bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frontalis–Orbicularis Muscle Advancement for Correction of Upper Eyelid Ptosis: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Cruz Antonio A. V. , Akaishi and Patricia M. S.
Published: June 2018

Purpose:

To review the level of standardization of frontalis–orbicularis muscle advancement to correct severe blepharoptosis and the degree of scientific evidence supporting the procedure as a useful modality of blepharoptosis repair.

Methods:

The authors searched the Medline, Lilacs, and Scopus databases for all articles in English, Spanish, and French that used as keywords the terms “frontalis muscle flap,” “orbicularis muscle flap,” and “ptosis.” Data retrieved included authorship specialty, geographic region where the surgeries were performed, characteristics of the samples reported, type and dimensions of the flaps used, time of follow-up, rate of undercorrection, and complications.

Results:

Thirty-eight articles were retrieved and analyzed. Most studies originated from Asian countries, especially China, Taiwan, and Korea. Many variations of the procedure were encountered, including location of incisions and frontalis flap design. There were 23 case series with more than 10 patients. None compared the procedure to conventional frontalis suspension surgery. The samples were not homogeneous, including patients with different type of ptosis, variable degrees of levator function, and using distinct methods of evaluating eyelid position. Undercorrection rates ranged from 1.8% to 38% with a median value of 12.2%. The rate of complications (eyelid crease abnormalities, entropion, hematoma, and supraorbital nerve injury) was low.

Conclusions:

The direct frontalis–orbicularis muscle advancement has been judged positively in all reports analyzed. However, the level of standardization of the surgery is low, and the reported series are not homogeneous. Further studies are needed to better evaluate this operation.
Cervical Cytology and Histology After Solid Organ Transplant: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Long Margaret E. , Chantigian Paula D. M. , Weaver Amy L.
Published: June 2018

Objectives

The ideal frequency of cervical cancer screening in women with solid organ transplants (SOTs) remains to be determined. We aimed to assess the longitudinal rates of cytologic and histologic cervical abnormalities in women after SOT.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed health records of women aged 18 to 60 years who received their first kidney, liver, pancreas, or combination transplant at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) from 1995 through 2011. Patient demographics, cervical cytology and histology, and high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing data were abstracted. All women included in the study had documentation of at least 1 cervical cytologic assessment after SOT. Cumulative incidence of abnormal cytology or histology was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

In total, 459 women (mean age at SOT, 43.9 years) were included in the study. Pre-SOT cytology was benign in 226 (97.4%) of 232 patients with available results. During follow-up, 9 women had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or higher (CIN3+) histology. The cumulative incidence of CIN3+ was 0.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0%–0.6%) at 1 year after SOT, 0.7% (95% CI, 0%–1.5%) at 2 years, 1.9% (95% CI, 0.5%–3.3%) at 5 years, and 3.1% (95% CI, 0.4%–5.7%) at 10 years. At the time of the first post-SOT cervical cytology, a greater proportion of women who were hrHPV positive had abnormal findings compared with hrHPV-negative women (10/15 [66.7%] vs 1/71 [1.4%]; p < .001).

Conclusions

The cumulative incidence of CIN3+ in the first 5 years after SOT approximates the level of risk for which annual cytologic assessment has been recommended.
Self-management Interventions for Pain and Physical Symptoms Among People Living With HIV: A Systematic Review of the Evidence
Authors: Nkhoma Kennedy , Norton Christine , Sabin Caroline , Winston Alan , Merlin Jessica , Harding Richard
Published: June 2018

Introduction:

Pain and symptoms still persist among people living with HIV/AIDS. Evidence-based self-management interventions have the potential to help people with HIV/AIDS to successfully manage pain and symptoms. We aimed to identify and appraise the evidence regarding the effectiveness of self-management interventions for pain and/or physical symptoms in people living with HIV/AIDS.

Methods:

We searched for controlled intervention studies in Amed, Assian, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science data bases, from 1984 to February 2017. Two reviewers screened and extracted data, assessed risk of bias (using Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal checklist for randomized and nonrandomized trials), and rated the quality of evidence (GRADE tool).

Results:

We identified 22 original papers reporting 19 different studies. Of these, 17 used randomized controlled trial designs. Three studies reported data on pain severity, and 2 studies reported data on pain interference outcomes with one study reporting positive effect on both outcomes. Outcomes for physical symptoms were reported in 13 studies with 6 studies reporting positive effect. The quality of evidence was moderate for pain outcomes. For physical symptoms, one study was rated as moderate; the rest were rated as low n = 8 and very low n = 4 quality.

