bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of prevention and early detection of tuberculosis in people living with HIV
Authors: Sinitsyn Mikhail , Belilovsky Evgeniy , Bogorodskaya Elena , Borisov Sergey , Kudlay Dmitry , Slogotskaya Liudmila
Published: July 2020

Background

The difficult epidemic situation caused by TB/HIV co-infection and, accordingly, the need to strengthen measures for the prevention of tuberculosis among HIV patients, identified the need to create a model of collaborating tuberculosis management facilities and AIDS centers.

Study purpose

analysis of the effectiveness of measures used in Moscow to prevent the spread of HIV/tuberculosis co-infection based on the developed new algorithm.

Materials and methods

The design of the study – a full-design retrospective cohort study of all HIV patients in tuberculosis preventive care and early detection unit for HIV patients (PCED TB Unit), which was organized in 2014 as a subdivision of Moscow TB Center on the premises of the Moscow AIDS Center. The study was conducted from 2014 to 2017. 22,190 HIV-infected patients were examined. In order to detect tuberculosis infection, all HIV patients were referred for skin testing with preparation Diaskintest, which represents recombinant proteins CFP10-ESAT6 and persons with a positive and doubtful reaction were examined for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Preventive therapy (PT) was prescribed to patients with LTBI, which was also received by those with CD4+count ≤350 cells/mm3, regardless of the results of a skin test.

Results

Over a period of 4 years, Diaskintest was performed in 19,777 people. Positive results were in 857 patients (4.3%) [95% CI 4.1-4.6]. 131 patients were diagnosed with tuberculosis, the rest - with LTBI. The effectiveness of PT was estimated by the number of TB cases detected among HIV patients who completed PT (1757) and those who did not receive it (5990). The notification rate of TB in the first group was 228 [95%CI 65-582] per 100,000 patients, in the second 1486 [95%CI 1195–1825], which is 6,5 times higher. To assess the effectiveness of early detection of TB, the proportion of severity forms of pulmonary TB diagnosed in 87 patients at the PCED TB Unit using a new algorithm in 2016-2017 were compared with 411patients detected in different medical organizations of Moscow using conventional methods. The proportion of disseminated TB was lower in the first group (23.0% versus 44.5%) (p<0.01).

Conclusion

The study showed that the integration of the two services allows increases the accessibility of TB care and makes a significant contribution to improving the effectiveness of measures to prevent the TB spread among HIV patients. It supports the necessity of treating LTBI detected using the Diaskintest to prevent TB in HIV-infected patients. Significant effects that have been achieved include a reduction in the TB notification rate among HIV patients, improvement of the diagnostic structure of registered TB cases as a result of their timely detection.
Colonization of the murine oropharynx byStreptococcus pyogenesis governed by the Rgg2/3 quorum sensing system
Authors: Gogos Artemis , Federle Michael J.
Published: July 2020

Streptococcus pyogenesis a human-restricted pathogen most often found in the human nasopharynx. Multiple bacterial factors are known to contribute to persistent colonization of this niche, and many are important in mucosal immunity and vaccine development. In this work, mice were infected intranasally with transcriptional regulator mutants of the Rgg2/3 quorum sensing (QS) system—a peptide-based signaling system conserved in sequenced isolates ofS. pyogenes. Deletion of the QS system’s transcriptional activator (Δrgg2) dramatically diminished the percentage of colonized mice while deletion of the transcriptional repressor (Δrgg3) increased the percentage of colonized mice compared to wild type. Stimulation of the QS system using synthetic pheromones prior to inoculation did not significantly increase the percentage of animals colonized, indicating that QS-dependent colonization is responsive to the intrinsic conditions within the host upper respiratory tract. Bacterial RNA extracted directly from oropharyngeal swabs and evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR subsequently confirmed QS upregulation within one hour of inoculation. In the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT), a muted inflammatory response to the Δrgg2bacteria suggests that their rapid elimination failed to elicit the previously characterized response to intranasal inoculation of GAS. This work identifies a new transcriptional regulatory system governing the ability ofS. pyogenesto colonize the nasopharynx and provides knowledge that could help lead to decolonization therapeutics.

Author Summary

Streptococcus pyogenesis responsible for a wide spectrum of diseases ranging from common pharyngitis to infrequent invasive infections like necrotizing fasciitis. The ability of this microorganism to persist in the human oropharynx predisposes colonized individuals to a variety of superficial and invasive diseases which lead to significant morbidities and mortality. Identification of the regulatory systems that augment the bacteria’s ability to colonize the oropharynx provides potential targets against which molecular therapeutics can be designed. Here we show that the Rgg2/3 quorum sensing system, an interbacterial communication system, governs the ability ofS. pyogenesto colonize the murine oropharynx. Disruption of the system’s transcriptional activator reduced colonization dramatically, eliminated the transcription of two sets of genes known to be activated by the Rgg2/3 system, and tempered the innate immune response seen whenS. pyogenesis intranasally infected into the mouse.
Progression of the late-stage divisome is unaffected by the depletion of the cytoplasmic FtsZ pool
Authors: Silber Nadine , Mayer Christian , de Opitz Cruz L Matos , Sass Peter
Published: July 2020

