bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Src and cortactin promote lamellipodia protrusion and filopodia formation and stability in growth cones
Authors: He Yingpei , Ren Yuan , Wu Bingbing , Decourt Boris , Lee Aih Cheun , Taylor Aaron , Suter Daniel M.
Published: July 2015

Src tyrosine kinases have been implicated in axonal growth and guidance; however, the underlying cellular mechanisms are not well understood. Specifically, it is unclear which aspects of actin organization and dynamics are regulated by Src in neuronal growth cones. Here, we investigated the function of Src2 and one of its substrates, cortactin, in lamellipodia and filopodia of Aplysia growth cones. We found that up-regulation of Src2 activation state or cortactin increased lamellipodial length, protrusion time, and actin network density, whereas down-regulation had opposite effects. Furthermore, Src2 or cortactin up-regulation increased filopodial density, length, and protrusion time, whereas down-regulation promoted lateral movements of filopodia. Fluorescent speckle microscopy revealed that rates of actin assembly and retrograde flow were not affected in either case. In summary, our results support a model in which Src and cortactin regulate growth cone motility by increasing actin network density and protrusion persistence of lamellipodia by controlling the state of actin-driven protrusion versus retraction. In addition, both proteins promote the formation and stability of actin bundles in filopodia.
Tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand induces the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages and re-educates tumor-associated macrophages to an antitumor phenotype
Authors: Gao Jing , Wang Dongsheng , Liu Dan , Liu Min , Ge Yehua , Jiang Minghong , Liu Yanxin , Zheng Dexian
Published: July 2015

Tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising candidate for cancer therapy, because it can induce apoptosis in various tumor cells but not in most normal cells. Although it is well known that TRAIL and its receptors are expressed in many types of normal cells, including immune cells, their immunological effects and regulatory mechanisms are still obscure. In the present study, we demonstrated that TRAIL affected the activity of NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB) and the expression of its downstream proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β (interleukin-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α in macrophages. TRAIL also induced microRNA-146a (miR-146a) expression in an NF-κB–dependent manner. As a result, miR-146a was involved as a negative-feedback regulator in the down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokine expression. In addition, the suppression of histone deacetylase (HDAC) activities by trichostatin A improved miR-146a expression due to the up-regulation of the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB at the miR-146a promoter in TRAIL-induced macrophages, suggesting that histone acetylation was involved in the suppression of miR-146a expression. Further investigation revealed that the HDAC subtype HDAC1 directly regulated the expression of miR-146a in TRAIL-stimulated macrophages. Finally, the TRAIL-sensitive human non small cell lung carcinoma cell line NCI-H460 was used to elucidate the physiological significance of TRAIL with respect to tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We demonstrated that TRAIL re-educated TAMs to an M1-like phenotype and induced cytotoxic effects in the tumor cells. These data provide new evidence for TRAIL in the immune regulation of macrophages and may shed light on TRAIL-based antitumor therapy in human patients.
SynLinker: an integrated system for designing linkers and synthetic fusion proteins
Authors: Liu Chengcheng , Chin Ju Xin , Lee Dong-Yup
Published: July 2015

Summary: Synthetic fusion proteins have shown great potential in various biotechnological and (bio)pharmaceutical applications. They usually contain more than two protein domains joined by a linker peptide sequence which is often selected intuitively or in ad hoc manner. Thus, we developed an integrated web-based system, SynLinker, to provide appropriate linker candidates for constructing fusion proteins. We compiled a total of 2260 linker sequences comprising of natural linkers extracted from a set of non-redundant multi-domain proteins in Protein Data Bank and artificial/empirical linkers collected from literature and patents. Multiple query interface allows users to search for the desired linker candidates based on selection criteria and their preferences. In addition, a selected linker can be combined with two domain structures which are uploaded and appended at its N and C terminals, thereby predicting a de novo structure of the fusion protein. Hence, SynLinker can serve as a systematic tool for researchers who are interested in designing synthetic fusion proteins.

Availability and implementation: SynLinker is freely available at http://bioinfo.bti.a-star.edu.sg/synlinker.

Contact: cheld@nus.edu.sg

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Review and evaluation of electronic health records-driven phenotype algorithm authoring tools for clinical and translational research
Authors: Xu Jie , Rasmussen Luke V , Shaw Pamela L , Jiang Guoqian , Kiefer Richard C , Mo Huan , Pacheco Jennifer A , Speltz Peter , Zhu Qian , Denny Joshua C , Pathak Jyotishman , Thompson William K , Montague Enid
Published: July 2015

Objective To review and evaluate available software tools for electronic health record–driven phenotype authoring in order to identify gaps and needs for future development.

Materials and Methods Candidate phenotype authoring tools were identified through (1) literature search in four publication databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus) and (2) a web search. A collection of tools was compiled and reviewed after the searches. A survey was designed and distributed to the developers of the reviewed tools to discover their functionalities and features.

