bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contriving a chimeric polyvalent vaccine to prevent infections caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (Type-1 and Type-2): an exploratory immunoinformatic approach
Authors: Hasan Mahmudul , Islam Md Shiful , Chakraborty Sourav , Mustafa Abu Hasnat , Azim Kazi Faizul , Joy Ziaul Faruque , Hossain Md Nazmul , Foysal Shakhawat Hossain , Hasan Md Nazmul
Published: June 2019

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) cause a variety of infections including oral-facial infections, genital herpes, herpes keratitis, cutaneous infection and so on. To date, FDA-approved licensed HSV vaccine is not available yet. Hence, the study was conducted to identify and characterize an effective epitope based polyvalent vaccine against both types of Herpes Simplex Virus through targeting six viral proteins. The selected proteins were retrieved from viralzone and assessed to design highly antigenic epitopes by binding analyses of the peptides with MHC class-I and class-II molecules, antigenicity screening, transmembrane topology screening, allergenicity and toxicity assessment, population coverage analysis and molecular docking approach. The final vaccine was constructed by the combination of top CTL, HTL and BCL epitopes from each protein along with suitable adjuvant and linkers. Physicochemical and secondary structure analysis, disulfide engineering, molecular dynamic simulation and codon adaptation were further employed to develop a unique multi-epitope peptide vaccine. Docking analysis of the refined vaccine structure with different MHC molecules and human immune TLR-2 receptor demonstrated higher interaction. Complexed structure of the modeled vaccine and TLR-2 showed minimal deformability at molecular level. Moreover, translational potency and microbial expression of the modeled vaccine was analyzed with pET28a(+) vector forE. colistrain strain K12. The study enabled design of a novel chimeric polyvalent vaccine to confer broad range immunity against both HSV serotypes. However, further wet lab based research using model animals are highly recommended to experimentally validate our findings.
Mycobacterium tuberculosisinfection boosts B cell responses to unrelated pathogens
Authors: Kimuda Simon G. , Andia-Biraro Irene , Sebina Ismail , Egesa Moses , Nalwoga Angela , Smith Steven G. , Bagaya Bernard S. , Levin Jonathan , Elliott Alison M. , Raynes John G. , Cose Stephen
Published: June 2019

Antigens fromMycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb), have been shown to stimulate human B cell responses to unrelated recall antigensin vitro. However, it is not known whether naturalM.tbinfection or whether vaccination with the related species,Mycobacterium bovisBCG, has a similar effect. This study investigated the effects ofM.tbinfection and BCG vaccination on B cell responses to heterologous pathogen recall antigens. Antibodies against several bacterial and viral pathogens were quantified by ELISA in 68 uninfected controls, 62 individuals with latent TB infection (LTBI) and 107 active pulmonary TB (APTB) cases, and 24 recently BCG-vaccinated adolescents and naive controls. Antibody avidity was investigated using surface plasmon resonance and B cell ELISPOT assays were used to measure plasmablast and memory B cell responses (MBC) in APTB cases and healthy donor controls. APTB was associated with higher levels of antibodies to tetanus toxoid (TT), diphtheria toxoid, respiratory syncytial virus, measles virus and Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus, compared to uninfected controls. Vaccination with BCG did not alter levels of antibodies against heterologous pathogens. TT-specific antibody avidity was increased in APTB and the ratio of TT-specific plasmablasts to MBCs in the APTB cases was 7:1.M.tbinfection boosts serological memory to heterologous pathogens in human subjects and this process may be driven by polyclonal activation of memory B cells.

Significance

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb)has potent immunostimulatory properties and has been used in adjuvant preparations to improve vaccine responses in animals. This study shows that naturalM.tbinfection in humans is associated with increased antibody and B cell recall responses to heterologous pathogens. This data suggests a potential role forM.tbantigens in immunotherapies designed to maintain antibody immunity to diverse infections.
A novel decellularization method to produce brain scaffolds
Authors: Granato Alessandro E.C. , da Cruz Edgar Ferreira , Rodrigues-Junior Dorival Mendes , Mosini Amanda Cristina , Ulrich Henning , Cheffer Arquimedes , Porcionatto Marimelia
Published: June 2019

Scaffolds composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) can assist tissue remodeling and repair following injury. The ECM is a complex biomaterial composed of proteins, glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans, secreted by cells. The ECM contains fundamental biological cues that modulate cell behavior and serves as a structural scaffold for cell adhesion and growth. For clinical applications, where immune rejection is a constraint, ECM can be processed using decellularization methods intended to remove cells and donor antigens from tissue or organs, while preserving native biological cues essential for cell growth and differentiation. Recent studies show bioengineered organs composed by a combination of a diversity of materials and stem cells as a possibility of new therapeutic strategies to treat diseases that affect different tissues and organs, including the central nervous system (CNS). Nevertheless, the methodologies currently described for brain decellularization involve the use of several chemical reagents with many steps that ultimately limit the process of organ or tissue recellularization. Here, we describe for the first time a fast and straightforward method for complete decellularization of mice brain by the combination of rapid freezing and thawing following the use of only one detergent (Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)). Our data show that using the protocol we describe here the brain can be entirely decellularized, while still maintaining ECM components that are essential for cell survival and repopulation of the scaffold. Our results also show the repopulation of the decellularized brain matrix with Neuro2a cells, that were identified by immunohistochemistry in their undifferentiated form. We conclude that this novel and simple method for brain decellularization can be used as a biocompatible scaffold for cell repopulation.

