bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical investigation of Vernier effect based sensors with hybrid porous silicon-polymer optical waveguides
Authors: Azuelos Paul , Girault Pauline , Lorrain Nathalie , Poffo Luiz , Hardy Isabelle , Guendouz Mohammed , Thual Monique
Published: April 2017

A new combination of porous silicon and polymer optical waveguides is investigated for two different designs of Vernier effect based sensors for the surface detection of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) molecules. The hybrid structures studied consist of two cascaded micro-resonators for one and a micro-resonator cascaded with a Mach-Zehnder for the other. Because of its high specific surface and bio-compatibility, we use porous silicon to implement the waveguides in the sensing part of the sensor into which BSA molecules are grafted. Polymer waveguides are then used for the reference part of the sensor because of their low optical losses. We consider the opto-geometric parameters of both waveguides for single mode propagation. Finally, optimized designs, taking into account standard experimental wavelength shift measurement limitation, are presented for both structures. We demonstrate a theoretical Limit Of Detection (LOD) of 0.019 pg mm−2 and a sensitivity of 12.5 nm/(pg mm−2) with these hybrid sensors. To our knowledge, these values are lower by a factor of 8 for the LOD and higher by a factor of 200 for the sensitivity, as compared to state of the art Vernier effect biosensors.
Annealing and lateral migration of defects in IIa diamond created by near-threshold electron irradiation
Authors: Wang Kaiyue , Steeds John W. , Li Zhihong , Wang Hongxing
Published: April 2017

The migration of vacancies in diamond is of considerable fundamental interest and has been widely studied previously, while the involvement of self-interstitials in diamond is less common except through centers such as 3H, 515.8 nm, 533.5 nm, and 580 nm. In this paper, the annealing and lateral migration of some interstitial-related centers in type IIa diamond are investigated by low temperature photoluminescence (PL) microscopy, and the distributions of interstitial- and vacancy-related centers are also clearly presented and discussed.
Monolithic vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser with thermally tunable birefringence
Authors: Pusch Tobias , La Tona Eros , Lindemann Markus , Gerhardt Nils C. , Hofmann Martin R. , Michalzik Rainer
Published: April 2017

The birefringence splitting in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers offers an opportunity for spintronic-based high-frequency operation. By means of coupling of the carrier spin in the active region with the photons of the laser mode, the device can be excited to oscillations in the degree of circular polarization with a frequency corresponding to the birefringence splitting. On-chip frequency tunability of those oscillations is desirable for future applications. By asymmetric current-induced heating using the elasto-optic effect, we demonstrate a reversible tuning of the birefringence splitting of 45 GHz with less than 3 dB output power penalty.
Euphausiid assemblages of the oceanographically complex north-west marine bioregion of Australia
Authors: Sutton Alicia L. , Beckley Lynnath E.
Published: April 2017

The north-west marine bioregion of Australia, which includes the waters adjacent to the Kimberley and Ningaloo coasts, is influenced by both the Indian and Pacific oceans and has high tropical biodiversity, some of which is conserved in a suite of Marine Protected Areas. In the present study, the epipelagic euphausiid assemblages of this bioregion were investigated and related to the physical and biogeochemical properties of the water column, as well as food availability. Twenty-five euphausiid species were identified, including three new records for Australian waters. Pseudeuphausia latifrons was the most abundant species, dominating the shelf waters across both study areas. Stylocheiron carinatum replaced P. latifrons in the deeper waters where species richness was greater. Off Ningaloo, there were higher concentrations of euphausiids, and this may be linked to the bathymetry, the narrowness of the shelf and the resultant effects of these features on oceanography and biogeochemistry. Assemblages were primarily structured by depth, but mean seawater density, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence and mesozooplankton abundance also significantly explained some of the variation in euphausiid assemblages. The present study has confirmed that the physical and biogeochemical properties of the water column and food availability are recurrent factors affecting euphausiid assemblage variation in the eastern Indian Ocean.
Aging as a motive for literary retranslation
Authors: Van Poucke Piet
Published: April 2017

One of the concepts that is regularly referred to in studies on retranslation, but has not yet been extensively investigated or operationalized, is the (alleged) aging of (literary) translations. While the assumption that every generation deserves its own translation of canonical literary works is taken for granted, particularly by non-academic critics of literary (re)translations, this notion does not seem to be as prevalent in academia. In this article, I review the scholarly literature on retranslation in order to determine how the concept of aging has been defined and described in translation studies so far. The findings of this survey will subsequently be tested out with a number of case studies on literary retranslation, allowing us to determine the relative importance of the concept and define its different aspects. Finally, I present the first results of an empirical pilot study on aging in literary translation, and will suggest several lines for further investigation that would allow translation studies to further operationalize the concept for future, more comprehensive and systematic analyses of aging in all its different (linguistic, translational, and cultural) aspects.
Effects of annealing temperature on nano/ultrafine-grained structure in austenite stainless steel
Authors: Gong Na , Wu Hui-bin , Niu Gang , Zhang Da
Published: April 2017