Results Twenty-four different phenotype authoring tools were identified and reviewed. Developers of 16 of these identified tools completed the evaluation survey (67% response rate). The surveyed tools showed commonalities but also varied in their capabilities in algorithm representation, logic functions, data support and software extensibility, search functions, user interface, and data outputs.

Discussion Positive trends identified in the evaluation included: algorithms can be represented in both computable and human readable formats; and most tools offer a web interface for easy access. However, issues were also identified: many tools were lacking advanced logic functions for authoring complex algorithms; the ability to construct queries that leveraged un-structured data was not widely implemented; and many tools had limited support for plug-ins or external analytic software.

Conclusions Existing phenotype authoring tools could enable clinical researchers to work with electronic health record data more efficiently, but gaps still exist in terms of the functionalities of such tools. The present work can serve as a reference point for the future development of similar tools.
Learning from the crowd while mapping to LOINC
Authors: Vreeman Daniel J , Hook John , Dixon Brian E
Published: July 2015

Objective To describe the perspectives of Regenstrief LOINC Mapping Assistant (RELMA) users before and after the deployment of Community Mapping features, characterize the usage of these new features, and analyze the quality of mappings submitted to the community mapping repository.

Methods We evaluated Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) community members’ perceptions about new “wisdom of the crowd” information and how they used the new RELMA features. We conducted a pre-launch survey to capture users’ perceptions of the proposed functionality of these new features; monitored how the new features and data available via those features were accessed; conducted a follow-up survey about the use of RELMA with the Community Mapping features; and analyzed community mappings using automated methods to detect potential errors.

Results Despite general satisfaction with RELMA, nearly 80% of 155 respondents to our pre-launch survey indicated that having information on how often other users had mapped to a particular LOINC term would be helpful. During the study period, 200 participants logged into the RELMA Community Mapping features an average of 610 times per month and viewed the mapping detail pages a total of 6686 times. Fifty respondents (25%) completed our post-launch survey, and those who accessed the Community Mapping features unanimously indicated that they were useful. Overall, 95.3% of the submitted mappings passed our automated validation checks.

Conclusion When information about other institutions’ mappings was made available, study participants who accessed it agreed that it was useful and informed their mapping choices. Our findings suggest that a crowd-sourced repository of mappings is valuable to users who are mapping local terms to LOINC terms.
Globe Loss From Intraocular Invasion of MIRAgel Scleral Buckle Components
Authors: Rubinstein Tal J. , Choudhary Maria M. , Modi Yasha S. , Ehlers Justis P. , Perry Julian D.
Published: July 2015

Purpose:

To describe intraocular invasion of MIRAgel scleral buckles requiring evisceration.

Methods:

This is an Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective consecutive case series of eyes requiring evisceration secondary to intraocular intrusion of MIRAgel implants performed at the Cole Eye Institute from 2000 to 2014. Charts were reviewed for age at surgery, gender, laterality, time between MIRAgel placement and evisceration, preoperative examination and imaging results, intraoperative findings, postoperative complications, and duration of follow up.

Results:

Five eyes of 5 patients underwent evisceration due to a blind, painful eye secondary to MIRAgel expansion. The mean time between MIRAgel placement and evisceration was 21 years (range: 17–30 years). Preoperative ultrasound identified intraocular MIRAgel in 3 of 5 cases; however, intraocular MIRAgel was identified during surgery in all 5 cases. A transocular-approach orbitotomy was performed at the time of evisceration in an effort to remove the MIRAgel. Postoperative complications included ptosis and inability to retain an ocular prosthesis. No cases of orbital implant extrusion occurred.

Conclusion:

Scleral invasion and intraocular penetration of MIRAgel may occur decades after placement. This may result in a blind, painful eye requiring evisceration and orbitotomy to remove residual material. Suspicion of intraocular penetration of implant should be high in blind, painful eyes. Surgical removal can be difficult due to MIRAgel fragmentation. Conjunctival insufficiency may result in the need for further surgery after evisceration.
Incidence and etiology of mortality in polytrauma patients in a Dutch level I trauma center
Authors: El Mestoui Zainab , Jalalzadeh Hamid , Giannakopoulos Georgios F. , Zuidema Wietse P.
Published: July 2015

Background

Earlier studies assessing mortality in polytrauma patients have focused on improving trauma care and reducing complications during hospital stay. The same studies have shown that the complication rate in these patients is high, often resulting in death. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and causes of mortality in polytrauma patients in our institute. Secondarily, we assessed the donation and autopsy rates and outcome in these patients.

Patients and methods

All polytrauma patients (injury severity score≥16) transported to and treated in our institute during a period of 6 years were retrospectively analyzed. We included all patients who died during hospital stay. Prehospital and in-hospital data were collected on patients’ condition, diagnostics, and treatment. The chance of survival was calculated according to the TRISS methodology. Patients were categorized according to the complications during treatment and causes of death. Logistic regression analysis was used to design a prediction model for mortality in major trauma. A statistical analysis was carried out.

