bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Relaxing Incisions on the Maxillary Growth after Primary Unilateral Cleft Palate Repair in Mild and Moderate Cases: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Rossell-Perry Percy , Cotrina-Rabanal Omar , Figallo-Hudtwalcker Olga , Gonzalez-Vereau Alicia
Published: January 2017

Background:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the use of relaxing incisions and maxillary growth disturbance after primary palatoplasty in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Methods:

This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial study with ethical committee approval between 2 groups of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate who were operated on using the two-flap and one-flap techniques from 2008 to 2011. Two groups of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate were operated on using the mentioned techniques by the Outreach Surgical Center Program Lima since 2008. Data collection was accomplished by evaluation of maxillary arch dimensions and dental arch relationships (scored using the 5-year-olds’ index).

Results:

The mean score for the 5-year-olds’ index was 2.57 for two-flap technique and 2.80 for one-flap technique without statistical significant differences (P = 0.71). Our comparative study did not find statistically significant differences in maxillary arch dimensions between the studied techniques for unilateral cleft palate repair. Good levels of agreement were observed according to the κ statistics.

Conclusions:

The results arising from this clinical trial do not provide statistical evidence that one technique let us obtain better maxillary development than the other at 5 years. The use of relaxing incisions was not associated with maxillary growth impairment. A technique with limited relaxing incisions does not has better maxillary growth. Additional longer term study is necessary to confirm this preliminary report.
PREVENTING PUPILLARY CAPTURE AFTER VITRECTOMY AND TRANSSCLERAL FIXATION OF AN INTRAOCULAR LENS
Authors: Kim Dae Yune , Lim Hyung Bin , Kang Tae Seen , Kim Jung Yeul
Published: January 2017

Purpose:

To investigate the effects of concurrent iridotomy using a vitreous cutter probe on the prevention of pupillary capture in patients undergoing transscleral fixation of intraocular lens implantation.

Methods:

A total of 79 eyes from 79 patients, who underwent transscleral fixation of intraocular lens without preexisting vitreoretinal disorders and who were followed up for 6 months were included. Subjects were divided into a noniridotomy group (51 eyes) and an iridotomy group (28 eyes). After conventional 23-gauge vitrectomy and transscleral fixation of intraocular lens implantation in all patients, 28 patients underwent concurrent iridotomy intraoperatively. The patients were followed up to evaluate the incidence of surgery-related complications, including pupillary capture.

Results:

There were no statistically significant differences in the preoperative demographic findings between the two groups (all P > 0.05). There was a significant difference in pupillary capture in 15 eyes (29.4%) of the noniridotomy group, compared with 1 eye (3.6%) of the iridotomy group (P = 0.007). There were no differences in postoperative best-corrected visual acuity between the two groups, and no iridotomy-related complications were observed.

Conclusion:

Concurrent iridotomy using a vitreous cutter probe is an easy, rapid, and effective procedure to prevent possible pupillary capture after combined vitrectomy and transscleral fixation of intraocular lens implantation.
CHOROIDAL STRUCTURE ALTERED BY DEGENERATION OF RETINA IN EYES WITH RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA
Authors: Kawano Hiroki , Sonoda Shozo , Saito Shiro , Terasaki Hiroto , Sakamoto Taiji
Published: January 2017

Purpose:

To compare the structural characteristics of the choroid in the areas with greater retinal degeneration to the areas with less retinal degeneration in eyes with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods:

Patients with RP who had a hyperautofluorescent ring were studied. The choroidal images obtained by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography located 7,500 μm from the optic disk in the horizontal plane were analyzed. The cross-sectional areas of the total, luminal, and stromal choroid were measured. The area within the hyperautofluorescent ring was defined as the “central choroid” with less retinal degeneration.

Results:

Thirty-seven eyes of 24 patients with RP were studied. The cross-sectional area of the total choroid was significantly smaller in the RP eyes than that in the control eyes (P < 0.01). The stromal areas of the choroid were not significantly different from the stromal areas of the controls. However, the luminal areas of the nasal and temporal choroid in the RP eyes were significantly smaller than that of the corresponding areas of the controls. The ratio of the luminal area to the total choroidal area in the central choroid was 68.0 ± 3.3% which was significantly larger than that of the nasal or the temporal choroid (P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

The choroidal structure is differentially altered in eyes with RP. The changes in the choroid were dependent on whether they were located within the hyperautofluorescent or outside the hyperautofluorescent ring.
OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY OF THE FOVEA IN CHILDREN BORN PRETERM
Authors: Falavarjani Khalil Ghasemi , Iafe Nicholas A. , Velez Federico G. , Schwartz Steven D. , Sadda Srinivas R. , Sarraf David , Tsui Irena
Published: January 2017

Purpose:

To compare the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area measured by optical coherence tomography angiography in children who had been born preterm with age-matched controls.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional observational comparative case series, 43 eyes of 26 children (28 eyes of 15 former preterm infants and 15 eyes of 11 former term infants) between the ages of 4 and 12 years old were included. Optical coherence tomography angiography with a scan size of 3 × 3 was performed for all eyes. Foveal avascular zone area was measured using the Optovue RTVue AVANTI instrument (Optovue Inc, Fremont, CA) software. Inner and outer retinal thicknesses were measured with the instrument caliper.

