bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variations in neonatal age segments mortality in Kenya’s malaria epidemiological zones by community uptake of iron-supplements and anti-malaria drugs during pregnancy: Analysis based on 2014 Kenya demographic and health survey
Authors: K’Oyugi Boniface O.
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Although past studies have established that iron-supplements and anti-malaria drugs taken by mothers during pregnancy reduce the risk of neonatal deaths in high prone malaria areas, little is known about their impact on mortality risks in neonatal age segments in Kenya. The study objective was to analyse variations in neonatal age segments mortality rates by uptake of these two antenatal care services and determine their effects on the age segments mortality in Kenya’s malaria zones.

Data and methods

This study used data from the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS). Survival status information for 20,794 children born less than 60 months prior to interview date and reported mothers’ uptake of iron-supplements and anti-malaria drugs during last pregnancy was analysed. Life table method was used to estimate mortality rates and Poisson multivariate regression models were fitted to determine relative risks of death for the study variables.

Results

The results show that variations in neonatal age segments mortality in Kenya’s malaria zones are statistically insignificant. The contributions of early neonatal (0 to 7 days) to neonatal mortality rate are 80% and 100% in low and high malaria zones, respectively. Combined high community uptake of iron-supplements and anti-malaria drugs during pregnancy reduce significantly mortality risk in late neonatal (8 days to less than one month) in all malaria zones when effects of other risk factors are controlled for.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that future decline in neonatal mortality in all Kenya’s malaria zones depend mainly on reduction of early neonatal mortality. High community uptake of iron-supplements and anti-malaria drugs during pregnancy has significant reduction effect on late neonatal mortality in all malaria zones. This study recommends improvement of future KDHS data quality, especially on care for small and sick neonates.
The single mitochondrion of the kinetoplastid parasite Crithidia fasciculata is a dynamic network
Authors: DiMaio John , Ruthel Gordon , Cannon Joshua J. , Malfara Madeline F. , Povelones Megan L.
Published: August 2018

Mitochondria are central organelles in cellular metabolism. Their structure is highly dynamic, allowing them to adapt to different energy requirements, to be partitioned during cell division, and to maintain functionality. Mitochondrial dynamics, including membrane fusion and fission reactions, are well studied in yeast and mammals but it is not known if these processes are conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution. Kinetoplastid parasites are some of the earliest-diverging eukaryotes to retain a mitochondrion. Each cell has only a single mitochondrial organelle, making them an interesting model for the role of dynamics in controlling mitochondrial architecture. We have investigated the mitochondrial division cycle in the kinetoplastid Crithidia fasciculata. The majority of mitochondrial biogenesis occurs during the G1 phase of the cell cycle, and the mitochondrion is divided symmetrically in a process coincident with cytokinesis. Mitochondrial division was not inhibited by the putative dynamin inhibitor mdivi-1, although mitochondrial membrane potential and cell size were affected. Live cell imaging revealed that the mitochondrion is highly dynamic, with frequent changes in the topology of the branched network. These remodeling reactions include tubule fission, fusion, and sliding, as well as new tubule formation. We hypothesize that the function of this dynamic remodeling is to homogenize mitochondrial contents and to facilitate rapid transport of mitochondria-encoded gene products from the area containing the mitochondrial nucleoid to other parts of the organelle.
Measuring researcher independence using bibliometric data: A proposal for a new performance indicator
Authors: van den Besselaar Peter , Sandström Ulf
Published: August 2018

Bibliometric indicators are increasingly used at the individual level – as is exemplified by the popularity of the H-index and many other publication and citation based indicators used in evaluation. The issue isn’t whether these indicators can be considered useful, as they do provide a description of a researcher’s oeuvre. However, at the same time, they are not enough to assess the quality of a researcher and his/her oeuvre: Quality has more dimensions than productivity and impact alone. In this paper, we argue that independence is an equally important characteristic that however lacks validated indicators for measuring it at the individual level. We propose two indicators to measure different dimensions of independence: one assessing whether a researcher has developed an own collaboration network, and another assessing the level of thematic independence. We illustrate how these indicators distinguish between researchers that are equally productive and have similar impact. The independence indicator is a step forward in evaluating individual scholarly quality: in cases where citations and publications do not distinguish, the indicators for independence may do.
Microorganism adhesion experimental study using silicon dioxide
Authors: Lozins Roberts , Ozoliņš Dzintars
Published: August 2018

