomial regression models enhance our theoretical understanding of the relationships between constructs when the theory predicts that complex and complex adaptive behaviors are present and important.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates that complex adaptive behaviors between management and the workforce exist in certain environments and provide greater understanding of factor relationships relating to firm success than more traditional linear analytical methods.