bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Muscle Brachialis Transfer to Restore Finger Flexion in Brachial Plexus Palsy
Authors: DeGeorge Brent R. , Becker Hillary A. , Faryna John H. , Spinner Robert J. , Bishop Allen T. , Shin Alexander Y.
Published: July 2017

Background:

In adults with lower trunk brachial plexus injury, proximal nerve surgery for restoration of prehension demonstrates poor outcomes secondary to long distances required for nerve regeneration and time-dependent degradation of motor endplates. Options for reconstruction are limited to distal tendon or nerve transfers and free-functioning muscle transfers. In this article, the authors describe the long-term outcomes of brachialis muscle–to–flexor digitorum profundus transfer to restore prehension in patients with traumatic lower trunk brachial plexus injuries.

Methods:

Eighteen adult patients with lower trunk brachial plexus palsy underwent brachialis muscle–to–flexor digitorum profundus transfer with the goal of restoring rudimentary prehensile function at a single institution. The patients were followed throughout their recovery with functional outcomes and patient satisfaction ratings.

Results:

Brachialis muscle transfer resulted in restoring modified British Medical Research Council grade 3 or better function in 11 of 18 patients and grade 4 function in eight of 18 patients. Eleven of the 18 patients demonstrated a postoperative functional grasp for assistance with activities of daily living. Overall patient satisfaction following brachialis muscle transfer was 56 percent. Patient preoperative wrist extension (p < 0.018) and finger extension (p < 0.029) strength correlated with improved outcomes, whereas concomitant upper extremity fracture (p < 0.023) was associated with poorer outcomes.

Conclusions:

Brachialis muscle transfer is an option for reconstruction of prehensile function in patients with lower trunk brachial plexus palsy with preserved wrist extension. Brachialis muscle transfer is particularly useful in patients who are poor candidates for microsurgical free-functioning muscle transfer for grasp; however, its functional outcomes are not universally successful.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Novel adenoviruses detected in British mustelids, including a unique Aviadenovirus in the tissues of pine martens (Martes martes)
Authors: Walker David , Gregory William F. , Turnbull Dylan , Rocchi Mara , Meredith Anna L. , Philbey Adrian W. , Sharp Colin P.
Published: July 2017

Several adenoviruses are known to cause severe disease in veterinary species. Recent evidence suggests that canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1) persists in the tissues of healthy red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), which may be a source of infection for susceptible species. It was hypothesized that mustelids native to the UK, including pine martens (Martes martes) and Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra), may also be persistently infected with adenoviruses. Based on high-throughput sequencing and additional Sanger sequencing, a novel Aviadenovirus, tentatively named marten adenovirus type 1 (MAdV-1), was detected in pine marten tissues. The detection of an Aviadenovirus in mammalian tissue has not been reported previously. Two mastadenoviruses, tentatively designated marten adenovirus type 2 (MAdV-2) and lutrine adenovirus type 1 (LAdV-1), were also detected in tissues of pine martens and Eurasian otters, respectively. Apparently healthy free-ranging animals may be infected with uncharacterized adenoviruses with possible implications for translocation of wildlife.
Identifying Simultaneous Rearrangements in Cancer Genomes
Authors: Oesper Layla , Dantas Simone , Raphael Benjamin J.
Published: July 2017

The traditional view of cancer evolution states that a cancer genome accumulates asequentialordering of mutations over a long period of time. However, in recent years it has been suggested that a cancer genome may instead undergo a one-time catastrophic event, such aschromothripsis, where a large number of mutations instead occursimultaneously. A number of potential signatures of chromothripsis have been proposed. In this work we provide a rigorous formulation and analysis of the “ability to walk the derivative chromosome” signature originally proposed by Korbel and Campbell (2013). In particular, we show that this signature, as originally envisioned, may not always be present in a chromothripsis genome and we provide a precise quantification of under what circumstances it would be present. We also propose a variation on this signature, theH/T alternating fraction, which allows us to overcome some of the limitations of the original signature. We apply our measure to both simulated data and a previously analyzed real cancer dataset and find that the H/T alternating fraction may provide useful signal for distinguishing genomes having acquired mutations simultaneously from those acquired in a sequential fashion. An implementation of the H/T alternating fraction is available athttps://bitbucket.org/oesperlab/ht-altfrac.
Dynamical origins of heat capacity changes in enzyme catalysed reactions
Authors: van der Kamp Marc W , Prentice Erica J. , Kraakmann Kirsty L. , Connolly Michael , Mulholland Adrian J. , Arcus Vickery L.
Published: July 2017