Cell division is a central and essential process in most bacteria, and also due to its complexity and highly coordinated nature, it has emerged as a promising new antibiotic target pathway in recent years. We have previously shown that ADEP antibiotics preferably induce the degradation of the major cell division protein FtsZ, thereby primarily leading to a depletion of the cytoplasmic FtsZ pool that is needed for treadmilling FtsZ rings. To further investigate the physiological consequences of ADEP treatment, we here studied the effect of ADEP on the different stages of the FtsZ ring in rod-shaped bacteria. Our data reveal the disintegration of early FtsZ rings during ADEP treatment inBacillus subtilis, indicating an essential role of the cytoplasmic FtsZ pool and thus FtsZ ring dynamics during initiation and maturation of the divisome. However, progressed FtsZ rings finalized cytokinesis once the septal peptidoglycan synthase PBP2b, a late stage cell division protein, colocalized at the division site, thus implying that the concentration of the cytoplasmic FtsZ pool and FtsZ ring dynamics are less critical during the late stages of divisome assembly and progression.
The effect of delayed processing on ovarian tissue stored for fertility preservation
Authors: Zemyarska M S , Bjarkadottir B D , Wei X , Walker C A , Lane S M , Davies J , Williams S A
Published: July 2020

Background

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is important for fertility preservation and conservation. Delay in OTC may be required for transport or workflow management, however little is understood about the effect of processing delay on the tissue.

Objective

To determine whether a delay of 24-48 hours to OTC affects primordial follicle (PF) health.

Methods

Ovaries (n=6 sheep) were processed immediately or after storage at 4°C (24h, 48h). Tissue was fixed fresh, after cryopreservation or 10-day xenotransplantation. Morphological assessment of follicle health and development was performed.

Findings

A total of 1541 follicles were analysed. A 24h processing delay did not impact PF health in fresh or cryopreserved tissue. In fresh tissue a 48h delay had an adverse effect on follicle health (OR=2.47, 95% CI 1.29-4.71). Interestingly, a 48h delay resulted in cryopreserved tissue being less likely to be graded as unhealthy compared to control (OR=0.56, 95% CI 0.36-0.87). There was no difference in PF health or development across groups following xenotransplantation.

Conclusion

Ovarian tissue can be stored for up to 48 hours prior to cryopreservation with no net impact on PF health.
Multidrug-Resistant Avian PathogenicEscherichia coliStrains and Association of Their Virulence Genes in Bangladesh
Authors: Saha Otun , Hoque M. Nazmul , Islam Ovinu Kibria , Rahaman Md. Mizanur , Sultana Munawar , Hossain M. Anwar
Published: July 2020

The avian pathogenicEscherichia coli(APEC) strains are the chief etiology of avian colibacillosis worldwide. The present study investigated the circulating phylotypes, existence of virulence genes (VGs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 392 APEC isolates, obtained from 130 samples belonged to six farms using both phenotypic and PCR-based molecular approaches. Congo red binding (CRB) assay confirmed 174 APEC isolates which were segregated into 10, 9 and 8 distinctive genotypes by RAPD assay (discriminatory index, D=0.8707), BOX-PCR (D=0.8591) and ERIC-PCR (D=0.8371), respectively. The combination of three phylogenetic markers (chuA, yjaAand DNA fragment TspE4.C2) classified APEC isolates into B23(37.36%), A1 (33.91%), D2 (11.49%), B22(9.20%) and B1 (8.05%) phylotypes. Majority of the APEC isolates (75-100%) harbored VGs (ial, fimH,crl, papC andcjrC), and of them, VGs (papC andcjrC) and phylotypes (D2 and B2) of APEC had significant (p=0.004) association with colibacillosis. Phylogenetic analysis showed two distinct clades (Clade A and Clade B) of APEC where Clade A had 98-100.0% similarity withE. coliAPEC O78 andE. coliEHEC strains, and Clade B had closest relationship withE. coliO169:H41 strain. Interestingly, phylogroups B2 and D2 were found in the APEC strains of both clades while the strains from phylogroups A1 and B1 were found in clade A only. In this study, 81.71% of the isolates were biofilm formers and possessed plasmids of varying ranges (1.0 to 54 kb).In vitroantibiogram profiling revealed that 100.0% isolates were resistant to ≥3 antibiotics, of which61.96%, 55.24, 53.85, 51.16 and 45.58 % isolates in phylotypes B1, D2, B22, B23and A1, respectively were these antimicrobials. The resistance patterns varied among different phylotypes, notably in phylotype B22showing the highest resistance to ampicillin (90.91%), nalidixic acid (90.11%), tetracycline (83.72%) and nitrofurantoin (65.12%). Correspondence analysis also showed significant correlation of phylotypes with CRB (p=0.008), biofilm formation (p=0.02), drug resistance (p=0.03) and VGs (p=0.06). This report demonstrated that B2 and A1 phylotypes are dominantly circulating APEC phylotypes in Bangladesh; however, B2 and D2 are strongly associated with the pathogenicity. A high prevalence of antibiotic resistant APEC strains from different phylotypes suggest to use of organic antimicrobial compounds, and/or metals, and the rotational use of antibiotics in the poultry farms in Bangladesh.
A High Content Screen for Mucin-1-Reducing Compounds Identifies Fostamatinib as a Candidate for Rapid Repurposing for Acute Lung Injury during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Alimova Maria , Sidhom Eriene-Heidi , Satyam Abhigyan , Dvela-Levitt Moran , Melanson Michelle , Chamberlain Brian T. , Alper Seth L. , Santos Jean , Gutierrez Juan , Subramanian Ayshwarya , Grinkevich Elizabeth , Bricio Estefania Reyes , Kim Choah , Clark Abbe , Watts Andrew , Thompson Rebecca , Marshall Jamie , Pablo Juan Lorenzo , Coraor Juliana , Roignot Julie , Vernon Katherine A. , Keller Keith , Campbell Alissa , Emani Maheswarareddy , Racette Matthew , Bazua-Valenti Silvana , Padovano Valeria , Weins Astrid , McAdoo Stephen P. , Tam Frederick W.K. , Ronco Lucienne , Wagner Florence , Tsokos George C. , Shaw Jillian L. , Greka Anna
Published: July 2020