Conclusions:

There is some evidence to suggest that self-management interventions delivered either online, face-to-face, or group-based consisting of booklet, leaflet, or manuals are effective in improving pain and physical symptoms. Findings suggest the need for theoretically plausible high-quality clinical trials of pain and physical symptom self-management among culturally diverse people with HIV.
Brief Report: The Anti–HIV-1 ADCC-Mediating Antibodies From Cervicovaginal Secretions of HIV-Infected Women Have an Ability to Mediate Lysing of Autologous CD4+ HIV-Infected Cells
Authors: Dhande Jayshree , Angadi Mansa , Murugavel K.G. , Poongulali S. , Nandagopal Paneerselvam , Vignesh Ramachandran , Ghate Manisha , Kulkarni Smita , Thakar Madhuri
Published: June 2018

Background:

Fragment crystallizable region of antibody–mediated mechanism such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) has been identified as an important component of immune protection against HIV. We assessed whether the anti-HIV antibodies mediating ADCC from cervicovaginal lavages (CVLs) of HIV-infected women have an ability to mediate lysing of autologous CD4
+
HIV-infected cells.

Methodology:

The CVLs of 62 HIV-infected (37 long-term slow progressors and 25 with progressive HIV infection: progressors) and 20 HIV-uninfected Indian women with high risk of HIV acquisition were tested for the presence of ADCC-mediating anti-HIV antibodies against HIV-1 C Env in a fluorometric assay. Furthermore, we tested the ability of these antibodies to mediate ADCC-dependent killing of the autologous HIV-infected CD4
+
T cells using paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells containing target and effector cells.

Results:

The numbers of ADCC responders were significantly higher in long-term slow progressors (34/37) as compared to the progressor group (9/25) with no significant difference in the magnitude. The magnitude of response was inversely associated with detectable CVL viral load (P < 0.003). The lysis of target cells was significantly higher in enriched IgG fraction as compared to the respective non-IgG fraction. The ADCC antibodies from CVLs significantly reduced the frequency of HIV-1 Env–activated autologous CD4+ T cells in the presence of autologous effector cells.

Conclusions:

The presence of ADCC antibodies in CVLs with an ability to mediate lysing of HIV-infected autologous CD4
+
T cells provides evidence of their promising contribution to mucosal defense against HIV-1 and has implications in designing prophylactic and immunotherapeutic strategies.
Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury Alters the Gastrointestinal Microbiome in a Time-Dependent Manner
Authors: Nicholson Susannah E. , Watts Lora T. , Burmeister David M. , Merrill Daniel , Scroggins Shannon , Zou Yi , Lai Zhao , Grandhi Ramesh , Lewis Aaron M. , Newton Larry M. , Eastridge Brian J. , Schwacha Martin G.
Published: June 2018

The microbiome is defined as the collective genomes of the microbes (composed of bacteria, bacteriophage, fungi, protozoa, and viruses) that colonize the human body, and alterations have been associated with a number of disease states. Changes in gut commensals can influence the neurologic system via the brain-gut axis, and systemic insults such as trauma or traumatic brain injury (TBI) may alter the gut microbiome. The objective of this study was to evaluate the gut microbiome in a preclinical TBI cortical impact model. Male rats underwent craniotomy and randomized to a sham group (n = 4), or a moderate TBI (n = 10) using a pneumatic impactor. MRI and behavioral assessments were performed pre-TBI and on days 2, 7, and 14 days thereafter. Microbiome composition was determined with 16s rRNA sequencing from fecal sample DNA pre-TBI and 2 hrs, 1, 3, and 7 days afterward. Alpha- and β-bacterial diversity, as well as organizational taxonomic units (OTUs), were determined. Significant changes in the gut microbiome were evident as early as 2 h after TBI as compared with pre-injured samples and sham rats. While there were varying trends among the phylogenetic families across time, some changes persisted through 7 days in the absence of therapeutic intervention. While large structural lesions and behavioral deficits were apparent post-TBI, there were modest but significant decreases in α-diversity. Moreover, both changes in representative phyla and α-diversity measures were significantly correlated with MRI-determined lesion volume. These results suggest that changes in the microbiome may represent a novel biomarker to stage TBI severity and predict functional outcome.
Machine Learning Reveals Modules of Economic Behavior from Foraging Mice
Authors: Hörndli Cornelia N Stacher , Wong Eleanor , Ferris Elliott , Rhodes Alexis Nikole , Fletcher P. Thomas , Gregg Christopher
Published: June 2018

