bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CCQM-K104 key comparison (avermectin B1a) on the characterization of organic substances for chemical purity
Authors: Dai Xinhua , Zhang Wei , Li Hongmei , Huang Ting , Li Mengwan , Quan Can , Zhang Qinghe , Davies Stephen R , Warren John , Lo Man-fung , Kakoulides Elias , Gören Ahmet Ceyhan , Marbumrung Sornkrit , Pfeifer Dietmar , Ün lker , Gündüz Simay , Yilmaz Hasibe , Kankaew Pornhatai , Sudsiri Nittaya , Shearman Kittiya , Pookrod Preeyaporn , Polzer Joachim , Radeck Wolfgang
Published: May 2017

Under the Comité Consultatif pour la Quantité de Matière (CCQM), a key comparison, CCQM-K104, was coordinated by the National Institute of Metrology (NIM). The comparison was designed to demonstrate a laboratory's performance in determining the mass fraction of the main component in a complex high purity organic material. Nine NMIs or DIs participated in the comparison. Eight participants reported their results. An additional impurity was resolved from the avermectin B1a peak and was tentatively identified as an unknown impurity by NMIA (National Measurement Institute (Australia)). It was subsequently identified by NIM as a diastereoisomer of avermectin B1a at the C-26 position. Final reference value (KCRV) = 924.63 mg/g, with uncertainty (k=1) = 3.89 mg/g, and expanded uncertainty = 8.97 mg/g. The degrees of equivalence with the avermectin B1a KCRV for each participant were reported. The measurement results and degrees of equivalence should be indicative of the performance of a laboratory's measurement capability for the purity assignment of organic compounds of high structural complexity (relative molecular mass range of 500 Da -1000 Da and low polarity (-log KOW ⩽ -2).

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Titus Andronicus
Authors: Wells Stanley
Published: May 2017

Titus Andronicus, the least highly regarded and most obviously dated of all Shakespeare’s plays, nevertheless has fine passages offering opportunities for great acting. It is also Shakespeare’s most Senecan play, the first of the tragedies not to be based on English history. ‘Titus Andronicus’ explains that most scholars accept the view that Shakespeare wrote it in collaboration with George Peele. The play was a great popular success in its time and, although set in Ancient Rome, its story is not based on recorded history. Its double revenge plot is artfully devised to incorporate numerous horrifying, but theatrically effective and sometimes deeply moving, episodes, written mostly in highly rhetorical blank verse.
Macbeth
Authors: Wells Stanley
Published: May 2017

When Macbeth was first seen, around 1606, its subject matter was highly topical. King James I was on the throne. The use of the supernatural, and of conventions associated with the contemporary theatre such as people speaking in verse, soliloquies, asides, witches, ghosts, a dumb show, and a severed head was very much of its time. ‘Macbeth’ explains that the text of the play known today, the shortest of Shakespeare’s tragedies, is believed to be an adaptation by Thomas Middleton. Although Macbeth is a historical tragedy, it is also a kind of parable that can easily be related to very different areas of human life.
Timon of Athens
Authors: Wells Stanley
Published: May 2017

Timon of Athens is an unfinished, abandoned text co-written by William Shakespeare and Thomas Middleton. The curiously skeletal text is well worthy of resuscitation for its powerful rhetoric, acute social satire, and the hauntingly beautiful poetry of its later scenes. ‘Timon of Athens’ describes the play as a two-part parable. In the first part, Timon, a wealthy and generous Greek nobleman, realizes that the people he calls his friends are mercenary sycophants who care only for his money. In the second part, Timon exiles himself from Athens and lives as a hermit, cursing mankind, receiving visits from the people he had previously called friends, and eventually seeking refuge in death.
Sulforaphane suppresses PRMT5/MEP50 function in epidermal squamous cell carcinoma leading to reduced tumor formation
Authors: Saha Kamalika , Fisher Matthew L , Adhikary Gautam , Grun Daniel , Eckert Richard L
Published: May 2017

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) cooperates with methylosome protein 50 (MEP50) to arginine methylate histone H3 and H4 to silence gene expression, and increased PRMT5 activity is associated with enhanced cancer cell survival. We have studied the role of PRMT5 and MEP50 in epidermal squamous cell carcinoma. We show that knockdown of PRMT5 or MEP50 results in reduced H4R3me2s formation, and reduced cell proliferation, invasion, migration and tumor formation. We further show that treatment with sulforaphane (SFN), a cancer preventive agent derived from cruciferous vegetables, reduces PRMT5 and MEP50 level and H4R3me2s formation, and this is associated with reduced cell proliferation, invasion and migration. The SFN-dependent reduction in PRMT5 and MEP50 level requires proteasome activity. Moreover, SFN-mediated responses are partially reversed by forced PRMT5 or MEP50 expression. SFN treatment of tumors results in reduced MEP50 level and H4R3me2s formation, confirming that that SFN impacts this complex in vivo. These studies suggest that the PRMT5/MEP50 is required for tumor growth and that reduced expression of this complex is a part of the mechanism of SFN suppression of tumor formation.
How Self-Control Shapes the Meaning of Choice
Authors: Sela Aner , Berger Jonah , Kim Joshua
Published: May 2017