In this study, yeast, Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria were attached to silicon dioxide microparticles or silica in order to measure their absorbance, also known as physical absorption of light, changes using spectrophotometry. The goal of the study was to determine if spectrophotometry is an effective way to distinguish microorganisms and if microorganisms have an affinity for silicon dioxide since it is a suitable material for the production of prostheses. The experiment was done by examining the light absorption properties of yeast, Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria in a spectrophotometer with and without silicon dioxide microparticles. During the experiment there have been several promising results. First of all, the spectrophotometers presented graphs of yeast were noticeably different from the graphs of both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Secondly, the absorption of light in both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria at near infrared (700-1500 nm) wavelengths increased when silicon dioxide microparticles were added to the suspension, unlike yeast. When silicon dioxide microparticles were added to yeast, the absorption of light decreased during the whole wavelength interval of the spectrophotometer measurement. The results indicate that spectrophotometry could be used to distinguish yeast from bacteria and possibly bacteria from each other. The results also suggest that silicon dioxide should not be used in the production of prostheses since it could be a favourable material for the development of biofilms.
Landscape structure influences avian species diversity in tropical urban mosaics
Authors: Muderere Trymore , Murwira Amon , Tagwireyi Paradzayi , Chiweshe Ngoni
Published: August 2018

In this study, we tested whether urban landscape structure influences avian species diversity using data for Harare, Zimbabwe. Initially, we quantified landscape structure using fragmentation indices derived from a 5m resolution SPOT 5 imagery. We collected bird species data through field-based observations of birds at 35 locations occurring in five land use/land cover types. We quantified avian species diversity using Barger-Parker, Menhinick and Simpson’s Indices. Regression analysis was used to determine the nature and strength of the relationships between avian species diversity and fragmentation indices. Results indicated that woodland specialist avian species are negatively associated with landscape fragmentation, while grassland specialist and generalist avian species positively responded to patch edge density, habitat patch size and shape complexity. Overall, our results suggest that changes in landscape structure due to expansion of built-up areas in tropical urban areas may influence avian species diversity.
A Pentatricopeptide Repeat Protein in the Plasmodium apicoplast is essential and shows sequence-specific RNA binding
Authors: Hicks Joanna L. , Lassadi Imen , Carpenter Emma , Eno Madeleine , Vardakis Alexandros , Waller Ross F. , Howe Christopher J. , Nisbet R. Ellen R.
Published: August 2018

The malaria parasite Plasmodium and other apicomplexans such as Toxoplasma evolved from photosynthetic organisms and contain an essential, remnant plastid termed the apicoplast. Transcription of the apicoplast genome is polycistronic with extensive RNA processing. Little is known about the mechanism of post-transcriptional processing. In plant chloroplasts, post-transcriptional RNA processing is controlled by multiple pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins. Here, we present the biochemical characterisation of the single apicoplast-targeted PPR protein. Apicoplast PPR1 is essential, and binds specific RNA sequences corresponding with previously characterized RNA processing sites. We identify the specific binding motif of PPR1. In RNAse protection assays, PPR1 shields apicoplast transcripts from ribonuclease degradation. Our results show that apicoplast RNA processing is under the control of a single protein, thus presenting an Achilles’ heel for the development of new anti-malarial drugs.
Very high-density platelets determine reactivity and activity of circulating platelets
Authors: Järemo P.
Published: August 2018

Background

For many decades, platelets have been known to display a substantial density heterogeneity. Knowledge about the origins and functions of specific platelet density subpopulations is scarce. This study investigates if very high-density (1.09 kg/L) platelets impact upon the reactivity and activity of all platelets.

Methods

Subjects (n=52) were recruited in conjunction with a nurse-guided blood pressure control. Platelet reactivity in citrate anticoagulated whole blood, i.e. surface-bound P-selectin after provocation, was analysed using a flow cytometry technique. ADP (8.5 μmol/L) was employed as an agonist. Subsequently, the entire population was separated according to density into 17 subpopulations, with fraction 1 containing the densest platelets (1.09 kg/L). In each subfraction surface P-selectin expression was determined. Subjects were then divided according to the number of very high-density platelets in 1.09high(n=17) and 1.09low(n=35) demonstrating >8×109/L and ≤8×109/L 1.09 kg/L fraction 1 platelets, respectively.

Results

Surface-attached P-selectin after provocation reveals that 1.09highassociates with increased whole blood reactivity of the entire platelet population. The level of significance wasp≤0.01 (8.5 μmol/L ADP). Furthermore, 1.09highrelates to increased spontaneous activity of density populations, as evidenced by membrane-bound P-selectin. For the fractionsnos. 2, 4-7, 9, 10 the differences were significant, withp-values ranging fromp≤0.05 top≤0.01.