Heat capacity changes are emerging as essential for explaining the temperature dependence of enzyme-catalysed reaction rates. This has important implications for enzyme kinetics, thermoadaptation and evolution, but the physical basis of these heat capacity changes is unknown. Here we show by a combination of experiment and simulation, for two quite distinct enzymes (dimeric ketosteroid isomerase and monomeric alpha-glucosidase), that the activation heat capacity change for the catalysed reaction can be predicted through atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. The simulations reveal subtle and surprising underlying dynamical changes: tightening of loops around the active site is observed as expected, but crucially, changes in energetic fluctuations are evident across the whole enzyme including important contributions from oligomeric neighbours and domains distal to the active site. This has general implications for understanding enzyme catalysis and demonstrating a direct connection between functionally important microscopic dynamics and macroscopically measurable quantities.
Evaluation of Topramezone on Zebrafish Retinoid Signaling
Authors: Liu Haixing , Xu Pengxing , Fan Yu , Zhang Weizhi
Published: July 2017

Topramezone is a highly selective herbicide developed for broadleaf and grass weeds control in corn. In this study, the effects of topramezone on zebrafish, especially in retinoid signaling were investigated. Zebrafish embryos were treated with topramezone from 4 hours post-fertilization (hpf) to 144 hpf. Exposed to topramezone significantly reduced the retinal and retinoic levels compared to controls. The transcriptional expression levels of retinol dehydrogenase (rdh1), retinoic acid receptor subunit (raraa), retinal dehydrogenase (raldh2), retinol binding protein (rbp1a), and cellular retinoic acid binding protein (crabp1aandcrabp2a) were significantly decreased. Our results suggested that topramezone significantly impaired zebrafish retinoid signaling during a short time exposure. However, treatment with topramezone significantly increased the mRNA expression levels ofzfblue,zfrho,zfgr1, zfuv, andzfred. Our data demonstrated that topramezone treatment could interrupt retinoid signaling and further affect zebrafish eye development.
Vacuolar invertase activity shapes photosynthetic stress response ofArabidopsis thalianaand stabilizes central energy supply
Authors: Weiszmann Jakob , Fürtauer Lisa , Weckwerth Wolfram , Nägele Thomas
Published: July 2017

Stabilization of the central carbohydrate and energy metabolism plays a key role in plant stress response. As the primary photosynthetic products, carbohydrates are substrate for numerous metabolic and stress-protective reactions. Further, they have been shown to be involved in diverse signalling processes finally affecting and regulating plant stress response on a whole plant level. Sucrose metabolism is known to be central to many stress-related processes and enzymes catalysing its biosynthesis, transport and degradation have been shown to significantly impact stress resistance and acclimation output. However, due to the cyclic structure of sucrose metabolism involving sucrose cleavage in multiple compartments as well as energy-demanding re-synthesis via hexose phosphorylation, it is challenging to derive an unambiguous picture of its contribution to stress reactions. In the present study, a combined stress experiment comprising cold and high-light identified metabolism of sucrose and fumaric acid to significantly separate the stress response of a cold susceptible and a tolerant natural accession ofArabidopsis thaliana. Kinetic modelling and simulation of subcellular rates of invertase-driven sucrose cleavage revealed a contrasting picture between the susceptible and the tolerant accession pointing to an important role of vacuolar invertase during initial stress response. Using a T-DNA insertion mutant with a dramatically reduced invertase activity provided evidence for a central role of the enzyme in stabilizing photosynthesis and the central energy metabolism during freezing and high-light stress. Reducing vacuolar invertase activity to about 3% of the wild type resulted in a strong increase of ADP and ATP levels indicating a severe effect on cytosolic and plastidial energy balance. Together with a significant decrease of maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) these results suggest that vacuolar invertase activity stabilizes cytosolic energy metabolism by supplying hexose equivalents being phosphorylated in the cytosol. Finally, the accompanying ATP consumption is essential for cytosolic phosphate balance which directly affects photosynthetic performance by the supply of ADP being crucial for photosynthetic ATP production.
Architecture of TAF11/TAF13/TBP complex suggests novel regulatory state in General Transcription Factor TFIID function
Authors: Gupta Kapil , Watson Aleksandra A. , Baptista Tiago , Scheer Elisabeth , Chambers Anna L. , Koehler Christine , Zou Juan , Obong-Ebong Ima , Kandiah Eaazhisai , Temblador Arturo , Round Adam , Forest Eric , Man Petr , Bieniossek Christoph , Laue Ernest D. , Lemke Edward A. , Rappsilber Juri , Robinson Carol V. , Devys Didier , Tora Laszlo , Berger Imre
Published: July 2017

General transcription factor TFIID is a key component of RNA polymerase II transcription initiation. Human TFIID is a megadalton-sized complex comprising TATA-binding protein (TBP) and 13 TBP-associated factors (TAFs). TBP binds to core promoter DNA, recognizing the TATA-box. We identified a ternary complex formed by TBP and the histone fold (HF) domain-containing TFIID subunits TAF11 and TAF13. We demonstrate that TAF11/TAF13 competes for TBP binding with TATA-box DNA, and also with the N-terminal domain of TAF1 previously implicated in TATA-box mimicry. In an integrative approach combining crystal coordinates, biochemical analyses and data from cross-linking mass-spectrometry (CLMS), we determine the architecture of the TAF11/TAF13/TBP complex, revealing TAF11/TAF13 interaction with the DNA binding surface of TBP. We identify a highly conserved C-terminal TBP-binding domain (CTID) in TAF13 which is essential for supporting cell growth. Our results thus have implications for cellular TFIID assembly and suggest a novel regulatory state for TFIID function.
Information topology of gene expression profile in dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Tapia Pacheco Mónica , Baudot Pierre , Dufour Martial A. , Formisano-Tréziny Christine , Temporal Simone , Lasserre Manon , Gabert Jean , Kobayashi Kazuto , Goaillard Jean-Marc
Published: July 2017

