bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards designing telepresence robot navigation for people with disabilities
Authors: M. Tsui Katherine , McCann Eric , McHugh Amelia , Medvedev Mikhail , A. Yanco Holly , Kontak David , L. Drury Jill
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The authors believe that people with cognitive and motor impairments may benefit from using of telepresence robots to engage in social activities. To date, these systems have not been designed for use by people with disabilities as the robot operators. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted two formative evaluations using a participatory action design process. First, the authors conducted a focus group (n=5) to investigate how members of the target audience would want to direct a telepresence robot in a remote environment using speech. The authors then conducted a follow-on experiment in which participants (n=12) used a telepresence robot or directed a human in a scavenger hunt task.

Findings

– The authors collected a corpus of 312 utterances (first hand as opposed to speculative) relating to spatial navigation. Overall, the analysis of the corpus supported several speculations put forth during the focus group. Further, it showed few statistically significant differences between speech used in the human and robot agent conditions; thus, the authors believe that, for the task of directing a telepresence robot's movements in a remote environment, people will speak to the robot in a manner similar to speaking to another person.

Practical implications

– Based upon the two formative evaluations, the authors present four guidelines for designing speech-based interfaces for telepresence robots.

Originality/value

– Robot systems designed for general use do not typically consider people with disabilities. The work is a first step towards having our target population take the active role of the telepresence robot operator.
ManAGEment: the challenges of global age diversity for corporations and governments
Authors: F. Mahon John , C.J.M. Millar Carla
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges, worldwide of managing an aging workforce. The paper offers suggestions for public policy and for individual organizational approaches to developing, managing and motivating an aging workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reviews in depth international literature, public policies and corporate policies that deal with an aging workforce.

Findings

– In virtually every nation in the world, society is aging and the costs to society – on multiple dimensions demand organizational action and changes in public policy. For the first time in recorded history the number of people aged 65+ will exceed those 15 and under starting in 2015. It is also predicted that those 80+ will be greater than those under 15 in Europe by 2060.

Originality/value

– This paper explores the impact of a worldwide aging society on the management of organizations and the demands that this aging will place on public policy. It addresses the profound impacts of changing dependency ratios on nations and on their future competitiveness.
Mixed modified fruit fly optimization algorithm with general regression neural network to build oil and gold prices forecasting model
Authors: Pan Wen-Tsao
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– When facing a clouded global economy, many countries would increase their gold reserves. On the other hand, oil supply and demand depends on the political and economic situations of oil producing countries and their production technologies. Both oil and gold reserve play important roles in the economic development of a country. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper uses the historical data of oil and gold prices as research data, and uses the historical price tendency charts of oil and gold, as well as cluster analysis, to discuss the correlation between the historical data of oil and gold prices. By referring to the technical index equation of stocks, the technical indices of oil and gold prices are calculated as the independent variable and the closing price as the dependent variable of the forecasting model.

Findings

– The findings indicate that there is no obvious correlation between the price tendencies of oil and gold. According to five evaluating indicators, the MFOAGRNN forecast model has better forecast ability than the other three forecasting models.

Originality/value

– This paper explored the correlation between oil and gold prices, and built oil and gold prices forecasting models. In addition, this paper proposes a modified FOA (MFOA), where an escape parameter Δ is added to Si. The findings showed that the forecasting model that combines MFOA and GRNN has the best ability to forecast the closing price of oil and gold.
Performance evaluation of a hybridized simulated annealing algorithm for flow shop scheduling under a dynamic environment
Authors: Kumar Samuel Robin , Venkumar P.
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a hybrid-simulated annealing algorithm to address the lacunas in production logistics. The primary focus is laid on the basic understanding of the critical quandary occurring in production logistics, and subsequently research attempts are undertaken to resolve the issue by developing a hybrid algorithm. A logistics problem associated with a flow shop (FS) having a string of jobs which need to be scheduled on m number of machines is considered.

Design/methodology/approach

– An attempt is made here to introduce and further establish a hybrid-simulated annealing algorithm (NEHSAO) with a new scheme for neighbourhood solutions generation, outside inverse (OINV). The competence in terms of performance of the proposed algorithm is enhanced by incorporating a fast polynomial algorithm, NEH, which provides the initial seed. Additionally, a new cooling scheme (Ex-Log) is employed to enhance the capacity of the algorithm. The algorithm is tested on the benchmark problems of Carlier and Reeves and subsequently validated against other algorithms reported in related literature.