Drug repurposing is the only method capable of delivering treatments on the shortened time-scale required for patients afflicted with lung disease arising from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mucin-1 (MUC1), a membrane-bound molecule expressed on the apical surfaces of most mucosal epithelial cells, is a biochemical marker whose elevated levels predict the development of acute lung injury (ALI) and respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and correlate with poor clinical outcomes. In response to the pandemic spread of SARS-CoV-2, we took advantage of a high content screen of 3,713 compounds at different stages of clinical development to identify FDA-approved compounds that reduce MUC1 protein abundance. Our screen identified Fostamatinib (R788), an inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) approved for the treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenia, as a repurposing candidate for the treatment of ALI.In vivo, Fostamatinib reduced MUC1 abundance in lung epithelial cells in a mouse model of ALI.In vitro, SYK inhibition by Fostamatinib promoted MUC1 removal from the cell surface. Our work reveals Fostamatinib as a repurposing drug candidate for ALI and provides the rationale for rapidly standing up clinical trials to test Fostamatinib efficacy in patients with COVID-19 lung injury.
Reconstitution of contractile actomyosin rings in vesicles
Authors: Litschel Thomas , Kelley Charlotte F. , Holz Danielle , Koudehi Maral Adeli , Vogel Sven Kenjiro , Burbaum Laura , Mizuno Naoko , Vavylonis Dimitrios , Schwille Petra
Published: July 2020

One of the grand challenges of bottom-up synthetic biology is the development of minimal machineries for cell division. The mechanical transformation of large-scale compartments, such as Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs), requires the geometry-specific coordination of active elements, several orders of magnitude larger than the molecular scale. Of all cytoskeletal structures, large-scale actomyosin rings appear to be the most promising cellular elements to accomplish this task. Here, we have adopted advanced encapsulation methods to study bundled actin filaments in GUVs and compare our results with theoretical modeling. By changing few key parameters, actin polymerization can be differentiated to resemble various types of networks in living cells. Importantly, we find membrane binding to be crucial for the robust condensation into a single actin ring in spherical vesicles, as predicted by theoretical considerations. Upon force generation by ATP-driven myosin motors, these ring-like actin structures contract and locally constrict the vesicle, forming furrow-like deformations. On the other hand, cortex-like actin networks are shown to induce and stabilize deformations from spherical shapes.
Saccharomycesspores are born prepolarized to outgrow away from spore-spore connections and penetrate the ascus wall
Authors: Heasley Lydia R. , Singer Emily , McMurray Michael A.
Published: July 2020

1.