A nano/ultrafine-grained (NG/UFG) structure was obtained by heavy cold deformation (80%) and annealing in the range between 700 and 950°C for 60 s to explore the effects of temperature on the development of NG/UFG structures in austenitic stainless steel. Results showed that martensite was reversibly transformed to austenite, with the accumulation of twins, dislocations and subgrain boundaries. At 700°C, the microstructure exhibited low elongation and consisted of 65% austenite. Above 750°C, the amount of reversed austenite was nearly 100%. The tensile strength of the sample decreased slightly, whereas the elongation increased further, showing co-dependent strengthening and toughening. At 850°C, micrometre-sized grains were embedded in the nanocrystalline/ultrafine grains. In this case, both the microstructure and mechanical properties were optimal.
Effect of electropulsing-assisted turning process on AISI 5120 cementation steel
Authors: Xu Z. , Wang H. , Sun Z. , Ye Y. , Tang G.
Published: April 2017

Electropulsing was used to aid in the cutting process of the AISI 5120 cementation steel. Electropulsing is found, on the one hand, to significantly decrease the main cutting force and reduce the tool wear and, on the other hand, to largely improve the surface quality and surface hardness of the specimen. Electropulsing showed remarkable improvement in plastic deformation ability and cutting properties by inducing lubrication property. This phenomenon can be explained by the enhanced mobility of dislocations that resulted from the electroplastic effect and Joule heating.

This paper is part of a themed issue on Materials in External Fields.
Effects of alloying elements and cooling rates on the high-strength pearlite steels
Authors: Wang Mingming , Zhang Fucheng , Yang Zhinan
Published: April 2017

The effects of the alloying elements of Cr, Mn and the cooling rates after hot deformation on the microstructures and mechanical properties of pearlite steels were studied. Results show that increasing Cr and decreasing Mn significantly increase the eutectoid transformation temperature of steel. The grain sizes of prior austenite of the steels after hot deformation are ∼12 µm. However, the high-Cr–low-Mn steel exhibits a finer interlamellar spacing and some better mechanical properties than that of the high-Mn–low-Cr steel. A full pearlite microstructure with an interlamellar spacing of 97 nm was obtained on the former steel, which exhibits a hardness of HRC49, a tensile strength of 1700 MPa and an elongation of 19%.
Ancient ecstatic theater and Analytical Psychology: creating space for Dionysus
Authors: Evans Romero Constance
Published: April 2017

This paper explores links between the theatrical aspect of the Dionysian archetype and Analytical Psychology. It looks at some of the Dionysian elements in Jung’s published work and follows up with a brief exploration into how some of the potentially generative aspects of the archetype continue to be suspect in current clinical practice. Plutarch’s historic anecdote about the first actor, Thespis, and his dialogue with the Athenian Magistrate, Solon, will provide a focus with which to explore Dionysian elements within the Individuation process. A final section includes a short case history illustrating Dionysian elements unfolding in the theater of Jungian analysis.
miRCat2: accurate prediction of plant and animal microRNAs from next-generation sequencing datasets
Authors: Paicu Claudia , Mohorianu Irina , Stocks Matthew , Xu Ping , Coince Aurore , Billmeier Martina , Dalmay Tamas , Moulton Vincent , Moxon Simon
Published: April 2017

Motivation

MicroRNAs are a class of ∼21–22 nt small RNAs which are excised from a stable hairpin-like secondary structure. They have important gene regulatory functions and are involved in many pathways including developmental timing, organogenesis and development in eukaryotes. There are several computational tools for miRNA detection from next-generation sequencing datasets. However, many of these tools suffer from high false positive and false negative rates. Here we present a novel miRNA prediction algorithm, miRCat2. miRCat2 incorporates a new entropy-based approach to detect miRNA loci, which is designed to cope with the high sequencing depth of current next-generation sequencing datasets. It has a user-friendly interface and produces graphical representations of the hairpin structure and plots depicting the alignment of sequences on the secondary structure.

Results

We test miRCat2 on a number of animal and plant datasets and present a comparative analysis with miRCat, miRDeep2, miRPlant and miReap. We also use mutants in the miRNA biogenesis pathway to evaluate the predictions of these tools. Results indicate that miRCat2 has an improved accuracy compared with other methods tested. Moreover, miRCat2 predicts several new miRNAs that are differentially expressed in wild-type versus mutants in the miRNA biogenesis pathway.