SUMMARY PARAGRAPH

Extracting high-degree interactions and dependences between variables (pairs, triplets, …k-tuples) is a challenge posed by all omics approaches1, 2. Here we used multivariate mutual information (Ik) analysis3on single-cell retro-transcription quantitative PCR (sc-RTqPCR) data obtained from midbrain neurons to estimate the k-dimensional topology of their gene expression profiles. 41 mRNAs were quantified and statistical dependences in gene expression levels could be fully described for 21 genes: Ikanalysis revealed a complex combinatorial structure including modules of pairs, triplets (up to 6-tuples) sharing strong positive, negative or zero Ik, corresponding to co-varying, clustering and independent sets of genes, respectively. Therefore, Ikanalysis simultaneously identified heterogeneity (negative Ik) of the cell population under study and regulatory principles conserved across the population (homogeneity, positive Ik). Moreover, maximum information paths enabled to determine the size and stability of such transcriptional modules. Ikanalysis represents a new topological and statistical method of data analysis.
CINNA: An R/CRAN package to decipher Central Informative Nodes in Network Analysis
Authors: Ashtiani Minoo , Mirzaie Mehdi , Jafari Mohieddin
Published: July 2017

In network science, usually there is a critical step known as centrality analysis. This is an important step, since by using centrality measures, a large number of vertices with low priority are set aside and only a few ones remain to be used for further inferential outcomes. In the other words, these measures help us to sieve our large network and distinguish coarse vertices. By that, important decisions could be made based on the circumstances of these vertices on the overall behavior of networks. These vertices are potentially assumed as central or essential nodes. However, the centrality analysis has always been accompanied by a series of ambiguities, since there are a large number of well-known centrality measures, with different algorithms pointing to these essential nodes and there is no well-defined preference. Which measure explore more information in a given network about node essentiality according to the topological features? While here, we tried to provide a pipeline to have a comparison among all proper centrality measures regarding the network structure and choose the most informative one according to dimensional reduction methods. Central Informative Nodes in Network Analysis (CINNA) package is prepared to gather all required function for centrality analysis in the weighted/unweighted and directed/undirected networks.

Availability and implementation

CINNAis available in CRAN, including a tutorial. URL:https://cran.r-proiect.org/web/packages/CINNA/index.html

Contact:miafari@pasteur.ac.ir
PFKFB4 control of Akt signaling is essential for premigratory and migratory neural crest formation
Authors: Figueiredo Ana Leonor , Maczkowiak Frédérique , Borday Caroline , Pla Patrick , Sittewelle Meghane , Pegoraro Caterina , Monsoro-Burq Anne H.
Published: July 2017

Summary statement

PFKFB4 controls neural crest final specification and migration by regulation of AKT signaling or glycolysis.

Neural crest (NC) specification comprises an early phase, initiating immature NC progenitors formation at neural plate stage, and a later phase at neural fold stage, resulting into functional premigratory NC, able to delaminate and migrate. We found that the NC-GRN triggers up-regulation ofpfkfb4(6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase4) during this late specification phase. As shown in previous studies, PFKFB4 controls AKT signaling in gastrulas and glycolysis rate in adult cells. Here, we focus on PFKFB4 function in NC during and after neurulation, using time-controlled or hypomorph depletionsin vivo. We find that PFKFB4 is essential both for specification of functional premigratory NC and for its migration. PFKFB4-depleted embryos fail activatingn-cadherinand late NC specifiers, exhibit severe migration defects, resulting in craniofacial defects. AKT signaling mediates PFKFB4 function in NC late specification, while both AKT signaling and glycolysis regulate migration. These findings highlight novel and critical roles of PFKFB4 activity in later stages of NC development, wired into the NC-GRN.
Cell Lineage and Communication Network Inference via Optimization for Single-cell Transcriptomics
Authors: Wang Shuxiong , Karikomi Matthew , MacLean Adam L. , Nie Qing
Published: July 2017

