bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A structural model of the human serotonin transporter in an outward-occluded state
Authors: Hellsberg Eva , Ecker Gerhard F. , Stary-Weinzinger Anna , Forrest Lucy R.
Published: May 2019

The human serotonin transporter hSERT facilitates the reuptake of its endogenous substrate serotonin from the synaptic cleft into presynaptic neurons after signaling. Reuptake regulates the availability of this neurotransmitter and therefore hSERT plays an important role in balancing human mood conditions. In 2016, the first 3D structures of this membrane transporter were reported in an inhibitor-bound, outward-open conformation. These structures revealed valuable information about interactions of hSERT with antidepressant drugs. Nevertheless, the question remains how serotonin facilitates the specific conformational changes that open and close pathways from the synapse and to the cytoplasm as required for transport. Here, we present a serotonin-bound homology model of hSERT in an outward-occluded state, a key intermediate in the physiological cycle, in which the interactions with the substrate are likely to be optimal. Our approach uses two template structures and includes careful refinement and comprehensive computational validation. According to microsecond-long molecular dynamics simulations, this model exhibits interactions between the gating residues in the extracellular pathway, and these interactions differ from those in an outward-open conformation of hSERT bound to serotonin. Moreover, we predict several features of this state by monitoring the intracellular gating residues, the extent of hydration, and, most importantly, protein-ligand interactions in the central binding site. The results illustrate common and distinct characteristics of these two transporter states and provide a starting point for future investigations of the transport mechanism in hSERT.
Simple methods to obtain a food listing and portion size distribution estimates for use in semi-quantitative dietary assessment methods
Authors: Hotz Christine , Abdelrahman Lubowa
Published: May 2019

Semi-quantitative dietary assessment methods are frequently used in low income countries, and the use of photographic series for portion size estimation is gaining popularity. However, when adequate data on commonly consumed foods and portion sizes are not available to design these tools, alternative data sources are needed. This study aimed to develop and test methods to: (i) identify foods likely to be consumed in a study population in rural Uganda, and; (ii) to derive distributions of portion sizes for common foods and dishes. A process was designed to derive detailed food and recipe lists using guided group interviews with women from the survey population, including a ranking for the likelihood of foods being consumed. A rapid recall method to estimate portion sizes using direct weight by a representative sample of the survey population was designed and implemented. Results were compared to data from a 24 hour dietary recall. Of the 82 food items reported in the 24 hour recall survey, 87% were among those ranked with a high or medium likelihood of being consumed and accounted for 95% of kilocalories. Of the most frequently reported foods in the 24 hour recall, portion sizes for many (15/25), but not all foods did not differ significantly (p<0.05) from those in the portion size estimation method. The percent of portion sizes reported in the 24 hour recall between the 5th and 95th percentiles determined by the portion size distribution estimation method ranged from a low of 18% up to 100%. In conclusion, a simple food listing and ranking method effectively identified foods most likely to occur in a dietary survey. A simple method to obtain reliable portion size distributions was effective for many foods, while the approach for others should be modified. These methods are an improvement on those in current use.
Maternal Obesity-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Causes Metabolic Alterations and Abnormal Hypothalamic Development in the Offspring
Authors: Park Soyoung , Jang Alice , Bouret Sebastien G.
Published: May 2019

The steady increase in the prevalence obesity and associated type II diabetes is a major health concern, particularly among children. Maternal obesity represents a risk factor that contributes to metabolic perturbations in the offspring. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has emerged as a critical mechanism involved in leptin resistance and type 2 diabetes in adult individuals. Here, we used a mouse model of maternal obesity to investigate the importance of early life ER stress in the nutritional programming of metabolic disease. Offspring of obese dams displayed increased body weight, adiposity, food intake and developed glucose intolerance. Moreover, maternal obesity disrupted the development of melanocortin circuits associated with neonatal hyperleptinemia and leptin resistance. ER stress-related genes were upregulated in the hypothalamus of neonates born to obese mothers and neonatal treatment with the ER stress-relieving drug tauroursodeoxycholic acid improved metabolic and neurodevelopmental deficits and reverses leptin resistance in neonates born to obese dams.
Topological data analysis of vascular disease: A theoretical framework
Authors: Nicponski John , Jung Jae-Hun
Published: May 2019

Vascular disease is a leading cause of death world wide and therefore the treatment thereof is critical. Understanding and classifying the types and levels of stenosis can lead to more accurate and better treatment of vascular disease. Some clinical techniques to measure stenosis from real patient data are invasive or of low accuracy.