Findings

– It is clearly observed that the performance of the proposed algorithm is far superior in most of the cases when compared to the other conventionally used algorithms. The proposed algorithm is then employed to a FS under dynamic conditions of machine breakdown, followed by formulation of three cases and finally identification of the best condition for scheduling under dynamic conditions.

Originality/value

– This paper proposes an hybrid algorithm to reduce makespan. Practical implementation of this algorithm in industries would lower the makespan and help the organisation to increse their profit
Postmodernist and consumerist influences on information consumption
Authors: R. Taylor Arthur
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The statement “information is a difference that makes a difference” implies causal relationships between information bits. This relationship includes the use or consumption of information. It is this consumption of information in the context of information science, consumerism, postmodernism, and the vast information technology changes of the past decades that converge to create an environment in which the veracity and general quality of information is challenged. The purpose of this paper is to examine information consumption in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper will examine the consumption of information within the context of information science relevance theory, consumerism, postmodernism, and significant changes in information technology, providing some historical context and examining the impact of the convergence. Relevant arguments and theory will be presented as evidence of the impact of this convergence on the quality of information.

Findings

– Dimensions of information quality are examined in relation to consumerism and postmodernism. Postmodern thought embraces the market and consumerism. Information production (journalism, mass media) is yet another cultural product in the market. Information production cast into the market framework is influenced by the revised sequence of capital consumer markets where demand control through advertising and marketing and pursuit of additional surplus value impact the quality of information. This leads to biased and fragmented dissemination of information. Breakdown of traditional control structures is another side effect of this convergence, leading to prosumerism (amateur) information dissemination with similar impacts on information quality.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a cross-disciplinary examination of the current convergence of information science, postmodernism, and capital markets within the context of consumerism. It identifies evidence of the impact of this convergence on the reduced quality of information being disseminated and consumed and provides a basis for further discussion and examination.
Product image allocation and inventory control of online stores
Authors: Chen Yan-Kwang , Chiu Fei-Rung , Huang Yueh-Chuen , Yeh Chien-Hua
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This study assumes image size and location, product substitution, and product supply to be factors influencing the purchase decision. Under such assumption, shelf-space allocation and inventory theories are integrated, and operating profit and cost of the online store under the supply policy that prevent stockouts are analyzed to develop an optimal model for inventory control and product image allocation. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The developed model takes both order cost and holding cost into account when calculating the total cost. As the model presented is an integer non-linear programming problem, this study adopts genetic algorithm to solve the problem.

Findings

– Numerical examples are provided in this study to demonstrate the applicability of the model and to illustrate the search for parameters that possess greater influence over the operating profit of the store.

Originality/value

– This study provides a mixed integer non-linear programming model for the joint optimization of graphic design and inventory control problem. Online store owners may take the results of this study as a reference for decision-making purposes.
Attachment to work, job satisfaction and work centrality
Authors: Tziner Aharon , Ben-David Alla , Oren Lior , Sharoni Gil
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the associations between attachment styles, work centrality and job satisfaction with turnover intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

– A self-report questionnaire that included psychometrically sound measures of the key constructs was completed by a sample of 125 employees. A structural equation model was conducted to test the proposed relations and mediating hypotheses.

Findings

– Attachment styles were found to be linked directly to turnover intentions, and not mediated by job satisfaction and work centrality, as predicted. Avoidant and anxious employees showed higher levels of turnover intentions. A positive relationship was found between work centrality and job satisfaction; job satisfaction was negatively related with turnover intentions.

Research limitations/implications

– Although the study involved cross-sectional self-report data, it shed light on the associations between attachment theory and the costly organizational phenomena of voluntary turnover.

Practical implications

– Managers should pay particular attention to employees characterized by an insecure attachment style. Efforts should be made to improve work centrality and job satisfaction among employees.

Originality/value

– The study adds attachment styles as an additional tool available to managers in their efforts to manage turnover.
A cross-sectional study of the relationships between organizational justices and OCB
Authors: Kwon Choi Byoung , Koo Moon Hyoung , Ko Wook , Min Kim Kyoung
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to test the mediating effect of organizational identification (OI) in the relationship between organizational justice and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and also to examine the moderating effects of transactional and relational contracts in the relationship between OI and OCB.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from employees working for ten companies in South Korea. The participants were asked with a self-reported survey, and 284 questionnaires were used in the analyses.

Findings

– Among the three types of organizational justice, the effects of distributive and interactional justice on OCB were mediated by OI. The authors also found that the positive relationship between OI and OCB was stronger for both a low level of transactional and a high level of relational contract. In addition, the moderated mediation analyses confirmed that the indirect relationships between distributive, interactional justice and OCB through OI were valid for both high and low level of transactional contract, and only for low level of relational contract.