Self-control is an important driver of choice, but might it also change choice’s meaning, making it seem less indicative of preference? Decades of research suggest that preference and choice are often intertwined. Choice often originates from one’s preferences. As a result, choice is often seen as a reflection of preference, leading people to infer their preferences by observing their own choices. We suggest that self-control attenuates this process. Because self-control often overrides personal desires in favor of external constraints, norms, and long-term considerations, we propose that self-control is associated with a sense of attenuated correspondence between choice and individual preference. Five experiments suggest that when the notion of self-control is salient, people are less likely to see their choices as reflecting their preferences or to infer preference from previous choices. As a result, evoking the notion of self-control attenuates the tendency to view choice as indicative of preference, even in contexts unrelated to where self-control was originally evoked. Thus, self-control shapes not only choice itself, but also the perceived meaning of choice.
Adjacent Segment Degeneration After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion With an Autologous Iliac Crest Graft: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of 59 Patients With a Mean Follow-up of 27 Years
Authors: Burkhardt Benedikt W , Simgen Andreas , Wagenpfeil Gudrun , Reith Wolfgang , Oertel Joachim M
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) is a widely accepted surgical technique for the treatment of degenerative disc disease. ACDF is associated with adjacent segment degeneration (ASD).

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether physiological aging of the spine would overcome ASD by comparing adjacent to adjoining segments more than 18 yr after ACDF.

METHODS

Magnetic resonance imaging of 59 (36 male, 23 female) patients who underwent ACDF was performed to assess degeneration. The mean follow-up was 27 yr (18-45 yr). Besides measuring the disc height, a 5-step grading system (segmental degeneration index [SDI]) including disc signal intensity, anterior and posterior disc protrusion, narrowing of the disc space, and foraminal stenosis was used to assess the grade of adjacent and adjoining segments.

RESULTS

The SDI of cranial and caudal adjacent segments was significantly higher compared to adjoining segments (P < .001). The disc height of cranial and caudal adjacent segments was significantly lower compared to adjoining segments (P < .001, P < .01). The SDI of adjacent segments in patients with repeat cervical procedure was significantly higher than in patients without repeat procedure (P = .02, P = .01). The disc height of the cranial adjacent segments in patients with repeat procedure was significantly lower than in patients without repeat procedure (P = .01).

CONCLUSION

The physiological aging of the cervical spine does not overcome ASD. The disc height and the SDI in adjacent segment are significantly worse compared to adjoining segments. Patients who underwent repeat procedure had even worse findings of disc height and SDI.
The Advances in Hearing Rehabilitation and Cochlear Implants in China
Authors: Li Jia-Nan , Chen Si , Zhai Lei , Han Dong-Yi , Eshraghi Adrien A. , Feng Yong , Yang Shi-Ming , Liu Xue-Zhong
Published: May 2017

Hearing loss (HL) is a common sensory impairment in humans, with significant economic and social impacts. With nearly 20% of the world’s population, China has focused on economic development and health awareness to improve the care for its hearing-impaired population. Recently, the Chinese government has initiated national programs such as the China Disabled Persons Federation to fund prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of hearing impairment. Newborn hearing screening and auditory rehabilitation programs in China have expanded exponentially with government support. While facing many challenges and overcoming obstacles, cochlear implantation (CI) programs in China have also experienced considerable growth. This review discusses the implementation of CI programs for HL in China and presents current HL data including epidemiology, newborn hearing screening, and determination of genetic etiologies. Sharing the experience in Chinese auditory rehabilitation and CI programs will shine a light on the developmental pathway of healthcare infrastructure to meet emerging needs of the hearing-impaired population in other developing countries.
Correction of Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein in Infants With Traumatic Lumbar Punctures
Authors: Lyons Todd W. , Cruz Andrea T. , Freedman Stephen B. , Arms Joseph L. , Aronson Paul L. , Fleming Alesia H. , Kulik Dina M. , Mahajan Prashant , Mistry Rakesh D. , Pruitt Christopher M. , Thompson Amy D. , Nigrovic Lise E.
Published: May 2017

In our multicenter cohort of infants ≤60 days of age, we identified 2646 infants with a traumatic lumbar puncture, of which 31 (1.2%) had bacterial meningitis. For every 1000 cerebrospinal fluid red blood cells/mm3, cerebrospinal (cerebrospinal fluid) protein increased 1.1 mg/dL (95% confidence interval: 1.0–1.2 mg/dL).
A functional drug re-purposing screening identifies carfilzomib as a drug preventing 17β-estradiol: ERα signaling and cell proliferation in breast cancer cells
Authors: Busonero Claudia , Leone Stefano , Klemm Cinzia , Acconcia Filippo
Published: May 2017