How non-spore haploidSaccharomycescells choose sites of budding and polarize towards pheromone signals in order to mate has been a subject of intense study. Unlike non-spore haploids, sibling spores produced via meiosis and sporulation by a diploid cell are physically interconnected and encased in a sac derived from the old cell wall of the diploid, called the ascus. Non-spore haploids bud adjacent to previous sites of budding, relying on stable cortical landmarks laid down during prior divisions, but since spore membranes are made de novo it was assumed that, as is known for fission yeast,Saccharomycesspores break symmetry and polarize at random locations. Here we show that this assumption is incorrect:Saccharomyces cerevisiaespores are born prepolarized to outgrow, prior to budding or mating, away from interspore bridges. Consequently, when spores bud within an intact ascus, their buds locally penetrate the ascus wall, and when they mate, the resulting zygotes adopt a unique morphology reflective of re-polarization towards pheromone, which we dub the derrière. Long-lived cortical foci containing the septin Cdc10 mark polarity sites, but the canonical bud site selection program is dispensable for spore polarity, thus the origin and molecular composition of these landmarks remain unknown. These findings demand further investigation of previously overlooked mechanisms of polarity establishment and local cell wall digestion, and highlight how a key step in theSaccharomyceslife cycle has been historically neglected.
One-Step Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) Modification: Preparation of Plasmids
Authors: Heintz Nathaniel , Gong Shiaoching
Published: July 2020

In the one-step approach to bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) modification, two plasmids are introduced into the BAC host cells. The shuttle pLD53.SC2, carrying the EFGP reporter sequence and requiring the π protein to replicate, must be grown in PIR1- or PIR2-competent Escherichia coli. Our preference for these vectors is PIR1, because these cells are able to maintain about 250 copies of the donor vector. This small-sized vector is stable in PIR1. The RecA plasmid pSV1.RecA has a temperature-sensitive origin of replication and can be grown in most competent bacteria at 30°C; here we use DH5α competent cells. This protocol describes preparation of the vector DNAs. The shuttle-reporter vector DNA is subsequently digested for introduction of one homology arm (typically the A-box).
Exploring attitudes of medical students towards intellectual disabilities
Authors: Abdi Rubab , Metcalf Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to determine whether an inclusive teaching session changes student attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities (ID). To investigate the impact of an inclusive teaching session in terms of student perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

66 years 4 students at Cardiff University completed the attitudes towards disabled people form B questionnaire (ATDP-B) before and after a communication skills session on ID. Before and after scores were collated and compared using a pairedt-test analysis. Common perceptions were identified using anonymised ATDP-B results to conduct five semi-structured interviews and one focus group with nine students. The common perceptions were discussed, alongside how the teaching session tackled them and suggestions for further improvements.

Findings

Mean ATDP-B score before the teaching session was 115 (SD = 14.5). Mean ATDP-B score after the teaching session was 122 (SD = 17.2). The teaching session improved scores in the ATDP-B by a mean of 6.92 (4.69, 9.16). A pairedt-test found this to be a statistically significant difference, t(65) = 6.20, p < 0.001. Qualitative data was thematically analysed and three main themes were identified: Student identity, patient contact and curriculum content.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate the origin of the negative attitudes of medical students, and found they stem from a lack of confidence in their abilities and failure to develop a professional identity. The impact of the teaching session stems from its focus on meaningful patient contact and identifying and overcoming communication barriers.
Radiative hybrid nanofluid flow past a rotating permeable stretching/shrinking sheet
Authors: Anuar Nur Syazana , Bachok Norfifah , Pop Ioan
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss a stability analysis on Cu-Al2O3/water nanofluid having a radiation and suction impacts over a rotating stretching/shrinking sheet.

Design/methodology/approach

The partial differential equations are converted into nonlinear ordinary differential equations using similarity transformation and then being solved numerically using built in function in Matlab software (bvp4c). The effects of pertinent parameters on the temperature and velocity profiles together with local Nusselt number and skin friction are reported.

Findings

Compared to previously published studies, the current work is noticed to be in good deal. The analysis further shows that the non-unique solutions exist for certain shrinking parameter values. Hence, a stability analysis is executed using a linear temporal stability analysis and concluded that the second solution is unstable, while the first solution is stable. The effect of suction parameter is observed to be significant in obtaining the solutions. The improvement of the local skin friction and the decrease of the local Nusselt number on the shrinking surface are observed with the increment of the copper nanoparticle volume fractions.

Originality/value

The originality of current work is the numerical solutions and stability analysis of hybrid nanofluid in rotating flow. This work has also resulted in producing the non-unique solutions for the shrinking sheet, and a stability analysis has also been executed for this flow showing that the second solution is unstable, while the first solution is stable. This paper is therefore valuable for engineers and scientist to get acquainted with the properties of the flow, its behavior and the way to predict it. The authors admit that all the findings are original and were not published anywhere else.
Blockchain and IoT-based architecture design for intellectual property protection
Authors: Lin Jun , Long Wen , Zhang Anting , Chai Yueting
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The blockchain technology provides a way to record transactions that is designed to be highly secure, transparent, trustable, traceable, auditable and tamper-proof. And, the internet of things (IoT) technology provides the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction, which is able to link computing devices and digitized machines, things, objects, animals and people that are provided with digital unique identifiers (UIDs). This paper aims to explore the combined application of blockchain and IoT-based technologies, especially on the intellectual property protection area.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors propose a high-level architecture design of blockchain and IoT-based intellectual property protection system, which can help to process three types of intellectual property: (1) patents, copyrights, trademarks etc.; (2) industrial design, trade dress, craft works, trade secrets etc.; and (3) plant variety rights, geographical indications, etc.