The use of single-cell transcriptomics has become a major approach to delineate cell subpopulations and the transitions between them. While various computational tools using different mathematical methods have been developed to infer clusters, marker genes, and cell lineage, none yet integrate these within a mathematical framework to perform multiple tasks coherently. Such coherence is critical for the inference of cell-cell communication, a major remaining challenge. Here we present similarity matrix-based optimization for single-cell data analysis (SoptSC), in which unsupervised clustering, pseudotemporal ordering, lineage inference, and marker gene identification are inferred via a structured cell-to-cell similarity matrix. SoptSC then predicts cell-cell communication networks, enabling reconstruction of complex cell lineages that include feedback or feedforward interactions. Application of SoptSC to early embryonic development, epidermal regeneration, and hematopoiesis demonstrates robust identification of subpopulations, lineage relationships, and pseudotime, and prediction of pathway-specific cell communication patterns regulating processes of development and differentiation.
Functional significance of spectrotemporal response functions obtained using magnetoencephalography
Authors: Constantino Francisco Cervantes , Villafañe-Delgado Marisel , Camenga Elizabeth , Dombrowski Katya , Walsh Benjamin , Simon Jonathan Z.
Published: July 2017

The spectrotemporal response function (STRF) model of neural encoding quantitatively associates dynamic auditory neural (output) responses to a spectrogram-like representation of a dynamic (input) stimulus. STRFs were experimentally obtained via whole-head human cortical responses to dynamic auditory stimuli using magnetoencephalography (MEG). The stimuli employed consisted of unpredictable pure tones presented at a range of rates. The predictive power of the estimated STRFs was found to be comparable to those obtained from the cortical single and multiunit activity literature. The STRFs were also qualitatively consistent with those obtained from electrophysiological studies in animal models; in particular their local-field-potential-generated spectral distributions and multiunit-activity-generated temporal distributions. Comparison of these MEG STRFs with others obtained using natural speech and music stimuli reveal a general structure consistent with common baseline auditory processing, including evidence for a transition in low-level neural representations of natural speech by 100 ms, when an appropriately chosen stimulus representation was used. It is also demonstrated that MEG-based STRFs contain information similar to that obtained using classic auditory evoked potential based approaches, but with extended applications to long-duration, non-repeated stimuli.

Author summary

The spectrotemporal response function (STRF) model of linking dynamic acoustic stimuli to dynamic neural responses is applied to whole-head non-invasive magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings of the human auditory cortex. MEG STRFs were consistent predictors of neural activity, quantitatively and qualitatively, by comparison to those obtained from animal models using local field potential or multiunit activity as neural responses. Comparison of STRFs using stimuli as diverse as tone clouds, natural speech, and music revealed a common structure consistent with shared baseline auditory processing, when an appropriately chosen stimulus representation was used.
A human-specific switch of alternatively splicedAFMIDisoforms contributes toTP53mutations and tumor recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lin Kuan-Ting , Ma Wai-Kit , Scharner Juergen , Liu Yun-Ru , Krainer Adrian R.
Published: July 2017

Pre-mRNA splicing can contribute to the switch of cell identity that occurs in carcinogenesis. Here we analyze a large collection of RNA-Seq datasets and report that splicing changes in hepatocyte-specific enzymes, such asAFMIDandKHK, are associated with HCC patients’ survival and relapse. The switch ofAFMIDisoforms is an early event in HCC development, and is associated with driver mutations inTP53andARID1A. Finally, we show that the switch ofAFMIDisoforms is human-specific and not detectable in other species, including primates. The integrative analysis uncovers a mechanistic link between splicing switches,de novoNAD+biosynthesis, driver mutations, and HCC recurrence.
Intricacies of ligand coordination in tricarbonylchromium(0) complexes withortho- andpara-fluorobiphenyls
Authors: Guzei Ilia A. , Spencer Lara C. , Buechel Sondra C. , Kaufmann Leah B. , Czerwinski Curtis J.
Published: July 2017

The steric and electronic factors that influence which of the two rings of a substituted biphenyl ligand coordinates to chromium are of interest and it has been suggested that haptotropic rearrangements within these molecules may be limited if the arene–arene dihedral angle is too large. Two tricarbonylchromium(0) complexes and their respective free ligands have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the solid state, tricarbonyl[(1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-η)-2-fluoro-1,1′-biphenyl]chromium(0), [Cr(C12H9F)(CO)3], (I), exists as the more stable isomer with the nonhalogenated arene ring ligated to the metal center. Similarly, tricarbonyl[(1′,2′,3′,4′,5′,6′-η)-4-fluoro-1,1′-biphenyl]chromium(0) crystallizes as the more stable isomer with the phenyl ring bonded to the Cr0center. The arene–arene dihedral angles in these complexes are 55.77 (4) and 52.4 (5)°, respectively. Structural features of these complexes are compared to those of the DFT-optimized geometries of ten tricarbonyl[(η6-C6H5)(4-F-C6H4)]chromium model complexes. The solid-state structures of the free ligands 2-fluoro-1,1′-biphenyl and 4-fluoro-1,1′-biphenyl, both C12H9F, exhibit arene–arene dihedral angles of 54.83 (7) and 0.71 (8)°, respectively. The molecules of the free ligands occupy crystallographic twofold axes and exhibit positional disorder. Weak intermolecular C—H...F interactions are observed in all four structures.
Chasing innovation: a pilot case study of a rhizomatic design thinking education program
Authors: Biffi Alfredo , Bissola Rita , Imperatori Barbara
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate and discuss the main features and key challenges of an original post-graduate education program designed according to an innovative theoretical framework promoting design thinking in a rhizomatic approach. By involving different stakeholders, the aim of this entrepreneurship education program is to disseminate rhizomatic, design-based learning competencies and thereby contribute to revitalizing a region’s socio-economic fabric.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the use of a pilot case, the paper exemplifies the application of the design thinking approach combined with the rhizomatic logic. Design thinking enables dealing with the complexity, uncertainty, and ill-defined problems that often characterize a business reality while the rhizomatic process combines the production of collective knowledge through a non-linear, complex and emergent path that nurtures innovation.