Impact Statement

For the first time we describe an easy, effective and low cost method for complete decellularization of murine brain by the use of only one detergent (SDS) combined with rapid freezing and thawing, that can be used as a 3D scaffold for cell culture of neuronal cells. The results show that the decellularized brains still maintain ECM components essential for cell survival and repopulation of the scaffold. Moreover, we found that the decellularized brain matrix can be repopulated with neural cells, showing its biocompatibility.

GRAFICAL ABSTRACT
TLR3 Deficiency Leads to Altered Immune Responses toChlamydia trachomatisInfection in Human Oviduct Epithelial Cells
Authors: Xu Jerry Z. , Kumar Ramesh , Gong Haoli , Liu Luyao , Ramos-Solis Nicole , Li Yujing , Derbigny Wilbert A.
Published: June 2019

Reproductive tract pathology caused byChlamydia trachomatisinfection is an important global cause of human infertility. To better understand the mechanisms associated withChlamydia-induced genital tract pathogenesis in humans, we used CRISPR genome editing to disrupt TLR3 function in the human oviduct epithelial (hOE) cell-line OE-E6/E7, in order to investigate the possible role(s) of TLR3 signaling in the immune response toChlamydia. Disruption of TLR3 function in these cells significantly diminished theChlamydia-induced synthesis of several inflammation biomarkers including IFN-β, IL-6, IL-6Ra, sIL-6Rβ (gp130), IL-8, IL-20, IL-26, IL-34, sTNF-R1, TNFSF13B, MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-3. In contrast, theChlamydia-induced synthesis of CCL-5, IL-29 (IFNλ1) and IL-28A (IFNλ2) were significantlyincreasedin the TLR3-deficient hOE cells when compared to their wild-type counterparts. Our results propose a role for TLR3 signaling in limiting the genital tract fibrosis, scarring, and chronic inflammation often associated with human chlamydial disease. Interestingly, we saw thatChlamydiainfection induced the production of biomarkers associated with persistence, tumor metastasis, and autoimmunity such as soluble CD163 (sCD163), chitinase-3-like protein 1, osteopontin, and pentraxin-3 in the hOE cells; however, their expression levels were significantly dysregulated in the TLR3-deficient hOE cells. Finally, we demonstrate using the hOE cells that TLR3 deficiency resulted in an increased amount of chlamydial LPS within theChlamydiainclusion, which is suggestive that TLR3 deficiency leads to enhanced chlamydial replication and possibly increased genital tract pathogenesis during human infection.

Abbreviations

hOE, human OE-E6/E7 cells; TLR3 KO, TLR3 knockout cell line; poly (I:C), Polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid sodium salt.
p63 sets the threshold for induction of apoptosis using a kinetically encoded ‘doorbell-like’ mechanism
Authors: Gebel Jakob , Tuppi Marcel , Chaikuad Apirat , Hötte Katharina , Schulz Laura , Löhr Frank , Gutfreund Niklas , Finke Franziska , Schröder Martin , Henrich Erik , Mezhyrova Julija , Lehnert Ralf , Pampaloni Francesco , Hummer Gerhard , Stelzer Ernst H.K. , Knapp Stefan , Dötsch Volker
Published: June 2019

Cell fate decisions such as apoptosis require cells to translate signaling input into a binary yes/no response. A tight control of the process is required to avoid loss of cells by accidental activation of cell death pathways. One particularly critical situation exists in primary oocytes because their finite number determines the reproductive capacity of females. On the one hand a stringent genetic quality control is necessary to maintain the genetic integrity of the entire species; on the other hand an overly stringent mechanism that kills oocytes with even minor DNA damage can deplete the whole primary oocyte pool leading to infertility. The p53 homolog TAp63α is the key regulator of genome integrity in oocytes. After DNA damage TAp63α is activated by multistep phosphorylation involving multiple phosphorylation events by the kinase CK1, which triggers the transition from a dimeric and inactive conformation to an open and active tetramer. By measuring activation kinetics in ovaries and single site phosphorylation kineticsin vitrowith peptides and full length protein we show that TAp63α phosphorylation follows a biphasic behavior. While the first two CK1 phosphorylation events are fast, the third one that constitutes the decisive step to form the active conformation is slow. We reveal the structural mechanism for the difference in the kinetic behavior based on an unusual CK1/TAp63α substrate interaction and demonstrate by quantitative simulation that the slow phosphorylation phase determines the threshold of DNA damage required for induction of apoptosis.
Plant mixed lineage kinase domain-like proteins limit biotrophic pathogen growth
Authors: Mahdi Lisa , Huang Menghang , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Nakano Ryohei Thomas , Kopp Leïla Brulé , Saur Isabel M.L. , Jacob Florence , Kovacova Viera , Lapin Dmitry , Parker Jane E. , Murphy James M. , Hofmann Kay , Schulze-Lefert Paul , Chai Jijie , Maekawa Takaki
Published: June 2019

Mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) protein mediates necroptotic cell death in vertebrates. We report here the discovery of a conserved protein family across seed plants that is structurally homologous to vertebrate MLKL. TheArabidopsis thalianagenome encodes three MLKLs with overlapping functions in limiting growth of obligate biotrophic fungal and oomycete pathogens. Although displaying a cell death activity mediated by N-terminal helical bundles, termed HeLo domain,AtMLKL-dependent immunity can be separated from host cell death. Cryo-electron microscopy structures ofAtMLKLs reveal a tetrameric configuration, in which the pseudokinase domain and brace region bury the HeLo-domains, indicative of an auto-repressed complex. We also show the association of twoAtMLKLs with microtubules. These findings, coupled with resistance-enhancing activity and altered microtubule association of a phosphomimetic mutation in the pseudokinase domain ofAtMLKL1, point to a cell death-independent immunity mechanism.

One Sentence Summary

Plants have a protein family that is structurally homologous to vertebrate mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein, which induces necroptotic cell death, but these plant proteins can confer immunity without host cell death.
Hemispheric asymmetries in posterior alpha power reflect the selection and inhibition of spatial context information in working memory
Authors: Roesner Marlene , Arnau Stefan , Skiba Isabel , Wascher Edmund , Schneider Daniel
Published: June 2019

There is an ongoing debate on the contribution of target enhancement and distractor inhibition processes to selective attention. In a working memory task, we presented to-be-memorized information in a way that posterior hemispheric asymmetries in oscillatory power could be unambiguously linked to lateral target vs. distractor processing. Alpha power asymmetries (8-14 Hz) were insensitive to the number of cued or non-cued items, supporting their relation to spatial attention. Furthermore, we found an increase in alpha power contralateral to non-cued working memory content and an alpha power suppression contralateral to relevant information. These oscillatory patterns relative to the positions of cued and non-cued items were related to the participants' ability to control for the impact of irrelevant information on working memory retrieval. Based on these results, we propose that spatially specific modulations of posterior alpha power are related to accessing vs. inhibiting the spatial context of information stored in working memory.
Neurocomputational mechanisms underlying emotional awareness: insights afforded by deep active inference and their potential clinical relevance
Authors: Smith Ryan , Lane Richard D. , Parr Thomas , Friston Karl J.
Published: June 2019

Emotional awareness (EA) is recognized as clinically relevant to the vulnerability to, and maintenance of, psychiatric disorders. However, the neurocomputational processes that underwrite individual variations remain unclear. In this paper, we describe a deep (active) inference model that reproduces the cognitive-emotional processes and self-report behaviors associated with EA. We then present simulations to illustrate (seven) distinct mechanisms that (either alone or in combination) can produce phenomena – such as somatic misattribution, coarse-grained emotion conceptualization, and constrained reflective capacity – characteristic of low EA. Our simulations suggest that the clinical phenotype of impoverished EA can be reproduced by dissociable computational processes. The possibility that different processes are at work in different individuals suggests that they may benefit from distinct clinical interventions. As active inference makes particular predictions about the underlying neurobiology of such aberrant inference, we also discuss how this type of modelling could be used to design neuroimaging tasks to test predictions and identify which processes operate in different individuals – and provide a principled basis for personalized precision medicine.
A bacterial assay for rapid screening of IAA catabolic enzymes
Authors: Federica Brunoni , Silvio Collani , Jan Šimura , Markus Schmid , Catherine Bellini , Karin Ljung
Published: June 2019

