bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel approach to 5H-pyrazino[2,3-b]indolesviaannulation of 3-diazoindolin-2-imines with 2H-azirines or 5-alkoxyisoxazoles under Rh(ii) catalysis
Authors: Ruvinskaya Julia O. , Rostovskii Nikolai V. , Filippov Ilya P. , Khlebnikov Alexander F. , Novikov Mikhail S.
Published: November 2017

The first example of rhodium carbenoid-mediated intermolecular annulation of cyclic diazo compounds with azirines and alkoxyisoxazoles is presented.
Revealing ruthenium and basicity synergetic effects in Ru–MgAl catalysts for isomerization of linoleic acid to conjugated linoleic acid
Authors: Chen Jiebo , Zhang Liaoyuan , Zheng Xinyu , Zheng Ying
Published: November 2017

Ru–MgAl catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation at different pH values, with the aim of investigating their catalytic performance for isomerization of linoleic acid and of understanding the relationship of basicity site and Ru activity site.
First-principles study of a new structure and oxidation mechanism of Pt3Zr
Authors: Pan Yong , Wang Shuanglun , Jia Linhu , Zhang Xi
Published: November 2017

Zirconia (ZrO2)–metal interfaces are interesting for solid oxide fuel cells.
Cellulose-based electrospun fibers functionalized with polypyrrole and polyaniline for fully organic batteries
Authors: Baptista A. C. , Ropio I. , Romba B. , Nobre J. P. , Henriques C. , Silva J. C. , Martins J. I. , Borges J. P. , Ferreira I.
Published: November 2017

A novel cellulose-based bio-battery made of electrospun fibers activated by biological fluids has been developed.
A facile nanocomposite strategy to fabricate a rGO–MWCNT photothermal layer for efficient water evaporation
Authors: Wang Yuchao , Wang Canzhu , Song Xiangju , Megarajan Suresh Kumar , Jiang Heqing
Published: November 2017

A facile strategy based on a nanocomposite is developed to fabricate a rGO–MWCNT membrane for the improvement of photothermal evaporation.
Proteomics and the human microbiome: where we are today and where we would like to be
Authors: Kolmeder Carolin Adriane
Published: November 2017

What are all these hundreds of different bacterial species doing in and on us? What interactions occur between the host and the microbes, and between the microbes themselves? By studying proteins, metaproteomics tries to find preliminary answers to these questions. There is daunting complexity around this; in fact, many of these proteins have never been studied before. This article is an introduction to the field of metaproteomics in the context of the human microbiome. It summarizes where we are and what we have learnt so far. The focus will be on faecal proteomics as most metaproteomics research has been conducted on that sample type. Metaproteomics has made major advances in the past decade, but new sample preparation strategies, improved mass spectrometric analysis and, most importantly, data analysis and interpretation have the potential to pave the way for large-cohort metaproteomics.
Rate of WD-WD head-on collisions in isolated triples is too low to explain standard type Ia supernovae
Authors: Toonen S. , Perets H. B. , Hamers A. S.
Published: November 2017

Context.Type Ia supernovae (Ia-SNe) are thought to arise from the thermonuclear explosions of white dwarfs (WDs). The progenitors of such explosions are still highly debated; in particular the conditions leading to detonations in WDs are not well understood in most of the suggested progenitor models. Nevertheless, direct head-on collisions of two WDs were shown to give rise to detonations and produce Ia-SNe – like explosions, and were suggested as possible progenitors.

Aims.The rates of such collisions in dense globular clusters are far below the observed rates of type Ia SNe, but it was suggested that quasi-secular evolution of hierarchical triples could produce a high rate of such collisions. With regular secular evolution, the expected Ia-SNe rate from isolated triples is orders of magnitude below the observed rate. Here we aim to test if the rate of WD collisions in triples can be significantly enhanced if quasi-secular evolution is taken into account.

Methods.We used detailed triple stellar evolution populations synthesis models coupled with dynamical secular evolution to calculate the rates of WD-WD collisions in triples and their properties. We explored a range of models with different realistic initial conditions and derived the expected SNe total mass, mass-ratio and delay time distributions for each of the models.

Results.We find that the SNe rate from WD-WD collisions is of the order of 0.1% of the observed Ia-SNe rate across all our models, and the delay-time distribution is almost uniform in time, and is inconsistent with observations.