Most cases of breast cancer (BC) are estrogen receptor α-positive (ERα+) at diagnosis. The presence of ERα drives the therapeutic approach for this disease, which often consists of endocrine therapy (ET). 4OH-Tamoxifen and faslodex (i.e.,fulvestrant - ICI182,780) are two ETs that render tumor cells insensitive to 17β-estradiol (E2)-dependent proliferative stimuli and prevent BC progression. However, ET has limitations and serious failures in different tissues and organs. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify novel drugs to fight BC in the clinic. Re-positioning of old drugs for new clinical purposes is an attractive alternative for drug discovery. For this analysis, we focused on the modulation of intracellular ERα levels in BC cells as target for the screening of about 900 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved compounds that would hinder E2:ERα signaling and inhibit BC cell proliferation. We found that carfilzomib induces ERα degradation and prevents E2 signaling and cell proliferation in two ERα+ BC cell lines. Remarkably, the analysis of carfilzomib effects on a cell model system with an acquired resistance to 4OH-tamoxifen revealed that this drug has an antiproliferative effect superior to faslodex in BC cells. Therefore, our results identify carfilzomib as a drug preventing E2:ERα signaling and cell proliferation in BC cells and suggest its possible re-position for the treatment of ERα+ BC as well as for those diseases that have acquired resistance to 4OH-tamoxifen.
Nanoscale Dynamics of Centromere Nucleosomes and the Critical Roles of CENP-A
Authors: Stumme-Diers Micah P. , Banerjee Siddhartha , Hashemi Mohtadin , Sun Zhiqiang , Lyubchenko Yuri L.
Published: May 2017

In the absence of a functioning centromere, chromosome segregation becomes aberrant, leading to an increased rate of aneuploidy. The highly specific recognition of centromeres by kinetochores suggests that specific structural characteristics define this region, however, the structural details and mechanism underlying this recognition remains a matter of intense investigation. To address this, High speed atomic force microscopy was used for direct visualization of the spontaneous dynamics of CENP-A nucleosomes at the sub-second time scale. We report that CENP-A nucleosomes change conformation spontaneously and reversibly, utilizing two major pathways: unwrapping, and looping of the DNA; enabling core transfer between neighboring DNA substrates. Along with these nucleosome dynamics we observed that CENP-A stabilizes the histone core against dissociating to histone subunits, unique from H3 cores which are only capable of such plasticity in the presence of remodeling factors. These findings have implications for the dynamics and integrity of nucleosomes at the centromere.
COPI mediates recycling of an exocytic SNARE from endosomes by recognition of a ubiquitin sorting signal
Authors: Xu Peng , Hankins Hannah M. , Macdonald Chris , Erlinger Samuel J. , Frazier Meredith N. , Diab Nicholas S. , Piper Robert C. , Jackson Lauren P. , MacGurn Jason A. , Graham Todd R.
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

The COPI coat forms transport vesicles from the Golgi complex and plays a poorly defined role in endocytic trafficking. Here we show that COPI mediates delivery of a budding yeast SNARE (Snc1) from early endosomes to the Golgi complex through recognition of a polyubiquitin sorting signal. Snc1 is a v-SNARE that drives fusion of exocytic vesicles with the plasma membrane, and then recycles through early endosomes back to the Golgi for reuse. Removal of ubiquitin from Snc1, or deletion of a β’-COP subunit propeller domain that binds K63-linked polyubiquitin, causes aberrant accumulation of Snc1 in early endosomes. Moreover, replacement of the β’-COP propeller domain with unrelated ubiquitin-binding domains restores Snc1 recycling. These results indicate that ubiquitination, a modification well known to target membrane proteins to the lysosome or vacuole for degradation, can also function as recycling signal to sort a SNARE into COPI vesicles at early endosomes for Golgi delivery.
Identification and Prioritisation of Variants in the Short Open-Reading Frame Regions of the Human Genome
Authors: Jackson Felix , Wayland Matthew , Prabakaran Sudhakaran
Published: May 2017

As whole-genome sequencing technologies improve and accurate maps of the entire genome are assembled, short open-reading frames (sORFs) are garnering interest as functionally important regions that were previously overlooked. However, there is a paucity of tools available to investigate variants in sORF regions of the genome. Here we investigate the performance of commonly used tools for variant calling and variant prioritisation in these regions, and present a framework for optimising these processes. First, the performance of four widely used germline variant calling algorithms is systematically compared. Haplotype Caller is found to perform best across the whole genome, but FreeBayes is shown to produce the most accurate variant set in sORF regions. An accurate set of variants is found by taking the intersection of called variants. The potential deleteriousness of each variant is then predicted using a pathogenicity scoring algorithm developed here, called sORF-c. This algorithm uses supervised machine-learning to predict the pathogenicity of each variant, based on a holistic range of functional, conservation-based and region-based scores defined for each variant. By training on a dataset of over 130,000 variants, sORF-c outperforms other comparable pathogenicity scoring algorithms on a test set of variants in sORF regions of the human genome.