Results:

A distinct FAZ was absent in 12 eyes (42.8%) of children with a history of preterm birth, however, it was present in all (100%) control eyes. The FAZ area was significantly correlated with gestational age (r = 0.82, P < 0.001) and birth weight (r = 0.80, P < 0.001). The gestational age was less than 29 weeks and birth weight was less than 1,480 grams in eyes with no distinct FAZ. Mean central foveal vessel density in the superficial capillary plexus was 41.8 ± 4.4% in the preterm group and 32.8 ± 5.8% in the control group (P < 0.001). In all eyes, a significant negative correlation was found between the central foveal vessel density and gestational age (r = −0.63, P = 0.001) and birth weight (r = −0.59, P = 0.002). On spectral domain optical coherence tomography examination, the foveal depression was absent and the inner retinal layers were preserved in all eyes with absent FAZ. In all eyes, a significant negative correlation was found between the inner retinal thickness and gestational age (r = −0.68, P < 0.001) and birth weight (r = −0.61, P = 0.001). Ten eyes of 6 preterm children had a history of laser therapy for retinopathy of prematurity. A distinct FAZ was absent in six eyes (60%) with retinopathy of prematurity with history of laser therapy, and six eyes (33.3%) with preterm birth without laser therapy. Eyes with history of laser therapy had a statistically significantly higher inner retinal thickness and central foveal vessel density and smaller FAZ compared with the eyes with preterm birth without laser therapy (P < 0.001, P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusion:

Optical coherence tomography angiography is a novel modality for noninvasive visualization of the retinal vasculature in pediatric patients and expands our knowledge of foveal abnormalities in retinopathy of prematurity. A small or absent FAZ seems to be a distinct sign of prematurity.
VITRECTOMY FOR PERSISTENT MACULAR HOLES FOLLOWING OCRIPLASMIN INJECTION
Authors: Schumann Ricarda G. , Wolf Armin , Hoerauf Hans , Lommatzsch Albrecht , Maier Mathias , Wachtlin Joachim , Koss Michael J. , Kreutzer Thomas , Bertelmann Thomas , Kazerounian Sara , Mennel Stefan , Priglinger Siegfried G. ,   on behalf of the German EXPORT [expert grading of ocriplasmin treatment effects] Study Group
Published: January 2017

Purpose:

To determine functional and anatomical outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy for persistent full-thickness macular hole (MH) after intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin.

Methods:

This is a multicenter retrospective interventional study of 37 eyes of 37 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for persistent MH after ocriplasmin treatment between December 2013 and December 2015 and comparison with 35 eyes of 35 patients who were offered ocriplasmin injection but underwent pars plana vitrectomy alone without pharmacologic vitreolysis before surgery. In addition, 24 matched pairs (MH diameter at baseline ±5 µm) were analyzed. Clinical data such as visual acuity, intraoperative characteristics, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography images were reviewed. Main outcome measures were visual acuity and MH closure rate.

Results:

After a mean follow-up period of 9 months, postoperative mean visual acuity showed no significant differences between ocriplasmin-treated eyes (logarithm of minimum angle of resolution 0.37 ± 0.26, Snellen 20/47) and eyes without ocriplasmin treatment (logarithm of minimum angle of resolution 0.39 ± 0.25; Snellen 20/49) (P > 0.9). After ocriplasmin injection, mean MH diameter enlarged from 217 ± 102 µm to 384 ± 239 µm (P < 0.001). Matched-pair analysis revealed no difference in gain of visual acuity between the first visit and the last follow-up (P = 0.29). Macular hole closure was observed in similar proportion in ocriplasmin-treated eyes (97%) and vitrectomy-only eyes (94%) (P > 0.5).

Conlcusion:

Eyes with persistent MH after ocriplasmin injection showed significant visual improvement after pars plana vitrectomy. Matched-pair analysis revealed no statistical differences in functional and anatomical postoperative results comparing with eyes of similar MH diameter that proceeded directly to surgery without ocriplasmin pretreatment.
ASSESSMENT OF RETINAL BLOOD FLOW IN DIABETIC RETINOPATHY USING DOPPLER FOURIER-DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY
Authors: Srinivas Sowmya , Tan Ou , Nittala Muneeswar G. , Wu Jennifer L. , Fawzi Amani A. , Huang David , Sadda SriniVas R.
Published: January 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate retinal blood flow measurements in normal eyes and eyes with varying levels of diabetic retinopathy (DR) using Doppler Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT).