Complex ethological behaviors could be constructed from modules that are discrete functional units of behavior with a genetic basis. Here, we test this idea for foraging, and develop a paradigm to dissect foraging patterns in mice. We uncover discrete behavioral modules linked to round trip excursions from the home. Machine learning reveals 59 modules across different genetic backgrounds and ages. Different modules develop at different ages and are linked to different aspects of economic behavior, including memory, reward, risk and effort responses. Crosses of distant mouse strains reveal that parental and genetic effects shape foraging differently, and parental effects grow stronger with age. Specific behavioral modules, genes and pathways are found to be sensitive to parental effects. One candidate gene, Magel2, is linked to Prader-Willi Syndrome and shaped the expression of discrete modules in an age-dependent manner. Our results reveal building blocks for normal and abnormal economic behavior patterns.

HIGHLIGHTS

Identification of 59 economic behavior modules underlying foraging

Discrete modules are linked to memory, reward, risk and effort responses

Genetic and parental effects shape foraging by changing module expression

Magel2, a Prader-Willi Syndrome gene, affects specific modules at specific ages
Universal metabolic constraints on the thermal tolerance of marine phytoplankton
Authors: Barton Samuel , Jenkins James , Buckling Angus , Schaum C.-Elisa , Smirnoff Nicholas , Yvon-Durocher Gabriel
Published: June 2018

Marine phytoplankton are responsible for over 45% of annual global net primary production. Ocean warming is expected to drive massive reorganisation of phytoplankton communities, resulting in pole-ward range shifts and sharp declines in species diversity, particularly in the tropics. The impacts of warming on phytoplankton species depend critically on their physiological sensitivity to temperature change, characterised by thermal tolerance curves. Local extinctions arise when temperatures exceed species’ thermal tolerance limits. The mechanisms that determine the characteristics of thermal tolerance curves (e.g. optimal and maximal temperatures) and their variability among the broad physiological diversity of marine phytoplankton are however poorly understood. Here we show that differences in the temperature responses of photosynthesis and respiration establish physiological trade-offs that constrain the thermal tolerance of 18 species of marine phytoplankton, spanning cyanobacteria as well as the red and green super-families. Across all species we found that rates of respiration were more sensitive to increasing temperature and typically had higher optimal temperatures than photosynthesis. Consequently, the fraction of photosynthetic energy available for allocation to growth (carbon-use efficiency) declined exponentially with rising temperatures with a sensitivity that was invariant among the 18 species. Furthermore, the optimal temperature of growth was generally lower than that of photosynthesis and as a result, supra-optimal declines in growth rate were associated with temperature ranges where the carbon-use efficiency exhibited accelerated declines. These highly conserved patterns demonstrate that the limits of thermal tolerance in marine phytoplankton are underpinned by common metabolic constraints linked to the differential temperature responses of photosynthesis and respiration.

Significance Statement

The impacts of warming on marine phytoplankton depend on their sensitivity to rising temperatures, yet there is currently limited understanding of the mechanisms that limit thermal tolerance among the diversity of marine phytoplankton. Using a comparative study on the dominant, ecologically important lineages of marine phytoplankton – Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Prasinophyceae, Prymnesiophyceae – we show that rates of respiration are consistently more sensitive to increasing temperature than photosynthesis. Consequently, the fraction of photosynthetic energy available for growth declines with rising temperatures with a sensitivity that is invariant among species. Our results suggest that declines in phytoplankton performance at high temperatures are driven by universal metabolic constrains linked to rising respiratory costs eventually exceeding the supply of reduced carbon from photosynthesis.
APC/CCdh1-mediated degradation of Cdh1 during meiosis inS. cerevisiae
Authors: Ostapenko Denis , Solomon Mark J.
Published: June 2018

The Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C) is a ubiquitin ligase that promotes the ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of numerous cell cycle regulators during mitosis and in G1. Proteins are recruited to the APC/C by activator proteins such as Cdh1. During the cell cycle, Cdh1 is subject to precise regulation so that substrates are not degraded prematurely. We have explored the regulation of Cdh1 during the developmental transition into meiosis and sporulation in the budding yeastS. cerevisiae. Transition to sporulation medium triggers the degradation of Cdh1. Degradation requires that cells be of the a/a mating type and be starved for glucose, but they do not actually need to enter into the meiotic program. Degradation requires an intact SNF1 protein kinase complex (orthologous to the mammalian AMPK nutritional sensor), which is activated by the absence of glucose. Cdh1 degradation is mediated by the APC/C itself in a ‘trans’ mechanism in which one molecule of Cdh1 recruits a second molecule of Cdh1 to the APC/C for ubiquitination. However, Cdh1-Cdh1 recognition does not depend on the degradation motifs or binding sites involved in the recognition of typical APC/C substrates. We hypothesize that Cdh1 degradation is necessary for the preservation of cell cycle regulators and chromosome cohesion proteins between the reductional and equational meiotic divisions, which occur without the intervening Gap or S phases found in mitotic cell cycles.
FtsW is a peptidoglycan polymerase that is activated by its cognate penicillin-binding protein
Authors: Taguchi Atsushi , Welsh Michael A. , Marmont Lindsey S. , Lee Wonsik , Kahne Daniel , Bernhardt Thomas G. , Walker Suzanne
Published: June 2018