List of Abbreviations

AUPRC

Area under the precision-recall curve

BED

Browser Extensible Data

CADD

Combined annotation-dependent depletion

DANN

Deleterious annotation of genetic variants using neural networks

EPO

Enredo, Pecan, Ortheus pipeline

GATK

Genome analysis toolkit

GIAB

Genome in a bottle

HGMD

Human gene mutation database

Indels

Insertions and deletions

MS

Mass spectrometry

ORF

Open reading frame

RF

Random Forests

ROC

Receiver Operating Characteristics

SEP

sORF encoded peptide

sklearn

Scikit-learn package

SNVs

Single nucleotide variants

sORF

Short open-reading frame

TF

Transcription factor

TSS

Transcription start site

VCF

Variant Call Format file
Regulation of Iron Homeostasis by SPAK-dependent Modulation of FBXL5 Stability
Authors: Powers David N. , Vashisht Ajay A. , Shenouda Monika , Yao Calvin , Wohlschlegel James A.
Published: May 2017

Intracellular iron homeostasis is regulated by a proteolytic switch whereby the E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXL5 targets iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) for ubiquitin-dependent degradation in iron-replete conditions while it is itself degraded during iron deficiency allowing IRPs to accumulate and regulate their downstream RNA targets. The cellular pathways that control FBXL5 degradation in low iron conditions are not well understood. Here, we report the identification of the STE20/SPS1-related proline-alanine-rich protein kinase (SPAK) as a novel regulator of FBXL5 stability. We find that SPAK, a kinase previously implicated in osmotic stress regulation, regulates intracellular iron homeostasis through its physical association with FBXL5. This role is dependent on its kinase activity as overexpression of constitutively active SPAK increases FBXL5 poly-ubiquitination and degradation. Through this work, we have discovered a novel role for SPAK that extends beyond its well-established function in salt homeostasis and raises the possibility for signaling crosstalk between iron homeostatic and osmotic regulatory pathways.
The Envelope Proteome Changes Driven by RamA Overproduction inKlebsiella pneumoniaethat Enhance Acquired β-Lactam Resistance
Authors: Jiménez-Castellanos Juan-Carlos , Wan Nur Ismah Wan Ahmad Kamil , Takebayashi Yuiko , Findlay Jacqueline , Schneiders Thamarai , Heesom Kate J. , Avison Matthew B.
Published: May 2017

OBJECTIVES

InKlebsiella pneumoniae,overproduction of RamA results in reduced envelope permeability and reduced antimicrobial susceptibility but clinically relevant resistance is rarely observed. Here we have tested whether RamA over-production can enhance acquired β-lactam resistance mechanisms inK. pneumoniaeand have defined the envelope protein abundance changes seen upon RamA overproduction during growth in low and high osmolarity media.

METHODS

Envelope permeability was estimated using a fluorescent dye accumulation assay. Antibiotic susceptibility was measured using disc testing. Total envelope protein production was quantified using LC-MS/MS proteomics and transcript levels quantified by Real Time RT-PCR.

RESULTS

RamA overproduction enhanced β-lactamase mediated β-lactam resistance, in some cases dramatically, without altering β-lactamase production. It increased production of efflux pumps and decreased OmpK35 porin production, thoughmicFover-expression showed that OmpK35 reduction has little impact on envelope permeability. A survey ofK. pneumoniaebloodstream isolates revealedramAhyperexpression in 3 out of 4 carbapenemase producers, 1/21 CTX-M producers and 2/19 strains not carrying CTX-M or carbapenemases.

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst RamA is not a key mediator of antibiotic resistance inK. pneumoniaeon its own, it is potentially important for enhancing the spectrum of acquired β-lactamase mediated β-lactam resistance. LC-MS/MS proteomics analysis has revealed that this enhancement is achieved predominantly through activation of efflux pump production.
Initial-state-dependent, robust, transient neural dynamics encode conscious visual perception
Authors: Baria Alexis T. , Maniscalco Brian , He Biyu J.
Published: May 2017

Recent research has identified late-latency, long-lasting neural activity as a robust correlate of conscious perception. Yet, the dynamical nature of this activity is poorly understood, and the mechanisms governing its presence or absence and the associated conscious perception remain elusive. We applied dynamic-pattern analysis to whole-brain slow cortical dynamics recorded by magnetoencephalography (MEG) in human subjects performing a threshold-level visual perception task. Up to 1 second before stimulus onset, brain activity pattern across widespread cortices significantly predicted whether a threshold-level visual stimulus was later consciously perceived. This initial state of brain activity interacts nonlinearly with stimulus input to shape the evolving cortical activity trajectory, with seen and unseen trials following well separated trajectories. Furthermore, cortical activity trajectories during conscious perception are fast evolving and robust to small variations in the initial state. These results suggest that brain dynamics underlying conscious visual perception belongs to the class of initial-state-dependent, robust, transient neural dynamics.