Practical implications

– To facilitate employees’ OCB, organizations have to pay adequate attention to distributive justice which is rather neglected, and also must understand what types of psychological contract employees have.

Originality/value

– This study intensively explored the internal mechanism as to how the different types of organizational justice lead to OCB by identifying the mediating effect of OI and moderating roles of psychological contracts.
Leader-member exchange and resource accessibility of subordinates
Authors: K. Jain Naveen , Srivastava Prashant , L. Owens Deborah
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for leader-member exchange (LMX) in the context of global integration strategy of multinational corporations (MNCs). Further, an interaction effect of leader's network centrality and leader's alignment with MNC policies on LMX and resource accessibility is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper begins with the notion that different departments in a subsidiary of an MNC are likely to have different requirements for integration within the MNC network. This paper extends the literature by suggesting that employees working in the same department of a subsidiary of an MNC are likely to have different perception of the degree of integration of their subsidiary with other nodes in the MNC network.

Findings

– The paper posits that employees forming the “in-group” of a subsidiary leader are more likely to perceive their subsidiary as more integrated than the “out-group” employees; contribute more by way of knowledge transfer than the “out-group” employees; and perform better than the “out-group” employees, because of the moderating effect of leader's network centrality on the relationship between LMX and resource accessibility.

Research limitations/implications

– The research has implications for the role of subsidiary leaders in shaping the perceptions of their subordinates toward the global integration strategy of an MNC.

Originality/value

– The study fills a gap by integrating the LMX and MNC global integration strategy literatures and proposing the existence of perceptual differences, even at subordinate level.
Cleaner production and pollution prevention at the electronic and electric Mexican maquiladora
Authors: Velazquez Luis , Munguia Nora , Zavala Andrea , Esquer Javier , Will Markus , Delakowitz Bernd
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the deepening understanding of the diverging pollution prevention (PP) and occupational and safety practices undertaken in the Mexican maquiladora industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study was outlined by a modified version of the PP Program based on a continuous improvement cycle, which identifies areas of opportunity and then, proposes ideas for solving problems. This study was carried out based merely on a quantitative approach. However, when this was not possible, parameters were determined under a qualitative or semi-quantitative approach.

Findings

– Findings in this study have proven that Cleaner Production and Pollution Prevention (CP&PP) programs are successful to obtain not only environmental but also occupational benefits at the same time; therefore, they should not be seem only as an environmental tool but as a sustainability tool that have the potential to make possible the creation of a sustainable production system in the maquiladora industry where products and processes, and operations are designed to be not risky for Mexican workers, communities, and environment.

Practical implications

– The study revealed empirical environmental and occupational practices that took place in nine maquiladoras located in the Northwest of Mexico and analyzes how these practices affect Mexican workers in this industry and their environment.

Originality/value

– The study evaluated the feasibility and usefulness of CP&PP programs in the maquiladora industry under an integrative approach that takes into account environmental and occupational aspect in order to understand how this industry is changing their production patterns toward sustainability.
Historical trajectory of waste management; an analysis using the health belief model
Authors: Sandhu Kiran
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– How were health-based perceptions influenced by dominant public health theories in the historical past to present times and what impact did it have on waste management behaviours? Taking public health as the single most important driver of waste management responses from historic to the contemporary times, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the waste management practices through the lens of the leading public health constructs and their impacts on the adaptive practices of waste management. The research paper seeks to analyze the historical journey of waste management responses using the theoretical constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM).

Design/methodology/approach

– The purpose of the research is achieved by conducting an extensive review into the available secondary source-based historic literature on waste. The paper uses qualitative method of research and applies content and text analysis to present the review of literature and establish patterns and co-relations between public health theories, health perceptions and waste behaviours. The HBM is applied in a modified format to evaluate the patterns of waste-based health perceptions and their impacts on adaptive waste management responses.

Findings

– Based upon a comprehensive review of literature pertaining to the historical aspect of waste management and public health constructs, the paper presents the link between the dominant public health theories, their impacts on waste-based health perceptions and waste management responses through the course of history. The analysis also reveals that while new approaches have been developed and adapted based upon the dominant public health theories, the age old practices and behaviours have not entirely faded away and rather continue to operate till date.

Research limitations/implications

– The research being under the preview of historical investigation, depends purely upon secondary review of literature to gather such information that shall lead to making an evaluation of health perceptions. As such the limitation of data itself for a thorough analysis is acknowledged. Also since the research setting uses the global context, the literature search found more information from the historic context of the western societies and less from other parts of the world and generalizations are therefore based on this literature.