Findings

This entrepreneurship education program exemplifies a viable strategy to deal with a regional economic crisis by engaging different local actors including enterprises, local institutions, municipalities, and universities. It demonstrates the potential value of a new educational approach as a powerful lever to activate the energy of people, their competencies, relationships, shared projects, and new entrepreneurial ventures. The first edition of the program offers ideas, practices, and challenges to all stakeholders of potentially similar education projects.

Originality/value

The depicted pilot case allows us to exemplify how a design thinking framework reinterpreted on the basis of a Deleuzian rhizomatic perspective can enable developing innovation as a way of overcoming difficulties and succeeding, an essential prerequisite for many entrepreneurial organizations today.
Examining US college students’ career information sources across three decades
Authors: Zondag Marcel M. , Brink Kyle E.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the career information sources used by university students and identify whether the use of the various sources differs across three generational cohorts.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to 322 students majoring in food marketing and related fields at 12 US universities. The results were compared to prior survey results from 1995 to 2004.

Findings

Students continue to use many of the same sources for career information, but use them more frequently. College professors/courses were the most fruitful sources, followed closely by career fair/company visit, job/internship, and family/relatives. Although career centers and counselors were used less frequently, their use is growing. Written materials are used the least, and their use is declining.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is limited to the food and consumer packaged goods (“food/CPG”) industry. It is also limited to US college students.

Practical implications

If organizations and recruiters want to reach and attract millennial students, establishing and fostering relationships with university personnel, especially faculty, is critical. Investing in course activities (e.g. guest lectures, case studies) and industry experiences (e.g. jobs and internships) is also important.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine the use of career information sources across generational cohorts specifically in the context of the food/CPG industry. The results are bolstered by robust samples and the time-lag design.
Planning for the redevelopment after a fire event
Authors: MacKenzie Andrew
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of planners and designers in supporting residents to negotiate the challenges of rebuilding after wildfire on the urban fringe. The research seeks to understand how planning and design professionals, in providing professional services, comprehend the changing expectations of residents transitioning from emergency to the slow process of achieving a post fire normal state through the project of redesigning their homes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses semi-structured interviews to examine the role of planners and designers employed to facilitate and assess, or provide design services for residents who rebuilt houses after the 2003 bushfires in Canberra, Australia’s Capital City. Narrative analysis was used to identify emerging themes based on their professional experiences during the redevelopment of the suburb.

Findings

Case analysis shows that external influences were significant contributing factors in determining the design of houses rebuilt after the fires. The goal for both the designers and residents was to design a more sustainable built form; however, this was not achieved as external social and cultural influences came into the decision-making process.

Practical implications

The paper provides a different perspective on the competing goals planners and designers face in supporting residents to rebuild after disasters such as wild fires. It highlights the changing nature of the relationship between professionals and community. In particular, the research suggests planners can play an important role as observers and facilitators of long-term change occurring in the years after wildfire. The research provides insights into how planners and building designers may better serve the community by gaining a better understanding of the changing nature of redevelopment over time.

Originality/value

The research provides a novel approach to understanding the challenges facing planners and building designers working with residents to rebuild houses after wildfire. The paper makes the case for a better understanding of the temporal dynamics and external influences affecting decision making in post disaster redevelopment of homes.
The energy efficiency and carbon footprint of temporary homes: a case study from Japan
Authors: Kuittinen Matti , Takano Atsushi
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the energy efficiency and life cycle carbon footprint of temporary homes in Japan after the Great Eastern Tohoku Earthquake in 2011.

Design/methodology/approach

An energy simulation and life cycle assessment have been done for three alternative shelter models: prefabricated shelters, wooden log shelters and sea container shelters.

Findings

Shelter materials have a very high share of life cycle emissions because the use period of temporary homes is short. Wooden shelters perform best in the comparison. The clustering of shelters into longer buildings or on top of each other increases their energy efficiency considerably. Sea containers piled on top of each other have superb energy performance compared to other models, and they consume even less energy per household than the national average. However, there are several gaps of knowledge in the environmental assessment of temporary homes and field data from refugee camps should be collected as part of camp management.