Results

Of the 1073 polytrauma patients who were treated in our institute during the study period, 205 (19.1%) died during hospital stay. The median age of the deceased patients was 58.8 years and 125 patients were men. Their mean injury severity score was 30.4. The most common mechanism of injury involved fall from height, followed by bicycle accidents. Almost 50% of the patients underwent an emergency intervention. Almost 92% of the total population died because of the effects of the accident (primary trauma). Of these, 24% died during primary assessment in the emergency department. Most patients died because of the effects of severe head injury (63.4%), followed by exsanguination (17.6%). The most common type of complications causing death during treatment was respiratory failure (6.3%), followed by multiple organ failure (1.5%). Autopsy was performed in 10.4%. Organ donation procedure was performed in 14.5%. Permission for donation was not provided in almost 20% of the population.

Conclusion

The mortality rate in polytrauma patients in our institute is considerable and comparable with the international literature. Most patients die because of the effects of the accident (primary trauma). Autopsy and organ donation rates are low in our institution and leave room for substantial improvements in the future.
Can Composite Measures Provide a Different Perspective on Provider Performance Than Individual Measures?
Authors: Shwartz Michael , Rosen Amy K. , Burgess James F.
Published: July 2015

Background:

Composite measures, which aggregate performance on individual measures into a summary score, are increasingly being used to evaluate facility performance. There is little understanding of the unique perspective that composite measures provide.

Objective:

To examine whether high/low (ie, high or low) performers on a composite measures are also high/low performers on most of the individual measures that comprise the composite.

Methods:

We used data from 2 previous studies, one involving 5 measures from 632 hospitals and one involving 28 measures from 112 Veterans Health Administration (VA) nursing homes; and new data on hospital readmissions for 3 conditions from 131 VA hospitals. To compare high/low performers on a composite to high/low performers on the component measures, we used 2-dimensional tables to categorize facilities into high/low performance on the composite and on the individual component measures.

Results:

In the first study, over a third of the 162 hospitals in the top quintile based on the composite were in the top quintile on at most 1 of the 5 individual measures. In the second study, over 40% of the 27 high-performing nursing homes on the composite were high performers on 8 or fewer of the 28 individual measures. In the third study, 20% of the 61 low performers on the composite were low performers on only 1 of the 3 individual measures.

Conclusions:

Composite measures can identify as high/low performers facilities that perform “pretty well” (or “pretty poorly”) across many individual measures but may not be high/low performers on most of them.
Halorussus amylolyticus sp. nov., isolated from an inland salt lake
Authors: Yuan Pan-Pan , Ye Wei-Tao , Pan Jia-Xiang , Han Dong , Zhang Wen-Jiao , Cui Heng-Lin
Published: July 2015

A halophilic archaeal strain, YC93T, was isolated from Yuncheng salt lake in Shanxi Province, China. Cells were pleomorphic rods, stained Gram-negative and formed light-red-pigmented colonies on agar plates. Strain YC93T was able to grow at 25–50 °C (optimum 37 °C), with 1.4–4.8 M NaCl (optimum 2.0 M), with 0–1.0 M MgCl2 (optimum 0.05 M) and at pH 6.0–9.5 (optimum pH 7.0). Cells lysed in distilled water and the minimal NaCl concentration to prevent cell lysis was 8 % (w/v). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain YC93T had two dissimilar 16S rRNA genes both of which were phylogenetically related to those of the two recognized members of the genus Halorussus (93.0–95.3 % similarity). The rpoB′ gene of strain YC93T was phylogenetically related to the corresponding gene of Halorussus rarus TBN4T (91.3 % similarity) and Halorussus ruber YC25T (90.5 %). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate and five glycolipids chromatographically identical to those of Halorussus rarus CGMCC 1.10122T. The DNA G+C content of strain YC93T was 64.6 mol%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggested that strain YC93T represents a novel species of the genus Halorussus, for which the name Halorussus amylolyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC93T ( = CGMCC 1.12126T = JCM 18367T).
EigenGWAS: finding loci under selection through genome-wide association studies of eigenvectors in structured populations
Authors: Chen Guo-Bo , Lee Sang Hong , Zhu Zhi-Xiang , Benyamin Beben , Robinson Matthew R
Published: July 2015

We apply the statistical framework for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to eigenvector decomposition (EigenGWAS), which is commonly used in population genetics to characterise the structure of genetic data. We show that loci under selection can be detected in a structured population by using eigenvectors as phenotypes in a single-marker GWAS. We find LCT to be under selection between HapMap CEU-TSI cohorts, a finding that was replicated across European countries in the POPRES samples. HERC2 was also found to be differentiated between both the CEU-TSI cohort and among POPRES samples, reflecting the likely anthropological differences in skin and hair colour between northern and southern European populations. We show that when determining the effect of a SNP on an eigenvector, three methods of single-marker regression of eigenvectors, best linear unbiased prediction of eigenvectors, and singular value decomposition of SNP data are equivalent to each other. We also demonstrate that estimated SNP effects on eigenvectors from a reference panel can be used to predict eigenvectors (the projected eigenvectors) in a target sample with high accuracy, particularly for the primary eigenvectors. Under this GWAS framework, ancestry informative markers and loci under selection can be identified, and population structure can be captured and easily interpreted. We have developed freely available software to facilitate the application of the methods (https://github.com/gc5k/GEAR/wiki/EigenGWAS).
Mutations in the Prokaryotic Pathway Rescue the fatty acid biosynthesis1 Mutant in the Cold
Authors: Gao Jinpeng , Wallis James G. , Browse John
Published: July 2015