AUTHOR SUMMARY

What brain mechanisms underlie conscious perception? A commonly adopted paradigm for studying this question is to present human subjects with threshold-level stimuli. When shown repeatedly, the same stimulus is sometimes consciously perceived, sometimes not. Using magnetoencephalography, we shed light on the neural mechanisms governing whether the stimulus is consciously perceived in a given trial. We observed that depending on the initial brain state defined by widespread activity pattern in the slow cortical potential (<5 Hz) range, a physically identical, brief (30 - 60 ms) stimulus input triggers distinct sequences of activity pattern evolution over time that correspond to either consciously perceiving the stimulus or not. Such activity pattern evolution forms a “trajectory” in the state space and affords significant single-trial decoding of perceptual outcome from 1 sec before to 3 sec after stimulus onset. While previous theories on conscious perception have emphasized sustained, high-level activity, we found that brain dynamics underlying conscious perception exhibit fast-changing activity patterns. These results significantly further our understanding on the neural mechanisms governing conscious access of a stimulus and the dynamical nature of neural activity underlying conscious perception.
Identification and dynamics of the DHHC16-DHHC6 palmitoylation cascade
Authors: Abrami Laurence , Dallavilla Tiziano , Sandoz Patrick A. , Demir Mustafa , Kunz Béatrice , Savoglidis Georgios , Hatzimanikatis Vassily , van der Goot F. Gisou
Published: May 2017

S-Palmitoylation is the only reversible post-translational lipid modification. Knowledge about the DHHC family of palmitoyltransferases is very limited. Here we show that mammalian DHHC6, which modifies key proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum, is controlled by an upstream palmitoyltransferase, DHHC16, revealing the first palmitoylation cascade. Combination of site specific mutagenesis of the three DHHC6 palmitoylation sites, experimental determination of kinetic parameters and data-driven mathematical modelling allowed us to obtain detailed information on the 8 differentially palmitoylated DHHC6 species. We found that species rapidly interconvert through the action of DHHC16 and the Acyl Protein Thioesterase APT2, that each species varies in terms of turnover rate and activity, altogether allowing the cell to robustly tune its DHHC6 activity.
Gender in sustainable entrepreneurship: evidence from the UK
Authors: Outsios Georgios , Farooqi Seemab Ara
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Existing research highlights gender as an important dimension for entrepreneurship theory and practice. This study aims to explore the differences between female and male sustainable entrepreneurs in the areas of previous professional experiences, their performance and growth, their use of financial resources and their overall attitude to risk.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a feminist perspective and on the basis of empirical evidence gathered through a series of 20 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with male and female sustainable entrepreneurs in the UK, thr authors analyse differences between male and female sustainable entrepreneurs.

Findings

The findings suggest that female role models play a significant role in the emergence of women sustainable entrepreneurs who start from the same experience levels as men, show strong feminist attitudes and are conscious of their contribution to global sustainability. Sustainable entrepreneurship offers women professional development and a limited flexibility to balance work and family commitments. Lack of funding appears to be a major constraint applying to both female and male participants, while the authors argue that business pragmatism in a difficult investment environment triggered women’s reluctance to take on debt. Nonetheless, female sustainable entrepreneurs were found to have developed and used their professional and social networks to a greater extent than their male counterparts.

Originality/value

This study offers a new gender perspective to the research of sustainable entrepreneurship and, at the same time, contributes with findings from research on sustainable entrepreneurs to the study of gender in management.
Democracy and international financial integration in Pakistan
Authors: Jawaid Syed Tehseen , Abbas Shujaat , Saleem Shaikh Muhammad
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between international financial integration (IFI) index and democracy (DEM) in Pakistan by using long-time series data from 1975 to 2013.

Design/methodology/approach

The IFI index is constructed by principal component analysis. IFI consists of foreign direct investment (FDI), remittances (REM) and external debt (ED), whereas the Polity IV index is used for DEM. Johansen and the autoregressive distributed lag method for cointegration methods are used to find a long run relationship. Dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS), fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) and canonical regression (CR) have been used to find the nature of the relationship. Rolling window analysis has been done to find the year wise coefficients.

Findings

DOLS, FMOLS, canonical regression CR and cointegration results suggest a significant negative long-run relationship between IFI and DEM in Pakistan. Rolling windows analysis highlights that DEM has improved IFI in Pakistan from 2008 to 2013.

Originality/value

This study constructs an index for financial integration using principle component analysis on capital inflows, i.e. FDI, REM, ED, to explore the impact of DEM on IFI in Pakistan from 1975 to 2013. This study investigates for the first time ever the relationship between IFI index and DEM in Pakistan.
Communicating with underserved audiences
Authors: Goodman J. Robyn , Theis Ryan , Shenkman Elizabeth
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to understand how low-income, ethnically diverse, Medicaid recipients read, interpret and use culturally tailored health communications, specifically health plan report cards and health intervention/wellness program recruitment materials.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports two exploratory studies on message design. Researchers considered 12 focus groups for Study 1, consisting of 51 African-American, Hispanic and non-Hispanic White men and women who were enrolled in Medicaid and had a behavioral health diagnosis and a chronic disease. Researchers considered 22 focus groups for Study 2, consisting of 102 Hispanic, African-American and non-Hispanic White women enrolled in Medicaid.