Originality/value

The findings exemplify the impacts of the proper design of temporary homes for mitigating their energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions.
Stakeholders’ role in disaster-risk-reduction of fire occurrences in Lagos Metropolis
Authors: Alabi Adewale Segun , Adegbile Michael , Alabi Oluwadamilola , Abisuga Olatunji , Oyewole Kehinde , Oshodi Olalekan
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Recently, frequent occurrence of fire incidences in various building types with devastating effects on human settlements have proliferated and have become of serious concern to Nigeria’s economy. Hence, there is a need to proactively address strategic weaknesses in measures directed at protecting the built environment (BE). The purpose of this paper is to examine stakeholders’ role in the frameworks on disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the context of fire hazards within Lagos metropolis. Analysis is based on findings of research carried out on vulnerability, resilience assessment and guiding principles from three recent frameworks.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed research design was adopted using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. In all, 165 BE professionals in the construction industry, state/federal emergency management and local/national government agencies were randomly selected.

Findings

Findings show that stakeholders believe prevention, preparedness and mitigation of disasters are the most important; however, BE professionals in the construction industry do not play active roles in the mitigation of fire risk despite wide publications on guidance for fire hazard mitigation. These stakeholders urgently need to adopt fire hazard mitigation strategies, especially in the pre-construction phase of a building’s life cycle which is identified as the most critical stage in the construction phase.

Research limitations/implications

The paper looked at fire occurrence in Lagos from the perspective of the BE with the view to fill knowledge gaps for adopting fire hazard mitigation strategies.

Originality/value

The findings brought to bear the need for stakeholders, especially BE professionals in the construction industry, to be better involved in DRR as regards fire occurrences.
Post-reforms training needs of frontline managers in Indian power distribution companies
Authors: Vishwakarma Suresh , Tyagi Ruchi
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the training needs based on top management view point for the development of frontline managers (FLM) of Indian power distribution companies (DISCOMs).

Design/methodology/approach

DISCOMs’ top managers were interviewed to develop questionnaire items. A total of ten items were identified; the response from the middle managers and FLM were collected with the help of a questionnaire on a five-point Likert type. The Cronbach’s alpha, face and content validity of instrument were performed. The sample population was 364 based on stratified probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling. The statistical tool used for data analysis was chi square through SPSS package.

Findings

Top management of DISCOMs for developing training program emphasizes on 10 organizational items. Which when assessed with middle and FLM of DISCOM, the results indicated a disagreement between their opinions suggesting practical implications on training need analysis at these DISCOMs.

Research limitations/implications

The emphasis of top management for identifying the FLM training needs only acknowledges the work environment and customer requirements, whereas the personal and task related factors (other than customer services) affecting their performance are overlooked.

Originality/value

Reforms in the Indian power sector have been introduced only 26 years back. This study explicitly focuses on the DISCOMs at the central India. Present viewpoint of top management on the competency and training needs of their FLM. The Cronbach’s alpha and discriminant validity has been performed.
Implementation of a balanced scorecard for hybrid business models – an application for citizen renewable energy companies in Germany
Authors: Kahla Franziska
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce strategic management tools for companies with hybrid business models, for example, those with citizen participation. These models are often used of citizen renewable energy companies that have become a main pillar of the energy sector in Germany in recent years. The strategic management tools proposed here could help to achieve most of their objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first step, a definition of hybrid businesses is derived by literature review, and the importance of strategic management in companies with citizen participation is discussed. In the next step, a new construct of a balanced scorecard (BSC) model is applied to citizen renewable energy companies by using survey data and previous studies.

Findings

Companies with citizen participation differ from profit-seeking companies and nonprofit organizations, and they are described by new hybrid business models. This study shows with a modification of the BSC that social or environmental aims are as important as financial ones to companies with citizen participation, which follow a double bottom line approach.

Practical implications

Hybrid businesses are important for the German energy sector, and strategic management tools are needed for their continued success and competitiveness. This paper can be a starting point for the management who want to implement these tools.

Originality/value

The paper addresses a gap in the strategic management literature on companies with citizen participation. The tools developed here can be modified for other hybrid businesses.
An adaptive approach for recovering overlapping echoes in oil film thickness measurement by ultrasound
Authors: Zhang Kai , Wu Tonghai , Duan Zhihe , Meng Qingfeng , Meng Qinghu
Published: July 2017

Purpose

For oil film thickness measurement using ultrasonic spring model, obtaining the isolated reflection from the oil film layer is the key point. While for oil film thickness measurement in thrust bearings with thin liner, the reflection from the substrate-Babbitt interface will overlap with the reflection from the oil film layer. This overlapping will render the ultrasonic spring model invalid. To obtain the isolated reflected signal from the oil film layer accurately, an adaptive method was developed to recover the overlapping echoes.

Design/methodology/approach

A genetic-algorithm-based support matching pursuit (GA-based SMP) was developed to provide the optimal echo number and initial parameters guesses automatically and efficiently. Then, the traditional expectation maximization (EM) model was used to fine tune the accurate results.

Findings

The developed method was tested using both simulated echoes and the overlapping echoes encountered in the ultrasonic oil film thickness measurement of thrust bearings. The results demonstrated that the developed method performed well on recovering overlapping echoes adaptively.