Background

Plants rely on concentration gradients of the native auxin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), to modulate plant growth and development. Both metabolic and transport processes participate in the dynamic regulation of IAA homeostasis. Free IAA levels can be reduced by inactivation mechanisms, such as conjugation and degradation. IAA can be conjugated via ester linkage to glucose, or via amide linkage to amino acids, and degraded via oxidation. Members of the UDP glucosyl transferase (UGT) family catalyze the conversion of IAA to indole-3-acetyl-1-glucosyl ester (IAGlc); by contrast, IAA is irreversibly converted to indole-3-acetyl-L-aspartic acid (IAAsp) and indole-3-acetyl glutamic acid (IAGlu) by Group II of the GRETCHEN HAGEN3 (GH3) family of acyl amido synthetases. DIOXYGENASE OF AUXIN OXIDATION (DAO) irreversibly oxidizes IAA to oxindole-3-acetic acid (oxIAA) and, in turn, oxIAA can be further glucosylated to oxindole-3-acetyl-1-glucosyl ester (oxIAGlc) by UGTs. These metabolic pathways have been identified based on mutant analyses, in vitro activity measurements, and in planta feeding assays. In vitro assays for studying protein activity are based on expressing Arabidopsis enzymes in a recombinant form in bacteria or yeast followed by recombinant protein purification. However, the need to extract and purify the recombinant proteins represents a major obstacle when performing in vitro assays.

Results

In this work we report a rapid, reproducible and cheap method to screen the enzymatic activity of recombinant proteins that are known to inactivate IAA. The enzymatic reactions are carried out directly in bacteria that express the recombinant protein. The enzymatic products can be measured by direct injection of a small supernatant fraction from the bacterial culture on ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Experimental procedures were optimized for testing the activity of different classes of IAA-modifying enzymes without the need to purify recombinant protein.

Conclusions

This new method represents an alternative to existing in vitro assays. It can be applied to the analysis of IAA metabolites that are produced upon supplementation of substrate to engineered bacterial cultures and can be used for a rapid screening of orthologous candidate genes from non-model species.
Bacterial protein interaction networks: connectivity is ruled by gene conservation, essentiality and function
Authors: Dilucca Maddalena , Cimini Giulio , Giansanti Andrea
Published: June 2019

Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks are the backbone of all processes in living cells. In this work we study how conservation, essentiality and functional repertoire of a gene relate to the connectivitykof the corresponding protein in the PPI networks. Focusing on a set of 42 mostly distantly related bacterial species, we investigate three issues: i) whether the distribution of connectivity values changes between PPI subnetworks of essential and nonessential genes; ii) how gene conservation, measured both by the evolutionary retention index (ERI) and by evolutionary pressure (as represented by the ratioKa/Ks) is related to the the connectivity of the corresponding protein; iii) how PPI connectivities are modulated by evolutionary and functionaly relationships, as represented by the Clusters of Orthologous Proteins (COGs). We show that conservation, essentiality and functional specialization of genes control in a universal way the topology of the emerging bacterial PPI networks. Noteworthy, a structural transition in the network is observed such that, for connectivitiesk≥ 40, bacterial PPI networks are mostly populated by genes that are conserved, essential and which, in most cases, belong to the COG cluster J, related to ribosomal functions and to the processing of genetic information.
Translatomic database of cortical astroglia across male and female mouse development reveals two distinct developmental phenotypes
Authors: Rurak Gareth M. , Simard Stephanie , Charih François , Van Geel Amanda , Stead John , Woodside Barbara , Green James R. , Coppola Gianfilippo , Salmaso Natalina
Published: June 2019

Astroglial cells are emerging as key players in the development and homeostatic maintenance of neurons and neuronal networks. Astroglial cell functions are critical to neuronal migration and maturation, myelination, and synapse dynamics, however little is known about astroglial phenotypic changes over development. Furthermore, astroglial cells express steroid hormone receptors and show rapid responses to hormonal manipulations, however, despite important sex differences in telencephalic regions such as the cortex and hippocampus few studies have examined sex differences in astroglial cells in development and outside of the hypothalamus and amygdala. To phenotype cortical astroglial cells across postnatal development while considering potential sex differences, we used translating ribosome affinity purification together with RNA sequencing (TRAPseq) and immunohistochemistry to phenotype the entire astroglial translatome in males and females at key developmental time points: P1, P4, P7, P14, P35 and in adulthood. Overall, we found two distinct astroglial phenotypes between early (P1-P7) and late development (P14-Adult). We also noted that although astroglia show few basal sex differences in adulthood, they show significant sex differences in developmental gene expression patterns, with peak sex differences observed at P7. At least part of the sex differences observed at P7 appear to be due to males reaching a more mature astroglial phenotype earlier than females. Together, these data clearly delineate and phenotype astroglia across development and identify sex differences in astroglial developmental programs. Importantly, these developmental sex differences could have an impact on the construction and maintenance of neuronal networks and potential developmental windows of vulnerability to neurologic and psychiatric disease.
Potential antigenic mismatch of the H3N2 component of the 2019 Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccine
Authors: Gouma Sigrid , Weirick Madison , Hensley Scott E.
Published: June 2019

Here, we find that the egg-adapted H3N2 component of the 2019 Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccine elicits an antibody response in ferrets that is highly focused on antigenic site A of hemagglutinin. This is potentially problematic since most H3N2 viruses currently circulating in the Southern Hemisphere possess antigenic site A substitutions.
Mutational processes of distinct POLE exonuclease domain mutants drive an enrichment of a specific TP53 mutation in colorectal cancer
Authors: Fang Hu , Barbour Jayne A. , Poulos Rebecca C. , Katainen Riku , Aaltonen Lauri A. , Wong Jason W. H.
Published: June 2019