The peptidoglycan cell wall is essential for the survival and shape maintenance ofbacteria.1 For decades it was thought that only penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) effected peptidoglycan synthesis. Recently, it was shown that RodA, a member of the Rod complex involved in side wall peptidoglycan synthesis, acts as a peptidoglycan polymerase.2–4 RodA is absent or dispensable in many bacteria that contain a cell wall; however, all of these bacteria have a RodA homologue, FtsW, which is a core member of the divisome complex that is essential for septal cell wall assembly.5,6 FtsW was previously proposed flip the peptidoglycan precursor Lipid II to the peripasm,7,8 but we report here that FtsW polymerizes Lipid II. We show that FtsW polymerase activity depends on the presence of the class B PBP (bPBP) that it recruits to the septum. We also demonstrate that the polymerase activity of FtsW is required for its function in vivo. Our findings establish FtsW as a peptidoglycan polymerase that works with its cognate bPBP to produce septal peptidoglycan during cell division.
Post-translational modifications drive protein stability to control the dynamic beer brewing proteome
Authors: Kerr Edward D. , Caboche Christopher H. , Schulz Benjamin L.
Published: June 2018

Mashing is a key step in beer brewing in which starch and proteins are solubilized from malted barley in a hot water extraction and digested to oligomaltose and free amino nitrogen. We used SWATH-MS to measure the abundance and site-specific modifications of proteins throughout a small-scale pale ale mash. Proteins extracted from the malt at low temperatures early in the mash decreased precipitously in abundance at higher temperatures late in the mash due to temperature/time-induced unfolding and aggregation. We validated these observations using experimental manipulation of time and temperature parameters in a micro-scale pale ale mash. Correlation analysis of temperature/time-dependent abundance showed that sequence and structure were the main features that controlled protein abundance profiles. Partial proteolysis by barley proteases was common early in the mash. The resulting proteolytically clipped proteins were particularly sensitive and were preferentially lost at high temperatures late in the mash, while intact proteins remained soluble. The beer brewing proteome is therefore driven by the interplay between protein solubilisation and proteolysis, which are in turn determined by barley variety, growth conditions, and brewing process parameters.
A computational protocol to characterize elusive Candidate Phyla Radiation bacteria in oral environments using metagenomic data
Authors: Meng Peiqi , Lu Chang , Lou Xinzhe , Zhang Qian , Jia Peizeng , Yan Zhimin , Lin Jiuxiang , Chen Feng
Published: June 2018

Several studies have documented the diversity and potential pathogenic associations of organisms in the human oral cavity. Although much progress has been made in understanding the complex bacterial community inhabiting the human oral cavity, our understanding of some microorganisms is less resolved due to a variety of reasons. One such little-understood group is the candidate phyla radiation (CPR), which is a recently identified, but highly abundant group of ultrasmall bacteria with reduced genomes and unusual ribosomes. Here, we present a computational protocol for the detection of CPR organisms from metagenomic data. Our approach relies on a self-constructed dataset comprising published CPR genomic sequences as a filter to identify CPR sequences from metagenomic sequencing data. After assembly and functional prediction, the taxonomic affiliation of CPR contigs can be identified through phylogenetic analysis with publically available 16S rRNA gene and ribosomal proteins, in addition to sequence similarity analyses (e.g., average nucleotide identity calculations and contig mapping). Using this protocol, we reconstructed two draft genomes of organisms within the TM7 superphylum, that had genome sizes of 0.594 Mb and 0.678 Mb. Among the predicted functional genes of the constructed genomes, a high percentage were related to signal transduction, cell motility, and cell envelope biogenesis, which could contribute to cellular morphological changes in response to environmental cues.