Findings

Using blockchain peer-to-peer network and IoT devices, the proposed method can help people to establish a trusted, self-organized, open and ecological intellectual property protection system.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first work that applied blockchain and IoT technologies on traditional intellectual property protection and trade ecosystem.
Leadership in times of organizational decline: a literature review of antecedents, consequences and moderators
Authors: Bodolica Virginia , Spraggon Martin
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Despite the recent increase in scholarly interest on organizational decline, the theoretical and empirical inquiry into this topic remains largely disintegrated. Therefore, leaders in corporate settings who are confronted with critical strategic management challenges are ill equipped for orchestrating successful turnaround attempts to secure the revival of their organizations. The purpose of this paper is to bridge this gap in the organizational decline literature.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors undertake a systematic review of the specialized literature with the purpose of providing an updated account of the extant knowledge base and assisting top managers in their efforts of corporate recovery.

Findings

Drawing upon the insights from a number of prior literature reviews and the evidence provided in the sampled studies, this research framework offers an in-depth discussion of major antecedents, consequences and moderators of organizational decline.

Originality/value

The authors seek to make a discerned contribution to the field by advancing a multi-domain agenda for future research that may animate the continuous debate on the most effective strategies and leadership practices for surviving firm decline.
Practitioner views of goodwill accounting under US GAAP
Authors: Saastamoinen Jani , Djatej Arsen , Pajunen Kati , Gorton M. David
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Accounting standards for goodwill may intensify the agency conflict. Since auditors evaluate intangible asset valuations, this study examines to what extent being an auditor (including Big 4 auditors) and being female as indicators of professional skepticism and conservatism predict accounting professionals' critical views of goodwill accounting under US GAAP.

Design/methodology/approach

Statistical analyses of a survey of accounting professionals in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

Findings

The respondents' views are dispersed from trust in GAAP to views reflecting management opportunism in goodwill accounting. While being an auditor (including Big 4 auditors) does not predict a critical perception, being a female auditor is correlated with critical views to some extent.

Research limitations/implications

The survey was carried out in a limited geographical area and personal contacts were used to maximize the response rate, which may limit generalizability.

Practical implications

Standard setters can use the results to learn how practitioners perceive the current accounting standards for goodwill. The results provide users and preparers knowledge about potential pitfalls of goodwill accounting. Preparers could increase transparency to alleviate user concerns regarding managerial opportunism in goodwill accounting.

Originality/value

This paper extends the IFRS-based literature exploring practitioners' perceptions of accounting standards by focusing on goodwill accounting in the US GAAP environment. This study also contributes to the auditing literature by providing further evidence on how gender moderates an auditor's perception of accounting standards.
Optimization of design and measurement principle of six-components force/thrust measurement stand
Authors: Jun Zhang , Akbar Muhammad Ayaz , Xin lei Wang , Danaish Danaish
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present the optimization of the design and measurement principle of a six-component force/thrust measurement stand. This study highlights some key problems found in previous studies and proposes improvements in design and measurement principles.

Design/methodology/approach

The numerical simulation approach is used to verify the proposed improvements. An improved design and measurement principle are proposed and to verify the proposed improvements, simulation experiments are conducted. The data obtained from simulations are analyzed through the proposed improved measurement principle. The proposed stand is capable of measuring the main thrust and other components as pitch, yaw and roll. The stand is capable of measuring the main thrust more than 50,000 N and orthogonal thrust components more than 1,000 N. Improved design of measurement stand is also capable of measuring moments in three-axis more than 150 Nm. Thrust stand consists of two main sections: front and rare. Stand consists of seven piezoelectric force sensors to measure all components of force.

Findings

The simulations experiments and basic theoretical laws of kinematics prove that the proposed design indeed improves the precision of measurement and also enhance the efficiency of design. Evaluation results show that the measurement stand designed is highly functional. Non-linearity, coupling and repeatability errors are found to be within acceptable range during numerical simulations.

Originality/value

This study is unique in this kind. This study identifies the key problems found in previous studies and proposes an improved design and measurement principle. This study provides evidence for the improvements to be really functional and necessary.
Case study method to design and evaluate person-centred integrated palliative and end-of-life care
Authors: Cruz Giovanna I. , McGhee Sarah M.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This case study aims to understand the experience of care from a patient/carer perspective and to describe how the method can be replicated to address gaps in evidence relating to integrated person-centred care.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study was constructed using data extracted from personal diaries and medical records kept by a person with a complex condition, correspondence with family from the last 18 months of life and interviews with the carer and long-term conditions coordinator. The number of professionals or teams involved in providing care from statutory services, the third sector, and private providers were counted to understand the ecosystem of care. The number of contacts was plotted by provider and purpose of care. The type of care and hours of respite were estimated. A protocol was developed to assess the feasibility of replicating the data and analyses used.