Methods:

Twenty-two eyes of 19 subjects, 10 with severe nonproliferative DR (NPDR) and 12 with proliferative DR (PDR), were compared with 44 eyes of 40 healthy control subjects. All eyes were scanned by RTvue FD-OCT. Color disk photographs and cube/volume scans of the optic nerve head were obtained. Doppler OCT scans and accessory imaging data were imported into Doppler OCT of Retinal Circulation grading software to calculate TRBF and vascular parameters (e.g., venous and arterial cross-sectional area). Measurements were compared between cases and controls using independent t-tests.

Results:

Mean TRBF was 44.98 ± 9.80 (range: 30.18–64.58) µL/minute for normal eyes, 35.80 ± 10.48 (range: 20.69–49.56) µL/minute for eyes with severe NPDR, and 34.79 ± 10.61 (range: 16.77–48.9) µL/minute for eyes with PDR. Mean TRBF was significantly lower in eyes with severe NPDR (P = 0.01) and PDR (P = 0.003) than in normal eyes.

Conclusion:

Total retinal blood flow was significantly lower in eyes with severe NPDR and PDR compared with normal eyes. Retinal blood flow determined by Doppler OCT may be a useful parameter for evaluating patients with DR.
HOW VITREOMACULAR INTERFACE MODIFIES THE EFFICACY OF ANTI-VEGF THERAPY FOR MYOPIC CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION
Authors: Iacono Pierluigi , Battaglia Parodi Maurizio , Iuliano Lorenzo , Bandello Francesco
Published: January 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab in the treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) complicated by vitreoretinal interface alterations.

Methods:

Thirty-two patients affected by mCNV and concurrent vitreoretinal interface disorders, including macular epiretinal membrane (18 patients), lamellar macular hole (4 patients), full-thickness macular hole (1 patient), broad/focal vitreomacular traction (3 patients), broad/focal vitreomacular adhesion (4 patients), and myopic foveoschisis (2 patients), were enrolled in a prospective study. After a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein angiography, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, each patient received a first intravitreal ranibizumab. Further re-treatments were performed in the presence of choroidal neovascularization activity (new hemorrhages, leakage on fluorescein angiography, intraretinal/subretinal fluid on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, visual acuity loss of five letters). Main outcome measure was the change in the BCVA and in the central foveal thickness. Data were compared with the historical control group with uncomplicated mCNV.

Results:

The median BCVA in the epiretinal membrane–myopic choroidal neovascularization subgroup showed a stabilization from the baseline value of 0.30 logarithm of minimal angle resolution (20/40) to 0.40 (20/50,P: 0.49) at the last visit (30 ± 13 months). Median BCVA significantly improved from 0.30 (20/40) to 0.10 (20/25,P: 0.0005) in the mCNV group and was better than the epiretinal membrane–myopic choroidal neovascularization subgroup (0.008). Central foveal thickness reduced significantly within both groups, with no difference between the groups at the final examination. Considering the vitreoretinal alterations with lower prevalence, BCVA stabilization was registered after a follow-up of 28.9 ± 13 months, with a median BCVA of 0.3 logarithm of minimal angle resolution (20/40) at the baseline and at the final examination. A nonstatistically significant reduction in the median central foveal thickness was registered at the final examination (P: 0.12).

Conclusion:

The data show that ranibizumab is effective in controlling mCNV activity when associated with vitreoretinal interface alterations. However, a visual recovery was observed only in patients with uncomplicated mCNV.
Single Center Experience of a New Endoscopic Clip in Managing Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Authors: Wander Praneet , Castaneda Daniel , D’Souza Lionel , Singh Simi , Serouya Sam , Velazquez Ana I. , Mamun Rifat , Voaklander Rebecca , Benias Petros , Carr-Locke David L.
Published: January 2017

Background:

To assess the safety and efficacy of the Instinct clip in the acute endoscopic treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB).

Materials and Methods:

This is the first large series reporting this clip in achieving hemostasis. A retrospective descriptive chart review was performed on patients presenting with recent overt GI bleeding treated with endoclip therapy at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center between May 2013 and January 2016. Results are expressed in absolute numbers, percentages, and trends.