Originality/value

The work shows an adaptive method to recover the ultrasonic overlapping echoes. When used in ultrasonic oil film thickness measurement, it can help extend the application of traditional ultrasonic spring model to objects with four or more layers.
Tribological properties of beef tallow as lubricating grease
Authors: Padgurskas Juozas , Rukuiža Raimundas , Mandziuk Ihor , Kupcinskas Arturas , Prisyazhna Katerina , Grigoriev Andrei , Kavaliova Inna , Revo Sergej
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the tribological properties of beef tallow grease and improvements therein through modification with special processing, polymeric compounds and additives.

Design/methodology/approach

Pure original beef tallow grease was used as a biological lubricating grease reference material for the tribological research. Beef tallow was modified and synthesized by adding special biological anti-oxidant additives, LZ anti-wear additives, waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer compounds and thermally processed graphite.

Findings

Rheometric measurements indicate that the beef tallow grease modification technology used in this study enables control of the synthesis process to produce lubricants with the required microstructure. Investigation results of the tribological properties of differently modified greases show that beef tallow synthesized with polymer additives efficiently operates together with anti-wear additives to reduce friction and wear. The grease compound with thermally processed graphite has good tribological properties at 300 N load levels. The critical load level of lubricating greases could be significantly increased through the use of anti-wear additives and thermally processed graphite.

Originality/value

Investigation results of the tribological properties of differently modified beef tallow greases show that beef tallow synthesized with polymer additives efficiently operates together with anti-wear additives to reduce friction and wear. The critical load level of lubricating beef tallow greases could be significantly increased using anti-wear additives and thermally processed graphite.
Genes important for survival or reproduction in Varroa destructor identified by RNAi
Authors: Huang Zachary Y. , Bian Guowu , Xi Zhiyong , Xie Xianbing
Published: July 2017

The Varroa mite, (Varroa destructor), is the worst threat to honey bee health worldwide. To explore the possibility of using RNA interference to control this pest, we determined the effects of knocking down various genes on Varroa mite survival and reproduction. Double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) of six candidate genes (Da, Pros26S, RpL8, RpL11, RpP0 and RpS13) were synthesized and each injected into Varroa mites, then mite survival and reproduction were assessed. Injection of dsRNA for Da (Daughterless) and Pros26S (Gene for proteasome 26S subunit adenosine triphosphatase) caused a significant reduction in mite survival, with 3.57% ± 1.94% and 30.03% ± 11.43% mites surviving at 72 h post‐injection (hpi), respectively. Control mites injected with green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐dsRNA showed survival rates of 81.95% ± 5.03% and 82.36 ± 2.81%, respectively. Injections of dsRNA for four other genes (RpL8, RpL11, RpP0 and RpS13) did not affect survival significantly, enabling us to assess their effect on Varroa mite reproduction. The number of female offspring per mite was significantly reduced for mites injected with dsRNA of each of these four genes compared to their GFP‐dsRNA controls. Knockdown of the target genes was verified by real‐time polymerase chain reaction for two genes important for reproduction (RpL8, RpL11) and one gene important for survival (Pros26S). In conclusion, through RNA interference, we have discovered two genes important for mite survival and four genes important for mite reproduction. These genes could be explored as possible targets for the control of Varroa destructor in the future.
Delayed postoperative diet is associated with a greater incidence of prolonged postoperative ileus and longer stay in hospital for patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery
Authors: Rees Joanna , Bobridge Kelly , Cash Catherine , Lyons‐Wall Philippa , Allan Rebecca , Coombes Jacqui
Published: July 2017

Aim

Recent evidence favours a move away from delaying postoperative nutrition towards early feeding practices for better patient outcomes after gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of the present study was to investigate postoperative diet progression and patient outcomes in a secondary hospital with a view to inform future practice.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of gastrointestinal surgery patients (n = 69) at a Western Australian general hospital. Demographic data and outcomes were collected from patient records and included presence or absence of prolonged postoperative ileus, length of stay in hospital, days on minimal nutrition and days until first flatus or stool.

Results

A significant positive association was observed between number of days a patient remained on minimal nutrition and length of stay in the overall group (r = 0.66, P < 0.01). Patients who developed prolonged postoperative ileus (n = 18, 26%) had a greater number of days on minimal nutrition (20.0 vs 8.0 days, P < 0.01), longer stay in hospital (15.0 vs 8.0 days, P < 0.01) and increased number of days to first flatus or stool (4.0 vs 2.4 days, P < 0.01) compared with those who did not develop prolonged postoperative ileus (n = 51, 74%).