Originality/value

– The paper presents a linkage between public health theories, perceptions and waste behaviours with application of the HBM and in doing so it makes a contribution towards understanding the historical journey of waste management responses. In the author's best knowledge the HBM has not been applied in environmental history research of this nature. The application of the HBM, while it has been done in the historical context herein, but it can be visualized that this model holds strength to make an application in contemporary settings to arrive at appropriate waste management policies and strategies.
WHAT'S NEW IN LIBRARIES
Authors: E. Massis Bruce
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to suggest that librarians and libraries must demonstrate rationalization of, and innovation in, the library, with the goal of ensuring a sustainable future for both the profession and the institution.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, literature review and commentary on this topic have been addressed by professionals, researchers and practitioners.

Findings

– Myth-shattering remains as critical for the library’s survival as is a forward-facing posture. If the public, the funders, grantors, legislators and other government entities can recognize the continuing need filled by the library, not only as a welcoming and respected center of a community, but as a knowledge hub brimming with research to support innovation, the rationalization regarding its continuance will be unnecessary.

Originality/value

– The value in addressing this issue is to highlight the libraries must be viewed not only as a symbol of stability in the community but also as innovators.
Strategic development of university library space
Authors: Matthews Graham , Walton Graham
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore issues, approaches and challenges in providing strategic direction to university libraries on developing their physical space in what is increasingly a digital age. A key aspect of the work is to explore how university libraries and their senior staff can widen libraries’ role to inform the strategic direction of formal and informal learning spaces across the institution.

Design/methodology/approach

– Research and perspectives from across the world provide the context for the study. A single site case study based at Loughborough University in the UK is explored to demonstrate how strategy for university library space is developed. The case study also provides an example of how a university library has extended its influence on other informal learning spaces.

Findings

– University library physical space has an important role in learning, teaching and research, despite the increase in digital information provision. For effective strategy, information and evidence needs to be collected from a wide range of sources. The experience and skills that university libraries have developed in managing learning spaces can be transferred to learning spaces elsewhere in the university.

Research limitations/implications

– This is a single site case study.

Practical implications

– The case study provides approaches and ideas that can be applied by university libraries in the strategic development of learning spaces.

Originality/value

– The paper provides an innovative and informed insight into how university libraries can influence learning and teaching spaces across university campus/site. Further research would be valuable to identify practice more widely. Surveying, from a library perspective, university and university estate, management strategies for content relating to libraries and formal and informal spaces across the institution and what is going on/being planned in this area would further progress the debate.
Political connection and firm value: an Indian perspective
Authors: Datta Debabrata , K. Ganguli Santanu
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to verify existence of political connection of firms in India. For this purpose the paper first presents a theoretical model and then tests empirically the movement of stock prices during two state elections in India.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology is theoretical modelling where the paper applies the standard Cournot model of oligopoly. The paper then applies correlation and Wilcoxon Paired Rank Sum test to verify the results of the theoretical model by using data from the Indian stock market during the election results.

Findings

– The theoretical result states that some firms opt for political connection and some remain independent in an oligopoly. It also shows that political connection affects stock price. The empirical results find out that divergent responses of stock prices to the election results can be linked to politically connection.

Research limitations/implications

– The theoretical model is a simple two firm model and not generalized tonnumber of firms. The empirical test considers only two state elections and applies simple statistical test. The study is restricted to one country only.

Practical implications

– The paper has practical implications for stock market. It has implications for corporate governance and for political governance. This is important since political connection of firms has emerged as an important issue in India.

Social implications

– The paper is important as it addresses the issue of political connection of firms, which have ramifications for social equilibrium. In a democratic country like India any nexus between political party and firms may adversely affect not only corporate governance but also political governance.

Originality/value

– This paper looks at political connectedness theoretically in a federal structure, an issue not addressed so far in the literature. Second it considers not so discussed topic of market perception of political connection in India. The originality of the paper is that it presents a theory and also verifies the theoretical results with empirical test.
Event‐ and interval‐based measurement of stuttering: a review
Authors: Valente Ana Rita S. , Jesus Luis M. T. , Hall Andreia , Leahy Margaret
Published: July 2014

Background

Event‐ and interval‐based measurements are two different ways of computing frequency of stuttering. Interval‐based methodology emerged as an alternative measure to overcome problems associated with reproducibility in the event‐based methodology. No review has been made to study the effect of methodological factors in interval‐based absolute reliability data or to compute the agreement between the two methodologies in terms of inter‐judge, intra‐judge and accuracy (i.e., correspondence between raters’ scores and an established criterion).