Results:

In total, 178 consecutive patients with UGIB were included. Source of bleeding was identified as duodenal ulcer (29.2%), gastric ulcer (22.5%), gastro-esophageal junction tear (8.4%), anastomosis (5.6%), erosive gastropathy (5.6%), Dieulafoy (5.1%), gastric polyp (4.5%), postendoscopic procedure (3.9%), angioectasia (3.4%), esophageal ulcer (2.8%), benign duodenal mass (2.8%), peg tube site (2.3%), gastric neoplasm (1.7%), esophagitis (1.1%), and small bowel ulcer (1.1%). Lesions demonstrated active bleeding in 47.5% (11.3% spurting and 36.2% oozing) and nonbleeding lesions in 52.5% (25.0% visible vessel, 11.9% hematin in ulcer base, 10.0% adherent clot, 5.6% flat spot). Initial hemostasis was achieved in 96.6%. Additional methods were used in 24.1% (argon plasma coagulation and epinephrine injection in 21.3%, surgery in 0.6%, and interventional radiology in 2.2%). There were no adverse events. In-hospital rebleeding was 7.3% and 3.9% presented with rebleeding within 30 days. Average procedure duration was 22.9 minutes and average length of hospital stay was 11.3 days.

Conclusions:

The Instinct clip, when used for UGIB, seems to be safe and effective with similar rebleeding rates compared with other modalities.
Metastatic Organotropism: An Intrinsic Property of Breast Cancer Molecular Subtypes
Authors: Wei Shi , Siegal Gene P.
Published: January 2017

It has long been known that some cancers have the propensity to metastasize to certain organs thus creating a nonrandom distribution of sites for distant relapse, a phenomenon known as “metastatic organotropism.” Some of these examples include ovary primary to abdominal cavity, prostate primary to bone, and pancreas primary to liver. In contrast, other tumor types, such as mammary and renal cell carcinoma, can relapse in multiple organs although approximately half of advanced breast cancers metastasize to bone. On the other hand gene expression profiling studies have identified various breast cancer classes with prognostic significance. Recent studies have revealed that breast cancer subtypes differ not only in primary tumor characteristics but also in their metastatic behavior. In particular, the luminal tumors are remarkable for their significant bone-seeking phenotype; the HER2 subtype demonstrates a significant liver-homing characteristic; whereas so-called triple-negative breast cancers predispose to lung metastases. These findings suggest that this knowledge could potentially be utilized in the development of effective disease surveillance strategies in the pursuit of precision medicine, thus necessitating further investigation.
Astrocytic control of synaptic function
Authors: Papouin Thomas , Dunphy Jaclyn , Tolman Michaela , Foley Jeannine C. , Haydon Philip G.
Published: January 2017

Astrocytes intimately interact with synapses, both morphologically and, as evidenced in the past 20 years, at the functional level. Ultrathin astrocytic processes contact and sometimes enwrap the synaptic elements, sense synaptic transmission and shape or alter the synaptic signal by releasing signalling molecules. Yet, the consequences of such interactions in terms of information processing in the brain remain very elusive. This is largely due to two major constraints: (i) the exquisitely complex, dynamic and ultrathin nature of distal astrocytic processes that renders their investigation highly challenging and (ii) our lack of understanding of how information is encoded by local and global fluctuations of intracellular calcium concentrations in astrocytes. Here, we will review the existing anatomical and functional evidence of local interactions between astrocytes and synapses, and how it underlies a role for astrocytes in the computation of synaptic information.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Integrating Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity’.
Multiple shared mechanisms for homeostatic plasticity in rodent somatosensory and visual cortex
Authors: Gainey Melanie A. , Feldman Daniel E.
Published: January 2017

We compare the circuit and cellular mechanisms for homeostatic plasticity that have been discovered in rodent somatosensory (S1) and visual (V1) cortex. Both areas use similar mechanisms to restore mean firing rate after sensory deprivation. Two time scales of homeostasis are evident, with distinct mechanisms. Slow homeostasis occurs over several days, and is mediated by homeostatic synaptic scaling in excitatory networks and, in some cases, homeostatic adjustment of pyramidal cell intrinsic excitability. Fast homeostasis occurs within less than 1 day, and is mediated by rapid disinhibition, implemented by activity-dependent plasticity in parvalbumin interneuron circuits. These processes interact with Hebbian synaptic plasticity to maintain cortical firing rates during learned adjustments in sensory representations.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Integrating Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity’.
Variance and invariance of neuronal long-term representations
Authors: Clopath Claudia , Bonhoeffer Tobias , Hübener Mark , Rose Tobias
Published: January 2017