Importance

Candidate phyla radiation (CPR) bacterial group is a recently identified, but highly diverse and abundant group of ultrasmall bacteria exhibiting reduced genomes and limited metabolic capacities. A number of studies have reported their potential pathogenic associations in multiple mucosal diseases including periodontitis, halitosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. However, CPR organisms are difficult to cultivate and are difficult to detect with PCR-based methods due to divergent genetic sequences. Thus, our understanding of CPR has lagged behind that of other bacterial component. Here, we used metagenomic approaches to overcome these previous barriers to CPR identification, and established a computational protocol for detection of CPR organisms from metagenomic samples. The protocol describe herein holds great promise for better understanding the potential biological functioning of CPR. Moreover, the pipeline could be applied to other organisms that are difficult to cultivate.
Performance Assessment of Variant Calling Pipelines using Human Whole Exome Sequencing and Simulated data
Authors: Kumaran Manojkumar , Subramanian Umadevi , Devarajan Bharanidharan
Published: June 2018

The whole exome sequencing (WES) is a time-consuming technology in the identification of clinical variants and it demands the accurate variant caller tools. The currently available tools compromise accuracy in predicting the specific types of variants. Thus, it is important to find out the possible combination of best aligner-variant caller tools for detecting SNVs and InDels separately. Moreover, many important aspects of InDel detection are not overlooked while comparing the performance of tools. One such aspect is the detection of InDels with respect to base pair length. To assess the performance of variant (especially InDels) caller in combination with different aligners, 20 automated pipelines were developed and evaluated using gold reference variant dataset (NA12878) from Genome in a Bottle (GiaB) consortium of human whole exome sequencing. Additionally, the simulated exome data from two human reference genome sequences (GRCh37 and GRCh38) were used to compare the performance of the pipelines. By analyzing various performance metrices, we observed that BWA and Novoalign aligners performed better with DeepVariant and SAMtools callers for detecting SNVs, and with DeepVariant and GATK for Indels. Altogether, DeepVariant with BWA and Novoalign performed best. Further, we showed that merging the top performing pipelines improved the accurate variant call set. Collectively, this study would help the investigators to effectively improve the sensitivity and accuracy in detecting specific variants.
Salmonellaeffectors SseK1 and SseK3 target death domain proteins in the TNF and TRAIL signaling pathways
Authors: Newson Joshua P M , Scott Nichollas E , Wah Chung Ivy Yeuk , Fok Lung Tania Wong , Giogha Cristina , Wang Nancy , Strugnell Richard A , Brown Nat F , Cygler Miroslaw , Pearson Jaclyn S , Hartland Elizabeth L
Published: June 2018

Strains ofSalmonellautilise two distinct type three secretion systems to deliver effector proteins directly into host cells. TheSalmonellaeffectors SseK1 and SseK3 are arginine glycosyltransferases that modify mammalian death domain containing proteins with N-acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc) when overexpressed ectopically or as recombinant protein fusions. Here, we combined Arg-GlcNAc glycopeptide immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry to identify host proteins GlcNAcylated by endogenous levels of SseK1 and SseK3 duringSalmonellainfection. We observed that SseK1 modified the mammalian signaling protein TRADD, but not FADD as previously reported. Overexpression of SseK1 greatly broadened substrate specificity, while ectopic co-expression of SseK1 and TRADD increased the range of modified arginine residues within the death domain of TRADD. In contrast, endogenous levels of SseK3 resulted in modification of the death domains of receptors of the mammalian TNF superfamily, TNFR1 and TRAILR, at residues Arg376and Arg293respectively. Structural studies on SseK3 showed that the enzyme displays a classic GT-A glycosyltransferase fold and binds UDP-GlcNAc in a narrow and deep cleft with the GlcNAc facing the surface. Together our data suggests that Salmonellae carryingsseK1andsseK3employ the glycosyltransferase effectors to antagonise different components of death receptor signaling.
Development of a genetically encoded sensor for endogenous CaMKII activity
Authors: Ardestani Goli , West Megan , Maresca Thomas J. , Fissore Rafael A. , Stratton Margaret M.
Published: June 2018

CaMKII is a crucial oligomeric enzyme in neuronal and cardiac signaling, fertilization and immunity. Here, we report the construction of a novel, substrate-based, genetically-encoded sensor for CaMKII activity, FRESCA (FRET-basedSensor forCaMKIIActivity). Currently, there is one biosensor for CaMKII activity, Camui, which contains CaMKII. FRESCA allows us to measure all endogenous CaMKII variants, while Camui can track a single variant. Since there are ~40 CaMKII variants, using FRESCA to measure aggregate activity allows a fresh perspective on CaMKII activity. We show, using live-cell imaging, FRESCA response is concurrent with Ca2+rises in HEK293T cells and mouse eggs. In eggs, we stimulate oscillatory patterns of Ca2+and observe the differential responses of FRESCA and Camui. Our results implicate an important role for the variable linker region in CaMKII, which tunes its activation. FRESCA will be a transformative tool for studies in neurons, cardiomyocytes and other CaMKII-containing cells.
BindSpace: decoding transcription factor binding signals by large-scale joint embedding
Authors: Yuan Han , Kshirsagar Meghana , Zamparo Lee , Lu Yuheng , Leslie Christina S.
Published: June 2018