Cancer genomes with mutations in the exonuclease domain of Polymerase Epsilon (POLE) present with an extraordinarily high somatic mutation burden. In vitro studies have shown that distinct POLE mutants exhibit different polymerase activity and yet, how these POLE mutants generate mutations across cancer genomes and influence driver events remains poorly understood. Here we analyzed 7,345 colorectal cancer samples, including nine whole genome sequenced samples harboring POLE mutations. Our analysis identified differential mutation spectra across the mutants including methylation-independent enrichment of C>T mutations in POLE V411L. In contrast, analysis of other genomic regions showed similar mutation profiles across the different POLE mutants. Notably, we found that POLE mutants with the TP53 R213* mutation, caused by a TT[C>T]GA substitution, have significantly higher relative frequency of this mutational context compared with samples without this mutation. This finding demonstrates that variations in underlying mutation spectra can increase the likelihood of specific driver mutation formation.
Early genome activation in Drosophila is extensive with an initial tendency for aborted transcripts and retained introns
Authors: Kwasnieski Jamie C. , Orr-Weaver Terry L. , Bartel David P.
Published: June 2019

Control of metazoan embryogenesis shifts from maternal to zygotic gene products as the zygotic genome becomes transcriptionally activated. In Drosophila, zygotic genome activation (ZGA) has been thought to occur in two phases, starting with a minor wave, in which a small number of genes become expressed, and progressing to the major wave, in which many more genes are activated. However, technical challenges have hampered the identification of early transcripts or obscured the onset of their transcription. Here, we develop an approach to isolate transcribed mRNAs and apply it over the course of Drosophila early genome activation. Our results increase by 10-fold the genes reported to be activated during what has been thought of as the minor wave and show that early genome activation is continuous and gradual. Transposable-element mRNAs are also produced, but discontinuously. Genes transcribed in the early and middle part of ZGA are short with few if any introns, and their transcripts are frequently aborted and tend to have retained introns, suggesting that inefficient splicing as well as rapid cell divisions constrain the lengths of early transcripts.
Benchmarking of Six Sigma in telecom services
Authors: Dalalah Doraid
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess and benchmark Six Sigma strategies in services sector, namely, the telecom field, by establishing tables of fallouts of non-conforming services and their associated costs along with a custom data envelopment model for benchmarking the different strategic alternatives.

Design/methodology/approach

Under normality assumption, process fallout in Six Sigma is around 0.002/3.4 part per million for a centered/shifted process. By introducing Six Sigma to applications in services sector, normality assumption may no longer be valid; hence, fallouts of non-normal attributes are computed for different one-sided quality levels. The associated costs of strategy deployment, fallout and transaction completion are all considered. Data envelopment analysis model is also established to benchmark the Six Sigma strategic plans. The strategies are detailed down to processes and to quality characteristics which constitute the decision-making units. The efficiency of each service unit is computed using both CCR and super efficiency models.

Findings

The amount of efforts/costs needed to reduce the variation in a service may differ according to the targeted quality level. For the same Six Sigma quality level, services demonstrate different performance/efficiencies and hence different returns. In some scenarios, moderate quality levels could present high efficiencies as compared to services of higher levels. It was also found that the required improvement is less in the case of Log-normal as compared to normal distributions at some quality levels. This observation is also noted across the presented distributions of this study (Normal, Log-normal, Exponential, Gamma and Weibull).

Social implications

The deployment of Six Sigma in services is mostly found in time-related concepts such as timeliness of billing, lifetimes in reliability engineering, queueing theory, healthcare and telecommunication.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the existing research by presenting an assessment model of Six Sigma strategies in services of non-normal distributions. Strategies of different quality levels present diverse efficiencies; hence, higher quality levels may not be the best alternatives in terms of the returns on investment. The computed fallout rates of the different distributions can serve as palm lines for further deployment of Six Sigma in services. Besides, the combination of optimization and Six Sigma analysis provides additional benchmarking tool of strategic plans in both manufacturing and services sector.
Induction-assisted laser welding taking into account phase changes
Authors: Kotlan Václav , Hamar Roman , Smolyanov Ivan Alexandrovich , Doležel Ivo
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The paper aims to describe the modeling of the induction-assisted laser welding process taking into account the keyhole effect and phase changes in the material.

Design/methodology/approach

A sophisticated mathematical model of the above heat treatment process is presented, taking into account the above phenomena and all available nonlinearities of the material. Its numerical solution is carried out using the finite element method incorporating algorithms for the deformation of geometry and solution of the flow field.