In this paper, we propose a new methodology, which can serve as a supplementary way of diagnosis to existing methods, to measure the degree of vascular disease using topological data analysis. We first proposed the critical failure value, which is an application of the 1-dimensional homology group to stenotic vessels as a generalization of the percent stenosis. We demonstrated that one can take important geometric data including size information from the persistent homology of a topological space. We conjecture that we may use persistent homology as a general tool to measure stenosis levels for many different types of stenotic vessels.

We also proposed the spherical projection method, which is meant to allow for future classification of different types and levels of stenosis. We showed empirically using the spectral approximation of different vasculatures that this projection could provide a new medical index that measures the degree of vascular disease. Such a new index is obtained by calculating the persistence of the 2-dimensional homology of flows. We showed that the spherical projection method can differentiate between different cases of flows and reveal hidden patterns about the underlying blood flow characteristics, that is not apparent in the raw data. We showed that persistent homology can be used in conjunction with this technique to classify levels of stenosis.

The main interest of this paper is to focus on the theoretical development of the framework for the proposed method using a simple set of vascular data.
Investigations of the temperature-dependent electron paramagnetic resonance spectra and local structures for a cobalt(II) porphyrin complex within a metal–organic framework
Authors: Ding Chang-Chun , Fan Zhi-Xiang , Wu Zhen
Published: May 2019

The interaction between an adsorbed CO molecule and the unsaturated coordinated Co2+ center in the metal–organic framework (MOF) PCN-224 is investigated by analyzing the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameters (g factors and hyperfine structure constants) and the adsorption energies at various temperatures. Six- and five-coordinated octahedral models (four planar N with two and one axial CO molecules, respectively) are constructed to simulate the local structures of the Co2+ centers at different temperatures. Because of the Jahn–Teller effect of the Co2+ centers, the C2–Co–N4 and C–Co–N4 combinations undergo different tetragonal elongation distortions along the C
4 axis, characterized by the relative elongation ΔZ and displacement ΔZ′ of Co2+ at different temperatures. Given the agreement between the calculated and experimental EPR parameters, as well as the adsorption properties, the six- and five-coordinated models are regarded as suitable for low- and high-temperature systems, respectively. These studies may be helpful to understand the properties of similar MOFs with adsorbed molecules under the effect of ambient temperature.
A new BaCa(CO3)2polymorph
Authors: Spahr Dominik , Bayarjargal Lkhamsuren , Vinograd Victor , Luchitskaia Rita , Milman Victor , Winkler Björn
Published: May 2019

A new polymorph of the double carbonate BaCa(CO3)2, `aC2 phase', has been synthesized. Its structure has been obtained by density-functional-theory-based (DFT-based) model calculations and has been refined by Rietveld analysis of X-ray powder diffraction data. The structure of the new polymorph differs significantly from those of the established polymorphs barytocalcite, paralstonite and alstonite. The unit-cell parameters of the new monoclinic (space groupC2) compound area= 6.6775 (5),b= 5.0982 (4),c= 4.1924 (3) Å, β = 109.259 (1)°. The new compound has been further characterized using Raman spectroscopy. This work shows that earlier studies have misidentified the products of an established synthesis route and that findings based on the incorrect identification of the synthesis product concerning the suitability of barytocalcite as a matrix for the retention of radioactive isotopes will need to be reconsidered.
Corporate misconduct, trade credit and charitable donations: evidence from Chinese listed companies
Authors: Liu Zheming , Zeng Saixing , Xu Xiaodong , Lin Han , Ma Hanyang
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how revelations of corporate misconduct are associated with trade credit. Specifically, it investigates how this association varies in different regions, in different types of industries and in response to companies’ subsequent charitable donations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors empirically tested various hypotheses using a sample of 2,725 Chinese A-share listed companies from 2009 to 2014 based on signaling theory. Fixed effect models underpinned the methods used.

Findings

The authors found that corporate misconduct has a significant negative impact on an irresponsible company’s trade credit received and granted, and the negative impact is heterogeneous for different regions and industries. There is no evidence that charitable donations mitigate the effect on the trade credit of irresponsible companies following revelations of corporate misconduct.

Practical implications

The results suggest that listed companies in China should obey national and local laws and regulations if they wish to avoid the risk of significant trade credit loss. If a company’s violation of these laws and regulations is disclosed, making charitable donations is not an effective strategy for safeguarding trade credit.