Decoding transcription factor (TF) binding signals in genomic DNA is a fundamental problem. Here we present a prediction model called BindSpace that learns to embed DNA sequences and TF class/family labels into the same space. By training on binding data for hundreds of TFs and embedding over 1M DNA sequences, BindSpace achieves state-of-the-art multiclass binding prediction performance,in vitroandin vivo, and can distinguish signals of closely related TFs.
Innovation, firms’ performance and environmental turbulence: is there a moderator or mediator?
Authors: Turulja Lejla , Bajgoric Nijaz
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw on dynamic capability view and contingency theory to clarify the nature of the effect of environmental turbulence on the relationships between firm’s both product and process innovations and business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed and empirically tested two structural models using structural equation modeling approach. The first model deals with both product and process innovations as the mediators between environmental turbulence and business performance. The second model considers the moderating effect of environmental turbulence between innovation and business performance.

Findings

The findings show that environmental turbulence does not moderate the relationship between innovation and business performance. The authors have found a clear role of environmental turbulence in boosting innovation rather than moderating the relationship between innovation and performance.

Research limitations/implications

The data set is a cross-section of heterogeneous firms regarding the industry.

Practical implications

Managers should be aware of the importance of the innovation for the environmental turbulence and dynamism counteracting. The results imply a negative influence of environmental turbulence on business performance. However, with the innovation in the equation, this influence can be positive, because it boosts firms to innovate and though to achieve better business performance.

Originality/value

It contributes the management and innovation research and practice through offering insights into the role of environmental turbulence in product innovation, process innovation as well as organizational business performance through comprehensive analysis of mediation and moderation effects between the observed constructs.
Orchestration of innovation networks in collaborative settings
Authors: Milwood Pauline A. , Roehl Wesley S.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Few papers address innovation activities among tourism entities. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the extent to which the theoretical framework of network orchestration can explain the system of relations underlying roles and behaviors of tourism actors in collaborative innovation settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Using interview data collected from destination management organizations and their destination partners within two polar-sampled North American destinations, this study identifies relationships which underlie the behaviors of tourism and hospitality actors engaged in collaborative innovative activities. To understand these relationships, this study abductively imposes the emergent theoretical framework of network orchestration and offers practical implications for conducting successful innovation among tourism collaborators.

Findings

First, orchestration of knowledge mobility processes in collaborative innovation settings is associated with trust, perceived fairness and the search for experts within the network. Second, orchestration of innovation appropriability processes is associated with forging shared ownership and knowledge exchange with “dissimilar” partners. Third, orchestration of network stability processes is associated with enhancing the reputation of influential actors within the tourism destination, and shared visioning of future innovation outcomes.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the collaborative innovation landscape by testing the emerging theoretical framework of network orchestration and proposing practical implications for hospitality and tourism actors engaged in innovative activities. The research further demonstrates the value of abductive reasoning for elucidating theory from interview evidence and proposes a model for future studies on collaborative innovation networks.
Perception of ethical climate and turnover intention among nursing staff: does organizational cynicism mediate?
Authors: Munir Yasin , Ghafoor Muhammad Mudasar , Rasli Amran M.D.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the mediating effect of organizational cynicism between the relationship of perception of ethical climate and turnover intention among nurses working in public sector hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was utilized and 870 questionnaires were distributed to collect data from nursing staff working in Punjab region of Pakistan by using non-probability multistage sampling technique. A total of 711 questionnaires were returned out of which 668 questionnaires were scrutinized. Additionally, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were applied to analyze the data.

Findings

The results revealed a full mediating effect of organizational cynicism between the relationship of perception of ethical climate and turnover intention.

Research limitations/implications

The current study has adopted a multistage non-probability sampling technique to collect data because the management of hospitals restricted researcher access to personal information about the nurses. Therefore, at the first stage, the researcher used convenience sampling and at the second stage, the researcher utilized quota sampling to collect the data. Moreover, the findings of the current study are based on cross-sectional data because of the limited time and resources.

Practical implications

The current study fosters the ongoing debate in organizational studies related to cynicism and it is noteworthy for the nursing managers to understand the significant factors which directly or indirectly affect the nursing attitude.