Aims

To provide a review related to reproducibility of event‐based and time‐interval measurement, and to verify the effect of methodological factors (training, experience, interval duration, sample presentation order and judgment conditions) on agreement of time‐interval measurement; in addition, to determine if it is possible to quantify the agreement between the two methodologies

Methods & Procedures

The first two authors searched for articles on ERIC, MEDLINE, PubMed, B‐on, CENTRAL and Dissertation Abstracts during January–February 2013 and retrieved 495 articles. Forty‐eight articles were selected for review. Content tables were constructed with the main findings.

Main Contribution

Articles related to event‐based measurements revealed values of inter‐ and intra‐judge greater than 0.70 and agreement percentages beyond 80%. The articles related to time‐interval measures revealed that, in general, judges with more experience with stuttering presented significantly higher levels of intra‐ and inter‐judge agreement. Inter‐ and intra‐judge values were beyond the references for high reproducibility values for both methodologies. Accuracy (regarding the closeness of raters’ judgements with an established criterion), intra‐ and inter‐judge agreement were higher for trained groups when compared with non‐trained groups. Sample presentation order and audio/video conditions did not result in differences in inter‐ or intra‐judge results. A duration of 5 s for an interval appears to be an acceptable agreement. Explanation for high reproducibility values as well as parameter choice to report those data are discussed.

Conclusions & Implications

Both interval‐ and event‐based methodologies used trained or experienced judges for inter‐ and intra‐judge determination and data were beyond the references for good reproducibility values. Inter‐ and intra‐judge values were reported in different metric scales among event‐ and interval‐based methods studies, making it unfeasible to quantify the agreement between the two methods.
Transient Solidarities: Commitment and Collective Action in Post‐Industrial Societies
Authors: Heckscher Charles , McCarthy John
Published: July 2014

Solidarity has long been considered essential to labour, but many fear that it has declined. There has been relatively little scholarly investigation of it because of both theoretical and empirical difficulties. This article argues that solidarity has not declined but has changed in form, which has an impact on what kinds of mobilization are effective. We first develop a theory of solidarity general enough to compare different forms. We then trace the evolution of solidarity through craft and industrial versions, to the emergence of collaborative solidarity from the increasingly fluid ‘friending’ relations of recent decades. Finally, we examine the question of whether these new solidarities can be mobilized into effective collective action, and suggest mechanisms, rather different from traditional union mobilizations, that have shown some power in drawing on friending relations: the development of member platforms, the use of purposive campaigns and the co‐ordination of ‘swarming’ actions. In the best cases, these can create collective actions that make a virtue of diversity, openness and participative engagement, by co‐ordinating groups with different foci and skills.
Mesenchymal stem cells suppress CD8+T cell-mediated activation by suppressing natural killer group 2, member D protein receptor expression and secretion of prostaglandin E2, indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase and transforming growth factor-β
Authors: Li Mingfen , Sun Xuyong , Kuang Xiaocong , Liao Yan , Li Haibin , Luo Dianzhong
Published: July 2014

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) inhibit immune cell responsiveness, and especially of T lymphocytes. We showed that BMSCs markedly inhibited the proliferation and cytokine production by CD8+T cells by a cell-to-cell contact phenomenon and secretion of soluble factors. BMSCs down-regulate the expression of natural killer group 2, member D protein (NKG2D) receptors on CD8+T cells when co-cultured with them. Moreover, CD8+T cells that express low levels of NKG2D had impaired proliferation after triggering by a mitogen. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I chain-related (MIC) A/B molecule, which is a typical ligand for NKG2D, was expressed on BMSCs, and caused dampening of cell proliferation. Monoclonal antibody blocking experiments targeted to MIC A/B impaired CD8+T cell function, as evaluated by proliferation and cytokine production. In addition, the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were increased when BMSCs were co-cultured with CD8+T cells. The addition of specific inhibitors against PGE2, IDO and TGF-β partially restored the proliferation of CD8+T cells. Our results suggest that BMSCs suppress CD8+T cell-mediated activation by suppressing NKG2D expression and secretion of PGE2, IDO and TGF-β. Our observations further confirm the feasibility of BMSCs as a potential adoptive cellular therapy in immune-mediated diseases such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
Cambridge community Optometry Glaucoma Scheme
Authors: Keenan Jonathan , Shahid Humma , Bourne Rupert R , White Andrew J , Martin Keith R
Published: July 2014

Background

With a higher life expectancy, there is an increased demand for hospital glaucoma services in the United Kingdom.