Availability and Implementation

miRCat2 is part of the UEA small RNA Workbench and is freely available from http://srna-workbench.cmp.uea.ac.uk/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Using Lean Management to Reduce Emergency Department Length of Stay for Medicine Admissions
Authors: Allaudeen Nazima , Vashi Anita , Breckenridge Julia S. , Haji-Sheikhi Farnoosh , Wagner Sarah , Posley Keith A. , Asch Steven M.
Published: April 2017

Background:

The practice of boarding admitted patients in the emergency department (ED) carries negative operational, clinical, and patient satisfaction consequences. Lean tools have been used to improve ED workflow. Interventions focused on reducing ED length of stay (LOS) for admitted patients are less explored.

Objective:

To evaluate a Lean-based initiative to reduce ED LOS for medicine admissions.

Design, Setting, Patients:

Prospective quality improvement initiative performed at a single university-affiliated Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center from February 2013 to February 2016.

Intervention:

We performed a Lean-based multidisciplinary initiative beginning with a rapid process improvement workshop to evaluate current processes, identify root causes of delays, and develop countermeasures. Frontline staff developed standard work for each phase of the ED stay. Units developed a daily management system to reinforce, evaluate, and refine standard work.

Measurements:

The primary outcome was the change in ED LOS for medicine admissions pre- and postintervention. ED LOS at the intervention site was compared with other similar VA facilities as controls over the same time period using a difference-in-differences approach.

Results:

ED LOS for medicine admissions reduced 26.4%, from 8.7 to 6.4 hours. Difference-in-differences analysis showed that ED LOS for combined medicine and surgical admissions decreased from 6.7 to 6.0 hours (−0.7 hours, P = .003) at the intervention site compared with no change (5.6 hours, P = .2) at the control sites.

Conclusions:

We utilized Lean management to significantly reduce ED LOS for medicine admissions. Specifically, the development and management of standard work were key to sustaining these results.
Evidence-Based Practice Standard Care for Acute Pain Management in Adults With Sickle Cell Disease in an Urgent Care Center
Authors: Kim Sunghee , Brathwaite Ron , Kim Ook
Published: April 2017

Background:

Vaso-occlusive episodes (VOEs) with sickle cell disease (SCD) require opioid treatment. Despite evidence to support rapid pain management within 30 minutes, care for these patients does not consistently meet this benchmark. This quality improvement study sought to decrease the first analgesic administration time, increase patient satisfaction, and expedite patient flow.

Methods:

A prospective pre-/postevaluation design was used to evaluate outcomes with patients 18 years or older with VOEs in an urgent care (UC) center after implementation of evidence-based practice standard care (EBPSC). A pre- and postevaluation survey of SCD patients' satisfaction with care and analogous surveys of the UC team to assess awareness of EBPSC were used. A retrospective review of the electronic medical records of patients with VOEs compared mean waiting time from triage to the first analgesic administration and the mean length of stay (LOS) over 6 months.

Results:

Implementing EBPSC decreased the mean time of the first analgesic administration (P = .001), significantly increased patient satisfaction (P = .002), and decreased the mean LOS (P = .010).

Conclusion:

Implementing EBPSC is a crucial step for improving the management of VOEs and creating a positive patient experience. The intervention enhances the quality of care for the SCD population in a UC center.
The nature and value of terroir products
Authors: Charters Stephen , Spielmann Nathalie , Babin Barry J.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to consider place as a value proposition, in the context of Resource-Advantage Theory, by analysing the concept of terroir, including its antecedents and consequences.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conceptually analyse the role of place in marketing by contrasting terroir to three other approaches: “in the style of […]”; “made in […]” and Protected Designations of Origin. They explore the impact of terroir on a range of products, offering a series of terroir value propositions.

Findings

Versus other place links, terroir offers a more specific Resource-Advantage, operating at environmental, philosophical and commercial levels. It offers a unique form of value to both consumers (e.g. identity, authenticity, cultural rootedness) and producers (e.g. irreproducibility, potential legal protection).

Research limitations/implications

Propositions address the antecedents and consequences of the terroir designation, the impact of consumer engagement, perceived authenticity and the added value offered to other regional goods. Additionally, how terroir may form a barrier to market entry, the relationship it has with the territorial brand, whether it offers greater product longevity and how it can be used as leverage for other related place-based brands and tourism are examined.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to address terroir as a marketing concept and to situate it within other forms of place marketing. It provides a definition, outlines the ways in which terroir creates value and provides a research agenda for future engagement with the concept.
Implementing integrated marketing communications (IMC) through major event ambassadors
Authors: Turner Paul
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to identify how integrated marketing communications (IMC) was applied to a major multi-cultural sporting event, the Asian Cup 2015, through event ambassadors integrating the Kliatchko (2008) four-pillars model of IMC.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 people involved with the event, with questions designed to ascertain ways in which the multicultural communication occurred.

Findings

The four-pillars model is applicable in this case. Interviews identified that while the cultural and football issues being faced by the organisers introduced many challenges, ambassador communication proved to be an extremely effective process of IMC. The integration of ambassador communications overcame many cultural barriers with respect to language, ticketing and communication, enabling engagement of communication channels.