The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) fatty acid biosynthesis1 (fab1) mutant has increased levels of the saturated fatty acid 16:0 due to decreased activity of 3-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase II. In fab1 leaves, phosphatidylglycerol, the major chloroplast phospholipid, contains up to 45% high-melting-point molecular species (molecules that contain only 16:0, 16:1-trans, and 18:0), a trait associated with chilling-sensitive plants, compared with less than 10% in wild-type Arabidopsis. Although they do not exhibit typical chilling sensitivity, when exposed to low temperatures (2°C–6°C) for long periods, fab1 plants do suffer collapse of photosynthesis, degradation of chloroplasts, and eventually death. A screen for suppressors of this low-temperature phenotype has identified 11 lines, some of which contain additional alterations in leaf-lipid composition relative to fab1. Here, we report the identification of two suppressor mutations, one in act1, which encodes the chloroplast acyl-ACP:glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, and one in lpat1, which encodes the chloroplast acyl-ACP:lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase. These enzymes catalyze the first two steps of the prokaryotic pathway for glycerolipid synthesis, so we investigated whether other mutations in this pathway would rescue the fab1 phenotype. Both the gly1 mutation, which reduces glycerol-3-phosphate supply to the prokaryotic pathway, and fad6, which is deficient in the chloroplast 16:1/18:1 fatty acyl desaturase, were discovered to be suppressors. Analyses of leaf-lipid compositions revealed that mutations at all four of the suppressor loci result in reductions in the proportion of high-melting-point molecular species of phosphatidylglycerol relative to fab1. We conclude that these reductions are likely the basis for the suppressor phenotypes.
Crystal structure of tetrakis(μ-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoato-κ2O:O′)bis[(nicotinamide-κN1)copper(II)]
Authors: Aşkın Gülçin Şefiye , Necefoğlu Hacali , Özkaya Safiye , Dilek Nefise , Hökelek Tuncer
Published: July 2015

In the title binuclear CuIIcomplex, [Cu2(C10H11O2)4(C6H6N2O)2], the two CuIIcations [Cu...Cu = 2.5990 (5) Å] are bridged by four 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoate (TMB) anions. The four nearest O atoms around each CuIIcation form distorted square-planar arrangements and the distorted square-pyramidal coordinations are completed by the pyridine N atoms of nicotinamide molecules at distances of 2.164 (2) and 2.165 (2) Å, respectively. The CuIIcations are displaced by −0.2045 (3) and 0.2029 (3) Å from the corresponding planes formed by the nearest four O atoms. In the molecule, the dihedral angles between the planes of the benzene rings and the adjacent carboxylate groups are 80.6 (2), 51.4 (2), 24.4 (2) and 32.5 (2)°, while the planes of the pyridine rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 11.28 (10)°. In the crystal, bifurcated N—H...O and weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules, enclosingR22(8) andR44(8) ring motifs, into a three-dimensional network. The structure contains a solvent-accessible void of 72 Å3, but there is no solvent molecule located within this void. The crystal studied was an inversion twin refined with a minor component of 0.488 (8).
Crystal structure of poly[[[μ4-5-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)isophthalato][μ3-5-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)isophthalato]bis(dimethylformamide)(methanol)dizinc] dimethylformamide monosolvate]
Authors: Lifshits Liubov M. , Campana Charles , Klosterman Jeremy K.
Published: July 2015

The structure of the polymeric title compound, {[Zn2(C20H11NO4)2(C3H7NO)2(CH3OH)]·C3H7NO}n, comprises carbazolylisophthalate moieties connecting dimetallic tetracarboxylate zinc secondary building units (SBUs) parallel to [100] and [010], leading to a layer-like arrangement parallel to (001). Each SBU consists of two Zn atoms in slightly distorted tetrahedral and octahedral coordination environments [Zn...Zn = 3.5953 (6) Å]. Three carboxylate groups bridge the two Zn atoms in a μ2-O:O′ mode, whereas the fourth coordinates through a single carboxylate O atom (μ1-O). The O atoms of two dimethylformamide (DMF) and one methanol molecule complete the Zn coordination spheres. The methanol ligand interacts with the noncoordinating DMF moleculeviaan O—H...O hydrogen bond of medium strength. Carbazoles between the layers interdigitate through weak C—H....π interactions to form a laminar solid stacked along [010]. Two kinds of C—H...π interactions are present, both with a distance of 2.64 Å, between the H atoms and the centroids, and a third C—H...π interaction, where the aromatic H atom is located above the carbazole N-atom lone pair (H...N = 2.89 Å). Several C—H...O interactions occur between the coordinating DMF molecule, the DMF solvent molecule, and ligating carboxylate O atoms.
Crystal structure of 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine
Authors: Kusano Yukiko , Ohno Keiji , Fujihara Takashi
Published: July 2015