Design

The Cambridge community Optometry Glaucoma Scheme (COGS) was initiated in 2010, where new referrals for suspected glaucoma are evaluated by community optometrists with a special interest in glaucoma, with virtual electronic review and validation by a consultant ophthalmologist with special interest in glaucoma.

Participants

1733 patients were evaluated by this scheme between 2010 and 2013.

Methods

Clinical assessment is performed by the optometrist at a remote site. Goldmann applanation tonometry, pachymetry, monoscopic colour optic disc photographs and automated Humphrey visual field testing are performed. A clinical decision is made as to whether a patient has glaucoma or is a suspect, and referred on or discharged as a false positive referral. The clinical findings, optic disc photographs and visual field test results are transmitted electronically for virtual review by a consultant ophthalmologist.

Main Outcome Measures

The number of false positive referrals from initial referral into the scheme.

Results

Of the patients, 46.6% were discharged at assessment and a further 5.7% were discharged following virtual review. Of the patients initially discharged, 2.8% were recalled following virtual review. Following assessment at the hospital, a further 10.5% were discharged after a single visit.

Conclusions

The COGS community‐based glaucoma screening programme is a safe and effective way of evaluating glaucoma referrals in the community and reducing false‐positive referrals for glaucoma into the hospital system.
Evaluation of corneal collagen cross‐linking as an additional therapy in mycotic keratitis
Authors: Vajpayee Rasik B , Shafi Shah N , Maharana Prafulla K , Sharma Namrata , Jhanji Vishal
Published: July 2014

Background

To report the treatment outcomes of mycotic keratitis with collagen cross‐linking.

Design

Retrospective study.

Participants

Patients with smear‐positive moderate mycotic keratitis.

Methods

A retrospective case‐file analysis was performed to identify cases of moderate mycotic keratitis treated with and without additional collagen cross‐linking, in addition to intensive topical antifungal therapy. Patients in which collagen cross‐linking was performed on the day of presentation (group 1) were compared with patients who received medical treatment alone in the form of 5% natamycin eye drops (group 2).

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome measure was the time taken for resolution of infection.

Results

Overall, 41 cases were included for analysis (group 1, 20 cases; group 2, 21 cases). Mean age of the patients was comparable in both groups (46.5 ± 17.01 vs. 41.2 ± 20.7 years; P = 0.36). Average infiltrate size was 16.35 ± 6.8 mm2 in group 1 and 17.09 ± 7.4 mm2 in group 2 (P = 0.83). Overall, Aspergillus was the most commonly isolated organism (n = 4 group 1; n = 6 group 2). Resolution of infection was observed in 18 cases (90%) in group 1 and 18 (85.71%) cases in group 2. The average healing time was 30.85 ± 26.6 days in group 1, while it was 31.28 ± 19.97 days in group 2 (P = 0.94). Final best‐corrected visual acuity in group 1 was 1.13 ± 0.55 and 1.25 ± 0.46 in group 2 (P = 0.46). A tectonic keratoplasty was performed in two cases in group 1 and three cases in group 2 (P = 1.00).

Conclusions

In our study, additional collagen cross‐linking treatment did not have any advantage over medical management in cases with moderate mycotic keratitis.
Dyspnea as an independent predictor of mortality
Authors: Pesola Gene R. , Ahsan Habibul
Published: July 2014

Background and Aim

Dyspnea is a common and easily elicited presenting complaint in patients seen by physicians who evaluate and take care of chronic respiratory disorders. Although dyspnea is subjective and tends to increase with age or reduced lung function, it appears to be reproducible as a symptom and often signifies serious underlying disease.

Methods

Systematic review of longitudinal studies with dyspnea as the exposure and mortality as the outcome; age, smoking and lung function had to be controlled for to be included in the review. In addition, a minimum sample size at baseline of 500 subjects was required for each study.

Results

From over 3000 potential references, 10 longitudinal studies met all criteria and were included. All 10 studies suggested that dyspnea was an independent predictor of mortality with point estimates by odds ratio, rate ratio or hazard ratios ranging from 1.3 up to 2.9‐fold greater than baseline. All 10 studies had actual or implied 95% confidence interval bands greater than the null value of one.