Originality/value

This study enriches understanding on the consequences of corporate misconduct and extends the literature on trade credit. It fills a research gap by identifying the impact of corporate misconduct on trade credit.
Effect of partially wet-surface condition on the performance of fin-tube heat exchanger
Authors: Payambarpour Seyed Abdolkarim , Alhuyi Nazari Mohammad , Ahmadi Mohammad Hossein , Chamkha Ali J.
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate heat and mass transfer in a one-row heat exchanger. The required equations are obtained based on two-dimensional model analysis in a cell of the heat exchanger. By using finite difference approach, the obtained equations are solved to determine distribution of temperature and the efficiency of the heat exchanger in the case of partially wet surface. In this research, Lewis Number as unity and water vapor saturation as parabolic are assumed. Obtained results show that increase in thermal conductivity fin leads to decreasing thermal resistance; therefore, temperature changes in radial from center to out of fin are reduced and efficiency of fin increases.

Design/methodology/approach

In this regard, fin material plays a significant role in fin efficiency. Changes in airflow also result in an efficiency increase by temperature and relative humidity, and efficiency is decreased by airflow velocity increase, and these changes are almost linear. Moreover, the fins with more wet surface are more sensitive to changes in fin dimensions and air flow characteristics, and it is a result of conjugate heat transfer mechanism, in which latent heat transfer in the fins with more wet surface has a significant role.

Findings

Thermal property and geometry of the fin under wet conditions play a more important role than the fin under dry conditions. Changes in airflow result in an efficiency increase by temperature and relative humidity, and efficiency is decreased by airflow velocity increase, and these changes are almost linear. Fins with more wet surface are more sensitive to changes in fin dimensions and air flow characteristics.

Originality/value

Effects of the temperature of water supply and mass flow rate were considered in the study. The results had good agreement with actual data.
Redesigning initial teacher’s education practices with learning scenarios
Authors: Pedro Ana , Piedade João , Matos João Filipe , Pedro Neuza
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The construction of learning scenarios is a way to plan for teaching activities, promoting the development of skills related to problem solving, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. Using learning scenarios as a lesson planning strategy becomes a powerful tool in initial teacher education. On the one hand, it mobilizes teaching-related scientific concepts, and on the other hand, it offers opportunities to think on innovative pedagogic approaches involving strategies and capacities essential for the future teacher. Research shows that teacher education programs within real school contexts enriched with digital technologies represent an important factor in increasing the quality of teachers’ preparation and their future professional practice. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present the analysis of practice of design and implementation of learning scenarios in teachers’ initial education courses developed with students of teaching master degrees. Activity theory is used in the analysis of a case study of a student-teacher in Computer Science.

Findings

The results have been analyzed, contributing to the specification of the principles underlying the learning scenarios in initial teacher education.

Research limitations/implications

Results show the affordances and possibilities of using learning scenarios as structuring resources for the initial teacher education practice.

Originality/value

Therefore, the use of learning scenarios brings a set of potentialities to teacher training given its prospective nature.
Improving public works’ value for money: a new procurement strategy
Authors: Marinelli Marina , Antoniou Fani
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new procurement strategy with the aim to achieve higher value for money (VFM) in public works delivery. Its main innovation lies in the possibility of optional submission of cost-efficient design variants by any interested contractor within the context of an open procedure. The final scope of works incorporates the variants approved, and all contractors are invited to submit a bid for the revised scope and budget.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a piece of applied research presenting the development of a new, cost-effective procurement strategy for public works, geared at the European Union (EU) legal framework. The strategy’s feature compilation has been based on comprehensive literature review while numerical data from a real world project were used to demonstrate its financial advantages.

Findings

The proposed strategy enables the delivery of the best value project at the lowest cost possible. This is achieved through ensuring high competition among competent contractors, improving the cost efficiency of technical solutions, discouraging future scope changes and establishing objectivity, fairness and transparency in the process of contract award.

Practical implications

The use of the proposed strategy results in public projects of enhanced VFM, reduced constructability issues and less scope changes during the construction stage.