Findings

There were 35 care providers from the public, private and the third sector, demonstrating that only the patient or carer can identify the ecosystem of care. The majority of care was for respite and on average, the carer provided four hours of care per every respite care hour. The method was replicated successfully.

Research limitations/implications

The case study formed the basis of a workshop that brought together health care professionals from the public services and the third sector. The discussion led to the identification of gaps and areas where greater coordination between providers would benefit patients.

Originality/value

The case study method combines contemporaneous patient and carer sources of data and health service activity to create a detailed account of care at the end of life. The approach addresses gaps in person-centred evidence for the development and evaluation of integrated palliative and end-of-life care.
On the transposability of change management research results: a systematic scoping review of studies published in JOCM and JCM
Authors: Lauzier Martin , Lemieux Nathalie , Montreuil Véra-Line , Nicolas Caroline
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the transposability of study results published in theJournal of Organizational Change Management(JOCM) and theJournal of Change Management(JCM) between 2000 and 2019 for change-management practitioners and researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic scoping review of a large sample of articles published in both journals was undertaken: 122 studies were considered for analysis and coded by two independent coders using an inductive grid.

Findings

Findings show that few studies (1) describe the nature of changes undertaken by organizations; (2) explain the contextual elements that characterize the environment at the moment when these same transformations are deployed; or (3) nuance their observations according to the change operation.

Research limitations/implications

Information on the type of change undertaken by the organization and about how change has been implemented is useful when communicating new scientific knowledge to practitioners. Nevertheless, the way in which studies are sometimes described masks some important nuances to be considered when interpreting or replicating certain results.

Practical implications

The relevance of these issues is enhanced by the fact that researchers or practitioners (as knowledge users) are likely to reproduce some of the actions carried out in previous studies in order to deepen research avenues or to facilitate the implementation of change initiatives in workplaces.

Originality/value

This research is among the first to assess the transferability of change-management study results published in both journals over such a long period. Its relevance also speaks to the importance of contextualizing results to ease their transposability by researchers and practitioners.
Reliability modelling and sensitivity analysis of IoT based flood alerting system
Authors: Tyagi Vaishali , Rawat Nitesh , Ram Mangey
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to develop a prototype of flood alerting system (FAS) based on the Internet of Things (IoT) to save the lives and property by alerting the people about flood. The proposed system can permit detection and evaluation of threating events to take place before it hits a network or community.

Design/methodology/approach

Connecting water bodies or water channels to the cities is a sign of development and growth, but sometimes when these connected water channels gets overfilled due to some reasons then they can create horrendous situation, one of such situations is flood. Hence, there is a need to find a way, in order to alert when there will be flood-related conditions and to predict if there are any such conditions in near future. In this work, a model based on FAS, that can alert when flood-related conditions are there, is proposed. Mathematical modelling of the model is done through the Markov process to obtain the state transition probabilities, and these probabilities are solved by Laplace transformation. The performance of the proposed system is affected by good or bad working of its components. Thus, the performance characteristics are expected in terms of component failure rates. Failure and repair rate of FAS's components follow exponential and general distribution.

Findings

Using the proposed Markov model, performance characteristics of the model like availability, reliability, mean time to failure (MTTF), profit and sensitivity have been calculated and explored by taking numerical illustration. Graphical representation of performance characteristics is done to make the results more understandable.

Originality/value

This work presents a Markov process-based reliability model of FAS, which provides the information about failures and working of the system's components. Also, it provides information about components and failures which majorly affect the system reliability.
Automatically detecting open academic review praise and criticism
Authors: Thelwall Mike , Papas Eleanor-Rose , Nyakoojo Zena , Allen Liz , Weigert Verena
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Peer reviewer evaluations of academic papers are known to be variable in content and overall judgements but are important academic publishing safeguards. This article introduces a sentiment analysis program, PeerJudge, to detect praise and criticism in peer evaluations. It is designed to support editorial management decisions and reviewers in the scholarly publishing process and for grant funding decision workflows. The initial version of PeerJudge is tailored for reviews from F1000Research's open peer review publishing platform.

Design/methodology/approach

PeerJudge uses a lexical sentiment analysis approach with a human-coded initial sentiment lexicon and machine learning adjustments and additions. It was built with an F1000Research development corpus and evaluated on a different F1000Research test corpus using reviewer ratings.

Findings

PeerJudge can predict F1000Research judgements from negative evaluations in reviewers' comments more accurately than baseline approaches, although not from positive reviewer comments, which seem to be largely unrelated to reviewer decisions. Within the F1000Research mode of post-publication peer review, the absence of any detected negative comments is a reliable indicator that an article will be ‘approved’, but the presence of moderately negative comments could lead to either an approved or approved with reservations decision.