Research limitations/implications

This research addressed a specific multicultural event in one specific market. While providing insights into how this event managed its IMC programme, investigation into other events is required to identify whether similar results would apply.

Practical implications

The way in which the event incorporated community members into the IMC programme provides a strong opportunity to examine whether this approach could be applied by marketing managers more broadly.

Originality/value

An examination of the IMC conducted in conjunction with a major event has not featured previously, and the original way in which this event conducted its communications highlights aspects that are relevant to marketers in all organisations.
To leave or not? The impact of family support and cognitive appraisals on venture exit intention
Authors: Zhu Fei , Burmeister-Lamp Katrin , Hsu Dan Kai
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how family support affects challenge and hindrance appraisals, which in turn, influence entrepreneurs’ venture exit intention drawing on the challenge-hindrance job stressor model, family support, and the venture exit literature.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental study (Study 1) was conducted to establish the relationships among family support, challenge and hindrance appraisals, and entrepreneurs’ venture exit intention. Two survey studies (Study 2 and Study 3) were conducted to extend the external validity of findings in Study 1 and to examine whether the theoretical framework holds in both the US and Chinese contexts.

Findings

All three studies demonstrate that family support decreases entrepreneurs’ venture exit intention by reducing hindrance appraisal. Study 3 also shows the mediating role of challenge appraisal in the family support – venture exit intention relationship.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the family embeddedness perspective not only by showing its relevance to the venture exit context but also by validating the relationship of family support with cognitive appraisals and venture exit intention in two cultural contexts. It also contributes to venture exit research by highlighting the unique role of cognitive appraisals in the formation of entrepreneurs’ venture exit intention.
Factors, criteria, and determinants of the increase in the effectiveness of university education in Russia
Authors: Gushchina Elena
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to view the actual problems of the Russian system of higher education: lack of connection between labor market and market of educational services, decline in the quality of higher education in the country, reduction of intellectual potential of the youth, commercialization of higher education, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

The author offers approaches to complex evaluation of university education from the positions of social and economic effectiveness on the basis of the matrix of criteria; modern tendencies and perspectives of the development of educational environment are determined, as well as factors facilitating the achievement of the maximum effectiveness of educational activities in Russian universities.

Findings

The author offers her own vision of the main determinants of the growth of the effectiveness of university education within the framework of Russia’s integration into the global educational space.

Originality/value

The paper views the actual problems of the Russian system of higher education: lack of connection between labor market and market of educational services, decline in the quality of higher education in the country, reduction of intellectual potential of the youth, commercialization of higher education, etc.
Adaptive admissions process for effective and fair graduate admission
Authors: Zimmermann Judith , von Davier Alina , Heinimann Hans Rudolf
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Graduate admission has become a critical process for quality assurance in tertiary education. Hitherto, most research has investigated the validity of admissions instruments. However, surprisingly little work has been conducted on the overall organization of admission, which often remains “informal, ad hoc, and lacking in continuity.” The purpose of this paper is to investigate how to systematically design an admissions process for effectiveness, fairness, and the ability to continually improve, and determine how to condense and analyze the massive amount of data available from student records to obtain high-value feedback for admissions decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

An admissions process was systematically designed based on results from process management theory. Tenets of decision theory were applied to the organization of decision making and validity theory was utilized for validating admissions instruments. Performance of the implemented process was evaluated via student records covering a seven-year period.

Findings

The authors have designed a four-phase admissions process that ensures high quality through screening, scoping, selection, and evaluation/feedback. The last phase introduces closed-loop control and facilitates stabilization and continual improvement. Additionally, the authors have established a three-stage decision-making hierarchy that promotes consistency and equal treatment in admissions. The evaluations of undergraduate achievements and GRE® General Test scores indicate that both are valid admissions instruments in the European context. Finally, the evaluation of the implemented process provides evidence that decision making has effectively improved over the years and has become more consistent.

Originality/value

The systematic design of the admissions process presented generalizes well and is a significant contribution to the organization of decentralized graduate admission.
The long and winding road
Authors: Calma Angelito
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of specific learning outcomes in an undergraduate commerce degree in a large research-intensive university in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses data collected from assurance of learning activities as part of Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation. A total of 267 assessments were marked using nine different rubrics in nine different subjects. It assessed six learning outcomes.

Findings

Results indicate that a number of skills deficits exist among commerce students’ application of mathematical tools, analysis of business issues or problems, demonstration and application of theories, models or concepts, describing alternative methods of analysis, and generating supported conclusions or solutions, and analysing the research of others. These findings tell us that there are a number of higher order thinking skills that students need to develop when they pursue a commerce degree. It also creates a challenge for universities to foster an environment where these skills are developed in the curriculum.