The brain extracts behaviourally relevant sensory input to produce appropriate motor output. On the one hand, our constantly changing environment requires this transformation to be plastic. On the other hand, plasticity is thought to be balanced by mechanisms ensuring constancy of neuronal representations in order to achieve stable behavioural performance. Yet, prominent changes in synaptic strength and connectivity also occur during normal sensory experience, indicating a certain degree of constitutive plasticity. This raises the question of how stable neuronal representations are on the population level and also on the single neuron level. Here, we review recent data from longitudinal electrophysiological and optical recordings of single-cell activity that assess the long-term stability of neuronal stimulus selectivities under conditions of constant sensory experience, during learning, and after reversible modification of sensory input. The emerging picture is that neuronal representations are stabilized by behavioural relevance and that the degree of long-term tuning stability and perturbation resistance directly relates to the functional role of the respective neurons, cell types and circuits. Using a ‘toy’ model, we show that stable baseline representations and precise recovery from perturbations in visual cortex could arise from a ‘backbone’ of strong recurrent connectivity between similarly tuned cells together with a small number of ‘anchor’ neurons exempt from plastic changes.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Integrating Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity’.
Histological and haematological analysis of the ascidianBotrylloides leachii(Savigny, 1816) during whole-body regeneration
Authors: Blanchoud Simon , Zondag Lisa , Lamare Miles D. , Wilson Megan J.
Published: January 2017

Abstract (250 words)

Whole-body regeneration, the formation of an entire adult from only a small fragment of its own tissue, is extremely rare among chordates. Exceptionally, in the colonial ascidianBotrylloides leachii, a fully functional adult is formed from their common vascular system, upon ablation of all adults from the colony, in just 10 days thanks to their high blastogenetic potential. While previous studies have identified key genetic markers and morphological changes, no study has yet focused on the haematological aspects of regeneration despite the major involvement of the remaining vascular system and the contained haemocytes in this process. To dissect this process, we analysed colony blood flow patterns using time-lapse microscopy to obtain a quantitative description of the velocity, reversal pattern, and average distance travelled by haemocytes. We also observed that flows present during regeneration are powered by temporally and spatially synchronized contractions of the terminal ampullae. In addition, we revised previous studies onB.leachiihaematology as well as asexual development using histological sectioning, and compared the role of haemocytes during whole-body regeneration. We found that regeneration starts with a rapid healing response characterized by blood clotting and infiltration of immunocytes, followed by increased activity of haemoblasts, recruitment of macrophage-like cells for clearing the tissues of debris, and their subsequent disappearance from the circulation concomitant with the maturation of a single regenerated adult. Overall, we provide a uniquely detailed account of the haematological properties of regeneratingB.leachiicolonies, providing novel lines of inquiry towards the decipherment of regeneration in chordates.
Power Analysis Provides Bounds for Genetic Architecture and Insights to Challenges for Rare Variant Association Studies
Authors: Derkach Andriy , Zhang Haoyu , Chatterjee Nilanjan
Published: January 2017

Genome-wide association studies are now shifting focus from analysis of common to uncommon and rare variants with an anticipation to explain additional heritability of complex traits. As power for association testing for individual rare variants may often be low, various aggregate level association tests have been proposed to detect genetic loci that may contain clusters of susceptibility variants. Typically, power calculations for such tests require specification of large number of parameters, including effect sizes and allele frequencies of individual variants, making them difficult to use in practice. In this report, we approximate power to varying degree of accuracy using a smaller number of key parameters, including the total genetic variance explained by multiple variants within a locus. We perform extensive simulation studies to assess the accuracy of the proposed approximations in realistic settings. Using the simplified power calculation methods, we then develop an analytic framework to obtain bounds on genetic architecture of an underlying trait given results from a genome-wide study and observe important implications for the completely lack of or limited number of findings in many currently reported studies. Finally, we provide insights into the required quality of annotation/functional information for identification of likely causal variants to make meaningful improvement in power of subsequent association tests. A shiny application,Power Analysis for GEnetic AssociatioN Tests (PAGEANT), in R implementing the methods is made publicly available.
The influence of risk on the equity share of build-operate-transfer projects
Authors: De Marco Alberto , Mangano Giulio , Narbaev Timur
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of the crucial influence of risks on the capital structure of build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The equity portion of capital injected in a BOT investment is selected as the response variable and its relation with select identified risk factors is examined using a regression analysis on a data set of BOT projects.

Findings

Results have pointed out that the level of equity is significantly influenced by several sources of risk. Country, revenue, project and special purpose vehicle-related risks have been shown to have an impact on the size of the equity share of a BOT investment.