Conclusion

The number of very high-density (1.09 kg/L) platelets reflects the reactivity of the entire population. It is also closely related to subfraction P-selectin activity. It is unlikely that platelets gain density when circulating. Therefore, evidence suggests that very dense cells are created for this purpose at thrombopoiesis. It is tenable that such platelets regulate the reactivity of the entire population.
Identification of dysregulation of atrial proteins in rats with chronic obstructive apnea using twodimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry
Authors: Lux Jacob C. , Channaveerappa Devika , Aslebagh Roshanak , Heintz Timothy A. , McLerie Meredith , Panama Brian K. , Darie Costel C.
Published: August 2018

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects an estimated 20% of adults worldwide with up to 80% of patients remaining undiagnosed. OSA has been associated with electrical and structural abnormalities of the atria, although the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. We have implemented a rat model of OSA involving the surgical implantation of a tracheal obstructive device. Rats were divided into severe and moderate apnea groups, receiving 23 seconds (severe) or 13 seconds (moderate) apneas per minute, 60 apneas per minute for 8 hours a day over 2 weeks. We recently performed a pilot study using onedimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D PAGE) and nanoliquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (NanoLC-MS/MS) to investigate the protein dysregulations in rat atria which was induced with OSA using the rat model we developed. We found, among others, that some aerobic and anaerobic glycolytic enzymes and Krebs cycle enzymes were downregulated, suggesting that apnea may be a result of paucity of oxygen and production of ATP and reducing equivalents. Here, we used twodimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE) coupled with nanoLC-MS/MS as a complementary approach to investigate the proteins that are dysregulated in the atria from severe and moderate apnea when compared to control. We not only found that the entire glycolytic pathway and Krebs cycle are downregulated, but also found evidence that additional enzymes involved in the beta-oxidation, electron transport chain and Krebs cycle anaplerotic reactions were also downregulated. Other protein dysregulations identified are involved in metabolic, structural, or inflammatory pathways, suggesting that these proteins may play a role in atrial pathology developing via chronic obstructive apnea and hypoxia.
Heterodimerization of UNC-13/RIM regulates synaptic vesicle release probability but not priming
Authors: Liu Haowen , Li Lei , Nedelcu Daniel , Hall Qi , Zhou Lijun , Wang Wei , Yu Yi , Kaplan Joshua M. , Hu Zhitao
Published: August 2018

UNC-13 proteins play an essential role in synaptic transmission by recruiting synaptic vesicles (SVs) to become available for release, which is termed SV priming. Here we show that the C2A domain of UNC-13L, like the corresponding domain in mammalian Munc13-1, displays two conserved binding modes: forming C2A/C2A homodimers, or forming a heterodimer with the zinc finger domain of UNC-10/RIM (C2A/RIM). Functional analysis revealed that UNC-13L’s C2A promotes synaptic transmission by regulating a post-priming process. Stimulus-evoked release but not SV priming, was impaired in unc-10 mutants deficient for C2A/RIM heterodimerization, leading to decreased release probability. Disrupting C2A/C2A homodimerization in UNC-13L-rescued animals had no effect on synaptic transmission, but fully restored the evoked release and the release probability of unc-10/RIM mutants deficient for C2A/RIM heterodimerization. Thus, our results support the model that RIM binding C2A releases UNC-13L from an autoinhibitory homodimeric complex to become fusion-competent by functioning as a switch only.
Intracellular mass density increase is accompanying but not sufficient for stiffening and growth arrest of yeast cells
Authors: Abuhattum Shada , Kim Kyoohyun , Franzmann Titus M. , Eßlinger Anne , Midtvedt Daniel , Schlüßler Raimund , Möllmert Stephanie , Kuan Hui-Shun , Alberti Simon , Zaburdaev Vasily , Guck Jochen
Published: August 2018

Many organisms, including yeast cells, bacteria, nematodes and tardigrades, endure harsh environmental conditions, such as nutrient scarcity, or lack of water and energy for a remarkably long time. The rescue programs that these organisms launch upon encountering these adverse conditions include reprogramming their metabolism in order to enter a quiescent or dormant state in a controlled fashion. Reprogramming coincides with changes in the macromolecular architecture and changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the cells. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the physical-mechanical changes remain enigmatic. Here, we induce metabolic arrest of yeast cells by lowering their intracellular pH. We then determine the differences in the intracellular mass density and stiffness of active and metabolically arrested cells using optical diffraction tomography and atomic force microscopy. We show that an increased intracellular mass density is associated with an increase in stiffness when the growth of yeast is arrested. However, increasing the intracellular mass density alone is not sufficient for maintenance of the growth-arrested state in yeast cells. Our data suggest that the cytoplasm of metabolically arrested yeast displays characteristics of solid. Our findings constitute a bridge between the mechanical behavior of the cytoplasm and the physical and chemical mechanisms of metabolically arrested cells with the ultimate aim of understanding dormant organisms.
Adaptor protein Bbc1 regulates localization of Wsp1 and Vrp1 during endocytic actin patch assembly
Authors: MacQuarrie Cameron , Mangione MariaSanta , Carroll Robert , James Michael , Gould Kathleen L. , Sirotkin Vladimir
Published: August 2018