Findings

Unlike various simplified models solved in the past, this approach incorporating a sophisticated model of heat transfer and flow of melt is able to reach a very accurate solution, differing only by a small error (not more than 8 per cent) from the experiment.

Research limitations/implications

The presented model does not consider several subtle phenomena related to the evaporation of metal after irradiation of the material by a laser beam. In fact, at the heated spot, all three phases of the material coexist. The evaporated metal forms a capillary leak off and forms a cloud above the spot of irradiation. Due to the absorption of laser power in this cloud, the process of heating decelerates, which leads to a decrease in the process efficiency.

Practical implications

The presented model and methodology of its solution may represent a basis for design of the process of laser welding.

Originality/value

The main value is the proposal of numerical model for solution a complex multiphysical model with respecting several physical phenomena whose results are available in a short time and still with a good agreement with the experimental verification.
Numerical investigation of the condensation flow characteristics and modification optimization of a condensing steam turbine cascade
Authors: Han Xu , Zeng Wei , Han Zhonghe
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to improved the efficiency of condensing steam turbines by legitimately reforming the flow structure. It is of great significance to study the condensation flow characteristics of wet steam for optimizing the operation of condensing steam turbines.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-fluid model was used to study the wet steam flow in a stator cascade. The effects of the inlet temperature and pressure drop on the cascade performance were analyzed. On this basis, endwall protrusion models were set up at varied axial position on the pressure surface to evaluate the wetness control and loss under different design conditions for cascade optimization.

Findings

The analysis indicates that increasing the inlet temperature or decreasing the pressure drop can effectively control the steam wetness but increase the droplet radius. The increasing inlet temperature can delay the condensation and alleviate the deterioration of the aerodynamic performance of cascades. The non-axisymmetric endwall can significantly affect the distribution of steam parameters below its height and slightly reduce the droplet radius. Compared with the original stator cascade, the optimum design conditions reduce the steam wetness by 8.07 per cent and the total pressure loss by 6.91 per cent below a 20 per cent blade height.

Originality/value

These research results can serve as a reference for condensing steam turbine wetness losses evaluation and flow passage optimization design.
Measuring output-based technical efficiency of Indian coal-based thermal power plants
Authors: Murty Sushama , Nagpal Resham
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure technical efficiency of Indian thermal power sector employing the recent by-production approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The by-production approach is used in conjunction with data from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) of India to compute the output-based Färe, Grosskopf, Lovell (FGL) efficiency index and its decomposition into productive and environmental efficiency indexes for the ITPPs

Findings

The authors show that given the aggregated nature of data on coal reported by CEA, CEA’s computation of CO2 emissions through a deterministic linear formula that does not distinguish between different coal types and the tiny share of oil in coal-based power plants, the computed output-based environmental efficiency indexes are no longer informative. Meaningful measurement of environmental efficiency using CEA data is possible only along the dimension of the coal input. Productive efficiency is positively associated with the engineering concept of thermodynamic/energy efficiency and is also high for power plants with high operating availabilities reflecting better management and O&M practices. Both these factors are high for private and centrally owned as opposed to state-owned power-generating companies. The example of Sipat demonstrates the importance of (ultra)supercritical technologies in increasing productive and thermodynamic efficiencies of the ITPPs, while also reducing CO2 emitted per unit of the net electricity generated.

Originality/value

This paper uses the by-production approach for the first time to measure technical efficiency of ITPPs and highlights how the nature of the Indian data impacts on efficiency measurement.
Effective productivity management of mixed flower farms
Authors: Bechar Avital , Vitner Gad
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the issue of low yields in the packinghouses of green ornamentals and cut flowers due to the high rate of crops waste. Waste may be caused by pests, diseases and extreme weather or environmental conditions that are not under the farmer’s control. Other causes may relate to work processes as follows: irrigation, spraying, harvesting, handling, transportation, sorting, bundling and packaging.

Design/methodology/approach

The farm under study is a private owned business managed by the owner’s family members with growing area of 22 ha and eight daily workers. The farm produces about 2.5m units (flower stems) per year. The farm represents a typical flower farm in Israel. A costing model and decision rules were developed to identify the critical waste rate that will consider being economic to ship to the market. The model takes into account the production process, the production yield, the operational costs and sales price and calculates the breakeven point. A simulation model was developed to verify the relationships between waste rate to the total process time per stem and flow time.

Findings

Results show that the critical waste rate for Ruscus, Antirrhinum, Aralia and Aspidistra crops is 16, 74, 22 and 39 percent, respectively. The total process time per harvested stem decreases as the waste rate increases.

Originality/value

A working model was developed to determine the waste threshold rate and support the farmer in day-to-day economic decisions regarding shipment to the market and effective management of his workers.
Stay in touch! New insights into end-user attitudes towards engagement platforms
Authors: Marino Vittoria , Lo Presti Letizia
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Because engagement platforms are becoming an emerging service research context, the purpose of this paper is to understand how consumers may be segmented with respect to attitude towards the mobile instant messaging (MIM) apps used as channels for customer service.