Originality/value

The proposed strategy marks a new approach in procurement which enables the delivery of best VFM in public works. Therefore, it makes a valuable contribution towards the achievement of the overarching EU target for efficient public spending.
Cost overruns of public sector construction projects: a developing country perspective
Authors: Asiedu Richard Ohene , Adaku Ebenezer
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Cost overrun of construction projects has been a key concern for all stakeholders of projects for many decades now. Many studies have been done in the past and continue to be done currently to understand the underlying causes of construction project cost overruns. However, the empirical evidence of the causes seem not be clear due to the silo approach in understanding the causes of construction project cost overruns. The purpose of this paper is to take the debate a step forward by providing an understanding of the causes of project cost overrun from a system’s perspective, especially from a less researched environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected and analysed from 131 respondents who were mainly involved in construction works in public procurement entities in Ghana. A two-staged approach was employed in collecting data from the respondents. The first stage involved an interview session with key informants in the construction industry in Ghana to ascertain the detailed causes of cost overrun of construction projects. The second stage focussed on the validation of these detailed factors by a wider stakeholder group through questionnaires. Factor analysis was employed to consolidate these detailed factors into major causes of construction project cost overruns.

Findings

The results show that there are primarily four major causes of most public sector construction projects cost overruns. These four major causes of cost overruns are poor contract planning and supervision; change orders; weak institutional and economic environment of projects and lack of effective coordination among the contracting parties.

Originality/value

The study provides more insights as to the critical and major factors that underpin public sector construction projects cost overruns and more importantly provides a basis for common treatment of the multiple risk factors engendering public sector construction projects cost overruns.
Success factors in global project management
Authors: Fossum Knut R. , Binder Jean C. , Madsen Tage K. , Aarseth Wenche , Andersen Bjorn
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and complete the existing lack of quantitative data at the crossroads between organizational support (OS) practices and project management success in global projects (GPs) and discuss implication of the results in perspective of the theory–practice gap.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on classical organizational theory and GP knowledge areas, a survey addressing GP practitioners was designed. This paper focuses on OS practices as success factors and addresses a subset of the survey (1,170 respondents across 74 countries).

Findings

OS practices included in the study were found to have high importance for managerial success. OS practices for selection and training of team members show significant correlation with project efficiency but have low adaptation in many organizations. Statistically significant correlations were found to be weaker than expected, indicating that the relation between OS practices (as success factors) and project efficiency (as success criteria) is more complex than expected.

Research limitations/implications

The work constitutes opinion-based research and is vulnerable to variations in OS practices and the definition of success in different organizations and industries. The granularity level of the theoretical framework brought about relative high-level survey questions and may impact the applicability of the results.

Practical implications

To improve the efficiency of GPs, better implementation of OS practices for selection processes and training personnel has been suggested.

Originality/value

The theoretical alignment of classical organizational variables with GP knowledge areas and associated practices provides an original approach to the “theory–practice gap” discourse.
Country dispersion in international franchising: system, proportion, and performance
Authors: Rosado-Serrano Alexander , Longobardi Teresa , Paul Justin
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether operating countries influence restaurant franchising system performance and what would be an optimal international franchise proportion.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors observed ten publicly traded franchise firms that operated between 1995 and 2015. Data analysis is conducted through a generalized linear model (GLM) of panel data.

Findings

The model confirms a curvilinear U-shaped relationship between international franchise expansion and firm performance, similar to domestic franchising. The authors found that international franchisors have a higher optimal franchise proportion than domestic franchisors. The authors did not find that operating countries influence firm performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to franchising literature by expanding limited empirical studies on international franchising. It provides practitioners with a new optimal franchise proportion at the international level.
The second victims’ experience and related factors among medical staff
Authors: Mohamadi-Bolbanabad Amjad , Moradi Ghobad , Piroozi Bakhtiar , Safari Hossein , Asadi Heshmatollah , Nasseri Karim , Mohammadi Hiwa , Afkhamzadeh Abdorrahim
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the second victims’ experience and its related factors among medical staff.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in public hospitals of Sanandaj, west of Iran, in 2017. The sample consisted of 338 medical staff including physicians, nurses and mid-wives. A self-report questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabs andχ2test were used for data analysis using SPSS20.

Findings

A total of 51.5 percent (n=174) of the medical staff had experienced medical error in the past year, of which 90.2 percent (n=157) had at least one of the symptoms of “second victims.” Tachycardia and sleep disturbances were the most commonly referred physical symptoms with 73 and 51.7 percent, respectively. Also, repetitive/intrusive memories and fear of reputation damage were the most commonly referred psychosocial symptoms with 68.3 and 51.7 percent, respectively. The experience of physical and psychosocial symptoms was different according to the occupational category. In addition, there was a significant association between the experience of physical symptoms with the hospital administrators’ awareness of medical errors and the consequences of medical errors for patients.

Practical implications

Adoption of coping strategies, including learning from medical errors as well as hospital administrators’ support from second victims, is recommended. It is also suggested that medical staff be informed about the consequences of medical errors as well as physical and psychological symptoms of second victims so that they can ask for help from managers and colleagues when the symptoms occur.