Arp2/3 complex-nucleated branched actin networks provide the force necessary for endocytosis. The Arp2/3 complex is activated by Nucleation Promoting Factors (NPFs) including theSchizosaccharomyces pombeproteins WASp Wsp1 and myosin-1 Myo1. There are >40 known yeast endocytic proteins with distinct spatial and temporal localizations and functions; however, it is still unclear how these proteins work together to drive endocytosis. We used quantitative live cell imaging to determine the function of the uncharacterizedS. pombeprotein Bbc1. We discovered Myo1 interacts with and recruits Bbc1 to sites of endocytosis. Bbc1 competes with verprolin Vrp1 for Myo1 binding, thus releasing Vrp1 and its binding partner Wsp1 from Myo1. Normally Myo1 remains at the base of the endocytic invagination and Vrp1-Wsp1 internalize with the endocytic vesicle; however, in the absence of Bbc1, a portion of Vrp1-Wsp1 remains with Myo1 at the base of the invagination and endocytic invaginations are twice as long. We propose that Bbc1 disrupts a transient Myo1-Vrp1-Wsp1 interaction and limits Arp2/3 complex-nucleation of actin branches at the plasma membrane.
Functional Interpretation of Genetic Variants Using Deep Learning Predicts Impact on Epigenome
Authors: Hoffman Gabriel E. , Schadt Eric E. , Roussos Panos
Published: August 2018

Identifying causal variants underling disease risk and adoption of personalized medicine are currently limited by the challenge of interpreting the functional consequences of genetic variants. Predicting the functional effects of disease-associated protein-coding variants is increasingly routine. Yet the vast majority of risk variants are non-coding, and predicting the functional consequence and prioritizing variants for functional validation remains a major challenge. Here we develop a deep learning model to accurately predict locus-specific signals from four epigenetic assays using only DNA sequence as input. Given the predicted epigenetic signal from DNA sequence for the reference and alternative alleles at a given locus, we generate a score of the predicted epigenetic consequences for 438 million variants. These impact scores are assay-specific, are predictive of allele-specific transcription factor binding and are enriched for variants associated with gene expression and disease risk. Nucleotide-level functional consequence scores for non-coding variants can refine the mechanism of known causal variants, identify novel risk variants and prioritize downstream experiments.
Pre-acetylation in the presence of Asf1 alters Rtt019-Vps75 selectivity
Authors: Cote Joy M. , Kuo Yin-Ming , Henry Ryan A. , Scherman Hataichanok , Andrews Andrew J.
Published: August 2018

Acetylation of histones plays a critical role in maintaining the epigenetic state of the eukaryotic cell. One such acetylation site critical for DNA damage repair is H3K56ac. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, H3K56ac is thought to be driven mainly by Rtt109, a lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) that associates with the histone chaperones Vps75 and Asf1. Both of these chaperones can increase the specificity of histone acetylation by Rtt109, but neither alter the selectivity. It has been shown that histones extracted from cells (Drosophila), presumably containing pre-acetylated histones, can incorporate higher amounts of H3K56ac relative to recombinant non-acetylated histones. We hypothesized that histone pre-acetylation and histone chaperones could function together to drive acetylation of H3K56. In the present study, we test this hypothesis using a series of singly acetylated histones to determine the impact of crosstalk on enzyme selectivity. Our data suggest that crosstalk between acetylation sites plays a major role in altering the selectivity of Rtt109-Vps75 and that the histone chaperone Asf1 mediates this crosstalk. Specifically, we show that H3K14ac/H4 functions with Asf1 to drive H3K56ac by Rtt109-Vps75. We identified an acidic patch in Asf1 that mediates this cross-talk and show that mutations to this region can alter the Asf1 mediated crosstalk that changes Rtt109-Vps75 selectivity. These data explain the genetic link between Gcn5, which acetylates H3K14 and Rtt109. More broadly these data demonstrate that acetylation sites can dictate site selectivity even in the absence of a bromodomain and helps to explain the limited complexity that has been observed of the histone post-translational modifications patterns by global proteomic studies.
Receptor Mediated Delivery of Cas9-Nanobody Induces Cisplatin Synthetic Dose Sensitivity
Authors: Roche Philip J. R , Gytz Heidi , Hussain Faiz , Liang Yingke , Laursen Nick Stub , Andersen Kasper R. , Nagar Bhushan , Akavia Uri David
Published: August 2018

The CRISPR/Cas9 system has shown great potential for precisely editing genomic DNA sequences by introducing site-specific DNA cuts that are subsequently repaired by the cell. However, delivery of the CRISPR ribonucleoprotein remains an understudied area and hinders realizing the full potential of the system. We prepared Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes chemically conjugated to the 7D12 nanobody and demonstrate receptor-mediated transfection of Cas9 into A549 non-small-cell lung cancer cells via binding to the epithelial growth factor receptor for subsequent cell internalization. We further show that transfection with a Cas9 ribonucleoprotein targeting the BRCA2 gene results in an enhanced sensitivity to the chemotherapeutic drug Cisplatin, and thereby induces a synthetic dose lethality in A549 cells.
Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing with improved accuracy and cost
Authors: Suzuki Masako , Liao Will , Wos Frank , Johnston Andrew D. , DeGrazia Justin , Ishii Jennifer , Bloom Toby , Zody Michael C. , Germer Soren , Greally John M.
Published: August 2018