Design/methodology/approach

Consumers are segmented on the basis of perception of MIM apps by means of data from 478 consumers. A two-step cluster analysis was used to individuate groups according to the similarity of their attitudinal variables and their chat experience with organizations using MIM, while the discriminant function analysis was used to assess the stability of the cluster solution.

Findings

Three segments were identified – benevolent, proactive and hesitant – along with significant descriptive variables, such as interaction with organization, opinion regarding effort expectancy, perception of usefulness and perceived ease of technology use. The most engaged, the proactive (30%), are most open to interaction with the organization by means of MIM, while the benevolent (51%) look favourably on the use of instant messaging to communicate with organizations, even if this cluster has never used it with an organization.

Practical implications

Understanding how potential customers receive the opportunities offered by MIM as a new channel for improving, extending or completing the service helps to guide the efforts of marketing investments towards a better relationship with customers.

Originality/value

This study explores the use of MIM apps on the part of the customer/organization as engagement platforms from the customer point-of-view. The study highlights how MIM apps can be valuable channels for weaving together relations with customers.
Application level of lean construction techniques in reducing accidents in construction projects
Authors: Enshassi Adnan , Saleh Nour , Mohamed Sherif
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the application of lean construction (LC) techniques in reducing accidents in construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was used to collect the required data using a questionnaire survey and descriptive analysis was used to analyse the collected data. The LC techniques that were investigated in this paper are related to the tools of the last planner system (LPS), increased visualisation (IV), 5S, error-proofing, daily huddle meetings (DHMs), first-run studies (FRS), continuous improvement (Kaizen) and accident investigation (5Whys).

Findings

The overall results indicated that LC techniques are poorly implemented in construction projects in the Gaza Strip. The top three LC tools used to reduce the causes of accidents in the Gaza construction projects were 5Whys, 5S and LPS, while the highest three LC techniques applied to reduce the causes of accidents that were applicable were cleaning the workplace and removing materials and machines that are not required; conducting accident investigation and root cause analysis programmes; and using safety signs and labels on site.

Research limitations/implications

There is a lack of information and published studies regarding the links between LC and safety, especially in the Middle East. This paper is limited to the perceptions and geographical boundaries; therefore, it cannot be generalised. However, it could form the basis for useful comparison in the future. Triangulation research method could also be used in future research to minimise the bias and validate the conclusions.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper will stress professionals and construction companies in Gaza to reconsider their behaviour towards using LC techniques. The findings of this paper will aid them to shift their attention and resources towards including LC techniques in their plans to reduce the causes of accidents on construction sites.

Social implications

The findings of this paper will encourage professionals and construction companies in Gaza to reconsider their behaviour towards using LC techniques. The findings will also aid them to shift their attention and resources towards including LC techniques in their plans to reduce and/or avoid the causes of accidents on construction.

Originality/value

Because of the lack of published works that are specific to the Middle East, the authors believe that the originality lies in the paper’s serious attempt to explore the application level of the LC concept to safety in this part of the world. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the applicability of LC techniques in terms of accidents reduction. Findings from this paper provide a clear picture of the current status of using LC techniques to reduce accidents in the Gazan construction projects which drive them to investigate the main barriers and try to overcome them.
Is feedback to tutors the key to supporting quality in adult education?
Authors: Wilson Euan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine best practices in supporting tutors in academic quality within private training enterprises (PTEs) in New Zealand and to make practical recommendations for people working in the tertiary education sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A hypothesis is proposed, which is then tested using a case study examining what support from the quality assurance section of a PTE’s tutors perceive to be important. The hypothesis is that additional feedback is required for tutors. The results are compared with those on the literature on quality assurance to see if there is consistency in themes.

Findings

The primary themes that emerged from interview and survey data were that tutors with more than three years of experience feel they would benefit from more regular, clear and constructive feedback and that these tutors need support during any programme-related changes.

Research limitations/implications

This research highlights that the quality of feedback is crucial in education and a worthwhile area of further investigation. Limitations include the size of the sample of interviewees and that the study was based on only one organization in New Zealand. Future research is also suggested, which could include data from other tertiary educational institutions.

Practical implications

The paper concludes with a practical overview of “dos” and two “don’ts” identified from the case study. The objective is to share recommendations in a practical and useable way with other practitioners.

Social implications

This account of an inquiry into internal quality assurance processes and outcomes offers transferable learnings to tutors, academic quality assurance teams, employers and other stakeholders across the education sector.

Originality/value

The conclusion drawn from this is case study is that educational organisations should ensure that anyone tasked with providing feedback to tutors is first coached themselves; otherwise, the feedback can be unhelpful.
Temperature analysis by moving heat source during plasma arc cutting process: an analytical approach
Authors: Naik Deepak Kumar , Maity Kalipada
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to work exhibits the temperature distribution over the surface of the workpiece during plasma arc cutting process.