In the title compound, C12H12N2O2, the dihedral angle between the planes of the two pyridine rings is 5.8 (1)°. Neighbouring molecules are linkedviaC(Me)—H...N interactions, generating a two-dimensional sheet structure; C—H...π interactions further link the molecules into a three-dimensional network. An overlapped arrangement of parallel pyridine rings in neighbouring molecules [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.6655 (15) Å] is observed in the crystal structure.
Crystal structure of methyl 7-phenyl-6a,7,7a,8,9,10-hexahydro-6H,11aH-thiochromeno[3,4-b]pyrrolizine-6a-carboxylate
Authors: Savithri M. P. , Suresh M. , Raghunathan R. , Raja R. , SubbiahPandi A.
Published: July 2015

In the title compound, C22H23NO2S, the inner pyrrolidine ring (A) adopts an envelope conformation with the methine C atom opposite the fused C—N bond as the flap. The thiopyran ring (C) has a half-chair conformation and its mean plane is inclined to the fused benzene ring by 1.74 (11)°, and by 60.52 (11)° to the mean plane of pyrrolidine ringA. In the outer pyrrolidine ring (B), the C atom opposite the fused C—N bond is disordered [site-occupancy ratio = 0.427 (13):0.573 (13)] and both rings have envelope conformations, with the disordered C atom as the flap. The planes of the phenyl ring and the benzene ring of the thiochromane unit are inclined to one another by 65.52 (14)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by a pair of C—H...O hydrogen bonds forming inversion dimers.
Crystal structure of ethyl 2-amino-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4H-1-benzothieno[3,2-b]pyran-3-carboxylate
Authors: Bakhouch Mohamed , Mahfoud Asmae , El Yazidi Mohamed , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: July 2015

The title compound, C20H16ClNO3S, is built up from three fused rings, one five- and two six-membered rings, linked to a 3-ethoxycarbonyl group and to a 4-chlorophenyl ring. The hydropyran ring has a flattened envelope conformation, with the C atom substituted by the 4-chlorophenyl ring as the flap (displaced by 0.077 (2) Å from the plane through the other atoms). The fused three-ring system is quasi-planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.057 Å), with the largest deviation from the mean plane being 0.106 (1) Å for the C atom substituted by the 4-chlorophenyl ring. The 4-chlorophenyl ring is approximately perpendicular to the mean plane of the fused ring system, as indicated by the dihedral angle of 77.32 (6)° between their mean planes. There is an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond forming anS(6) ring motif. In the crystal, molecules are linked by pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with anR22(12) ring motif. There are also short intermolecular Cl...O interactions present [3.1226 (12) Å] between neighbouring molecules.
Crystal structure of bis[4′-(1,4,7,10-tetraoxa-13- azacyclopentadecan-13-yl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine]cobalt(III) tris(perchlorate) methanol monosolvate monohydrate
Authors: Ohmagari Hitomi , Nakaya Manabu , Ohtani Ryo , Nakamura Masaaki , Hayami Shinya
Published: July 2015

In the title compound, [Co(C25H30N4O4)2](ClO4)3·CH3OH·H2O, the metal atom is coordinated by two tridentate crown ether terpyridine ligands, forming a distorted CoN6octahedron. The three pyridine rings in each crown–terpyridine ligand are approximately coplanar [maximum deviations = 0.088 (12) and 0.102 (15) Å] and the mean planes through the three pyridine rings are perpendicular to each other, making a dihedral angle of 89.95 (17)°. An intramolecular C—H...π interaction is observed between the two terpyridine ligands. In the crystal, O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, a π–π stacking interaction [centroid–centroid distance = 3.923 (7) Å] and a C—H...π interaction connect the complex cation, the perchlorate anions and the two types of solvent molecules, forming a three-dimensional network.
Access over ownership – a typology of shared space
Authors: Brinkø Rikke , Nielsen Susanne Balslev , van Meel Juriaan
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore shared use of space and facilities as a concept, and present and illustrate the use of a typology to help classify and describe the different options for sharing space and facilities within buildings for optimised use of a building portfolio.

Design/methodology/approach

– The content presented is based on a cross-sectional study with an inductive approach. The results are based partly on secondary data in the form of a literature review and a mapping of 20 examples from Europe, USA and Australia, and partly on primary data from observations and interviews with key actors from two cases in Denmark and an illustration case from Ireland.

Findings

– The typology classifies and describes four archetypes of sharing between different people, building owners and organisations, to be used when discussing, planning, establishing and evaluating new and existing shared spaces.

Research limitations/implications

– The typology is the result of a first exploration of shared use of facilities and does not claim to be fully comprehensive or final.

Practical implications

– The typology is intended for both researchers and practitioners, and aims at increasing the understanding of sharing as a way to minimise the need for building new by better utilisation of the existing building stock.