Originality/value

PeerJudge is the first transparent AI approach to peer review sentiment detection. It may be used to identify anomalous reviews with text potentially not matching judgements for individual checks or systematic bias assessments.
An experiential exercise for teaching theories of work motivation: using a game to teach equity and expectancy theories
Authors: Swain Jordon , Kumlien Kevin , Bond Andrew
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an experiential exercise for management and leadership educators to use in the course of their teaching duties.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach of this classroom teaching method uses an experiential exercise to teach Adams’ equity theory and Vroom’s expectancy theory.

Findings

This experiential exercise has proven useful in teaching two major theories of motivation and is often cited as one of the more memorable classes students experience.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is an original experiential exercise for teaching the equity and expectancy theories of motivation.
Social and environmental disclosure of the largest companies in Brazil’s agribusiness sector
Authors: Santos José Alexandres Dos , Moura-Leite Rosamaria , Pereira Matheus Wemerson Gomes , Pagán Marta
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Brazil’s agribusiness sector is an acknowledged and relevant player in international markets. Companies operating in this industry have been closely observed by society with increasingly critical judgment relating to production systems and the impact of these companies. In this context, this study aims to assess the voluntary disclosure of social and environmental information of Brazilian agribusiness companies and test the determinant factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The research hypotheses are based on stakeholder theory, legitimacy theory and results from social and environmental disclosure studies. Confirmatory factor analysis was adopted to build the dependent variables, and the Tobit model was used for hypotheses testing. The sample includes the 150 largest agribusiness companies in Brazil.

Findings

The results show that the disclosure measures of agribusiness companies differ by segment and that internationalization, negative media exposure and pollution are critical factors in increased voluntary social and environmental disclosure.

Practical implications

Knowledge about the determinants and quality of voluntary disclosure is key in driving social responsibility policies. In addition, they are useful to executives for the preparation of social responsibility and environmental reports.

Originality/value

The results of this study contribute to the literature on voluntary social and environmental disclosure by providing information on an important but poorly studied sector, namely, agribusiness in Brazil.
Numerical investigation on the effect of solder paste rheological behaviour and printing speed on stencil printing
Authors: Krammer Oliver , Al-Ma’aiteh Tareq I. , Illes Balazs , Bušek David , Dušek Karel
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of different viscosity models (Cross and Al-Ma’aiteh) and different printing speeds on the numerical results (e.g. pressure over stencil) of a numerical model regarding stencil printing.

Design/methodology/approach

A finite volume model was established for describing the printing process. Two types of viscosity models for non-Newtonian fluid properties were compared. The Cross model was fitted to the measurement results in the initial state of a lead-free solder paste, and the parameters of a Al-Ma’aiteh material model were fitted in the stabilised state of the same paste. Four different printing speeds were also investigated from 20 to 200 mm/s.

Findings

Noteworthy differences were found in the pressure between utilising the Cross model and the Al-Ma’aiteh viscosity model. The difference in pressure reached 33-34% for both printing speeds of 20 and 70 mm/s and reached 31% and 27% for the printing speed of 120 and 200 mm/s. The variation in the difference was explained by the increase in the rates of shear by increasing printing speeds.

Originality/value

Parameters of viscosity model should be determined for the stabilised state of the solder paste. Neglecting the thixotropic paste nature in the modelling of printing can cause a calculation error of even approximately 30%. By using the Al-Ma’aiteh viscosity model over the stabilised state of solder pastes can provide more accurate results in the modelling of printing, which is necessary for the effective optimisation of this process, and for eliminating soldering failures in highly integrated electronic devices.
International comparative evidence of e-government success and economic growth: technology adoption as an anti-corruption tool
Authors: Mouna Amari , Nedra Baklouti , Khaireddine Mouakher
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the impact of information communication technology (ICT) use and government efficiency on the economic growth. It assesses empirically the impact of government success in ICT promotion and government efficiency to enhance economic growth and catalyzing corruption control through technology adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the relationship between ICT and economic growth in a large sample of 149 countries for the period 2012–2016. The empirical evidence is based on the generalized method of moments.

Findings

There is a significant relationship between e-government development, ICT development and institutional quality, and not ICT development and corruption. The empirical results show that a negative value of the interaction suggests that the impact of corruption on economic growth is smaller for countries with a higher level of technology adoption.

Practical implications

The differences in e-government success across countries in the world are influenced by the digital divide due to income and corruption control level.