Originality/value

This study outlines the prevalence, the most psychological and physical symptoms, and the demographic and occupational factors associated with the second victim phenomenon in medical staff. Also, the most important strategies for coping with this phenomenon are prioritized from the perspective of medical staff.
Foreign retail banner longevity
Authors: Finnegan Carol , Tsang Seng-Su , Woodward George , Chang Jean
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a robust examination of the factors that accelerate/decelerate the divestment timing of retail banners in international markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample represents 3,235 foreign market banner operations of 132 international retailers across 144 countries using an accelerated failure time (AFT) parametric survival modelling technique.

Findings

Banner divestment is accelerated by both weak financial performance and smaller size. Furthermore, there is a synergistic negative detriment to the combination of both factors on divestment. Banner divestment is decelerated by deploying the corporation’s dominant format in the home country. Moreover, inadequately performing dominant banners are allowed more time to turn around their operations than subpar non-dominant banners. Concurrently, when host country markets are growing, poorly performing dominant banners are given more time to improve performance. When home market performance weakens, smaller, poorly performing banner divestment is accelerated.

Research limitations/implications

The large data set covers more than half of the world so the authors are limited to observing corporate divestments without the benefit of the managerial decision-making process. The authors only have access to divestment data in annual units, which limits the ability to provide precise timing information. Though the authors have a wide variation in country conditions, data on smaller, poorer countries and domestic competitors is limited.

Practical implications

Small, poorly performing retail chains in foreign markets are divested faster than their counterparts. When retailers internationalize with their dominant chains, management tends to give these banners more time to succeed than non-dominant counterparts. Evidence also suggests that managers hesitate to withdrawal from a foreign market when the dominant banner is involved, regardless of a chain’s stunted growth and subpar performance.

Originality/value

This study provides the first examination of factors driving the divestment times of international retail chains using rigorous empirical survival time methodologies.
Engaging online students through peer-comparison progress dashboards
Authors: Smith Paula
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Students studying exclusively online face the challenge of gauging their progress in relation to that of their disparate peers. The purpose of this paper is to describe the creation of a student progress “dashboard” in an online Masters programme, and the perceived effectiveness of the tool for engaging students.

Design/methodology/approach

Tableau® visualisation software was used to create a dashboard displaying cohort comparison data comprising metrics relating to the continuous assessment components of the Masters programme. An anonymous questionnaire gauged students’ perceptions of the dashboard.

Findings

Feedback from students (n=137) suggests the dashboard improved their motivation, incentivising change in study behaviours, and sense of belonging to an online community of learners. It also acted as a conversation catalyst between staff and students, whereby students more readily engaged in dialogue with their personal tutor.

Practical implications

Distance learners are more likely to feel isolated and can become demotivated, which contributes to typically higher levels of withdrawal from online programmes vs those delivered on-campus. Tutors may consider communicating progress data as dashboards to enable online students to monitor their academic progress alongside that of their peers, as a motivational tool in an otherwise disparate group of learners, and to reduce feelings of isolation by reminding distance learners that they are part of a larger online community.

Originality/value

This paper shares student and tutor perspectives on the use of dashboards to increase online students’ motivation, and examines whether the benefits of a peer-comparison dashboard are reserved for high-achieving students.
Inter-firm and intra-firm coordination of buyer-supplier collaborations in new product development under conflicts of interest
Authors: Melander Lisa , Tell Fredrik
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze coordination mechanisms in buyer-supplier collaborations in new product development (NPD) and the influence of conflicts of interest. Inter- and intra-organizational coordination mechanisms are investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings reported are based on a multiple case study consisting of four cases at two firms. Theoretical sampling consisted in selecting two projects with opposite levels of conflicts of interest between the collaborating firms. In total, 38 interviews were conducted with employees in buying and supplying firms.

Findings

The findings illustrate how inter-firm conflicts of interest affect the way firms coordinate both externally and internally. A high level of conflicts of interest related to information leakage emanated in more distant relationships with limited coordination between buyer and supplier. This restrictive relationship is also reflected in limited coordination between the buyer’s purchasing and research and development (R&D) units.

Research limitations/implications

Generalizability is limited, as only two large industrial firms have been studied, but with four projects investigated in detail. The study shows that in situations, in which there is a conflict of interest, external coordination affects the firms’ internal coordination. Conflicts of interest in buyer-supplier NPD collaborations are managed by limiting information sharing, which is reflected in the way R&D and purchasing are coordinated.