DNA methylation patterns in the genome both reflect and help to mediate transcriptional regulatory processes. The digital nature of DNA methylation, present or absent on each allele, makes this assay capable of quantifying events in subpopulations of cells, whereas genome-wide chromatin studies lack the same quantitative capacity. Testing DNA methylation throughout the genome is possible using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), but the high costs associated with the assay have made it impractical for studies involving more than limited numbers of samples. We have optimized a new transposase-based library preparation assay for the Illumina HiSeq X platform suitable for limited amounts of DNA and providing a major cost reduction for WGBS. By incorporating methylated cytosines during fragment end repair, we reveal an end-repair artifact affecting 1%–2% of reads that we can remove analytically. We show that the use of a high (G + C) content spike-in performs better than PhiX in terms of bisulfite sequencing quality. As expected, the loci with transposase-accessible chromatin are DNA hypomethylated and enriched in flanking regions by post-translational modifications of histones usually associated with positive effects on gene expression. Using these transposase-accessible loci to represent the cis-regulatory loci in the genome, we compared the representation of these loci between WGBS and other genome-wide DNA methylation assays, showing WGBS to outperform substantially all of the alternatives. We conclude that it is now technologically and financially feasible to perform WGBS in larger numbers of samples with greater accuracy than previously possible.
Real-time study of transients during high-temperature creep of an Ni-base superalloy by far-field high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction
Authors: Tréhorel Roxane , Ribarik Gabor , Schenk Thomas , Jacques Alain
Published: August 2018

The high-temperature mechanical behavior of single-crystal Ni-base superalloys has been formerly studied by in situ triple-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffractometry (TCD). However, the 1/300 s recording frequency does not allow real-time tests. It is shown here that real-time monitoring is possible with far-field diffractometry in transmission. The use of a far-field camera enables one to follow a diffraction spot with high angular precision and high recording speed. This technique allows measurement of the mechanical response of an AM1 Ni-base single-crystal superalloy following steep load jumps and relaxations during high-temperature creep tests. Local crystal misorientation is revealed and rafting (oriented coalescence) is examined. This new technique is compared with TCD, in order to highlight its benefits and drawbacks.
Reinforcement corrosion research based on the linear polarization resistance method for coral aggregate seawater concrete in a marine environment
Authors: Da Bo , Yu Hongfa , Ma Haiyan , Wu Zhangyu
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to reduce the cost, limit the time and increase raw material source availability, coral aggregate seawater concrete (CASC) composed of coral, coral sand, seawater and cement can be widely used for the construction of ports, levees, airports and roads to achieve practical engineering values. However, the naturally porous coral structure and abundant Cl− in the seawater and coral lead to extremely severe reinforcement corrosion for CASC. It is well known that Cl− is the main cause of reinforcement corrosion in the marine environment. Therefore, it is necessary to research the reinforcement corrosion of CASC in the marine environment.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, linear polarization resistance was adopted to test the linear polarization curves of reinforcement in CASC with different exposure times. Ecorr, Rp, Icorr and Vcorr were calculated according to the weak electrochemical polarization theory and Stern–Geary formula. The effects of concrete cover thickness, exposure time, reinforcement types and inhibitor on reinforcement corrosion in CASC were analysed. The reinforcement corrosion degradation rule was determined, which provided theoretical support for the durability improvement, security assessment, service life prediction and service quality control of CASC structures in marine islands and reef engineering.

Findings

The corrosion resistance was enhanced with increased concrete cover thickness, and the concrete cover thickness for organic new coated steel should be at least 5.5 cm to reduce the reinforcement corrosion risks in CASC structures. The corrosion resistance of different types of reinforcements followed the rule: 2205 duplex stainless steel > 316 stainless steel > organic new coated steel > zinc-chromium coated steel > common steel. In the early exposure stage, the anti-corrosion effectiveness of the calcium nitrate inhibitor (CN) was superior to that for the amino alcohol inhibitor (AA). With the extension of exposure time, the decreasing rate of anticorrosion effectiveness of CN was higher than that of AA.

Originality/value

Reinforcement corrosion of CASC in a marine environment was studied. Concrete cover thickness, exposure time, reinforcement type and inhibitor influenced the reinforcement corrosion were investigated. New technique of reinforcement anti-corrosion in marine engineering was proposed. Possible applications of CASC in marine engineering structures were suggested.
Modeling the operation of synchronized supply chains under a collaborative structure
Authors: Lopez-Campos Monica , Cannella Salvatore , Miranda Pablo A. , Stegmaier Raul
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and model collaboration and information exchange enabler strategies, designed to accomplish significant improvements in supply chain (SC) performance. Some of these improvements to the SC include the reduction of the bullwhip effect and increased customer and SC partner benefits. The authors propose a fully collaborative replenishment model. The study details the information flow required to implement new SC collaboration strategies, clarifying a specific strategy for information sharing involving inventory levels (on hand, in process, etc.), orders and demand forecast.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors suggest the adoption of business process modelling (BPM) methodology, aimed at identifying which information should be shared by SC partners, in order to create fully collaborative strategies.