Originality/value

The current study explored the mediating role of organizational cynicism between perception of ethical climate and turnover intention in nursing profession to fill the research gap.
Building pharmaceutical relationship marketing and social media impact
Authors: Enyinda Chris I. , Ogbuehi Alphonso O. , Mbah Chris H.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify key social medial channels which pharmaceutical firms need to consider when desiring to understand consumer behavior, build, maintain and proactively manage relationships. Also, it proposes the application of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) sensitivity analysis algorithm to test the stability or robustness of the priority ranking. Specifically, this paper leverages performance sensitivity analysis to evaluate how small changes (perturbation) in the major objectives of the pharmaceutical relationship marketing (PRM) tactics within the social media environment will influence the ranking of the alternative course of actions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used AHP-based questionnaire survey to evaluate the relative importance of factors accounting for PRM and the impact of social media channels. The major objectives and the alternative strategies used were from literature reviewed. Interviews with senior managers were insightful and helpful in the wording, content and format of the questionnaire.

Findings

Customer engagement is the most important PRM tactic, followed by communication and trust. The performance sensitivity analysis carried out on the PRM tactics showed that the ranking associated with social media channel options remained robust or insensitive to small perturbations.

Research limitations/implications

The data procured for this paper were based on one focal pharmaceutical firm. Convincing the same to grant an interview and late responding to the questionnaire was a great challenge.

Practical implications

Social media impact on pharmaceutical marketing relationship is important for pharmaceutical marketers. PRM bodes well with the social media environment. Pharmaceutical industry can build and maintain relationships with consumers through social media. Firms that leverage social media to enhance their PRM tactics will be viewed favorably in terms of trust, transparency, openness and honesty. The results provide pharmaceutical marketing managers with insightful and valuable information with respect to the role or social media impact on the PRM. The AHP model, objectives and their relative importance provide valuable information for managers on how to monitor the values that matters to customers the most.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the very few on the PRM and perhaps the first that examines social impact leveraging the AHP model. In addition, this paper contributes to the relationship marketing literature by leveraging a multi-criteria decision-making algorithm to prioritize the most important factors accounting for the PRM strategies.
The influence of logistics clustering on distribution capabilities: a qualitative study
Authors: Abushaikha Ismail
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore why and how firms with logistics-intensive operations such as fast-moving consumer good (FMCG) distributors benefit from residing in logistics clusters. In particular, this study seeks to fill a gap in the understanding of how logistics clustering may influence FMCG firms’ distribution capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Three case studies of FMCG distributors geographically agglomerated within Q Logistics Cluster in Jordan serve to elaborate the existing theory of clustering. Data were collected from 24 interviews as well as observational evidence of the FMCG distributors’ outbound logistics operations. The unit of analysis was the interaction between FMCG distributors and other agents in the logistics cluster.

Findings

FMCG distributors tend to gravitate to clusters where logistics service providers and other FMCG firms co-locate. FMCG distributors interact intensively and benefit greatly from building ties with non-competitor distributors in a cluster. Informal personal relations, collaborative activities and knowledge sharing, learning opportunities and resource availability were found to act as mechanisms for generating distribution capabilities within a logistics cluster.

Practical implications

This study provides practical implications for FMCG logistics and distribution managers who make distribution centre (DC) location decisions. The study provides such managers and their firms with a deeper understanding of the importance of co-locating DCs in logistics clusters, and may help them in designing their supply networks.

Originality/value

This is the first scholarly work to uncover the various ways in which FMCG distributors benefit from logistics clustering and explain why they may differ in performance, building on observations of their capabilities. The study provides insight from an emerging market and encourages future researchers to conduct further studies on logistics clustering in order to bring relevant theory forward.
Comparative study of response surface methodology and hybrid back-propagation network for optimizing friction coefficient for textured surface under cavitation conditions
Authors: Mao Yang , Zeng Liangcai
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to establish a friction coefficient prediction model using texture parameters and then using the optimal texture parameters to obtain the minimum friction coefficient.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on texture technology and the cavitation phenomenon conditions, a test scheme based on two-factor and five-level texture parameters is designed using central composite design and then the response surface methodology and hybrid back-propagation genetic algorithm (BP-GA) models are used to establish a friction coefficient prediction model and optimize the friction coefficient.

Findings

The result indicates that the values predicted using two methodologies agree well with the experimental data, but the hybrid BP-GA model is superior to the response surface methodology model in both prediction and optimization.