Conclusion

Dyspnea, a symptom, predicts mortality and is a proxy for underlying diseases, most often of heart and lung. Therefore, chronic dyspnea needs to be evaluated as to etiology to allow for treatment to minimize morbidity and mortality when possible.
Patterns of tobacco smoking among illicit drug users in Australia 2001–2010
Authors: Fraser Doug , Gartner Coral , Hall Wayne
Published: July 2014

Introduction and Aims

This study aimed to investigate whether there were changes from 2001 to 2010 in the characteristics of young adults who used party drugs or other illicit drugs and to determine if the prevalence of tobacco smoking differed depending on the type of drugs used.

Design and Methods

We analysed confidentialised data from the 2001 and 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Surveys. We compared young adults (aged 18–29) who used party drugs to other drug users and non‐users on demographic variables. We assessed relationships between (i) illicit drug use and smoking; (ii) illicit drug use and smoking while controlling for social and demographic differences; and (iii) illicit drug use and smoking after controlling for social and demographic variables along with cannabis and alcohol use.

Results

There was little difference between 2001 and 2010 in drug user characteristics and smoking. Party drug users were more educated and of higher socioeconomic status than illicit drug users and non‐users. Party drug users and users of other illicit drugs were far more likely to smoke tobacco; however, a large part of this relationship was explained by the higher rate of cannabis and alcohol use in these groups.

Discussion and Conclusions

Over the last decade, party drug users have been a relatively socially advantaged sub‐population, yet smoking prevalence among these and other drug users has remained higher than among non‐users. This might be explained by the common sequence of drug involvement in which people initiate smoking, then cannabis use and followed by other drugs. [Fraser D, Gartner C, Hall W. Patterns of tobacco smoking among illicit drug users in Australia 2001–2010. Drug Alcohol Rev 2014;33:534–9]
Comparative study of thermal reaction norms for development in ants
Authors: Kipyatkov Vladilen E. , Lopatina Elena B.
Published: July 2014

This is the first compilation of our research and data from the literature on the duration and thermal reaction norms for development in ants. Altogether, 97 regression lines characterizing the linear dependence of ant brood (egg, larval, prepupal and pupal) development on temperature were obtained for 33 species from 15 genera and three subfamilies. Significant positive correlations between the durations of different immature stages were revealed. We found differences between thermal reaction norms for development for various immature stages, some taxonomic groups, and southern and northern groups of species. All immature stages appeared to be shorter on average at 25°C in northern ants compared to southern species; this difference is insignificant only for eggs. Highly significant negative correlations were revealed between the temperature threshold for development (TTD) and the sum of degree‐days (SDD) for all immature stages. The latitudinal trends in intraspecific variation of thermal constants appeared to be opposite to those we observed at the interspecific level. At the latter, the coefficient of thermal sensitivity of development (i.e. the coefficient of linear regression of development rate on temperature) and TTD tends to decrease and SDD to increase from the south to the north. In contrast, at the intraspecific level, development became more temperature‐sensitive in northern populations, i.e. characterized by higher slopes of regression lines of development rate on temperature, and higher TTDs. The species of the genus Formica are characterized by the shortest and the most temperature‐sensitive immature development among all the ant species studied.
Successful autotransplantation of a mature mesiodens to replace a traumatized maxillary central incisor
Authors: Dharmani U. , Rajput A. , Kamal C. , Talwar S. , Verma M.
Published: July 2014

Aim

This case describes the successful transplantation of a mature mesiodens tooth to replace a traumatized maxillary central incisor.

A 17‐year‐old male attended 1 week after a traumatic injury to his left maxillary central incisor (tooth 21). Radiographs revealed a horizontal root fracture and a poor prognosis. The tooth was atraumatically removed and replaced with a mesiodens lying in the same region. After stabilization, root canal treatment was performed and aesthetics were restored with a tooth coloured restoration. A 2‐year follow‐up revealed the tooth had good aesthetics and function.

Key learning points

A supernumerary nonfunctional tooth such as a mesiodens can be successfully used to replace a missing permanent tooth by autotransplantation.

Autotransplantation has a high success rate if case selection is good, appropriate surgery is carried out and excellent hygiene is maintained.

Autotransplantation should be considered as one of the most biologic techniques for replacing a missing tooth with minimal cost.

Autotransplantation can be carried out even after complete root formation in the donor tooth.
Screening for skin cancer in bank and insurance employees: risk profile and correlation of self and physician's assessment
Authors: Winkler Angelika , Plugfelder Annette , Weide Benjamin , Leiter Ulrike , Held Laura , Garbe Claus , Eigentler Thomas
Published: July 2014

Background

Self‐assessment and knowledge of individual risk factors can be a reasonable strategy to detect cutaneous malignancies in an early curable stage.