Findings

The features of BPM allow for the effortless integration of the modelled information collaboration strategies into a general network information system, creating a flexible structure that can be quickly and even automatically adapted to new conditions.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper, a serial SC has been analysed, but enterprises also commonly manage more complex kind of chains. Chains composed of more than one member in the same echelon, divergent chains, convergent chains, network chains are all different configurations that require their own algorithm. The authors use the order up to policy, but there are other policies that can be considered to extend the scope of the model.

Practical implications

BPM, specifically through Unified Modelling Language (UML) and Business Process Modelling Notation standards, represents a suitable technique to develop and implement new SC collaboration practices, serving as a communication link between managers and software developers.

Social implications

The expected results of this work imply the proposal of a reference model for collaborative supply chain (CSC) organisations, contributing to the enhancement of value creation for the whole CSC.

Originality/value

The aim of this paper is to clarify the information-sharing algorithm required to implement a collaborative structure for an SC. This algorithm is expressed using the BPM technique, specifically UML and Business Process Model and Notation standards.
Capital structure decisions: What Spanish CFOs think
Authors: de Andrés Pablo , de la Fuente Gabriel , San Martin Pablo
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The way business practice adjusts to the models proposed by financial theory has been under moderate yet constant scrutiny from the academic world. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to this line of research by showing CFOs’ perceptions of Spanish companies with regard to their capital structure decisions.

Design/Methodology

The empirical approach is examined using information gathered through a survey answered by 140 CFOs of Spanish companies during 2011. Results are obtained from mean difference tests and ordered probit estimations.

Findings

The results of the paper show that managers attach importance to establishing and monitoring a target debt ratio and the capacity to maintain additional debt in order to provide financial flexibility. In addition, CFOs prefer internal financing to external, using debt when internal funds do not allow investments to be funded.

Originality/Value

On the whole, the results of this research show that trade-off and pecking order theories are not alternative views of the same problem, but represent complementary approaches of how companies define their capital structures.
Implementation of a strategic planning process oriented towards promoting business process management (BPM) at a clinical research centre (CRC)
Authors: Rentes Victor Cattani , de Pádua Silvia Inês Dallavalle , Coelho Eduardo Barbosa , Cintra Monica Akissue de Camargo Teixeira , Ilana Gabriela Gimenez Faustino , Rozenfeld Henrique
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This work explores the potential benefits of aligning the strategic planning process with a BPM program in a clinical research center (CRC). The purpose of this paper is to define a process for executing strategic planning oriented towards the promotion of a BPM program.

Design/methodology/approach

The method applied is action research. This allowed the solution of a practical problem and at the same time the proposition of a new approach to promote BPM in alignment with strategy, which was synthesized in the model presented.

Findings

The analysis and structuring of the strategic planning process, with the assessment of the as-is situation, were adequate as a preparation step for the first cycle of a BPM program in the CRC. Based on lessons learned along the research project, a model was proposed for the strategic planning process oriented towards promoting BPM.

Research limitations/implications

The model was conceived from a single application at a CRC, through a cycle of action research. This is one of the limitations of this work. The model was not yet sufficiently tested in other contexts. This represents opportunities for future research.

Practical implications

The evaluation step in the action research cycle revealed that the organization in focus was satisfied with the results. New management practices in the organizations in focus were implemented as a result of this work.

Originality/value

Process improvement initiatives are a novelty in the CRC context, and this work may serve as a reference for CRC managers seeking to improve overall performance. The proposed model in this work indicates that a BPM program should start with strategic planning. An initial assessment of the as-is situation of the organization in focus was performed based on the analysis of the undesirable effects in the organization’s management practices, using a technique of the Theory of Constraints. The use of this technique facilitated the identification of solutions to the root causes identified in the assessment. The level of the assessment was deeper in comparison to results obtained with traditional tools used in strategic planning processes. The assessment supports the definition of actions oriented to solving the majority of the management dysfunctions of the organization in focus.
Translating customer needs into project decisions: identifying knowledge brokers in project networks
Authors: Waheed Zehra
Published: August 2018

Purpose

It is essential for projects to fulfil a wide spectrum of customer expectations including social, psychological, technological, and physical ones. The purpose of this paper is to identify roles within project networks that act as transmitters and linkers of this important knowledge, thereby resulting in appropriate and timely on-ground decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative case analysis coupled with social network analysis (SNA) is used to map project actors and identify key knowledge brokers within a complex co-location project. The project network comprised 91 actors from a range of project partners from public and private sectors.