Design/methodology/approach

The moving heat source is taken into consideration for calculating the heat created by plasma arc. The heat is generated at the plasma – liquid metal boundary. The heat of fusion is also considered for estimation because of molten layer separates the plasma and solid layer. This causes to hamper the heat transfer towards the melting front. Eliminating the heat resistance may calculation error at high cutting speed. Power required to melt the material depends on the speed of the cut.

Findings

Higher cutting speed increases the power required. The temperature drop over the layer of molten front increases as the speed of cut increases at higher Peclet number. Different thickness of the molten layer was taken for calculation i.e. zero thickness, 10 and 20 per cent.

Originality/value

The estimated results are shown in non-dimensional form. So, the method can be applied for any other types of material.
Efficacy and safety of risankizumab in Japanese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: Results from the SustaIMM phase 2/3 trial
Authors: Ohtsuki Mamitaro , Fujita Hideki , Watanabe Mitsunori , Suzaki Keiko , Flack Mary , Huang Xin , Kitamura Susumu , Valdes Joaquin , Igarashi Atsuyuki
Published: June 2019

Risankizumab, a humanized immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody, selectively inhibits interleukin‐23, a key cytokine in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, by binding to its p19 subunit. In SustaIMM (ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03000075), a phase 2/3, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study, Japanese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (n = 171) were stratified by bodyweight and concomitant psoriatic arthritis and randomized 2:2:1:1 to 75 mg risankizumab, 150 mg risankizumab, placebo with cross‐over to 75 mg risankizumab and placebo with cross‐over to 150 mg risankizumab. Dosing was at weeks 0, 4, 16, 28 and 40, with placebo cross‐over to risankizumab at week 16. The primary end‐point was 90% or more improvement from baseline in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI‐90) at week 16 for risankizumab versus placebo. Missing data were imputed as non‐response. All primary and psoriasis‐related secondary end‐points were met for both risankizumab doses (P < 0.001). At week 16, PASI‐90 responses were significantly higher in patients receiving 75 mg (76%) or 150 mg (75%) risankizumab versus placebo (2%). Corresponding response rates were 86%, 93% and 10% for static Physician Global Assessment (sPGA) score of clear/almost clear; 90%, 95% and 9% for PASI‐75; and 22%, 33% and 0% for PASI‐100, with significantly higher responses for both risankizumab doses versus placebo. Through week 52, PASI and sPGA responses increased or were maintained and treatment‐emergent adverse events were comparable across treatment groups. Both doses of risankizumab were superior to placebo in treating patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The safety profile was consistent with previous risankizumab trials, with no new or unexpected safety findings.
Testing and using complete plastomes and ribosomal DNA sequences as the next generation DNA barcodes in Panax (Araliaceae)
Authors: Ji Yunheng , Liu Changkun , Yang Zhenyan , Yang Lifang , He Zhengshan , Wang Hengchang , Yang Junbo , Yi Tingshuang
Published: June 2019

Complete plastid genome (plastome) sequences and nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) regions have been proposed as candidates for the next generation of DNA barcodes for plant species discrimination. However, the efficacy of this approach still lacks comprehensive evaluation. We carried out a case study in the economically important but phylogenetically and taxonomically difficult genus Panax (Araliaceae). We generated a large data set of plastomes and nrDNA sequences from multiple accessions per species. Our data improved the phylogenetic resolution and levels of species discrimination in Panax, compared to any previous studies using standard DNA barcodes. This provides new insights into the speciation, lineage diversification and biogeography of the genus. However, both plastome and nrDNA failed to completely resolve the phylogenetic relationships in the Panax bipinnatifidus species complex, and only half of the species within it were recovered as monophyletic units. The results suggest that complete plastome and ribosomal DNA sequences can substantially increase species discriminatory power in plants, but they are not powerful enough to fully resolve phylogenetic relationships and discriminate all species, particularly in evolutionarily young and complex plant groups. To gain further resolving power for closely related species, the addition of substantial numbers of nuclear markers is likely to be required.
Placental transmogrification of the lung presenting as a consolidative lesion with bronchiectasis
Authors: Kang Min Kyun , Kang Do Kyun , Hwang Youn‐Ho , Kim Ji Yeon
Published: June 2019

We report a case of a 37‐year‐old man with a persistent consolidative lesion in the right lower lobe. A chest computed tomography scan showed a 2 cm focal consolidative lesion in the lateral basal segment of the right lower lobe. The size of lesion had slightly increased over four months. Wedge resection of the right lower lobe was performed with the intention to diagnose the lesion. Pathological examination showed placental transmogrification of the lung. We describe this rare lung disease, which presented with the unusual radiologic findings of a consolidative lesion. Placental transmogrification of the lung should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary consolidative lesions.