Practical implications

The wider implications to higher education include a reconsideration of the purpose of the commerce degree, the importance of feedback from various stakeholders (e.g. alumni, employers) to inform the commerce curriculum, and the range of learning experiences that develop these skills. More importantly, this study has identified specific skills deficits across the broad generic skills embedded in the commerce degree. It can assist academic staff and program managers in planning for future curriculum improvements as they see fit in the context of their own commerce programs.

Originality/value

This is a novel contribution in that it provides specific assessment of skills deficits in business undergraduate education.
Stochastic analysis of two non-identical unit parallel system incorporating waiting time
Authors: Chopra Garima , Ram Mangey
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate various reliability metrics such as transition state probabilities, availability, reliability, mean time to failure and expected profit of two non-identical unit parallel system incorporating waiting time.

Design/methodology/approach

The present paper investigates the reliability of two non-identical unit parallel system with two types of failures: common cause failure and partial failure. Moreover, waiting time to repair, a significant aspect of reliability analysis, has also been incorporated. The considered system is assumed to function properly if at least one of the units is in operative mode. The present system is examined by using the supplementary variable technique and Laplace transformation.

Findings

Numerical calculation shows that the availability and the reliability of the system is minimum when the system is without partial failure and is maximum when the system is free from common cause failure. Finally, the cost analysis of the system reveals that the expected profit decreases with increase in service cost.

Originality/value

This paper presents a mathematical model of two dissimilar unit parallel system, through which the performance of the considered system can be improved.
Human resources ranking in a cloud-based knowledge sharing framework using the quality control criteria
Authors: Fouladi Parisa , Jafari Navimipour Nima
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a new method for evaluating the quality and prioritizing of the human resources (HRs) based on trust, reputation, agility, expertise and cost criteria in the expert cloud. To evaluate some quality control (QC) factors, a model based on the SERVQUAL is used.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim of this paper is to offer a fast and simple method for selecting the HRs by the customers. To achieve this goal, the ranking diagram of different HRs based on the different criteria of QC is provided. By means of this method, the customer can rapidly decide on the selection of the required HRs. By using the proposed method, the scores for various criteria are evaluated. These criteria are used in the ranking of each HR which is obtained based on the evaluation conducted by previous customers and their colleagues. First, customers were asked to select their needed criteria and then by constructing a hierarchical structure, the ranking diagram of different HRs is achieved. Using a ranking system based on evaluating the quality of the model, satisfy the customer needs to be based on the properties of HRs. Also, an analytical hierarchical process-based ranking mechanism is proposed to solve the problem of assigning weights to features for considering the interdependence between them to rank the HRs in the expert cloud.

Findings

The obtained results showed the applicability of the radar graph using a case study and also numerically obtained results showed that a hierarchical structure increases the quality and speed rating of HR ranking than the previous works.

Originality/value

The suggested ranking method in this paper allows the optimal selection due to the special needs of any given customer in the expert cloud.
An approach to the match between panels of experts and groups of demanders in fuzzy linguistic environments
Authors: Li Ming , Wang Jun , Xu Yingcheng
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Consulting experts is an effective way to utilize tacit resource. The purpose of the paper is to optimize the matching between panels of experts and groups of demanders to improve the efficiency of tacit knowledge sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

Experts and demanders express preferences using linguistic terms. The estimate method based on trust is developed to get missing ratings. Weights of demanders are determined and knowledge needs are identified. Three kinds of satisfaction are measured based on grey relational analysis. To maximize satisfaction of experts and demanders and safeguard meetings of knowledge needs as well as the workload of experts, the optimization model is constructed and the solution is optimal matching results.

Findings

The presented approach not only optimizes the matching between demanders and experts but also sets up a panel of experts in case that knowledge needs exceed a single expert’s capacity.

Research limitations/implications

The approach expands research works of methods for tacit knowledge sharing. The continuous updating of matching results and the processing of the data with mixing formats need to be studied further.

Practical implications

The presented approach acts as a valuable reference for the development of knowledge management systems. It can be used in any scene that needs the match between experts and demanders.

Originality/value

The approach provides a new way of helping demanders to find appropriate experts. Both experts’ and demanders’ preferences are considered. A panel of experts is set up when needed. Expert resources are utilized more efficiently and knowledge needs are met more comprehensively.
Openness and information technology: a bibliometric analysis of literature production
Authors: Blažun Vošner Helena , Bobek Samo , Sternad Zabukovšek Simona , Kokol Peter
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Research in the field of openness has become very broad and, unfortunately, also opaque. Thus, the purpose of this paper was to analyse and map the trends by applying bibliometric tools to the scientific literature published between 1990 and 2015, for descriptive bibliometric analysis, and 2011 to 2015, for content analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric analysis was used to identify document types, most prolific institutions, countries, source titles and Web of Science categories in the field of openness. Furthermore, bibliometric mapping was performed to discover country and institutional cooperation networks and to be able to understand funding opportunities for openness and information technology research. Additionally, with content analysis, scientific landscape was produced with most prolific terms and their chronological evolution through time.