Findings

The research identifies key knowledge brokers where selection appears to reflect their “heavyweight” stature, high social capital, technical expertise, and personality. The research recommends early identification of brokers from within and outside the parent organization/s.

Research limitations/implications

The research covers a single, inductive, and interpretive study of a co-location project involving mature project organizations. Wider generalizability of findings to less mature organizations or those operating in vastly different sectors may be limited.

Practical implications

This study contributes to the existing body of literature on knowledge brokerage in projects and assists project managers in identifying and developing relevant brokers.

Originality/value

The study provides further evidence behind the argument that customer needs are translated into appropriate project decisions through key knowledge brokers.
Exploring the BIM and lean synergies in the Istanbul Grand Airport construction project
Authors: Koseoglu Ozan , Sakin Mehmet , Arayici Yusuf
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a solid understanding of how integrated building information modeling (BIM) is implemented in a mega project such as the (Istanbul Grand Airport IGA) construction project, which is the main case study in the research methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines and identifies the lean efficiency gains achieved in the IGA project and highlights the synergies between BIM and lean concepts based on the facts and figures from the case study analysis. In complex projects, there is a vital need for a comprehensive approach that would enable successful managing of design and construction information via accurate modeling, collaboration and integration throughout the project lifecycles covering various disciplines.

Findings

The research findings in the paper make a significant impact in understanding the strategic perception for BIM as a new way of working methodology for the construction industry in Turkey, since the IGA project has become not only a key learning hub for the Turkish construction industry, but also a global landmark for digital construction and project delivery. In addition it proves the mutual synergies between BIM and lean practices.

Originality/value

The IGA project is a mega-scale airport construction project with features beyond building industry challenges, and it should be designed and constructed with tight deadlines and budgets and be operated afterwards in an effective and efficient way. Can lean and BIM help for timely and on-budget completion of the project and could they support the management of the airport facility after handover? The paper also discusses the lean and BIM implementation in the project in relation to the BIM Level 3 requirements.
From feeding-back to feeding-forward: managerial feedback as a trigger of change in SMEs
Authors: Psychogios Alexandros , Blakcori Feim , Szamosi Leslie , O’Regan Nicholas
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and theorize the process of managerial feedback in relation to change in small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

This research embraces a qualitative methodology in the context of manufacturing SMEs. Drawing on 30 in-depth interviews, and observations conducted with various managers in six SMEs operating in three countries, it is argued that managers benefit more by using daily, ongoing, feedback as a trigger of change in their organizations.

Findings

The findings suggest that there is an overall view that managers appear to be reluctant to change existing processes using formalized feedback mechanisms, which runs counter-intuitive to the literature. In contrast, informal methods of feedback work better in enhancing organizational change. Moreover, another two features of feedback enhance this process, namely, benefits oriented and confidence oriented. As such, this study contributes to existing knowledge and practice by proposing a three-fold form of feedback through which managers expand their perspectives of feedback from feeding-back to feeding-forward thereby enhancing the opportunities of triggering change.

Research limitations/implications

Feedback should merely be considered as a dynamic and socially constructed managerial practice. A practice where actors not only exchange information and share knowledge, but also act, react and interact with each other as they constantly rethinking the change process. The proposed aspect of feedback emphasizes knowledge therapeutically and in combination with the dialogical discourse (practical illustration) that increases the odds for capturing change as a natural, rather than exceptional.

Practical implications

Practitioners, as such, may wish to consider the terminology used when it comes to studying change and its implementation in a crisis context. Using deformalized managerial feedback mechanisms to tackle a formal phenomenon like “change” could help avoid employees perceiving a negative connotation, causing resistance or confusion and feeling threatened. Therefore, the authors suggest that practitioners, during development initiatives on modernizing or altering organizational processes, consider replacing the term “change” as a formal concept.

Originality/value

It is an investigation from an exploratory perspective in studying and understanding the causes, factors and modalities that trigger managerial feedback toward organizational change in manufacturing SMEs.
Discriminatory Value of the Ascending Aorta Diameter in Suspected Acute Type A Aortic Dissection
Authors: Mark Dustin G. , Davis Justin A. , Hung Yun‐Yi , Vinson David R.
Published: August 2018

Objective

The objective was to determine if ascending aorta (AscAo) diameters measured by noncontrast computed tomography (CT) allow for meaningful discrimination between patients with and without type A aortic dissection (TAAD), ideally with 100% sensitivity.

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of cases of TAAD, as well as controls, undergoing evaluation for TAAD with CT aortography, presenting to 21 emergency departments within an integrated health system between 2007 and 2015. AscAo diameters were determined using axial noncontrast CT images at the level of the right main pulmonary artery by two readers. AscAo diameters were additionally normalized for age, sex, and body surface area (assessed by a Z‐score, which is the number of standard deviations between the observed and expected AscAo diameters). Overall model discrimination was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Comparative discrimination was assessed using both the change in AUC (∆AUC) and the continuous net reclassification index (NRI).