Originality/value

Two methodologies are used to study the influence of the texture parameters on the friction coefficient under the cavitation condition. It is expected that the result can be used to obtain optimum texture parameters to reduce the friction coefficient.
Encounters between the police and the public: seize the day or practice avoidance?
Authors: Schermuly Allegra Clare
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of encounters on police legitimacy and levels of trust in the police in the Monash Local Government Area in the state of Victoria, Australia. Monash was chosen as it had experienced declining results in the official National Survey of Community Satisfaction with Policing in relation to police legitimacy and trust.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study comprising 18 interviews and six focus groups with community representatives from Monash is employed in the paper.

Findings

When procedural justice approaches are applied during encounters between the police and the public, encounters contribute to securing legitimacy for the police. Contact between the police and the public in everyday situations also enhances trust in the police, depending on the way the police conduct themselves during such interactions.

Research limitations/implications

Findings from a qualitative case study are not able to be widely generalised but the conclusions are still useful for informing insights into processes impacting police legitimacy and trust.

Practical implications

Contributes to informing evidence-based police practice around the way police conduct themselves during community interactions; informs policy decisions around allocation of funding for law enforcement with more officers required to carry out community policing; emphasises the importance of prioritising partnerships with communities; demonstrates that positive police/community relations have wider social cohesion implications in a contemporary era of counter-terrorism priorities.

Originality/value

The majority of research in this field to date has been quantitative. A qualitative approach provides fresh insights into the mechanisms of police legitimacy, especially the role of encounters and procedural justice.
International coordination of financial supervision: why has it grown? Will it be sustained?
Authors: Herring Richard John
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This article reviews the history of international coordination in the supervision of financial institutions noting why cooperation developed first and has been most extensive in oversight of banks relative to securities firms and insurance companies. It also poses the question of whether the extent of international coordination can be sustained or may even diminish.

Design/methodology/approach

The history of international coordination is used to illustrate the hypotheses that cooperation is more likely: the broader the international consensus on policy objectives and the potential gains from cooperation, the wider the international consensus on policy objectives and the potential gains from cooperation, the deeper the international agreement on the probable consequences of policy alternatives, the stronger the international institutional infrastructure for decision-making and the greater the domestic influence of experts who share a common understanding of a problem and its solutions.

Findings

All five of these factors that have enabled deepening and broadening of international cooperation have diminished in strength so that international cooperation is not likely to expand and may even be in retreat.

Originality/value

This article clarifies the factors that facilitate international cooperation and highlights the key obstacles to sustaining international cooperation.
Post-surgery length of stay using multi-criteria decision-making tool
Authors: Buttigieg Sandra C. , Gauci Dorothy , Bezzina Frank , Dey Prasanta K.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Length of stay (LOS) in hospital after surgery varies for each patient depending on surgeon’s decision that considers criticality of the surgery, patient’s conditions before and after surgery, expected time to recovery and experience of the surgeon involved. Decision on patients’ LOS at hospital post-surgery affects overall healthcare performance as it affects both cost and quality of care. The purpose of this paper is to develop a model for deriving the most appropriate LOS after surgical interventions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts an action research involving multiple stakeholders (surgeon, patients/patients’ relatives, hospital management and other medics). First, a conceptual model is developed using literature and experts’ opinion. Second, the model is applied in three surgical interventions in a public hospital in Malta to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model. Third, the policy alternatives developed are compared to a selection of current international standards for each surgical intervention. The proposed model analyses three LOS threshold policies for three procedures using efficiency and responsiveness criteria. The entire analysis is carried out using 325 randomly selected patient files along with structured interactions with more than 50 stakeholders (surgeon, patients/patients’ relatives, hospital management and other medics). A multiple criteria decision-making method is deployed for model building and data analysis. The method involves combining the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for verbal subjective judgements on prioritizing the four predictors of surgical LOS—medical, financial, social and risk, with pairwise comparisons of the sub-criteria under each criterion in line with the concerned interventions—the objective data of which are obtained from the patients’ files.

Findings

The proposed model was successfully applied to decide on the best policy alternative for LOS for the three interventions. The best policy alternatives compared well to current international benchmarks.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed method needs to be tested for other interventions across various healthcare settings.

Practical implications

Multi-criteria decision-making tools enable resource optimization and overall improvement of patient care through the application of a scientific management technique that involves all relevant stakeholders while utilizing both subjective judgements as well as objective data.

Originality/value

Traditionally, the duration of post-surgery LOS is mainly based on the surgeons’ clinical but also arbitrary decisions, with, as a result, having insufficiently explicable variations in LOS amongst peers for similar interventions. According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to derive post-surgery LOS using the AHP, a multiple criteria decision-making method.