Conclusions.We conclude that SNe from WD-WD collisions in isolated triples can at most provide for a small fraction of Ia-SNe, and can not serve as the main progenitors of such explosions.
Characterization of hidden modes in networks of superconducting qubits
Authors: Sheldon Sarah , Sandberg Martin , Paik Hanhee , Abdo Baleegh , Chow Jerry M. , Steffen Matthias , Gambetta Jay M.
Published: November 2017

We present a method for detecting electromagnetic (EM) modes that couple to a superconducting qubit in a circuit quantum electrodynamics architecture. Based on measurement-induced dephasing, this technique allows the measurement of modes that have a high quality factor (Q) and may be difficult to detect through standard transmission and reflection measurements at the device ports. In this scheme, the qubit itself acts as a sensitive phase meter, revealing modes that couple to it through measurements of its coherence time. Such modes are indistinguishable from EM modes that do not couple to the qubit using a vector network analyzer. Moreover, this technique provides useful characterization parameters including the quality factor and the coupling strength of the unwanted resonances. We demonstrate the method for detecting both high-Q coupling resonators in planar devices as well as spurious modes produced by a 3D cavity.
Fitting a defect non-linear model with or without prior, distinguishing nuclear reaction products as an example
Authors: Helgesson P. , Sjöstrand H.
Published: November 2017

Fitting a parametrized function to data is important for many researchers and scientists. If the model is non-linear and/or defect, it is not trivial to do correctly and to include an adequate uncertainty analysis. This work presents how the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm for non-linear generalized least squares fitting can be used with a prior distribution for the parameters and how it can be combined with Gaussian processes to treat model defects. An example, where three peaks in a histogram are to be distinguished, is carefully studied. In particular, the probability r1 for a nuclear reaction to end up in one out of two overlapping peaks is studied. Synthetic data are used to investigate effects of linearizations and other assumptions. For perfect Gaussian peaks, it is seen that the estimated parameters are distributed close to the truth with good covariance estimates. This assumes that the method is applied correctly; for example, prior knowledge should be implemented using a prior distribution and not by assuming that some parameters are perfectly known (if they are not). It is also important to update the data covariance matrix using the fit if the uncertainties depend on the expected value of the data (e.g., for Poisson counting statistics or relative uncertainties). If a model defect is added to the peaks, such that their shape is unknown, a fit which assumes perfect Gaussian peaks becomes unable to reproduce the data, and the results for r1 become biased. It is, however, seen that it is possible to treat the model defect with a Gaussian process with a covariance function tailored for the situation, with hyper-parameters determined by leave-one-out cross validation. The resulting estimates for r1 are virtually unbiased, and the uncertainty estimates agree very well with the underlying uncertainty.
Nucleation mechanism of clathrate hydrates of water-soluble guest molecules
Authors: DeFever Ryan S. , Sarupria Sapna
Published: November 2017

The mechanism of nucleation of clathrate hydrates of a water-soluble guest molecule is rigorously investigated with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Results from forward flux sampling, committor probability analysis, and twenty straightforward MD trajectories were combined to create a comprehensive understanding of the nucleation mechanism. Seven different classes of order parameters with a total of 33 individual variants were studied. We rank and evaluate the efficacy of prospective reaction coordinate models built from these order parameters and linear combinations thereof. Order parameters based upon water structuring provide a better approximation of the reaction coordinate than those based upon guest structuring. Our calculations suggest that the transition state is characterized by 2–3 partial, face-sharing 512 cages that form a structural motif observed in the structure II crystal. Further simulations show that once formed, this structure significantly affects the ordering of vicinal guest molecules, likely leading to hydrate nucleation. Our results contribute to the current understanding of the water–guest interplay involved in hydrate nucleation and have relevance to hydrate-based technologies that use water-soluble guest molecules (e.g., tetrahydrofuran) in mixed hydrate systems.
Heterojunction p-Cu2O/n-Ga2O3 diode with high breakdown voltage
Authors: Watahiki Tatsuro , Yuda Yohei , Furukawa Akihiko , Yamamuka Mikio , Takiguchi Yuki , Miyajima Shinsuke
Published: November 2017

Heterojunction p-Cu2O/n-β-Ga2O3 diodes were fabricated on an epitaxially grown β-Ga2O3(001) layer. The reverse breakdown voltage of these p-n diodes reached 1.49 kV with a specific on-resistance of 8.2 mΩ cm2. The leakage current of the p-n diodes was lower than that of the Schottky barrier diode due to the higher barrier height against the electron. The ideality factor of the p-n diode was 1.31. It indicated that some portion of the recombination current at the interface contributed to the forward current, but the diffusion current was the dominant. The forward current more than 100 A/cm2 indicated the lower conduction band offset at the hetero-interface between Cu2O and Ga2O3 layers than that predicted from the bulk properties, resulting in such a high forward current without limitation. These results open the possibility of advanced device structures for wide bandgap Ga2O3 to achieve higher breakdown voltage and lower on-resistance.
A variational conformational dynamics approach to the selection of collective variables in metadynamics
Authors: McCarty James , Parrinello Michele
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we combine two powerful computational techniques, well-tempered metadynamics and time-lagged independent component analysis. The aim is to develop a new tool for studying rare events and exploring complex free energy landscapes. Metadynamics is a well-established and widely used enhanced sampling method whose efficiency depends on an appropriate choice of collective variables. Often the initial choice is not optimal leading to slow convergence. However by analyzing the dynamics generated in one such run with a time-lagged independent component analysis and the techniques recently developed in the area of conformational dynamics, we obtain much more efficient collective variables that are also better capable of illuminating the physics of the system. We demonstrate the power of this approach in two paradigmatic examples.
Gluing for the constraints for higher spin fields
Authors: Joudioux Jérémie
Published: November 2017