Originality/value

– Shared space and facilities is a relatively new topic with not much research undertaken. This typology provides a language for discussing shared spaces and a base for further developing the research field.
Influence of layer thickness on sliding wear of multifunctional tribological coatings
Authors: Lara Luciano Castro , Costa Henara , de Mello José Daniel Biasoli
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to analyse the influence of the thickness of different layers [diamond-like-carbon (DLC) and chromium nitride (CrN)] on the sliding wear behaviour of a multifunctional coating on AISI 1020 substrates. When small and cheap components need to be manufactured in large scale, they are often produced using soft metals, such as unhardened low carbon steels and pure iron.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two families, one with thicker films and the other with thinner films, were deposited onto a soft carbon steel substrate by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). Reciprocating linear tests with incremental loading assessed the durability of the coatings. In addition, friction coefficient and wear rates of both specimens and counterbodies were measured at a constant load.

Findings

– Thinner layers presented lower sliding wear rates (four-five times lower) for both specimens and counterbodies, less spalling and protective tribolayers on the wear tracks.

Originality/value

– Although multilayered CrN–DLC coatings on relatively hard substrates such as HSS and cemented carbide tools are already a proven technology, much less is known about its deposition on a much softer substrate such as low carbon steel. In previous works, we have analysed the influence of layer thickness on hardness and scratch resistance of the same coatings. This paper presents results for their performance under wear sliding conditions using an original approach (three-dimensional triboscopic maps) for two distinct configurations (increasing load and constant load).
Tightness testing of rotary ferromagnetic fluid seal working in water environment
Authors: Szczech Marcin , Horak Wojciech
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this publication is to determine the influence of selected factors on the durability and the tightness of ferrofluid seals working in water environments. Ferromagnetic fluid (FF) seals are one of the most common applications of magnetic fluid. New applications can be developed by extending the capabilities of these seals in fluid environments, especially in water.

Design/methodology/approach

– Tests were performed using ferrofluids with differing physical properties like density, dynamic viscosity and saturation magnetization. Working conditions, such as water pressure and peripheral speed, were taken into account.

Findings

– A mathematical description which allows the selection of an appropriate ferrofluid and the determination of the operating parameters of an FF seal was developed.

Originality/value

– This study concerns the influence of peripheral speed, water pressure and magnetic fluid properties on seal tightness.
Jojoba modified polymers as performance modifiers additives for engine oil
Authors: Ahmed Nehal S. , Nassar Amal M. , Nasser Rabab M.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to prepare novel types of copolymers and terpolymers depending on jojoba, and using them as additives for lubricating oil.

Design/methodology/approach

– Copolymerization of 1 mole of jojoba with 2 moles of vinyl acetate and copolymerization of 1 mole of jojoba with 2 moles of vinyl pyrrolidone were carried out. Then, two series of terpolymers were prepared by reacting (jojoba: vinyl acetate: alkylacrylate) and (jojoba: vinyl pyrrolidone: alkylacrylate), using free radical chain addition polymerization. Elucidation of the prepared polymers was carried out by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography, for determination of weight average molecular weight. The thermal stability of the prepared polymers was determined. The prepared polymers were evaluated as viscosity index improvers and pour point depressants for lubricating oil.

Findings

– It was found that the viscosity index increases with increasing the alkyl chain length of alkylacrylate. The effect of the monomer type was studied, and it was found that the polymers depending on vinyl acetate have great effect as viscosity index improvers and pour point depressants for lubricating oil.

Originality/value

– The polymerization of jojoba as different copolymers and terpolymers was carried out. The great influence of the prepared additives on modification of the viscosity properties and pour point of the oil was observed.
Financing government budget deficit as a liquidity risk mitigation tool for Islamic Banks
Authors: Boumediene Aniss
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to construct a framework constituting a link between Islamic banks’ excess liquidity and states’ financing needs, in an Islamic way.evel0.

Design/methodology/approach

– The framework, constituting a linkage between Islamic banks’ funding capacity and governments’ financing needs, is constructed using a money market approach. Later on, the volatility of existing sovereignSukukis compared to corporateSukuk, using generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) (1, 1) model, to assess the stability of the secondary market for Islamic government securities.

Findings

– The volatility is weak for theSukukstudied; this means that there is stability of the secondary market forSukuk(sovereign and corporate).

Originality/value

– This is the first paper that presents a framework dealing directly with Muslim states’ budget deficit and debt. The framework includes Islamic banks, public companies, the central bank, Ministry of Finance and the government.
Hearing muted voices: the crystallization approach to critical and reflexive child-centric consumer research
Authors: Cody Kevina
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to offer both a practical and reflective stance on a longitudinal multi-method interpretive consumer research project carried out with tween girls.

Design/methodology/approach

– This multi-layered approach to data collection, involving qualitative diaries, accompanied shopping trips, e-collages and in-depth interviews, addresses the need, as articulated by Morrow and Richards (1996, p. 96) to “move away from the narrow focus of socialization and child development” toward a research approach that prioritizes children’s own experiences of their lives as children, thereby reconsidering the richness of children’s voices.