Results

A total of 230 cases of TAAD and 325 controls were included in the study. The median ages for cases and controls were 65 and 62 years, and the median AscAo diameters were 50 and 35 mm, respectively. The raw and normalized AscAo diameters demonstrated similarly excellent discrimination (AUCs of 0.96 vs. 0.97, respectively; ∆AUC = 0.01, p = 0.09) and an NRI of 0.30 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.13–0.47), both indicating small incremental improvements in classification with the use of the normalized AscAo measures. A raw AscAo diameter of 34 mm and a normalized Z‐score of 1.84 both yielded 100% sensitivity for TAAD, with respective specificities of 35% (95% CI = 29.6%–40.2%) and 67% (95% CI = 61.7%–72.2%).

Conclusions

Nearly all patients with TAAD appear to have enlarged AscAo diameters as measured by noncontrast CT, whereas most patients with suspected but absent TAAD have relatively normal AscAo diameters. Both raw and normalized AscAo measures provided relatively comparable discriminatory value. If validated, these data may be useful in adjudicating risk among patients with suspected TAAD in whom a criterion standard test is unavailable, nondiagnostic, or contraindicated.
Do Maternal Dietary Antioxidants Modify the Relationship Between Binge Drinking and Small for Gestational Age? Findings from a Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Coathup Victoria , Northstone Kate , Izadi Hooshang , Wheeler Simon , Smith Lesley
Published: August 2018

Background

Vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids are potent dietary antioxidants that have been shown to attenuate ethanol‐induced harm in animal models of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. A diet low in antioxidant‐rich foods may induce a state of oxidative stress in the context of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy, potentially causing growth restriction in the developing fetus.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of a longitudinal U.K. birth cohort. The sample comprised 9,699 women and their babies in Avon, U.K., with an estimated delivery date between April 1, 1991 and December 31, 1992. Alcohol consumption data were self‐reported at 18 weeks’ gestation via a postal questionnaire. Women reported any binge drinking (≥4 U.K. units/occasion) during the past month. Dietary data were self‐reported at 32 weeks’ gestation using a food frequency questionnaire. Estimated intakes of vitamins C and E and carotenoids were categorized into quartiles. Logistic regression models with interaction terms were used to investigate relationships between maternal binge drinking, dietary antioxidants, and fetal growth. Models were adjusted for maternal sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. Small for gestational age (SGA; <10th percentile) was defined using customized birth centiles.

Results

In the unadjusted models, binge drinking was associated with higher risk of SGA birth (odds ratio [OR] 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10, 1.72, p = 0.005), and higher maternal intakes of vitamin C (OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.84, 0.96, p = 0.002) and vitamin E (OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.84, 0.95, p < 0.0001) were associated with lower risk of SGA birth. However, addition of potentially confounding variables attenuated these relationships. Likelihood ratio tests indicated that interaction terms were not significant for vitamin C (p = 0.116), vitamin E (p = 0.059), or carotenoid intakes (p = 0.174).

Conclusions

There was no evidence of maternal intake of dietary antioxidants modifying the relationship between maternal binge drinking and SGA birth.
Craving, cortisol and behavioral alcohol motivation responses to stress and alcohol cue contexts and discrete cues in binge and non‐binge drinkers
Authors: Blaine Sara K. , Nautiyal Nisheet , Hart Rachel , Guarnaccia J.B. , Sinha Rajita
Published: August 2018

Alcohol use disorders are associated with high craving and disruption of stress biology, but their role in behavioral alcohol motivation is less clear. We examined the effects of craving and cortisol responses on behavioral alcohol motivation to stress, alcohol cue and neutral‐relaxing context cues, in addition to discrete alcohol cues, in demographically matched binge/heavy (BH) and moderate (MD) social drinkers. Subjects participated in a 3‐day laboratory experiment of provocation by three personalized guided imagery contexts and discrete alcohol cues followed by the ‘alcohol taste test’ (ATT) to assess behavioral motivation, as measured by ATT intake. Post‐ATT alcohol effects on craving and cortisol responses were also examined. Results indicate BH consumed significantly more alcohol than MD in the ATT. Stress and alcohol cue contexts, relative to neutral, led to significantly greater ATT intake across both groups, which also correlated positively with self‐reported alcohol use in past 30 days. Stress and alcohol context and discrete alcohol cues each significantly increased alcohol craving, more so in the BH than MD, and significantly predicted greater ATT intake in BH only. The BH showed significantly lower cortisol responses than MD overall and blunted cortisol responses to cues predicted significantly greater ATT intake in the stress condition for BH and in the alcohol cue condition for MD. Higher ATT intake predicted greater cortisol response and higher craving post‐ATT, and these effects were moderated by group status. In sum, findings suggest a role for sensitized context‐induced craving and blunted cortisol responses in increased behavioral motivation for alcohol.