This note is a follow-up on the paper by Beig and Chruściel regarding the use of potentials to perform gluing and shielding of initial data for Maxwell fields and linearised gravity. Based on a work in collaboration with Andersson and Bäckdahl, this gluing and shielding procedure is generalised to higher spin fields. The approach is based on a generalisation of the de Rham complex to higher spin fields providing a parametrization of the set of constraints, as well as standard elliptic theory to prove the existence of a potential.
The mechanism of ΔT variation in coupled heat transfer and phase transformation for elastocaloric materials and its application in materials characterization
Authors: Qian Suxin , Yuan Lifen , Yu Jianlin , Yan Gang
Published: November 2017

Elastocaloric cooling serves as a promising environmental friendly candidate with substantial energy saving potential as the next generation cooling technology for air-conditioning, refrigeration, and electronic cooling applications. The temperature change (ΔT) of elastocaloric materials is a direct measure of their elastocaloric effect, which scales proportionally with the device cooling performance based on this phenomenon. Here, the underlying physics between the measured ΔT and the adiabatic temperature span ΔTad is revealed by theoretical investigation of the simplified energy equation describing the coupled simultaneous heat transfer and phase transformation processes. The revealed relation of ΔT depends on a simple and symmetric non-linear function, which requires the introduction of an important dimensionless number Φ, defined as the ratio between convective heat transfer energy and variation of internal energy of the material. The theory was supported by more than 100 data points from the open literature for four different material compositions. Based on the theory, a data sampling and reduction technique was proposed to assist future material characterization studies. Instead of approaching ΔTad by applying an ultrafast strain rate in the old way, the proposed prediction of ΔTad is based on the non-linear least squares fitting method with the measured ΔT dataset at different strain rates within the moderate range. Numerical case studies indicated that the uncertainty associated with the proposed method is within ±1 K if the sampled data satisfied two conditions. In addition, the heat transfer coefficient can be estimated as a by-product of the least squares fitting method proposed in this study.
Wavelength-selective enhancement of photo-responsivity in metal-gated multi-layer MoS2 phototransistors
Authors: Lee Sanghyun , Park Youngseo , Yoo Geonwook , Heo Junseok
Published: November 2017

The responsivities of MoS2 based photodetectors or phototransistors have been improved by integrating additional layers or implementing a hetero-structure. Despite complicated processes, these methods only improve the overall responsivity and are not capable of wavelength selective enhancement. This study reports the wavelength-selective enhancement of photo-responsivity in a multi-layer MoS2 phototransistor by employing a reflective Al metal gate. We have observed that the photo-responsivities are enhanced at a wavelength of ∼500 nm (FWHM = 140 nm) in the Al metal-gated multi-layer MoS2 phototransistors. The finite difference time domain method also confirmed that the wavelength for enhanced responsivity can be adjusted according to the thicknesses of the MoS2 and gate insulating layer. Using this effect, the Al metal-gated multi-layer MoS2 phototransistors can be tuned for specific applications.
The role of hot electrons in the dynamics of a laser-driven strong converging shock
Authors: Llor Aisa E. , Ribeyre X. , Duchateau G. , Nguyen-Bui T. , Tikhonchuk V. T. , Colaïtis A. , Betti R. , Bose A. , Theobald W.
Published: November 2017

Experiments on strong shock excitation in spherical plastic targets conducted at the Omega Laser Facility are interpreted with the radiation–hydrodynamics code CHIC to account for parametric instabilities excitation and hot-electron generation. The effects of hot electrons on the shock-pressure amplification and upstream preheat are analyzed. It is demonstrated that both effects contribute to an increase in the shock velocity. Comparison of the measured laser reflectivity and shock flash time with numerical simulations makes it possible to reconstitute the time history of the ablation and shock pressures. Consequences of this analysis for the shock-ignition target design are discussed.
Electromagnetic retroreflection augmented by spherical and conical metasurfaces
Authors: Shang Yuping , Shen Zhongxiang
Published: November 2017

The focus of this paper is on phase gradient metasurfaces conformal to spherical and conical bodies of revolution, with an aim of engineering retroreflections and therefore augmenting backscattering cross-sections of those three-dimensional geometries under the illumination of a plane electromagnetic wave. Based on the conducting sphere and cone, the effect of the geometric revolution property on the selection of the unit inclusion of metasurfaces is considered. The procedure for using the selected unit inclusion to implement the proper reflection phase gradient onto the illuminated surfaces of those objects is formulated in detail. Retroreflections resembling conducting plates under normal incidence are observed for both the conducting sphere and cone coated with conformal metasurfaces. As a result, the redirection-induced retroreflection effectively contributes to the backscattering cross-section enhancement. A good agreement between full-wave simulations and measurements demonstrates the validity and effectiveness of backscattering cross-section enhancement using spherical and conical metasurfaces.
The influence of longitudinal magnetic-field gradient on the transverse relaxation rate of cesium atoms
Authors: Fu Y. Y. , Yuan J.
Published: November 2017