Findings

The paper provides qualitative insights into how underserved populations interpret the visual and verbal aspects of health communications. Key findings include problems with cultural tailoring and monetary incentives for health improvement program participation, message components that show respect and are more likely to be read, how visuals can expand verbal messages and provide symbolic models and specifics on the desired image content.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the qualitative approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Thus, researchers suggest conducting quantitative studies to test these findings.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of powerful verbal and visual messaging for underserved populations. Additionally, the findings suggest a need to include emotional response in health communication theories and to incorporate visual communication theories in message design studies.

Originality/value

Research on health communication with underserved populations is limited, yet these populations have higher incidences of death and disability from disease. This paper fulfills a need to discover best health communication practices with underserved populations.
A panel vector AutoRegression analysis of income inequality dynamics in each of the 50 states of USA
Authors: Onafowora Olugbenga , Owoye Oluwole
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the income inequality dynamics in each of the 50 states of USA over the period 1981-2011.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper estimates an augmented Kuznets curve panel Vector AutoRegression in per capita income, economic freedom, educational attainment, unemployment, and population ageing along with evaluating generalized impulse responses functions (GIRF) and generalized forecast-error variance decompositions (GFEVD).

Findings

All the variables are integrated of order one and are panel cointegrated. Kuznets’ hypothesized inverted U-shaped relationship between inequality and growth is not supported by the data. Unemployment and population ageing have statistically significant positive effects on inequality in the long-run; education has statistically significant negative impact; economic freedom has statistically insignificant positive effect. Long-run bidirectional causality exists among the variables. GFEVD show that excluding income inequality itself, variation in income inequality is more influenced by perturbations in per capita income, educational attainment, and unemployment. GIRF corroborate the results of the GFEVD.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to study the causal relationship between inequality and its determining factors without assuming the a priori exogeneity or endogeneity of the underlying variables.
Psycho-economic aspiration and subjective well-being
Authors: Aydin Necati
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Previous research using the Aspiration Index (AI) suggests that intrinsic goals are positively, but extrinsic/materialistic goals are negatively associated with subjective well-being (SWB). The purpose of this paper is to extend the scope of previous research by exploring the pursuit of different goals in conjunction with SWB in a country with a culture mixing western and traditional values. Several hypotheses regarding the effects of extrinsic, intrinsic, hedonic, and self-transcendent values on SWB were tested.

Design/methodology/approach

An extended AI survey was conducted among randomly selected cross-sectional sample of 878 Turkish adults in Istanbul. The survey data were analyzed to explore the relationship between 14 aspiration domains and SWB using both correlation coefficients and several different regression models.

Findings

The study confirms the basic assumptions of the AI research in a Muslim society with a hybrid culture of materialistic and spiritual aspirations. The study found weak supporting evidence for the contribution of two newly added domains (i.e. aesthetic appreciation as well as honesty and fairness) to SWB, whereas the evidence for the positive contribution of intellectual life was overwhelming. Paradoxically, although the evidence from both correlation and regression coefficients supported a positive relationship between household income and SWB, after dividing the sample into two groups based on their income level, the low-income earners turned out to have relatively higher life satisfaction, holding everything else constant. More importantly, the study reveals that the impact of materialistic aspirations on SWB is still negative even if they are pursued in a hybrid culture.

Research limitations/implications

The study included three new domains in the conventional AI model. Although the findings confirmed the importance of two domains, it is important that they be replicated in other studies, particularly in different cultural settings.

Originality/value

This study makes a significant contribution in terms of testing the effect of materialist and spiritual values on SWB in a Muslim country.
Failure progression resistance of a generic steel moment-resisting frame under beam-removal scenarios
Authors: Hashemi Rezvani Farshad , Behnam Behrouz , Reza Ronagh Hamid , Alam M. Shahria
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the failure progression resistance of the steel moment-resisting frames subjected to various beam-removal scenarios after application of the design earthquake pertinent to the structure by investigating a generic eight-story building.

Design/methodology/approach

The structure is first pushed to arrive at a target roof displacement corresponding to life safety level of performance. To simulate the post-earthquake beam-removal scenario, one of the beam elements is suddenly removed from the structure at a number of different positions. The structural response is then evaluated by using nonlinear static and dynamic analyses.

Findings

The results show that while no failure is observed in all of the scenarios, the vulnerability of the upper stories is much greater than that of the lower stories. In the next step, the structural resistance to such scenarios is determined. The results confirm that for the case study structure, at most, the resistance to failure progression in upper stories is 58 percent more than that of lower stories.