Research limitations/implications

The results could support both investors and lenders to better define the financial leverage of BOT projects. In particular, the study could help to have a better understanding of the main factors that influence the equity apportion of capital in BOT investments.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to fulfilling the lack of works addressing the relationship between risk factors and capital structure in BOT projects. In this way, this research leads to a better understanding of the risk factors that influence the capital structure of BOT project and they have therefore been proposed as a base for the establishment of improved methods to design refined capital structures in BOT projects.
Integrated solutions for total asset management through “RIVANS”
Authors: Smyth Hedley , Anvuur Aaron M. , Kusuma Illona
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Examine the extent of integration in delivering value from design and construction (DC) activities for total asset management (TAM) and operations post-completion. DC and operations and management (OM) are both addressed. The problem owners are those in roles and organisations responsible for integrating DC with OM. The purpose of this paper is to show the extent of integration between actors along the project lifecycle. Relationally integrated value networks (RIVANS) provide the conceptual lens for the analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed method approach was used. A questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews were employed.

Findings

There is a lack of engagement between DC and OM. The trend is moving counter to integration. BIM is not found to be a technical solution.

Research limitations/implications

The mixed method helps extend the RIVANS perspective. Further research to understand and support integration is needed, especially qualitative research to provide greater granular understanding.

Practical implications

The identified trend away from integration poses management challenges in delivery and for sustainability in use. Supply chains engage specialists, yet internal and inter-organisational collaboration require management attention to value creation. This includes the DC-OM interface. Both sides can benefit from increased engagement.

Social implications

Infrastructure and property provision will continue to fall short of user and environmental functionality without improved integration.

Originality/value

A contribution to the project and asset management interface is made, showing low integration, disengaged asset management. BIM is unable to plug the gaps. The RIVANS analytical lens provides a perspective for improvement.
Fundamental studies on tribolayers created by lubricating pastes with new additive packages
Authors: Busch Christian , Weber Simon , Schneider Reinhardt
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper, an R&D project, is to select Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)-unclassified white solid lubricants for formulating special lubricating oils, greases and pastes to prevent tribological systems against fretting wear.

Design/methodology/approach

The scientific methodology reads as follows: market research to select appropriate additives according to the purpose of the R&D project; screening tests to determine the technical performance of the additives; advanced technical studies and tests to validate the technical performance of the lubricating additives; determination of the reaction layers; and clarification of the build-up mechanism of the reaction layers (practical tests).

Findings

The findings of the R&D project can be summarized as follows: the selected white solid lubricants perform in lubricating oils, greases and pastes highly effective against fretting wear. The performance could be shown on the basis of representative test results and highlights its advantages compared to the state of the art.

Research limitations/implications

The research team faced some challenges during the R&D project – the unsuitability of standard test measurements as well as DIN, ISO and ASTM test parameters led to limitations and increased effort.

Originality/value

The motivation and main target to conduct the R&D project was to increase the consumer and operator safety by using unclassified (GHS) high performance lubricants. The findings of the project show clearly that the tasks could be fulfilled. Special, unclassified (GHS) selected white solid lubricants are able to form a reaction layer on metal surfaces and separate effectively the surfaces within the tribological system. No fretting wear accrued. The consumer can gain substantial benefits on the economical side as well as on the ecological side.
Destabilization of lubrication oil micropool under charged conditions
Authors: Xie Guoxin , Cui Ziyi , Si Lina , Guo Dan
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a series of experimental results which are the extension of our previous novel observations (Xie et al., Soft Matter, 2011), which could be helpful for revealing the lubrication failure mechanism in bearings when they are exposed to an electrical environment.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental apparatus where a ball was in contact with a glass disk coated with a semi-reflective chromium layer. A small volume of oil droplet was put into the microgap of the ball-disk contact. Then, a potential was applied onto the oil micropool formed by the droplet surrounding the contact region.

Findings

It has been found that destabilization of the low-conducting oil micropool around the contact region could be induced after applying a potential. Thin oil films could be drained out of the oil pool and spread on the tribopair surfaces, resulting in the depletion of the oil pool. When the applied potential was increased, the occurrence of spreading would be easier and its development would be more obvious. In contrast, the electrospreading behavior would be suppressed when the oil viscosity, contact load and oil pool size were increased. Thermocapillary force due to thermal effect as a result of the current flow near the oil pool border has been proposed as the main driving force for the spreading behavior. The influences of the operating parameters have been ascribed to the change of the electric current near the oil pool border as well as the corresponding variations in the temperature rise and the surface tension of the oil pool.

Originality/value

This is the first study to directly observe that the lubricant oil micropool around the contact region could deplete after applying a potential, potentially resulting in oil starvation in the contact region.
Friction characteristics of hybrid magnesium alloy composites reinforced with carbon nanotube and cerium
Authors: Sari Fatma Nazli , Karamis Mehmet Baki , Kaya Yahya
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to clarify the hybrid Mg alloy composites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and Cerium (Ce) rare earth element tribological properties were investigated by using pin-on-disk test configuration under dry and lubricated sliding conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for an experimental study with composite samples under lubricated conditions. Their tribological properties were investigated by using pin-on-disk test configuration under dry and lubricated sliding conditions. Wear tests were carried out at 20°C temperature. Wear behavior of Mg alloy composites was evaluated as maximum coefficient of friction and the variation of the maximum frictional forces of the samples.