Reducing the transverse relaxation rate of alkali atoms is crucial to improve the sensitivity of the magnetometers. In a perturbative treatment of the effects of the magnetic-field gradients, the transverse relaxation rates of alkali atoms are predicted to be proportional to the square of the longitudinal magnetic-field gradient. The theoretical predictions are confirmed in our experiments. The magnetic-field gradients in the vapor cell are measured by experiments. The magnetic-field gradient in the cell is suppressed drastically through compensating it with the compensation coils. Experimental results show that suppressing the magnetic-field gradient can reduce the transverse relaxation rate of alkali atoms significantly. This study contributes to the development of ultra-high sensitivity alkali atomic magnetometers.
Investigation of negative permeability metamaterials for wireless power transfer
Authors: Xin Wenhui , Mi Chunting Chris , He Fei , Jiang Meng , Hua Dengxin
Published: November 2017

In order to enhance the transmission efficiency of wireless power transfer (WPT), a negative permeability metamaterials (NPM) with a structure of honeycomb composed by units of hexagon-shaped spirals copper is proposed in this paper. The unit parameters of the NPM are optimized, to make sure the negative permeability at the special frequency. The S-parameters of the designed NPM are measured by a network analyzer and the permeability is extracted, it shows the honeycomb NPM has a negative permeability at 6.43 MHz. A two-coil WPT is setup and the transmission efficiency of WPT embedded with NPM at the different position and with different structure are investigated. The measured results show that the 2-slab honeycomb NPM have a good perform compared with the 1-slab NPM, and the efficiency can be increased up to 51%. The results show that honeycomb NPM embedded in the WPT help to improve the transmission efficiency remarkable.
Comment on “Comments on ‘The Euclidean gravitational action as black hole entropy, singularities and space-time voids’” [J. Math. Phys. 50, 042502 (2009)]–Schwarzschild black hole lives to fight another day
Authors: Kundu Prasun K.
Published: November 2017

In a comment published several years ago in this journal, Mitra [J. Math. Phys. 50, 042502 (2009)] has claimed to prove that a neutral point particle in general relativity as described by the Schwarzschild metric must have zero gravitational mass, i.e., the mass parameter M0 of a Schwarzschild black hole necessarily vanishes. It is shown that the purported proof is incorrect. The error stems from a basic misunderstanding of the mathematical description of coordinate volume element in a differentiable manifold.
Keratin 6a reorganization for ubiquitin–proteasomal processing is a direct antimicrobial response
Authors: Chan Jonathan K.L. , Yuen Don , Too Priscilla Hiu-Mei , Sun Yan , Willard Belinda , Man David , Tam Connie
Published: November 2017

Skin and mucosal epithelia deploy antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to eliminate harmful microbes. We reported that the intermediate filament keratin 6a (K6a) is constitutively processed into antimicrobial fragments in corneal epithelial cells. In this study, we show that K6a network remodeling is a host defense response that directly up-regulates production of keratin-derived AMPs (KAMPs) by the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). Bacterial ligands trigger K6a phosphorylation at S19, S22, S37, and S60, leading to network disassembly. Mutagenic analysis of K6a confirmed that the site-specific phosphorylation augmented its solubility. K6a in the cytosol is ubiquitinated by cullin-RING E3 ligases for subsequent proteasomal processing. Without an appreciable increase in K6a gene expression and proteasome activity, a higher level of cytosolic K6a results in enhanced KAMP production. Although proteasome-mediated proteolysis is known to produce antigenic peptides in adaptive immunity, our findings demonstrate its new role in producing AMPs for innate immune defense. Manipulating K6a phosphorylation or UPS activity may provide opportunities to harness the innate immunity of epithelia against infection.
Resolvins suppress tumor growth and enhance cancer therapy
Authors: Sulciner Megan L. , Serhan Charles N. , Gilligan Molly M. , Mudge Dayna K. , Chang Jaimie , Gartung Allison , Lehner Kristen A. , Bielenberg Diane R. , Schmidt Birgitta , Dalli Jesmond , Greene Emily R. , Gus-Brautbar Yael , Piwowarski Julia , Mammoto Tadanori , Zurakowski David , Perretti Mauro , Sukhatme Vikas P. , Kaipainen Arja , Kieran Mark W. , Huang Sui , Panigrahy Dipak
Published: November 2017

Cancer therapy reduces tumor burden by killing tumor cells, yet it simultaneously creates tumor cell debris that may stimulate inflammation and tumor growth. Thus, conventional cancer therapy is inherently a double-edged sword. In this study, we show that tumor cells killed by chemotherapy or targeted therapy (“tumor cell debris”) stimulate primary tumor growth when coinjected with a subthreshold (nontumorigenic) inoculum of tumor cells by triggering macrophage proinflammatory cytokine release after phosphatidylserine exposure. Debris-stimulated tumors were inhibited by antiinflammatory and proresolving lipid autacoids, namely resolvin D1 (RvD1), RvD2, or RvE1. These mediators specifically inhibit debris-stimulated cancer progression by enhancing clearance of debris via macrophage phagocytosis in multiple tumor types. Resolvins counterregulate the release of cytokines/chemokines, including TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, CCL4, and CCL5, by human macrophages stimulated with cell debris. These results demonstrate that enhancing endogenous clearance of tumor cell debris is a new therapeutic target that may complement cytotoxic cancer therapies.
Developmental dysplasia of the hip: an update on diagnosis and management from birth to 6 months
Authors: Swarup Ishaan , Penny Caitlin L. , Dodwell Emily R.
Published: November 2017

Purpose of review

Our understanding of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is evolving. This review focuses on the most up-to-date literature on DDH in patients from birth to six months of age.