Findings

– In line with those whose work seeks to privilege children’s knowledge of the world they inhabit while also emphasizing the need, as in the case of adult “doing” to place that existence within its broader social context (Russell and Tyler, 2005, p. 227), diaries, in-depth interviews, shopping trips, e-collages and researcher diaries were used to access the world of these social neophytes as they mediate their social worlds through the ever pervasive prism of consumer culture. The light and shade of their worlds cannot be captured by adult-oriented perspectives on research which assume that young consumers are incompetent, worthy of debate merely to ascertain levelness of agency or of interest merely to quantify degrees of participation in and comprehension of the semiotic markers of our consumer society.

Research limitations/implications

– Only female consumers were involved in this study which underlines the need to engage with both genders when it comes to researching young consumers.

Practical implications

– This paper offers a tangible contribution to the movement of research toward understanding young consumers’ worlds through engagement with multi-layered discourses and representations.

Originality/value

– This multi-layered, multi-method research project acknowledges the enthralling complexity of these young consumers’ social worlds, giving a richness and immediacy to their accounts of the compelling intimacy between young adolescent identity and the marketplace.
Exploration of brand sacralization among the young adult consumers in the context of emerging Asian market
Authors: Sarkar Juhi Gahlot , Sarkar Abhigyan , Ponnam Abhilash
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to uncover various factors that make the young consumers in emerging Asian market devotees of brands and sacrilize brands giving rise to a phenomenon called brand sacralization where the individual consumer considers brand as sacred as religion. Another objective of this research was to investigate the acculturation process taking place among the young adult consumers in emerging Asian market.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on prior literature review, the concept of brand sacralization has been defined to bring theoretical sensitivity. Grounded theory method has been used to collect, analyze and interpret the data collected through semi-structured depth interviews.

Findings

– Data analysis reveals various underlying dimensions of brand sacralization and various actionable antecedents and consequence of brand sacralization.

Originality/value

– Value of the article lies in developing a grounded theory framework for brand sacralization that can guide the marketers doing business in emerging markets to build a strong brand that the consumers would sacralize.
Trial of labour in twin pregnancies: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: de Castro H , Haas J , Schiff E , Sivan E , Yinon Y , Barzilay E
Published: July 2015

Objective

To assess the success rate of vaginal delivery among women with twin pregnancies; the Twin Birth Study has shown that vaginal delivery and caesarean section are equally safe for twin delivery but >40% of the planned vaginal delivery group delivered by caesarean section.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

A tertiary medical centre.

Population

A total of 2194 women with twin pregnancies not complicated with very low birthweight.

Methods

Planned mode of delivery was documented in the woman's electronic record upon entering the delivery room. Information regarding maternal age at delivery, parity, gestational age, presentation, previous history of caesarean delivery, birthweight and Apgar score was collected from the obstetric electronic charts.

Main outcome measured

Rate of vaginal twin delivery.

Results

Of the 2194 women included, 1311 twin pregnancies had planned caesarean delivery and 883 underwent a trial of labour. Of the 883 women who underwent a trial of labour, the rate of vaginal delivery was 86.9%, whereas the rates of caesarean delivery and combined vaginal–caesarean delivery were 11.1% and 2.0%, respectively. Presentation of second twin, gestational age and maternal age did affect the chances of success. Nulliparity [odds ratio (OR) 2.38, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.4–4.05], Foley induction of labour (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.38–3.91) and body mass index >30 kg/m2 (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.03–3) were independent risk factors for caesarean delivery.

Conclusions

The rate of vaginal delivery among women with twin pregnancies who undergo labour can be high, especially in women who laboured spontaneously and have delivered before.

Tweetable abstract

The rate of vaginal delivery of twins can be high, especially in women who have delivered before.
Multiple Information Signals in the Market for Charitable Donations
Authors: Harris Erica E. , Neely Daniel G.
Published: July 2015

We find evidence indicating that donors use third‐party rating information when they donate to U.S. nonprofit organizations (nonprofits). Specifically, using a sample of over 3,800 unique nonprofits rated by the three largest charity rating organizations in 2007, and over 12,000 unrated control nonprofits, we find that rated nonprofits have significantly higher direct donations than unrated charities. We also hypothesize and find that nonprofits with ratings from multiple rating organizations receive incrementally higher levels of donations. In addition, although charities that receive a positive rating have higher levels of donor support than those receiving a negative rating, both positively and negatively rated nonprofits receive a higher level of direct donations than unrated nonprofits. Finally, we find that nonprofits with consistently good ratings receive higher donations than those with mixed or consistently negative ratings, indicating the donor community values consistency across the three rating agencies.
CEO Power, Internal Control Quality, and Audit Committee Effectiveness in Substance Versus in Form
Authors: Lisic Ling Lei , Neal Terry L. , Zhang Ivy Xiying , Zhang Yan
Published: July 2015