Practical implications

Managers need to be aware of that a firm’s fear of sharing information with its supplier can also transfer to intra-firm unit coordination, as R&D may limit its information sharing with purchasing. On the other hand, in buyer-supplier collaborations with little conflict of interest, firms can form close relationships. Such a close relationship is also mirrored in how R&D and purchasing openly share information and coordinate.

Originality/value

This research contributes to an increased understanding of coordination in buyer-supplier innovation collaboration. Firms not only need to consider their external coordination but also how coordination with suppliers may affect the way they coordinate in NPD projects within the firm between purchasing and R&D.
An exploratory study of visitors’ motivations at a heritage destination
Authors: Shi Xiaolin , Day Jonathon , Gordon Susan , Cai Liping , Adler Howard
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine visitors’ motivations for going to the South Luogu Alley, a famous hutong with an over 700-year history in Beijing, China.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applied a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from visitors on the main street of the South Luogu Alley.

Findings

It was found that most visitors of the hutong are casual tourists pursuing relaxation, including tension release and spending time with friends and family; seeking authenticity is not visitors’ most important motivation.

Research limitations/implications

This study used only one hutong to assess visitors’ motivations in hutong tourism, so the results may not be applicable to all hutongs.

Practical implications

The research on the demographics and different motivations of the South Luogu Alley visitors can be useful to managers of tourism-related organizations.

Social implications

This study shows that tourists with different motivations for visiting a hutong have varying requirements for authenticity. The reconstruction of some historical hutongs is not always perceived as negative, and the influence of Western cultural elements can be seen as positive if they contribute to the sustainable development of the local culture.

Originality/value

The term “hutonger,” which includes casual visitors, entertainment seekers, authenticity seekers and pure escapees, based on these respective motivations, is introduced to describe the specific groups of hutong visitors and contribute to the hutong tourism literature.
A bibliometric analysis of knowledge development in smart tourism research
Authors: Johnson Abbie-Gayle , Samakovlis Ioanna
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the production of smart tourism knowledge, thereby revealing the development of the concept through collaborative networks.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric analysis, which enables visual mapping and observation of the domain, was conducted using journal articles retrieved during the period of 2000 to 2018.

Findings

The understanding of smart tourism is shaped and enhanced through collaborative network of researchers. As the domain develops, its reach expands across different networks as well as core themes.

Research limitations/implications

Data for the study was generated from English-written journal articles that were produced from a database search of specific keywords associated with smart tourism.

Practical implications

Findings can prove useful to academic researchers and industry practitioners to aid their understanding of smart tourism research development, identify the underlying context and aid in coherent development of the concept.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the first articles to provide a greater understanding of smart tourism as a research topic by examining its evolution in an academic context through bibliometric analysis.
The “good workplace”
Authors: Gomez Rafael , Barry Michael , Bryson Alex , Kaufman Bruce E. , Lomas Guenther , Wilkinson Adrian
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to take a serious look at the relationship between joint consultation systems at the workplace and employee satisfaction, while at the same time accounting for the (possible) interactions with similar union and management-led high commitment strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Using new, rich data on a representative sample of British workers, the authors identify workplace institutions that are positively associated with employee perceptions of work and relations with management, what in combination the authors call a measure of the “good workplace.” In particular, the authors focus on non-union employee representation at the workplace, in the form of joint consultative committees (JCCs), and the potential moderating effects of union representation and high-involvement human resource (HIHR) practices.

Findings

The authors’ findings suggest a re-evaluation of the role that JCCs play in the subjective well-being of workers even after controlling for unions and progressive HR policies. There is no evidence in the authors’ estimates of negative interaction effects (i.e. that unions or HIHR negatively influence the functioning of JCCs with respect to employee satisfaction) or substitution (i.e. that unions or HIHR are substitutes for JCCs when it comes to improving self-reported worker well-being). If anything, there is a significant and positive three-way moderating effect when JCCs are interacted with union representation and high-involvement management.

Originality/value

This is the first time – to the authors’ knowledge – that comprehensive measures of subjective employee well-being are being estimated with respect to the presence of a JCC at the workplace, while controlling for workplace institutions (e.g. union representation and human resource policies) that are themselves designed to involve and communicate with workers.
Microstructure evolution and growth behavior of Cu/SAC105/Cu joints soldered by thermo-compression bonding
Authors: Guo Mengjiao , Sun F. , Yin Zuozhu
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper used a novel technique, which is thermo-compression bonding, and Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu solder to form a full intermetallic compound (IMC) Cu3Sn joints (Cu/Cu3Sn/Cu joints). The purpose of the study is to form high-melting-point IMC joints for high-temperature power electronics applications. The study also investigated the effect of temperature gradient on the microstructure evolution and the growth behavior of IMCs.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the thermo-compression bonding technique was used to form full Cu3Sn joints.