Originality/value

The efficiency of technology adoption and promotion will ensure stronger effects of corruption control on economic growth. Relevant practical implications derive from the research that can guide public policy in the area of e-government.
An eDNA/eRNA‐based approach to investigate the life cycle of non‐cultivable shellfish micro‐parasites: the case of Bonamia ostreae, a parasite of the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis
Authors: Mérou Nicolas , Lecadet Cyrielle , Pouvreau Stéphane , Arzul Isabelle
Published: July 2020

Environmental DNA approaches are increasingly used to detect microorganisms in environmental compartments, including water. They show considerable advantages to study non‐cultivable microorganisms like Bonamia ostreae, a protozoan parasite inducing significant mortality in populations of flat oyster Ostrea edulis. Although B. ostreae development within the host has been well described, questions remain about its behaviour in the environment. As B. ostreae transmission is direct, seawater appears as an interesting target to develop early detection tools and improve our understanding of disease transmission mechanisms. In this context, we have developed an eDNA/eRNA approach allowing detecting and quantifying B. ostreae 18S rDNA/rRNA as well as monitoring its presence in seawater by real‐time PCR. B. ostreae DNA could be detected up to 4 days while RNA could be detected up to 30 days, suggesting a higher sensitivity of the eRNA‐based tool. Additionally, more than 90% of shed parasites were no longer detected after 2 days outside the oysters. By allowing B. ostreae detection in seawater, this approach would not only be useful to monitor the presence of the parasite in oyster production areas but also to evaluate the effect of changing environmental factors on parasite survival and transmission.
Cerebral autoregulation after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. A preliminary study comparing dexmedetomidine to propofol and/or midazolam
Authors: Kallioinen Minna , Posti Jussi P. , Rahi Melissa , Sharma Deepak , Katila Ari , Grönlund Juha , Vahlberg Tero , Frantzén Janek , Olkkola Klaus T. , Saari Teijo I. , Takala Riikka
Published: July 2020

Background

Cerebral autoregulation is often impaired after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). Dexmedetomidine is being increasingly used, but its effects on cerebral autoregulation in patients with aSAH have not been studied before. Dexmedetomidine could be a useful sedative in patients with aSAH as it enables neurological assessment during the infusion. The aim of this preliminary study was to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine on dynamic and static cerebral autoregulation with propofol and/or midazolam in patients with aSAH.

Methods

Ten patients were recruited. Dynamic and static cerebral autoregulation were assessed using transcranial Doppler ultrasound during propofol and/or midazolam infusion and then during three increasing doses of dexmedetomidine infusion (0.7, 1.0 and 1.4 μg/kg/h). Transient hyperaemic response ratio (THRR) and strength of autoregulation (SA) were calculated to assess dynamic cerebral autoregulation. Static rate of autoregulation (sRoR)% was calculated by using noradrenaline infusion to increase the mean arterial pressure 20 mm Hg above the baseline.

Results

Data from nine patients were analysed. Compared to baseline, we found no statistically significant changes in THRR or sROR%. THRR was (mean ± SD) 1.20 ± 0.14, 1.17 ± 0.13 (P = .93), 1.14 ± 0.09 (P = .72) and 1.19 ± 0.18 (P = 1.0) and sROR% was 150.89 ± 84.37, 75.22 ± 27.75 (P = .08), 128.25 ± 58.35 (P = .84) and 104.82 ± 36.92 (P = .42) at baseline and during 0.7, 1.0 and 1.4 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine infusion, respectively. Dynamic SA was significantly reduced after 1.0 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine (P = .02).

Conclusions

Compared to propofol and/or midazolam, dexmedetomidine did not alter static cerebral autoregulation in aSAH patients, whereas a significant change was observed in dynamic SA. Further and larger studies with dexmedetomidine in aSAH patients are warranted.
The association between guideline‐based exercise thresholds and low testosterone among men in the United States
Authors: Fantus Richard J. , Chang Cecilia , Hehemann Marah C. , Bennett Nelson E. , Brannigan Robert E. , Helfand Brian T. , Halpern Joshua A.
Published: July 2020

Background

Exercise and weight loss have been shown to improve serum testosterone (T) in obese individuals. However, the association between low T levels and guideline‐based exercise thresholds has not been determined.

Objective

Using the recently updated Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee (PAGAC) recommendations, we sought to investigate the relationship between recommended activity levels and the prevalence of low T levels.

Materials and Methods

The2011‐2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was used to identify men ages 18 to 80 years who answered the physical activity questionnaire and underwent serum T testing. Men were categorized based on PAGAC activity level: less than recommended, recommended and greater than recommended. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to determine the association between low T (<300 ng/dL) and activity level across body mass index (BMI) categories while adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Of the 7372 men who met the inclusion criteria, the majority (4372, 59.3%) exceeded the recommended amount of activity, whereas only 2326 (31.6%) exercised less than the recommended amount. On multivariable analysis, obese men whose activity exceeded the recommended amount were less likely to have low T (OR 0.523, 95% CI 0.409‐0.669, P < .001) compared with men who did not meet the recommended activity level.

Discussion and Conclusions

Using a large, nationally representative cohort, we demonstrated that obese men whose activity exceeded PAGAC recommendations had a decreased likelihood of having low T levels. Given the numerous benefits of exercise, these data provide a basis for counseling obese patients regarding the association between exercise and decreased prevalence of low T.