Conclusions

This retrospective study of current practice in a secondary‐care general hospital highlights the gap between traditional care and the improved outcomes reported in the literature when early feeding practices are adopted after GI surgery. Further investigation of barriers and enablers is necessary to provide insight into developing the most appropriate strategy to achieve this.
Accuracy and confidence of allied health assistants administering the subjective global assessment on inpatients in a rural setting: a preliminary feasibility study
Authors: Newman Cristal S. , Cornwell Petrea L. , Young Adrienne M. , Ward Elizabeth C. , Mcerlain Annmarie L.
Published: July 2017

Aim

Malnutrition has a significant impact on patient outcomes and duration of inpatient stay. However, conducting timely nutrition assessments can be challenging for rural dietitians. A solution could be for allied health assistants (AHAs) to assist with these assessments. The present study aimed to assess the accuracy and confidence of AHAs trained to conduct the subjective global assessment (SGA) compared with dietitians.

Methods

A non‐inferiority study design was adopted. Forty‐five adult inpatients admitted to a rural and remote health service were assessed independently by both a trained AHA and dietitian within 24 hours. The order of assessment was randomised, with the second assessor blind to the outcome of the initial SGA. Levels of agreement were examined using kappa and percent exact agreement (PEA; set a priori at ≥80%). Rater confidence after each assessment was assessed using a 10‐point scale.

Results

Agreement for overall SGA ratings was high (kappa = 0.84; PEA 84.4%). PEA for individual sub‐components of the SGA ranged from 66.4 to 86.7%. Where discrepancies were identified in global SGA ratings, AHAs provided a more severe rating of malnutrition than dietitians. AHAs reported significantly lower confidence than dietitians (t = 4.49, P < 0.001), although mean confidence for both groups was quite high (AHA=7.5, dietitians = 9.0).

Conclusions

Trained AHAs completed the SGA with similar accuracy to dietitians. Using AHAs may help facilitate timely nutrition assessment in rural health services when a dietitian is not physically present. Further investigation is required to determine the benefits of incorporating this extended role into rural and remote health‐care services.
Clinical pattern and prevalence of upper gastrointestinal toxicity in patients abusing ketamine
Authors: Liu Shirley Yuk Wah , Ng Stephen Ka Kei , Tam Yuk Him , Yee Samuel Chi Hang , Lai Franco Pui Tak , Hong Cindy Yuek Lam , Chiu Philip Wai Yan , Ng Enders Kwok Wai , Ng Chi Fai
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVE

Evaluations of upper gastrointestinal toxicity from ketamine abuse are uncommon. This study investigated the clinical pattern of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in patients inhaling ketamine.

METHODS

In a cross‐sectional study of 611 consecutive patients who were seeking treatment for ketamine uropathy in a tertiary hospital setting between August 2008 and June 2016, their clinical pattern of upper gastrointestinal symptoms was evaluated and compared with a control population of 804 non‐users.

RESULTS

A total of 168 (27.5%) patients abusing ketamine (mean age 26.3 years, 58.9% female) reported the presence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms were significantly more prevalent in patients inhaling ketamine than in those who were not (27.5% vs 5.2%, P < 0.001). Their mean duration of ketamine abuse before symptom presentation was 5.0 ± 3.1 years. The presenting symptoms included epigastric pain (n = 155, 25.4%), recurrent vomiting (n = 48, 7.9%), anemia (n = 36, 5.9%) and gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 20, 3.3%). Uropathy symptoms were preceded by upper gastrointestinal symptoms for 4.4 ± 3.0 years in 141 (83.9%) patients. Logistic regression showed that elder age (odds ratio [OR] 1.06, P = 0.04), active abuser status (OR 1.60, P = 0.04) and longer duration of ketamine abuse (OR 1.00, P = 0.04) were independent factors associated with upper gastrointestinal toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Although epigastric symptoms are unusual in the young population, upper gastrointestinal toxicity was highly prevalent in those inhaling ketamine. Enquiries about ketamine abuse are recommended when assessing young patients with epigastric symptoms.
Chief financial officer demographic characteristics and fraudulent financial reporting in China
Authors: Sun Jinghui , Kent Pamela , Qi Baolei , Wang Jiwei
Published: July 2017

We investigate whether management's cognitions, values and perceptions are associated with fraud for 18 863 firm‐years for Chinese listed firms from 2000 to 2014. Demographic characteristics of the chief financial officer (CFO) are used as proxies for management's cognitions, values and perceptions. We find that fraudulent financial reporting is higher when CFOs are younger, male, and have lower education backgrounds. An analysis of inflated earnings, fictitious assets, material omissions and other material misstatements provide similar results, with the exception that CFOs with higher education levels are associated with more inflated earnings.
Exploring the relationship between strategic performance measurement systems and managers' creativity: the mediating role of psychological empowerment and organisational learning
Authors: Appuhami Ranjith
Published: July 2017

This study explores whether strategic performance measurement systems (SPMSs) are linked to managers' creativity through two mediating variables—organisational learning and psychological empowerment. Using data collected from 92 senior production managers in Australian manufacturing organisations, the study tests these links using a partial least squares structural model. The results from the structural model indicate that SPMSs are indirectly related to the managers' creativity through organisational learning and psychological empowerment. The study also finds that organisational learning is both directly related to creativity, and indirectly related to psychological empowerment. Further, the potential implications for empirical research are discussed.