Findings

The first information sources were published in 1990, and production was steady until 1998. After that period, the growth becomes exponential for the total number of information sources, as well as articles and proceedings papers, with a slight decrease in growth between 2009 and 2011. Descriptive bibliometric analysis showed that the most productive countries were the USA, the UK, Germany, China, Italy and Spain.

Originality/value

This paper presents the first holistic bibliometric analysis of the literature production concerning openness in relation to information and communication technology which helps researchers in the field to better understand the relations between themes and outsiders to get an overview of the openness scientific landscape.
Stakeholder perceptions of secondary education quality in Sokoto State, Nigeria
Authors: Ibrahim Yaro , Arshad Rozita , Salleh Dani
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This study aims to obtain stakeholder perceptions of secondary education quality in Sokoto State, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was used by conducting interviews. Data were purposively collected from a sample of 15 education stakeholders in Sokoto State, and analyzed to extract major themes using the NVivo software program.

Findings

The results of the interviews suggested that high-quality education is defined by the following seven dimensions that fell under a systems-based framework: the provision of adequate instructional materials, the provision of educational infrastructure, imparting the “right” knowledge, meeting education “yardsticks”, provision of teacher support and welfare, creating a conducive learning atmosphere and availability of high-quality teachers.

Research limitations/implications

The research is confined to the Sokoto State only. Although the findings may be applicable to other states of the Nigerian federation, the qualitative research design limits generalization beyond the present data. The research has methodological limitations in that only a qualitative approach was used in obtaining and analyzing the data.

Practical implications

This study presents dimensions of, and a definition of, secondary education quality, as perceived by education stakeholders in Sokoto State, Nigeria. This systems-based definition could be useful to the government in re-designing its educational plans and ensuring quality in secondary education programs. Once fully applied in the educational system, issues of low-quality education and graduation of unprepared students can be addressed more systematically. The goal of admitting more competent school leavers into tertiary institutions could also be pursued actively. Other social challenges, such as juvenile delinquency, can likewise be addressed. The study draws attention of those responsible for education provision in Nigeria to look inward to focus on those dimensions that need prompt and urgent improvements so that education quality can be ensured for a better society.

Originality/value

This study provides a systems-based framework of educational quality to guide school improvement efforts in Nigerian secondary schools that reflect values of regional stakeholders. This study demonstrates an easy-to-apply method for deriving educational quality indicators with stakeholder involvement. The dimensions obtained are supported by theory and the literature discussed.
Plant traits of propagule banks and standing vegetation reveal flooding alleviates impacts of agriculture on wetland restoration
Authors: Dawson Samantha K. , Warton David I. , Kingsford Richard T. , Berney Peter , Keith David A. , Catford Jane A.
Published: April 2017

Restoration of degraded plant communities requires understanding of community assembly processes. Human land use can influence plant community assembly by altering environmental conditions and species’ dispersal patterns. Flooding, including from environmental flows, may counteract land use effects on wetland vegetation. We examined the influence of land use history and flood frequency on the functional composition of wetland plant communities along a regulated river.

We applied fourth corner modelling to determine species’ trait‐based responses to flooding and land use by combining data on (i) the occupancy and abundance of species in propagule banks and standing vegetation, (ii) species traits, and (iii) environmental conditions of 22 standing vegetation and 108 soil propagule bank study sites. We used analysis of deviance to test how well each dataset characterised trait–environment interactions, and generalised linear models to identify traits related to species’ responses.

The occupancy and abundance of native species in the propagule bank and standing vegetation increased with flood frequency and decreased with duration of agricultural land use. Species in standing vegetation with water‐borne propagule dispersal (hydrochory) showed similar trends. In contrast, species with higher specific leaf area were associated with longer land use duration.

Identifying trait‐based differences in the propagule bank and standing vegetation can help disentangle effects of dispersal and environmental filters. The occupancy and abundance of hydrochorous species in standing vegetation were negatively related to land use duration, but hydrochorous species were positively related to land use duration based on their abundance in the propagule bank. This suggests that land use does not limit plant dispersal, but acts as an in situ abiotic filter, limiting species present in standing vegetation.