Recent findings

Well known risk factors for DDH include family history, female sex, and breech positioning. Recent evidence suggests higher birth weight is a risk, whereas prematurity may be protective. Screening includes physical examination of all infant hips and imaging when abnormal findings or risk factors are present. Treatment in the first six months consists of a harness, with 70–95% success. Failure risk factors include femoral nerve palsy, static bracing, irreducible hips, initiation after seven weeks of age, right hip dislocation, Graf-IV hips, and male sex. Rigid bracing may be trialed if reduction with a harness fails and closed reduction is indicated after failed bracing. If the hip is still irreducible, nonconcentric, or unstable, open reduction may be required following closed reduction. Evidence does not support delaying hip reduction until the ossific nucleus is present.

DDH affects 1–7% of infants. All infants should be examined and selective screening with imaging should be performed for abnormal physical exams or risk factors. Early treatment is associated with optimal outcomes.
The Range and Impact of Postmigration Stressors During Treatment of Trauma-Affected Refugees
Authors: Bruhn Maja , Rees Susan , Mohsin Mohammed , Silove Derrick , Carlsson Jessica
Published: November 2017

Trauma-affected refugees commonly experience postmigration stressors, which can compound conflict-related emotional distress. Our study aimed to assess clinician-rated frequency and types of postmigration stressors deemed to be interfering with the treatment of refugees attending a service for trauma-related mental distress. A total of 116 patients completed 6 months of multidisciplinary treatment. Clinician-rated postmigration stressors were registered at each session. Outcome measures were Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and Global Assessment of Functioning, function (GAF-F) and symptom. Postmigration stressors were deemed to impact on 39.1% of treatment sessions with medical personnel. Issues related to work, finances, and family were the most frequently identified stressors. Postmigration stressors interfering with treatment were more common among male refugees, those living alone, those from Middle Eastern origin, and persons with low baseline GAF-F. Explicitly identifying and, where possible, dealing with postmigration stressors may assist in averting their interference with the treatment of distress in refugees.
Vestibulovaginal Sclerosis Versus Lichen Sclerosus
Authors: Day Tania , Burston Kate , Dennerstein Graeme , Pagano Ross , Scurry James
Published: November 2017

To determine if vestibulovaginal sclerosis and lichen sclerosus (LS) are 2 distinct entities. Biopsies obtained from the vagina or vulvar vestibule that contained abnormal subepithelial collagen were reviewed. Cases were categorized either as LS or vestibulovaginal sclerosis based on presence or absence of basal layer degeneration and lymphocytic infiltrate. Clinical data collected included examination findings, biopsy site and indication, previous vulvovaginal surgery, medications at time of biopsy, vulvar LS, treatment, and response. There were 15 cases with a mean age of 62 yr (range: 32–86 yr); 12 (80%) specimens were from vestibule and 3 from vagina. Nine cases were categorized as LS because of lymphocytic infiltrate in combination with basal layer degeneration, of these 8 had LS elsewhere on vulvar skin. Six cases were classified as vestibulovaginal sclerosis and had an absent or sparse lymphocytic infiltrate and essentially normal epithelium; none of these had vulvar LS. While vestibulovaginal sclerosis and lichen sclerosus are distinguishable clinically and histopathologically, further studies are needed to determine if vestibulovaginal sclerosis is a subset of LS or a different condition.
Grassroots protest and policy change in hong kong
Authors: Wong Chack Kie , Mok Bong-ho
Published: November 2017

This paper examines the public protest by grassroots organizations which, in part, led to the withdrawal of the British colonial government’s privatization plan on health care finances in its final years of rule in Hong Kong, The authors argue that grassroots protest has to direct its efforts in the articulation of an ideological climate in favor of policy change. This is because grassroots organizations are often few in number and lack formal political power; they have to rely upon external resources to mobilize for policy change. Although a direct and causal relationship between the grassroots protest and the withdrawal of the government's privatization plan could not be firmly established, it is argued that the change of the debate from one about an administrative issue of health care finances to one about moral justice set the context for the eventual policy change.
Mastering information: The birth of citizen-initiated voter education in mongolia
Authors: Coston Jennifer M. , Butz Jennifer L.
Published: November 2017