Findings

The reinforcements such as Ce and MWCNT have a decreasing effect between 100 and 200 rpm speed tests for friction coefficient and friction force of Mg alloy. The microstructure has an important effect on the wear mechanism. There can be both adhesive and abrasive wear mechanism for the same composite at different sliding speeds. It is determined that there is no systematic relationship between reinforcement percent and sliding speed related to wear behavior of AZ 41 matrix composites reinforced with CNT and Ce. The results indicate that different wear mechanisms occur at different sliding speeds. The sliding speed has effect on both an increment and decrement for wear.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the different reinforced composite samples further.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of a hybrid composite reinforced with rare earth elements and MWCNT.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study a hybrid composite reinforced with rare earth elements and MWCNT.
Doctoring the ball
Authors: Daude Christian , Gutierrez Hamlet , Melguizo Angel
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Tax incentives can be a useful tool to stimulate investment in developing countries. However, interest groups often are able to exert considerable influence in its management, if not its design. The purpose of this paper is to use a power-based approach to the political economy of tax reform to analyse the case of tax incentives for investment in the Dominican Republic. Based on original interviews and a detailed analysis of regulations, the authors study how interest groups work within the institutional framework to seek outcomes that best fit their objectives. However, when unsuccessful, they become powerful advocates of change. These power dynamics have important implications for the design and management of tax incentives in the Dominican Republic and in other developing economies.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study based on informed interviews with policy makers, lobbyists and researchers combined with statistical and administrative information to test the main hypotheses.

Findings

While the role of influence groups in creating tax schemes has been widely studied, the authors show that these groups can also have an important role in the administration of the regime and making it more or less open to modifications. The paper shows that the capture of investment incentives has rendered the tax system rigid and unstable in the Dominican Republic, subjecting the public interest hostage to the gain of few.

Research limitations/implications

Therefore, there is a need to review and reform tax policy, not just from a technical viewpoint, but more importantly altering the political arrangements. More transparency in assessing the impact of these schemes, disclosing information of who has access to tax exemptions and budgeting the tax expenditures can also be tools to increase public control over these instruments. Also, making it more difficult to grant tax incentives, for example by asking for an ex-ante justification and quantification of the externalities supposedly being created would reduce the abuse by power groups of these instruments. Without more balanced and independent leadership, it would be extremely difficult to advance in these fields.

Originality/value

The literature on the political economy of tax incentives normally focuses on how key actors work around the institutional framework to solve conflict of interests. This paper addresses a complementary – and in the viewpoint equally relevant – aspect of the political economy of tax incentives: once enacted, vested interests have a particular motivation to keep the incentives in place, and therefore the authors should understand how key actors work from within the institutional framework to seek the outcomes that better suit their interests. The analysis focuses on Dominican Republic, based on official data and additional in-depth interviews with policy makers, entrepreneurs and consultants that assist firms with tax and regulation issues.
Contagion across exchange rates
Authors: Apergis Nicholas , Christou Christina
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate contagion across eight major exchange rates by providing more information on the role of information spillovers.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis makes use of two methodologies that capture channels of contagion. Such methodologies explicitly consider information spillovers characterized by the response of currency markets to real-time macroeconomic surprises, i.e., divergences between expectations and realizations.

Findings

The empirical findings denote the presence of contagion effects, originating from information spillovers.

Practical implications

The empirical findings provide insight about how to derive appropriate policy responses, which are crucial for policymakers to understand the source and nature of such exposures, while this insight might have some bearing with respect to the choice of an exchange-rate regime. The results from this paper may also have implications for investors in relevance to portfolio re-balancing and the construction of optimal portfolio diversification strategies.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical attempt that explores the role of informational spillovers in exchange rate markets and also explores the employment of advanced econometric methodologies to satisfy the above research goal.
Bribery: cost of doing business in Africa
Authors: Adeyeye Adefolake
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of foreign bribery and perceptions that bribery is just a cost of doing business in Africa in light of recent reports and developments in the global attempt to curb bribery and corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

The research relied on primary data from anti-corruption legislation, surveys and monitoring reports and secondary data from publicly available information, journal articles and media reports to analyse recent developments in the fight against corruption with a special focus on Africa.

Findings

The research findings and analysis suggest that foreign bribery, which is illegal but largely carried out with impunity and perceived as a just a cost of doing business in Africa, has heavy costs on developing nations and on corporations and individuals that are prosecuted. Although much has been done to curb corruption, it seems active enforcement takes place in only a limited number of countries. There is still the need for enhanced enforcement by nations, increased societal awareness of effective measures against corruption and improved corporate compliance and responsibility.