Findings

Experimental results indicated that full Cu/Cu3Sn/Cu solder joints with the thickness of about 5-6 µm are formed in a short time of 9.9 s and under a low pressure of 0.016 MPa at 450°C by thermo-compression bonding technique. During the bonding process, Cu6Sn5 grew with common scallop-like shape at Cu/SAC105 interfaces, which was followed by the growth of Cu3Sn with planar-like shape between Cu/Cu6Sn5 interfaces. Meanwhile, the morphology of Cu3Sn transformed from a planar-like shape to wave-like shape until full IMCs solder joints were eventually formed during thermo-compression bonding process. Asymmetrical growth behavior of the interfacial IMCs was also clearly observed at both ends of the Cu/SAC105 (Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu)/Cu solder joints. Detailed reasons for the asymmetrical growth behavior of the interfacial IMCs during thermo-compression bonding process are given. The compound of Ag element causes a reduction in Cu dissolution rate from the IMC into the solder solution at the hot end, inhibiting the growth of IMCs at the cold end.

Originality/value

This study used the thermo-compression bonding technique and Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu to form full Cu3Sn joints.
Genome characterization of an extensively drug‐resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 11A strain
Authors: Baek Jin Yang , Kim So Hyun , Kang Cheol‐In , Chung Doo Ryeon , Peck Kyong Ran , Ko Kwan Soo , Song Jae‐Hoon
Published: May 2019

In this study, the whole genome sequences of two Streptococcus pneumoniae clinical isolates from South Korea were determined and compared. They were found to be the same serotype (11 A) and multilocus sequence typing analysis showed that they are single‐locus variants (SLVs; ST8279 and ST166) of each other, differing at one allele (aroE). However, the ST8279 strain is extensively drug‐resistant (XDR) whereas the ST166 strain is not. The genome of the XDR strain is very similar in structure to that of two previously reported genomes, AP200 (11 A:ST62) and 70585 (5:ST5803); however, some regions were inverted and there were some exogenous regions in the ST8279 strain. It was found that 6,502 single nucleotide polymorphisms are dispersed across the genome between the two serotype 11 A ST8279 and ST166 strains. Many of them are located in genes associated with antibiotic resistance. In addition, many amino acid differences were also identified in genes involved in DNA repair (mutL, uvrA and uvrC) and recombination (recU, recR and recA). On the basis of these results, it was inferred that the XDR strain did not evolve from its SLV via a single recombination event involving a large portion of the genome including the aroE gene. Rather, the strain likely evolved through many point mutations and recombination events involving small portions of the genome.
Effectiveness of an offer of the Smoke Free smartphone application for smoking cessation: protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jackson Sarah E. , Perski Olga , Crane David , Michie Susan , West Robert , Brown Jamie
Published: May 2019

Background and aims

Smartphone applications (apps) hold promise for delivering tobacco smoking cessation support to large numbers of people at low unit cost. Smoke Free is an evidence‐informed, widely used app that is highly rated by users. This study aims to assess its effectiveness compared with no support.

Design

Two‐arm individually randomized controlled effectiveness trial.

Setting

Online trial with no restrictions on location.

Participants

English‐speaking smokers aged ≥ 18 years willing to make a quit attempt within 4 weeks from initial contact (n = 4990).

Measurements

The primary outcome measure is self‐reported 26‐week continuous smoking abstinence. Secondary outcome measures include quit attempts in the first 4 weeks post‐randomization, 12‐week continuous smoking abstinence and 26‐week continuous smoking abstinence among those who made a quit attempt.

Comments

If it is effective, the Smoke Free smartphone app is an affordable and widely implementable intervention to help smokers to quit.
Long‐term outcomes of surgical management of rectal prolapse
Authors: Ng Zi Qin , Levitt Michael , Tan Patrick , Makin Gregory , Platell Cameron
Published: May 2019

Background

Various surgical options for rectal prolapse are available but none have been shown to be clearly superior. The aims of this study were to investigate the long‐term recurrence rate of a variety of surgical approaches, their associated morbidities and the types of reoperation used to treat recurrence.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed of all cases of rectal prolapse surgery within one colorectal surgical unit between January 2000 and June 2017. Abdominal approaches consisted of rectopexy (RP) and resection rectopexy (RRP); perineal approaches included perineal rectosigmoidectomy (PR) and Delorme's repair (DR). Complications were graded according to the Clavien–Dindo classification. The median follow‐up was 4.5 years (interquartile range 1.5–10.1, maximum 16.5). Statistical analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier to determine recurrence rates.