In the 18 months preceding the parliamentary elections of June 1996 in Mongolia, a variety of nascent nongovernmental organizations began efforts to educate voters. These organizations, nearly all of them run for and by women, sought to inform the voting public about their rights and responsibilities as citizens in this new democracy. The methods and goals of these NGOs varied, as did their ultimate impact. This paper reviews the experience of two of these innovative organizations, demonstrates the potential contributions of NGOs to political transition, and identifies lessons learned regarding NGO efficacy and the challenges of neutrality and credibility. The cases illustrate the variety of means by which NGOs seek to balance and contextualize outside expertise and urban-centered information, reach broad and diversified constituencies, and maintain nonpartisanship in the process. While attribution is difficult, the cases provide promising evidence attesting to NGOs’ potential contribution and efficacy in civic education and democratization, even in contexts lacking historical and sometimes cultural democratic traditions.
The implementation of environment and natural resources policy in africa: Blending regulatory enforcement with community participation
Authors: Brinkerhoff Derick W.
Published: November 2017

This article examines recent African experience in environment and natural resources (ENR) policy implementation. The article identifies and analyzes trends in policy and program strategies that have led to an increasingly important role for grassroots participation in policy implementation. It delineates the benefits of this expanded grassroots role and traces the elements of new interorganizational approaches to participatory implementation. The argument is made that there is a mismatch between the current ENR policy agenda and the strategies designed to implement that agenda, and the organizations assigned implementation responsibility. The article concludes with a look at the key challenges to managing ENR implementation.
Spiritual wisdom and public administration: Are they compatible?
Authors: Lynch Thomas D. , Lynch Cynthia E.
Published: November 2017

This article argues for the use of spiritual wisdom in the profession of public administration. Given the problems emerging from the information age, this article projects some likely challenges of the new millennium and recommends that we should use all the wisdom available to humankind including the common spiritual wisdom found the primary literature of all the religious traditions. This article argues a fundamental shift has occurred in the paradigm that is needed to guide our actions in the twenty-first century. Fortunately, the existing spiritual wisdom can help us more intelligently meet those challenges especially in the area of ethic
Reflections on maintaining a spirituality in the government workplace: What it means and how to do it
Authors: Bruce Willa , Plocha Edward F.
Published: November 2017

This article offers ways to be spiritual in the public workplace. First, this article is not about religion but spirituality. Second, this article explains the current American context including the fact that we are a nation of seekers of spirituality. Thirdly, this article presents the elements of spirituality and the attitudes and traits of spiritual people. And finally, this article explains what it means to have spirituality in the public workplace.
The ethics of productivity: Toward increased dialogue and customer-based accountability
Authors: Berman Evan M. , Van Wart Montgomery
Published: November 2017

The ethics of recent productivity improvement strategies requires an open and inclusive dialogue among diverse stakeholders, as well as customer-based accountability. By contrast, the expertise of managers in the past tended to drive a public productivity improvement process that involved little dialogue and customer-based accountability. This article examines fundamental values in productivity improvement and relates these to increased dialogue and cusomer-based accountability.
On context and content: The study of organizations in two academic settings
Authors: Samuel Yitzhak
Published: November 2017

Notwithstanding of the profound impact of sociology on the study of organizations, the overall flow of contributions made by sociologists is rather limited. This field is now identified with the business and management schools, whose embers contribute most of the current publications on organizations. Nevertheless, most of those scholars primarily focus on business firms, and prefer practical problems. They tend to look at organizational issues from a management’s perspective, and they study topics at the micro level of organizational behavior. This paper presents data on journal articles in six major periodicals, for the entire period of 1986-1996, indicating those trends.
Motivation and evaluation in environmental management networks
Authors: Nelson Lisa S.
Published: November 2017

Interorganizational collaboration is increasingly seen as an important process in environmental management. The new paradigm of managing places as ecosystems requires increasing attention to sustaining specific combinations of natural features, communities and institutions. Such projects are long-term, and therefore require the participation and support of often divergent interests. Sustaining collaboration beyond the initial agreement to work together requires attention to the motivation of organizations and their representatives, and to the importance of achievements for participants and external stakeholders. This paper reviews the literature on motivation and measuring achievement in environmental networks.
The ethics of leadership trust
Authors: Rusaw A. Carol
Published: November 2017

According to Exchange Theory, leaders and followers set goals and carry out actions by calculating interests, efforts required to achieve goals, and possible payoffs. Leaders and followers negotiate a relationship based on reciprocity. If leaders or followers fail to meet mutual expectations, however, the leader-follower relationship deteriorates. Reciprocity, the paper asserts, fails to build relationships of trust. To achieve trust, leaders have an ethical responsibility to reduce fear and increase follower participation. Through this, leaders help followers re-define norms and demonstrate behaviors that achieve a more humane work environment. The article identifies 11 variables that affect leader-follower relationships of trust and suggests areas for future inquiry and organizational change.
Organizational innovation in developing countries: An empirical approach
Authors: Herrmann Pol , Gordillo Monica
Published: November 2017

This research examines the effect of external, organizational and individual variables on the rate of adoption of new technologies in the financial sector in Ecuador. Results suggest that size, functional differentiation, and formalization are the best predictors of adoption of innovations. Additionally, competition is significantly related to adoption.
The role of big business in the economic integration of latin america
Authors: Lanoue Darryl B.
Published: November 2017