Originality/value

The paper contributes practical insights into improvements and lapses in the fight against foreign bribery and corruption. Using recent and relevant analysis, the paper revisits the resilience of bribery and corruption in spite of increased anti-corruption actions and the need for multiple and varied measures. The information provided will be useful for governments, corporations and civil society in the fight against corruption, which requires constant multilateral action and examination.
Reporting behaviors of identity theft victims: an empirical test of Black’s theory of law
Authors: Golladay Katelyn A.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine factors that influence the decision to report by victims of identity theft victimization. The study of victim decision-making is not new within the field of criminology; however, a majority of the research has focused on decision-making surrounding victims of intimate partner violence and other violent offenses. With the increase of identity theft, knowledge on how a growth in such a crime influences victims is of great concern.

Design/methodology/approach

Guided by Donald Black’s theory of the behavior of law, this study will use the 2012 Identity Theft Supplement of the National Crime Victimization Survey to identify factors that influence whether victims of identity theft report the crime to credit agencies and/or authorities.

Findings

This study finds that measures that influence reporting behaviors differ based on the method of reporting (i.e. reporting to a credit card company, law enforcement or a credit bureau). These findings provide little support for Black’s theory of law, but have several theoretical and policy implications.

Originality/value

This study provides a partial test of Black’s theory of law, as it applies to identity theft victims. While providing little support for the theory, the findings identify many areas that agencies and researchers can use to help further inform their studies and practices.
Anti-bribery laws – compliance issues in Australia
Authors: Latimer Paul
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the scope of the legal responses to bribery and particularly foreign bribery in the global context. It identifies the corrosive effect of bribery and its negative effect on the economy, before turning to Australia’s mixed response to foreign bribery.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is theoretical in nature as a review of policy, and the literature has been the main method used for analysis. Given the increasingly transnational and organised nature of foreign bribery, this paper adopts a comparative approach using Australia as the home base with some comparisons with the UK and the USA.

Findings

This paper finds that Australia’s response to foreign bribery is improving from a low base, and that this is recognised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Further improvement could be expected if there were strong government leadership and coordination of law enforcement authorities, including the police, corporate regulators and corruption authorities at the Commonwealth, state and territory levels. This paper acknowledges the work of Australia’s unfinished Senate Foreign Bribery Inquiry, which is due to report by 30 June 2017.

Practical implications

This paper revisits the debate on bribery and the response of law enforcement, highlighting the importance of effective and coordinated law enforcement. The paper will provide background for those analysing the issues with foreign bribery and the solutions for law enforcement.

Originality/value

The paper enables the reader to gain insights into the problems and causes and effects of foreign bribery. It is hoped that this paper will contribute to, and facilitate, further analysis of the most effective way to deal with bribery and the legal response.
The role of compliance in Italian banking system
Authors: Vanni Domitilla
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the role of compliance in Italian banking system and to verify its efficiency in terms of protection of stability and credibility of financial institutions, comparing solutions adopted in other European countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a comparative approach by examining the different solutions adopted in other European countries for finding analogies and differences between them.

Findings

The research has discovered a smaller development of Compliance Function in Italian banks, whose compliance risk frameworks are often still in an experimental stage rather than in other systems banks.

Research limitations/implications

A uniform model in the structure of financial institutions can be adopted to enforce the effectiveness of national regulations.

Practical implications

To ensure the independence and effectiveness of the Compliance Function, the financial institutions, especially the Italian ones, must pay great attention to the essential elements for good practices, such as a clearly defined apportionment of responsibilities and unambiguous reporting.

Social implications

The compliance culture must successfully reinforce itself in Italian firms, and for this purpose, it is necessary to persuade senior management that compliance is not a cost that should be minimized.

Originality/value

The Italian regulatory framework concerning the Compliance Function has represented a challenge for the banking industry, which should undergo a reorganization process focused on a different way of allocating responsibilities, so different solutions to the problem can be found by national legislators who need to be coordinated at an international level.
The psychology quadrant: an outcome measure based on the START risk assessment
Authors: Gill Matthew John , Brookes Samantha
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a psychological outcome tool which reflects the relationship between clusters of items on the Short Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START) risk assessment and different categories of psychological progress in male inpatient psychiatric services.

Design/methodology/approach

A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted on data from 135 male psychiatric rehabilitation patients’ START risk assessments.

Findings

PCA identified four strength psychology quadrants which were explained by a five-factor structure and four vulnerability quadrants which were explained by a four-factor structure. The development of the psychology quadrant, its usefulness in establishing a treatment pathway and areas of future research are also discussed.

Originality/value

Developing accessible, transparent outcome measures using evidence-based practice is highly relevant within the field of mental health rehabilitation.