bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three-Dimensional Radiological Assessment of Alveolar Bone Volume Preservation Using Bovine Bone Xenograft
Authors: Al Qabbani Ali , Al Kawas Sausan , A. Razak Noor Hayati , Al Bayatti Saad Wahby , Enezei Hamid Hammad , Samsudin A. Rani , Sheikh Ab Hamid Suzina
Published: January 2018

Introduction:

Alveolar bone is critical in supporting natural teeth, dental implants as well as a removable and fixed prosthesis. Alveolar bone volume diminishes when its associated natural tooth is lost.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of bovine bone granules on alveolar bone socket augmentation for ridge preservation following atraumatic tooth extraction.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty medically fit patients (12 males and 8 females aged between 18 and 40 years) who needed noncomplicated tooth extraction of 1 mandibular premolar tooth were divided randomly and equally into 2 groups. In control group I, the empty extraction socket was left untreated and allowed to heal in a conventional way. In group II, the empty extraction socket wound was filled with lyophilized bovine bone xenograft granules 0.25 to 1 mm of size, 1 mL/vial. A resorbable pericardium membrane was placed to cover the defect. Clinical and 3-dimensional radiological assessments were performed at day 0, 3 months, and 9 months postoperative.

Results:

There were no clinical differences in general wound healing between the groups. Comparisons within the groups showed a significant difference of bone resorption of 1.49 mm (95% confidence interval, 0.63–2.35) at 3 months, and further resorption of 1.84 mm (P ≤ 0.05) at 9 months in the control group. No significant changes of bone resorption were observed in group II during the same time interval. Comparison between groups showed a significant difference of bone resorption at 3 and 9 months (2.40 and 2.88 mm, respectively).

Conclusion:

The use of lyophilized demineralized bovine bone granules in socket preservation to fill in the extraction socket seems essential in preserving the alveolar bone dimension as it showed excellent soft and hard tissue healing. This study concludes that the alveolar bone socket exhibited a dynamic process of resorption from the first day of tooth extraction. Evidence shows the possibility of using bovine bone granules routinely in socket volume preservation techniques following tooth extraction.
Randomized Trial of Division Versus Nondivision of Short Gastric Vessels During Nissen Fundoplication
Authors: Kinsey-Trotman Stephen P. , Devitt Peter G. , Bright Tim , Thompson Sarah K. , Jamieson Glyn G. , Watson David I.
Published: January 2018

Objective:

To evaluate late outcomes from a randomized trial of division versus no division of short gastric vessels during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication at up to 20 years follow-up.

Background:

Nissen fundoplication is an established procedure for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Controversy about whether side effects such as dysphagia could be reduced by division of the short gastric vessels led to the establishment of a randomized trial in 1994. Early results showed equivalent reflux control and dysphagia, but more bloating after vessel division.

Methods:

A total of 102 patients underwent a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication between May 1994 and October 1995, and were randomized to short gastric vessel division (50) versus nondivision (52). Follow-up was obtained yearly to 20 years using a standardized questionnaire administered by a blinded investigator. Clinical outcomes at 20 years or most recent follow-up were determined.

Results:

No significant differences for heartburn symptom and satisfaction scores or medication use were found between treatment groups. At 15 to 20 (mean 19.6) years follow-up, significant differences persisted for epigastric bloating: 26% versus 50% for nondivision versus division groups (P = 0.046). Heartburn symptom scores were low and not different for nondivision versus division groups (mean analog scores 1.4 vs 2.1/10, P = 0.152). Overall satisfaction after surgery was high in both groups (mean analog scores 8.1 vs 8.6/10, P = 0.989).

Conclusions:

Although laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication has durable efficacy for heartburn symptom control at up to 20 years follow-up, division of short-gastric vessels failed to confer any reduction in side effects, and was associated with persistent epigastric bloat symptoms at late follow-up in this trial.
Palliative care during and following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Mitchell Sandra A.
Published: January 2018

Purpose of review

The purpose of this review is to synthesize recent literature regarding the provision of palliative care to patients during and following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), highlighting factors which mediate impairments in health-related quality of life in this patient population, and the intervention approaches and models of care delivery that clinicians can consider to address unmet needs for palliative care and to strengthen patient and family resiliency.

Recent findings

Provision of palliative care simultaneous with the delivery of treatment directed at the underlying malignancy has emerged as a recommended practice for patients with advanced cancer and high-symptom burden, and a recent randomized trial demonstrates the effectiveness of early palliative care in reducing some of the symptom burden and mood disturbances associated with HSCT. Although more research is needed, there is an expanding body of research-tested interventions to ameliorate the physical and psychological morbidity of HSCT across the transplant trajectory.