In light of the current trend toward economic integration in Latin America, this paper examines the role that big business plays in export development. The analysis is primarily descriptive and focuses on three factors: the type of industry, ownership, and value of exports of the 300 largest companies in Latin America. The results indicate that state, private and foreign firms each dominate in particular types of industries. Contrary to the popular assumption that economic integration necessarily leads to development, these results suggest the need for changes in public policy in regard to the current structure of big business in Latin America and its role in export-led development.
Retraining and the technological productivity paradox
Authors: Larwood Laurie , Rodkin Sergei , Judson Dean
Published: November 2017

The need to maintain up-to-date technological skills despite an aging workforce makes it imperative that organizations increasingly focus on retraining older employees. This article develops an adult career model based on the acquisition of technological skills and gradual skill obsolescence. The model suggests the importance of retraining and provides practical implications to the development of retraining programs. Suggestions for future research are also offered.
Online health information seeking among women: the moderating role of health consciousness
Authors: Ahadzadeh Ashraf Sadat , Pahlevan Sharif Saeed , Sim Ong Fon
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is two fold: to test the moderating effect of health consciousness (HC) on the influence of attitude towards internet (AI) internet usage for health information seeking (IHI) behaviour; and examine whether HC moderates the influence of perceived health risk (PHR) on the internet usage for health information which is mediated by perceived usefulness of internet (PUI) and AI usage in an integrated model underpinned by health belief model and the technology acceptance model.

Design/methodology/approach

Data obtained for the current study were collected using convenience sampling and the sample consisted of women who not only have internet access but used the internet in their daily life. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) method was used to test the research hypotheses developed from a sample of 270 respondents.

Findings

Findings revealed that HC moderates the influence of AI use for health information seeking. In addition, the results also showed that the positive indirect effect of PHR on IHI through PUI and AI usage is significant for high level of HC but not for the medium and low levels of HC.

Originality/value

Major contribution of this study is in the testing of the moderating role of HC on the mediating effect of perceived usefulness of the internet and attitude on PHR and IHI.
3D digital geometry designs for Poland’s syndrome using Magics and Geomagic® Freeform®
Authors: Van Heerden Izél , Fossey Annabel , Booysen Gerrie J.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Poland’s syndrome patients often seek medical interventions to improve their aesthetic appearances. Design and manufacturing technologies make it possible to produce custom-made implants for such medical conditions. The purpose of this study was to compare the 3D digital geometries that were designed using Magics and Geomagic® Freeform® for two anonymous case studies of Poland’s syndrome patients.

Design/methodology/approach

Computed tomography data were acquired and processed in Mimics® to isolate the pectoralis muscles in STL file format. STL files were imported into Magics and Geomagic® Freeform® to design 3D digital geometries. Thereafter, comparative analyses were performed of the respective 3D digital geometries.

Findings

The angle between the vertical and oblique planes for both sides of the thorax was 6.5° for the female and 14° for the male. The surface areas and volumes of the geometries for the female were smaller than the male. Deviation analyses between the healthy side and reconstructed side of a thorax showed that 73 per cent of the test points for Magics and 78 per cent for Geomagic® Freeform® fell in the nominated tolerance region of >−5 and <+5 mm for the female. For the male, it was 83 per cent for Magics and 88 per cent for Geomagic® Freeform®.

Practical implications

Geomagic® Freeform® provides a more versatile design environment; however, the STL editor Magics may be an option to design 3D geometries for less intricate and less contoured implants.

Originality/value

This was a first attempt to compare the 3D geometries for Poland’s syndrome designed with an STL editor to those designed with a computer-aided design program.
Skewness Versus Kurtosis: Implications for Pricing and Hedging Options
Authors: Kim Sol , Lee Geul , Park Yuen Jung
Published: November 2017

We examine the relative influence of the skewness and kurtosis of option‐implied risk‐neutral density on pricing and hedging performance in the S&P 500 Index options market. We find that skewness exerts a greater impact on pricing and hedging errors than kurtosis. The model that considers skewness shows better performance for pricing and hedging options than the model that only considers kurtosis. Our results are consistent, even when the underlying return is extremely high or low, as well as for options on individual stocks. Overall, risk‐neutral skewness is more important than risk‐neutral kurtosis for pricing and hedging options.
A case report: Is mexiletine usage effective in the shortening of QTC interval and improving the T‐wave alternans in Timothy syndrome?
Authors: Tunca Sahin Gulhan , Ergul Yakup
Published: November 2017

Timothy syndrome (TS) is a multisystemic disease that occurs because of a mutation in CACN1C gene and is characterized by prolonged QT interval. Mexiletine is a Class 1B antiarrhythmic drug that causes the disappearance of T‐wave alternans by shortening QTc and peak‐to‐end of the T wave. It may block the development of torsades de pointes in a prolonged QT. This study presented the case of a patient diagnosed with TS and had a cardiac arrest history, prolonged QT, and T‐wave alternans. After mexiletine treatment, the QTc interval shortened and T‐wave alternans disappeared. Such a case has rarely been seen in the literature, and hence considered rare. This case presentation was of particular importance because it highlighted the use of mexiletine besides an initial beta‐blocker treatment in the cases with TS.
Oxaliplatin‐induced enteric neuronal loss and intestinal dysfunction is prevented by co‐treatment with BGP‐15
Authors: McQuade Rachel M , Stojanovska Vanesa , Stavely Rhian , Timpani Cara , Petersen Aaron C , Abalo Raquel , Bornstein Joel C , Rybalka Emma , Nurgali Kulmira
Published: November 2017