Results

A total of 157 patients were included in the study. The numbers for each procedure were: DR (n = 55), RRP (n = 44), RP (n = 38) and PR (n = 20). The majority were females (94%). The perineal group were significantly older than the abdominal group (80 versus 67 years, P = 0.0001). At 5 years, the recurrence rates were 52%, 30%, 5% and 3% for DR, PR, RP and RRP, respectively. Morbidity was highest in PR (20%) followed by RRP (18%), RP (16%) and DR (7%) (n.s.). The overall morbidity rates for perineal group and abdominal group were 10.7% and 17.1%, respectively (n.s.).

Conclusion

Abdominal approaches have a significantly lower recurrence rate at 5 years but tend to be associated with higher morbidity.
Computer‐based intrapartum fetal monitoring and beyond: A review of the 2nd Workshop on Signal Processing and Monitoring in Labor (October 2017, Oxford, UK)
Authors: Georgieva Antoniya , Abry Patrice , Chudáček Václav , Djurić Petar M. , Frasch Martin G. , Kok René , Lear Christopher A. , Lemmens Sebastiaan N. , Nunes Inês , Papageorghiou Aris T. , Quirk Gerald J. , Redman Christopher W. G. , Schifrin Barry , Spilka Jiri , Ugwumadu Austin , Vullings Rik
Published: May 2019

The second Signal Processing and Monitoring in Labor workshop gathered researchers who utilize promising new research strategies and initiatives to tackle the challenges of intrapartum fetal monitoring. The workshop included a series of lectures and discussions focusing on: new algorithms and techniques for cardiotocogoraphy (CTG) and electrocardiogram acquisition and analyses; the results of a CTG evaluation challenge comparing state‐of‐the‐art computerized methods and visual interpretation for the detection of arterial cord pH <7.05 at birth; the lack of consensus about the role of intrapartum acidemia in the etiology of fetal brain injury; the differences between methods for CTG analysis “mimicking” expert clinicians and those derived from “data‐driven” analyses; a critical review of the results from two randomized controlled trials testing the former in clinical practice; and relevant insights from modern physiology‐based studies. We concluded that the automated algorithms performed comparably to each other and to clinical assessment of the CTG. However, the sensitivity and specificity urgently need to be improved (both computerized and visual assessment). Data‐driven CTG evaluation requires further work with large multicenter datasets based on well‐defined labor outcomes. And before first tests in the clinic, there are important lessons to be learnt from clinical trials that tested automated algorithms mimicking expert CTG interpretation. In addition, transabdominal fetal electrocardiogram monitoring provides reliable CTG traces and variability estimates; and fetal electrocardiogram waveform analysis is subject to promising new research. There is a clear need for close collaboration between computing and clinical experts. We believe that progress will be possible with multidisciplinary collaborative research.
Genetic relationships of alternative somatic cell count traits with milk yield, composition and udder type traits in Italian Jersey cows
Authors: Bobbo Tania , Roveglia Chiara , Penasa Mauro , Visentin Giulio , Finocchiaro Raffaella , Cassandro Martino
Published: May 2019

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic associations between alternative somatic cell count (SCC) traits and milk yield, composition and udder type traits in Italian Jersey cows. Alternative SCC traits were test‐day (TD) somatic cell score (SCS) averaged over early lactation (SCS_150), standard deviation of SCS of the entire lactation (SCS_SD), a binary trait indicating absence or presence of at least one TD SCC >400,000 cells/ml in the lactation (Infection) and the ratio of the number of TD SCC >400,000 cells/ml to total number of TD in the lactation (Severity). Heritabilities of SCC traits, including lactation‐mean SCS (SCS_LM), ranged from 0.038 to 0.136. Genetic correlations between SCC traits were moderate to strong, with very few exceptions. Unfavourable genetic associations between milk yield and SCS_SD and Infection indicated that high‐producing cows were more susceptible to variation in SCC than low‐producing animals. Cows with deep udders, loose attachments, weak ligaments and long teats were more susceptible to an increase of SCC in milk. Overall, results suggest that alternative SCC traits can be exploited to improve cow's resistance to mastitis in Italian Jersey breed.