Originality/value

Failure and fracture of beam-to-column connections resulting in removal of beam elements may lead to a chain of subsequent failures in other structural members and eventually lead to progressive collapse in some cases. Deficiency in design or construction process of structures when combined by application of seismic loads may lead to such an event.
Use of wavelets for damage diagnostics in truss structures
Authors: Altammar Hussain , Kaul Sudhir , Dhingra Anoop K.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Wavelets are being increasingly used for damage diagnostics. The purpose of this paper is to present an algorithm that uses the wavelet transform for detecting mixed-mode, also known as combined mode, cracks in large truss structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The mixed-mode crack is modeled by superposing two damage modes, and this model is combined with a finite element model of the truss. The natural modes of the truss are processed through the wavelet transform and then used to determine the damage location. The influence of multiple parameters such as truss geometry, crack geometry, number of truss members, orientation of truss members, etc. is investigated as part of the study.

Findings

The proposed damage detection algorithm is found to be successful in detecting single mode as well as mixed-mode cracks even in the presence of significant end effects, and even when a relatively coarse sampling of natural modes is used. Results from multiple simulations that involve three commonly used truss structures are presented. A correlation between damage severity and the magnitude of wavelet coefficients is observed.

Originality/value

The proposed algorithm is found to be successful in accurately detecting damage, but direct determination of damage severity is found to be challenging.
Prognostic analysis of fastener joints in straight attachment lugs
Authors: Chikmath L. , Dattaguru B.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Many failures of aircraft structural components in the past were attributed to cracks emanating from joints, which are identified as the most critical locations. In cases using the recently emerging structural health monitoring (SHM) systems, continuous monitoring needs be carried out at many major joint locations. The purpose of this paper is to develop computational techniques for fastener joints, including the possible change in contact conditions and change in boundary values at the pin-hole interface. These techniques are used for the prognostic analysis of pin-loaded lug joints with rigid/elastic pin subjected to fatigue loading by estimating the residual life of the component at any given instance to assist the SHM systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Straight attachment lug joints with rigid/elastic push-fit pin and smooth pin-hole interface are modelled in commercial software MSC PATRAN. In each case, the joint is subjected to various types of fatigue load cycles, and for each type of cycles, the critical locations and the stress concentrations are identified from the stress analysis. Later, for each type of fatigue cycle, the number of cycles required for crack initiation is estimated. A small crack is located at these points, and the number of cycles required to reach the critical length when unstable crack growth occurs is also computed. The novelty in the analysis of life estimations is that it takes into account possible changes in contact conditions at the pin-hole interface during load reversals in fatigue loading.

Findings

The current work on fastener joints brings out the way the load reversals leading to change in contact conditions (consequently changing boundary conditions) are handled during fatigue loading on a push-fit joint. The novel findings are the effect of the size of the hole/lug width, elasticity of the material and the type of load cycles on the fatigue crack initiation and crack growth life. Given other parameters constant, bigger size hole and stiffer pin lead to lesser life. Under load controlled fatigue cycles, pull load contributes to significant part of fatigue life.

Originality/value

The analysis considers the changing contact conditions at the pin-hole interface during fatigue cycles with positive and negative stress ratios. The results presented in this paper are of value to the life prediction of structural joints for various load cycles (for both pull-pull cases, in which the load ratios are positive, and pull-push cycles, where the load ratios are negative). The prognostic data can be used to effectively monitor the critical locations with joints for SHM applications.
Social trust: impacts on social influential diffusion
Authors: Yap Hock Yeow , Lim Tong-Ming
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present social trust as a variable of influence by demonstrating the possibilities of trusted social nodes to improve influential capability and rate of successfully influenced social nodes within a social networking environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This research will be conducted using simulated experiments. The base algorithm in research uses genetics algorithm diffusion model (GADM) where it carries out social influence calculations within a social networking environment. The GADM algorithm will be enhanced by integrating trust values into its influential calculations. The experiment simulates a virtual social network based on a social networking site architecture from the data set used to conduct experiments on the enhanced GADM and observe their influence capabilities.

Findings

The presence of social trust can effectively increase the rate of successfully influenced social nodes by factorizing trust value of one source node and acceptance rate of another recipient node into its probabilistic equation, hence increasing the final acceptance probability.

Research limitations/implications

This research focused exclusively on conceptual mathematical models and technical aspects so far; comprehensive user study, extensive performance and scalability testing is left for future work.

Originality/value

Two key contributions of this paper are the calculation of social trust via content integrity and the application of social trust in social influential diffusion algorithms. Two models will be designed, implemented and evaluated on the application of social trust via trusted social nodes and domain-specified (of specific interest groups) trusted social nodes.
A fill-in-blank problem workbook for Java programming learning assistant system
Authors: Na Ta , Funabiki Nobuo , Zaw Khin Khin , Ishihara Nobuya , Matsumoto Shinpei , Kao Wen-Chung
Published: May 2017

Purpose

To advance Java programming educations, the authors have developed a Java Programming Learning Assistant System (JPLAS) as a web application system. JPLAS provides fill-in-blank problems for novices to study the grammar and basic programming skills through code reading.