Methods

Bank and insurance employees were voluntarily screened for skin cancer. They had to fill in a questionnaire asking for their skin and hair color, ultraviolet exposure and tanning ability, number and size of typical and atypical nevi, immunosuppression or chemotherapy, and history of skin cancer. Afterwards dermatologists performed a whole body evaluation, including a total body nevi count, and calculated an individualized risk profile.

Results

A total of 1658 employees were evaluated. Most employees underestimated their total number of nevi. There was poor agreement between employees and dermatologists (weighted κ‐value = 0.03); 45.5% of the employees were judged to be at low risk, 27.3% as intermediate risk, and 27.2% as high risk. Twenty‐seven employees (3.7%) with suspicious lesions were transferred to the clinics for further evaluation.

Conclusion

Screening for skin cancer in a working population reveals low numbers of suspicious lesions. The focus of mass screenings should be on education and teaching of self‐examinations.
Storage stability of cod liver oil organogels formed with beeswax and carnauba wax
Authors: Öğütcü Mustafa , Arifoğlu Nazan , Yılmaz Emin
Published: July 2014

In this study, organogels of cod liver oil (CLO) with beeswax (BW) and carnauba wax (CW) were prepared, and compared with a commercial margarine (CM). Oil binding capacities (OBC) of BW organogels were over 99%, while CW had a maximum OBC value of 91.28%. Crystal formation time of BW was shorter. Although the highest solid fat content (SFC) was in the 10% CW containing sample (8.69%), it was 28.99% in the CM sample at 20 °C. The peak melting temperature of CM was 43.70 °C, and BW organogel at 3% addition had the closest values (45.42 °C). Firmness and stickiness values of the organogels were lower than that of CM sample. No significant change in the texture parameters during storage was detected, indicating good stability. There was no hurdle against oxidation by organogelation during storage. This study has shown that CLO organogels can be suitable spreadable products.
Functional characterization of platelets in patients with arterial erectile dysfunction
Authors: La Vignera S. , Condorelli R. A. , Burgio G. , Vicari E. , Favilla V. , Russo G. I. , Cimino S. , Morgia G. , Calogero A. E.
Published: July 2014

Arterial erectile dysfunction (ED) is commonly associated with classic cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia and obesity. However, some patients with arterial ED do not present any cardiovascular risk factor. As mean platelet volume (MPV) has been shown to be directly related to the cardiovascular risk and the percentage of platelets expressing the vitronectin receptor (αVβ3), involved in the early stages of platelet adhesion, is higher in patients with ED, the present study was undertaken to evaluate MPV and αVβ3 in 15 patients with arterial ED not associated with any cardiovascular risk factor. Their MPV and αVβ3 values were compared with those of men with normal penile haemodynamic. Patients with arterial ED had a mean value of MPV (11.25 vs. 9.88 fL; p < 0.001) and a percentage of platelets expressing the αVβ3 (7.39 vs. 2.07%; p < 0.001) significantly higher compared to controls. A negative correlation was observed between peak systolic velocity and MPV (r = 0.916; p < 0.001) or αVβ3 (r = 0.930; p < 0.001), whereas MPV and αVβ3 correlated positively (r = 0.908; p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study showed for the first time that MPV and the percentage of platelet expressing αVβ3 are significantly higher in patients with arterial ED compared to controls. We speculate that these parameters of platelet function may be envisaged as markers of cardiovascular risk in patients with arterial ED.
Ring Compression Test for High‐Temperature Glass Using the Generalized Navier Law
Authors: Trabelssi Mohamed , Joseph Paul F.
Published: July 2014

Glass‐forming processes such as high viscosity extrusion and Precision Glass Molding take place at temperatures where slip between the glass and mold/die surfaces is known to occur. Characterization of the frictional forces that accompany interface slip are essential in computational simulations of these processes for prediction of pressing time or force, distortion of the part and possible wear of expensive mold surfaces. In this study, the generalized Navier law, where the interface shear stress, τ, is related to the relative sliding speed of the glass on the mold surface, vs, by τ = kvse, is used in simulations of the ring compression test to produce friction calibration curves. Contrary to the nonlinear form of the Navier law, the linear form, just like the Coulomb friction model, leads to calibration curves that are loading rate and material behavior independent. This independence is achieved by normalizing the Navier friction coefficient with the viscosity. Friction calibration curves for the normalized coefficient are characterized for the full range of interface conditions from no‐slip to no friction. The results showed an approximate one‐to‐one correspondence between the normalized Navier coefficient and the Coulomb friction coefficient for the full range of axial deformation in the ring compression test.