Synthesis and applications. Land use duration and flood frequency have opposite effects on plant community traits in floodplain wetlands of the Macquarie Marshes, Australia. Legacies of agriculture can impede restoration of plant communities. Environmental flows that increase flooding may alleviate these impacts, especially in areas that have been used for agriculture for over 20 years, by providing dispersal and environmental filters that favour native wetland species. More flooding will likely be required to restore floodplains with longer histories of agricultural land use compared to floodplains less impacted by agriculture.
Ergogenic properties of metformin in simulated high altitude
Authors: Scalzo Rebecca L. , Paris Hunter L. , Binns Scott E. , Davis Janelle L. , Beals Joseph W. , Melby Christopher L. , Luckasen Gary J. , Hickey Matthew S. , Miller Benjamin F. , Hamilton Karyn L. , Bell Christopher
Published: April 2017

Metformin augments glucose/glycogen regulation and may acutely promote fatigue resistance during high‐intensity exercise. In hypobaric environments, such as high altitude, the important contribution of carbohydrates to physiological function is accentuated as glucose/glycogen dependence is increased. Because hypoxia/hypobaria decreases insulin sensitivity, replenishing skeletal muscle glycogen in high altitude becomes challenging and subsequent physical performance may be compromised. We hypothesized that in conditions where glycogen repletion was critical to physical outcomes, metformin would attenuate hypoxia‐mediated decrements in exercise performance. On three separate randomly ordered occasions, 13 healthy men performed glycogen‐depleting exercise and ingested a low‐carbohydrate dinner (1200 kcals, <10% carbohydrate). The next morning, in either normoxia or hypoxia (FiO2=0.15), they ingested a high‐carbohydrate breakfast (1225 kcals, 70% carbohydrate). Placebo (719 mg maltodextrin) or metformin (500 mg BID) was consumed 3 days prior to each hypoxia visit. Subjects completed a 12.5 km cycle ergometer time trial 3.5 hours following breakfast. Hypoxia decreased resting and exercise oxyhemoglobin saturation (P<.001). Neither hypoxia nor metformin affected the glucose response to breakfast (P=.977), however, compared with placebo, metformin lowered insulin concentration in hypoxia 45 minutes after breakfast (64.1±6.6 μU/mL vs 48.5±7.8 μU/mL; mean±SE; P<.001). Post‐breakfast, pre‐exercise vastus lateralis glycogen content increased in normoxia (+33%: P=.025) and in hypoxia with metformin (+81%; P=.006), but not in hypoxia with placebo (+27%; P=.167). Hypoxia decreased time trial performance compared with normoxia (P<.01). This decrement was similar with placebo (+2.6±0.8 minutes) and metformin (+1.6±0.3 minutes). These results indicate that metformin promotes glycogen synthesis but not endurance exercise performance in healthy men exposed to simulated high altitude.
Access to treatment for opioid use disorders: Medical student preparation
Authors: McCance‐Katz Elinore F. , George Paul , Scott Nicole Alexander , Dollase Richard , Tunkel Allan R. , McDonald James
Published: April 2017

The current opioid epidemic requires new approaches to increasing access to treatment for patients with opioid use disorders and to improve availability of medication assisted treatment. We propose a model where medical students complete the necessary training to be eligible for the waiver to prescribe opioid medications to treat these disorders by the time of medical school graduation. This plan would increase the number of Drug Abuse Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) waivered physicians who could gain additional experience in treating substance use disorders during residency and provide the access to clinical care needed for individuals suffering with opioid use disorder. (Am J Addict 2017;26:316–318)
Efficient Bayesian Hierarchical Functional Data Analysis with Basis Function Approximations Using Gaussian–Wishart Processes
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Cox Dennis D. , Lee Jong Soo , Ren Peng , Choi Taeryon
Published: April 2017

Functional data are defined as realizations of random functions (mostly smooth functions) varying over a continuum, which are usually collected on discretized grids with measurement errors. In order to accurately smooth noisy functional observations and deal with the issue of high-dimensional observation grids, we propose a novel Bayesian method based on the Bayesian hierarchical model with a Gaussian–Wishart process prior and basis function representations. We first derive an induced model for the basis-function coefficients of the functional data, and then use this model to conduct posterior inference through Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. Compared to the standard Bayesian inference that suffers serious computational burden and instability in analyzing high-dimensional functional data, our method greatly improves the computational scalability and stability, while inheriting the advantage of simultaneously smoothing raw observations and estimating the mean-covariance functions in a nonparametric way. In addition, our method can naturally handle functional data observed on random or uncommon grids. Simulation and real studies demonstrate that our method produces similar results to those obtainable by the standard Bayesian inference with low-dimensional common grids, while efficiently smoothing and estimating functional data with random and high-dimensional observation grids when the standard Bayesian inference fails. In conclusion, our method can efficiently smooth and estimate high-dimensional functional data, providing one way to resolve the curse of dimensionality for Bayesian functional data analysis with Gaussian–Wishart processes.
Th1‐ and Th17‐polarized immune infiltrates in eosinophilic fasciitis—A potential marker for histopathologic distinction from morphea
Authors: Moy Andrea Primiani , Maryamchik Elena , Nikolskaia Olga V. , Nazarian Rosalynn M.
Published: April 2017

Background

Morphea (localized scleroderma) and eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) are rare fibrosing disorders which may present a diagnostic challenge. While histopathologic features are often distinct, in some cases there may be overlap. T‐cells contribute to etiopathogenesis of both autoimmune conditions. We sought to determine whether T‐cell immune polarization enables histopathologic distinction.