Design/methodology/approach

To select the blank elements with grammatically correct and unique answers from a given Java code, the authors have proposed the graph-based blank element selection algorithm. Then, the code for this problem should be highly readable to encourage novice students to study it. Because code readability can be improved by proper names for identifiers, the authors have also proposed the naming rule testing algorithm to identify codes with correct names.

Findings

In this paper, the authors present a fill-in-blank problem workbook by collecting suitable Java codes from textbooks and Web sites and applying these algorithms with several extensions. The workbook consists of 16 categories with a considerable number of problems that follow the conventional learning order of Java programming.

Originality/value

The proper set of ready-made fill-in-blank problems is effective in enhancing the usability of JPLAS both for teachers and students. For the preliminary evaluation, the authors assign a few problems to students. In coming semesters, the authors will use this workbook in the course to verify the adequacy of the proposal for novices.
The effect of serpentine additive on energy-saving and auto-reconditioning surface layer formation
Authors: Wang Xiao , Wu Junwei , Wei Xicheng , Liu Rende , Cao Qi
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the energy-saving effect and mechanism of serpentine as lubricant additive in the simulated condition.

Design/methodology/approach

An ABLT-1 bearing test machine was used for 1,350 hours and an MM-W1 three-pin-on-disk apparatus was used to investigate its anti-friction effect. The worn surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy.

Findings

The results show that the energy-saving effect was improved after adding serpentine powder in oil and that both the friction coefficient and mass loss were dramatically decreased. The analysis on worn surface layer demonstrates that an auto-reconditioning surface layer was formed on the worn surface, which was responsible for the decrease in friction and wear.

Originality/value

The simulation test for the metal bearing was conducted over 1,350 hours using lubricant with and without serpentine powder. The addition of serpentine powder enhanced the energy-saving rate over time, stabilizing at about 13 per cent after 1,000 hours. An auto-reconditioning surface layer was formed on the surfaces of disassembled bearing lubricated with serpentine doped oil, resulting in dramatic decrease of both the friction coefficient and the mass loss. In addition to normal load and the accumulation of serpentine powder in the furrows and scratches of the deformed layer, the formation of the surface layer was possibly related to the substrate deformation induced by friction force.
Superlow friction of high mileage used oil with CuDTC in presence of MoDTC
Authors: Zeng Qunfeng
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the antifriction and antiabrasive behavior of the used oil through the addition of a lubricant.

Design/methodology/approach

The author selected 85W-90 used oil with three kinds of 4,758, 10,507 and 16,223 km mileages, which may represent run-in wear period, steady-state wear period and rapid wear for used oil, respectively. Nano copper, molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC) and copper dioctyl dithiocarbamate (CuDTC) of lubricant additive are added to the used oil to improve its antifriction performances and service life. The influence of lubricant additive on the tribological properties of used oil is investigated by the friction tests.

Findings

An abnormal phenomenon has been observed by the friction test under high mileage used oil with CuDTC in presence of MoDTC lubrication, and superlow friction coefficient of 0.04 has been achieved after a running-in period for the first time. It is found that CuDTC additive is beneficial to improve greatly the antifriction behavior of used oil, especially when MoDTC is present. The results indicate that the dissoluble of CuDTC and the tribochemical reaction of MoDTC play an important role in superlow friction of high mileage used oil. Moreover, the superlow friction is also closely related to the viscosity of used oil.

Originality/value

The possible mechanism of superlow friction is attributed to the additive thinning effect and the synergistic effect of the dissoluble of CuDTC and the tribochemical reaction of MoDTC binary lubricant additives in high mileage used oil. This work will extend the application of CuDTC additive widely and explore a new method to the reutilization and the life extension of used lubricating oil.
Optimization of friction properties of kenaf polymer composite as an alternative friction material
Authors: Mustafa Ashafie , Abdollah Mohd Fadzli Bin , Amiruddin Hilmi , Shuhimi Fairuz Fazillah , Muhammad Noryani
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study is to determine the optimal parameters for friction coefficient of kenaf/epoxy (KE) composite as an alternative friction material.

Design/methodology/approach

The design of experiment was constructed using the Taguchi method. KE specimens were formed into 10 mm diameter pins using hot compression technique with different types, weight concentrations and treatments of kenaf. The samples were tested using a pin-on-disc tribometer at different applied loads, speeds and operating temperatures with a constant sliding distance of 3 km under dry sliding conditions.

Findings

The sample with 45 wt.% of non-treated kenaf fibre, tested at 19.62 N, 500 rpm and 100°C was found to be the optimized combination to obtain higher friction. From the confirmation test, the experimental friction coefficient is acceptable because of fall within 95 per cent confidence interval. Predominant wear mechanisms are identified as micro-crack and debonding of fibre.

Originality/value

KE composite can be considered as an alternative friction material, as the tested friction coefficient is within the suggested range for the friction material applications.