During the past decade, new regulations have been adopted to improve audit committee effectiveness. Prior research has generally provided evidence in support of these regulations and suggests that a more independent and expert audit committee is more effective. We posit that CEO power reduces or even eliminates the improvements in audit committee effectiveness resulting from independent and financially expert committee members. Thus, CEO power may result in an audit committee that appears effective in form but is not in substance. We construct a composite index for CEO power by combining ten CEO characteristics and employ the incidence of internal control weaknesses as a proxy for audit committee monitoring quality. Since all the firms in our sample have completely independent audit committees, we use financial expertise to examine the impact of CEO power on audit committee effectiveness. We find that, when CEO power is low, audit committee financial expertise is negatively associated with the incidence of internal control weaknesses. However, as CEO power increases, this association monotonically weakens. When CEO power reaches a sufficiently high level, this association is no longer negative. The moderating effect of CEO power on audit committee effectiveness is more prominent when the CEO extracts more rents from the firm through insider trading. Our results are not driven by the CEO's involvement in director selection. Our paper suggests that more expert audit committees in form do not automatically translate into more effective monitoring. Rather, the substantive monitoring effectiveness of audit committees is contingent on CEO power.
The Implicit Incentive Effects of Horizontal Monitoring and Team Member Dependence on Individual Performance
Authors: Sedatole Karen L. , Swaney Amy M. , Woods Alexander
Published: July 2015

This study examines the implicit incentive effects of horizontal monitoring and team member dependence for individuals working in teams but facing explicit incentives based solely on measures of individual performance. We combine proprietary performance data with survey data for 133 internal auditors. We show that the social influences of relatively high levels of both horizontal monitoring and team member dependence provide implicit incentives that motivate individual performance, making the provision of team rewards unnecessary to ensure individual and team productivity. We conclude that horizontal monitoring and team member dependence are complementary control mechanisms whose effectiveness helps explain the observed practice of organizing work into teams without explicit team‐based rewards.
Variation in hospital caesarean section rates for preterm births
Authors: Bannister‐Tyrrell Melanie , Patterson Jillian A. , Ford Jane B. , Morris Jonathan M. , Nicholl Michael C. , Roberts Christine L.
Published: July 2015

Background

Evidence about optimal mode of delivery for preterm birth is lacking, and there is thought to be considerable variation in practice.

Objective

To assess whether variation in hospital preterm caesarean section rates (Robson Classification Group 10) and outcomes are explained by casemix, labour or hospital characteristics.

Materials and Methods

Population‐based cohort study in NSW, 2007–2011. Births were categorised according to degree of prematurity and hospital service capability: 26–31, 32–33 and 34–36 weeks' gestation. Hospital preterm caesarean rates were investigated using multilevel logistic regression models, progressively adjusting for casemix, labour and hospital factors. The association between hospital caesarean rates, and severe maternal and neonatal morbidity rates was assessed.

Results

At 26–31 weeks' gestation, the caesarean rate was 55.2% (seven hospitals, range 43.4–58.4%); 50.9% at 32–33 weeks (12 hospitals, 43.4–58.1%); and 36.4% at 34–36 weeks (51 hospitals, 17.4–48.3%). At 26–31 weeks and 32–33 weeks' gestation, 81% and 59% of the variation between hospitals was explained with no hospital significantly different from the state average after adjustment. At 34–36 weeks' gestation, although 59% of the variation was explained, substantial unexplained variation persisted. Hospital caesarean rates were not associated with severe maternal morbidity rates at any gestational age. At 26–31 weeks' gestation, medium and high caesarean rates were associated with higher severe neonatal morbidity rates, but there was no evidence of this association ≥32 weeks.

Conclusion

Both casemix and practice differences contributed to the variation in hospital caesarean rates. Low preterm caesarean rates were not associated with worse outcomes.
The colour spectrum of lies
Authors: Warneken Felix , Orlins Emily
Published: July 2015

In this reply to Ceci, Burd, and Helm, we discuss future directions for developmental research to (1) study the motivations underlying white lies and (2) how to classify lies that reflect other‐regard and self‐interest simultaneously.
Ostracism and attachment orientation: Avoidants are less affected in both individualistic and collectivistic cultures
Authors: Yaakobi Erez , Williams Kipling D.
Published: July 2015

Ostracism – being excluded and ignored – is painful and threatens needs for belonging, self‐esteem, control and meaningful existence. Many studies have shown that immediate responses to ostracism tend to be resistant to moderation. Once ostracized individuals are able to reflect on the experience, however, personality and situational factors moderate recovery speed and behavioural responses. Because attachment orientation is grounded in perceptions of belonging, we hypothesized that attachment orientation would moderate both immediate and delayed reactions to laboratory‐induced ostracism. Participants from individualistic or collectivistic cultures were either included or ostracized in a game of Cyberball, a virtual ball‐toss game. In both cultures, we found that compared to more securely attached individuals, more avoidant participants were less distressed by ostracism, but more distressed by inclusion. It is suggested that over and beyond differences in culture, individuals who avoid meaningful attachment may be less affected by ostracism.