Materials & Methods

We retrospectively examined clinicopathologically confirmed cases of morphea (n = 12) and EF (n = 8) using immunohistochemistry for CD3, CD8, and dual staining for CD4 with T‐bet, GATA‐3, STAT‐3 or BNC‐2 (transcription factors reported to be specific and mutually exclusive for Th1, Th2, Th17 and Th22 cells, respectively) to characterize the T‐cell infiltrate.

Results

No significant difference in CD3+ cells was identified (P = .195), however, the CD4/CD8+ T‐cell ratio was significantly greater in morphea compared to EF (1.2 and 0.6, respectively; P = .034). Th1/Th2 was significantly lower in morphea compared to EF (1.7 and 2.7, respectively; P = .027). The percent of Th17+ cells was significantly higher in EF (P = 0.041). No significant difference in percent of Th22+ cells was identified.

Conclusion

Morphea and EF may be histopathologically distinguished based on helper T‐cell subtype polarization. These findings offer novel insight into our understanding of disease pathogenesis and support a role for Th1/Th2 immune regulation and Th17 inhibition in anti‐fibrotic therapeutic strategy.
Corticobulbar projections from distinct motor cortical areas to the reticular formation in macaque monkeys
Authors: Fregosi Michela , Contestabile Alessandro , Hamadjida Adjia , Rouiller Eric M.
Published: April 2017

Corticospinal and corticobulbar descending pathways act in parallel with brainstem systems, such as the reticulospinal tract, to ensure the control of voluntary movements via direct or indirect influences onto spinal motoneurons. The aim of this study was to investigate the corticobulbar projections from distinct motor cortical areas onto different nuclei of the reticular formation. Seven adult macaque monkeys were analysed for the location of corticobulbar axonal boutons, and one monkey for reticulospinal neurons' location. The anterograde tracer BDA was injected in the premotor cortex (PM), in the primary motor cortex (M1) or in the supplementary motor area (SMA), in 3, 3 and 1 monkeys respectively. BDA anterograde labelling of corticobulbar axons were analysed on brainstem histological sections and overlapped with adjacent Nissl‐stained sections for cytoarchitecture. One adult monkey was analysed for retrograde CB tracer injected in C5‐C8 hemispinal cord to visualise reticulospinal neurons. The corticobulbar axons formed bilateral terminal fields with boutons terminaux and en passant, which were quantified in various nuclei belonging to the Ponto‐Medullary Reticular Formation (PMRF). The corticobulbar projections from both PM and SMA tended to end mainly ipsilaterally in PMRF, but contralaterally when originating from M1. Furthermore, the corticobulbar projection was less dense when originating from M1 than from non‐primary motor areas (PM, SMA). The main nuclei of bouton terminals corresponded to the regions where reticulospinal neurons were located with CB retrograde tracing. In conclusion, the corticobulbar projection differs according to the motor cortical area of origin in density and laterality.
Mu opioid receptor signaling in the nucleus accumbens shell increases responsiveness of satiety‐modulated lateral hypothalamus neurons
Authors: Tandon Shashank , Keefe Kristen A. , Taha Sharif A.
Published: April 2017

Opioid signaling in the nucleus accumbens shell (sNAcc) has been implicated in hedonic feeding and binge eating behavior. The sNAcc projects to the lateral hypothalamus (LH), and this pathway has been suggested to modulate palatability‐driven feeding behavior. In this study, we investigated the effects of sNAcc mu opioid receptor (MOR) stimulation on firing rates of LH neurons in previously sated rats. Neural firing in the LH was recorded while food‐deprived rats performed an operant task to obtain sweetened Intralipid (a 4% fat emulsion containing 5% sucrose) before and after bilateral sNAcc infusion of either a MOR agonist [D‐Ala2, N‐MePhe4, Gly‐ol]‐enkephalin (DAMGO) or a saline control solution. During sessions in which saline was infused into the sNAcc, the number of trials completed after infusion were significantly lower than the number completed before infusion, likely reflecting animals’ increased satiety state. During sessions in which DAMGO was infused into the sNAcc, the decrease in the number of trials completed (comparing post‐ vs. pre‐infusion trials) was significantly attenuated. Electrophysiological recording showed that the percentage of LH neurons showing an excitatory response due to behavioral events (cue presentation, lever press, lever retraction, and consumption) was reduced in post vs. pre‐saline infusion period. However, the percentage of LH neurons showing excitatory responses to the same behavioral events was similar in pre‐ and post‐DAMGO infusion periods. These findings suggest that MOR stimulation in sNAcc leads to an increase in stimulus‐evoked excitatory signaling in LH neurons which could contribute to preventing satiety‐induced decline in palatable food intake.