Background and Purpose

Gastrointestinal side effects of chemotherapy are an under‐recognized clinical problem, leading to dose reduction, delays and cessation of treatment, presenting a constant challenge for efficient and tolerated anti‐cancer treatment. We have found that oxaliplatin treatment results in intestinal dysfunction, oxidative stress and loss of enteric neurons. BGP‐15 is a novel cytoprotective compound with potential HSP72 co‐inducing and PARP inhibiting properties. In this study, we investigated the potential of BGP‐15 to alleviate oxaliplatin‐induced enteric neuropathy and intestinal dysfunction.

Experimental Approach

Balb/c mice received oxaliplatin (3 mg·kg−1·day−1) with and without BGP‐15 (15 mg·kg−1·day−1: i.p.) tri‐weekly for 14 days. Gastrointestinal transit was analysed via in vivo X‐ray imaging, before and after treatment. Colons were collected to assess ex vivo motility, neuronal mitochondrial superoxide and cytochrome c levels and for immunohistochemical analysis of myenteric neurons.

Key Results

Oxaliplatin‐induced neuronal loss increased the proportion of neuronal NO synthase‐immunoreactive neurons and increased levels of mitochondrial superoxide and cytochrome c in the myenteric plexus. These changes were correlated with an increase in PARP‐2 immunoreactivity in the colonic mucosa and were attenuated by BGP‐15 co‐treatment. Significant delays in gastrointestinal transit, intestinal emptying and pellet formation, impaired colonic motor activity, reduced faecal water content and lack of weight gain associated with oxaliplatin treatment were restored to sham levels in mice co‐treated with BGP‐15.

Conclusion and Implications

Our results showed that BGP‐15 ameliorated oxidative stress, increased enteric neuronal survival and alleviated oxaliplatin‐induced intestinal dysfunction, suggesting that BGP‐15 may relieve the gastrointestinal side effects of chemotherapy.
Treatment of clozapine‐associated obesity and diabetes with exenatide in adults with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial (CODEX)
Authors: Siskind Dan J , Russell Anthony W. , Gamble Clare , Winckel Karl , Mayfield Karla , Hollingworth Sam , Hickman Ingrid , Siskind Victor , Kisely Steve
Published: November 2017

Clozapine causes obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists (e.g. exenatide) can counter clozapine‐associated GLP‐1 dysregulation in animals, and may be beneficial in people on clozapine. This randomized, controlled, open‐label, pilot trial evaluated weekly exenatide for weight loss among clozapine‐treated obese adults with schizophrenia, with or without T2DM. A total of 28 outpatients were randomized to once‐weekly extended‐release subcutaneous exenatide or usual care for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was proportion of participants with >5% weight loss. All 28 participants completed the study; 3/14 in the exenatide group and 2/14 in the usual care group had T2DM. Six people on exenatide achieved >5% weight loss vs one receiving usual care (P = .029). Compared with usual care, participants on exenatide had greater mean weight loss (−5.29 vs −1.12 kg; P = .015) and body mass index reduction (−1.78 vs −0.39 kg/m2; P = .019), and reduced fasting glucose (−0.34 vs 0.39 mmol/L; P = .036) and glycated haemoglobin levels (−0.21% vs 0.03%; P = .004). There were no significant differences in other metabolic syndrome components. Exenatide may be a promising therapeutic agent for glycaemic control and weight loss in clozapine‐treated people with obesity, and could assist in reducing clozapine‐associated cardio‐metabolic morbidity and mortality.
Overtreatment of older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary care
Authors: Hart Huberta E. , Rutten Guy E. , Bontje Kyra N. , Vos Rimke C.
Published: November 2017

Given that there are indications of overtreatment in older patients with type 2 diabetes in both the United States and Europe, we assessed the level of personalized diabetes treatment for older patients in primary care, focusing on overtreatment. Based on Dutch guidelines individuals aged ≥70 years were classified into 3 glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) treatment target groups: 7% (53 mmol/mol), 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) and 8% (64 mmol/mol).

In our cohort of 1002 patients (n = 319 aged ≥70 years), the 165 patients with HbA1c targets >7% had more micro‐ and macrovascular complications, more often used ≥5 medicines and were more often frail compared with those with an HbA1c target ≤7%. Of these 165 patients, 64 (38.8%) were overtreated; that is, 20% of all people aged ≥70 years. The majority of overtreated people were frail and used ≥5 medicines. Hypoglycaemia occurred in 20.3% of these patients and almost 30% reported accidents involving falls. Personalized treatment in older people with type 2 diabetes is not common practice. A substantial number of older people are overtreated, with probable harmful consequences. To prevent overtreatment, definition of lower HbA1c limits might be helpful.