Palliative care interventions delivered by an interdisciplinary team that includes transplant clinicians and palliative care across the HSCT trajectory can alleviate physical and psychological morbidity, thereby improving the patient and family experience of HSCT.
The intraosseous have it: A prospective observational study of vascular access success rates in patients in extremis using video review
Authors: Chreiman Kristen M. , Dumas Ryan P. , Seamon Mark J. , Kim Patrick K. , Reilly Patrick M. , Kaplan Lewis J. , Christie Jason D. , Holena Daniel N.
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Quick and successful vascular access in injured patients arriving in extremis is crucial to enable early resuscitation and rapid OR transport for definitive repair. We hypothesized that intraosseous (IO) access would be faster and have higher success rates than peripheral intravenous (PIV) or central venous catheters (CVCs).

METHODS

High-definition video recordings of resuscitations for all patients undergoing emergency department thoracotomy from April 2016 to July 2017 were reviewed as part of a quality improvement initiative. Demographics, mechanism of injury, access type, access location, start and stop time, and success of each vascular access attempt were recorded. Times to completion for access types (PIV, IO, CVC) were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test adjusted for multiple comparisons, while categorical outcomes, such as success rates by access type, were compared using χ2 test or Fisher’s exact test.

RESULTS

Study patients had a median age of 30 years (interquartile range [IQR], 25–38 years), 92% were male, 92% were African American, and 93% sustained penetrating trauma. A total of 145 access attempts in 38 patients occurred (median, 3.8; SD, 1.4 attempts per patient). There was no difference between duration of PIV and IO attempts (0.63; IQR, 0.35–0.96 vs. 0.39 IQR, 0.13–0.65 minutes, adjusted p = 0.03), but both PIV and IO were faster than CVC attempts (3.2; IQR, 1.72–5.23 minutes; adjusted p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Intraosseous lines had higher success rates than PIVs or CVCs (95% vs. 42% vs. 46%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Access attempts using IO are as fast as PIV attempts but are more than twice as likely to be successful. Attempts at CVC access in patients in extremis have high rates of failure and take a median of over 3 minutes. While IO access may not completely supplant PIVs and CVCs, IO access should be considered as a first-line therapy for trauma patients in extremis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, level III.
Understanding the document selection rationale of Library and Information Science students
Authors: Kumar Vinit , Pandey Rahul
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the document selection rationale of library and information science students to satisfy their academic needs.

Design/methodology/approach

The descriptive survey design was used for the study using questionnaire as the data collection instrument. The collected data are analysed by frequency distribution and presented using charts and tables.

Findings

The results of the study reveal the preferences of Library and Information Science (LIS) students and hints what they want from LIS literature. A majority of students prefer books in comparison to journal articles as reading material. The survey revealed a high preference towards books written by authors from national origin than international authors. Similarly, students prefer books published by the national publishers than the international publishers. The findings further suggest that the affiliation of the author is a major factor, as the students prefer books written by authors from central universities more than those written by authors belonging to state universities or authors from industry. Further, students seem to be more impressed with the books written by LIS academics than the books written by practising librarians.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of the study is that it was conducted in India, taking the case of LIS students from only two universities. To generalise the impact, similar studies should be replicated by taking a larger sample to gain a complete perspective of LIS students.

Practical implications

The findings of the study have both theoretical and practical implications. The theoretical understanding of the behaviour of LIS students will help faculty members to understand the selection rationale of students. The practical aspect of this study is that the findings will help the acquisition librarians to take informed decisions in collection building for LIS collection in their libraries.

Originality/value

Most of the studies available in LIS literature related to reading preferences, study the general aspects such as frequency of library visit, the favourite place of reading, the purpose of library visit, gender-wise distribution of library visit, and time spent in the library. There are very few studies investigating the document selection rationale of LIS students.
Reading in information behaviour and information literacy frameworks
Authors: Shenton Andrew Kenneth
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the placement of the skill of reading in models devoted to information behaviour and information literacy process frameworks, with particular attention to children and young people.

Design/methodology/approach

The work is based on an analysis of pertinent literature that has been published over a period of some 80 years. The sources include monographs, essays in books, academic journal papers, conference proceedings and articles in professional periodicals.

Findings

Much thinking on information behaviour tends to assume that reading takes place either for leisure purposes or to support study, whilst information literacy (IL) frameworks typically either emphasise higher-order reading skills or present generic stages in which reading is subsumed within a category of more abstract action. Many IL models implicitly assume that the individual has already mastered the fundamentals of reading.

Research limitations/implications

Although extensive, the author’s literature review is by no means exhaustive. It does not refer to all models of either information behaviour or information literacy.

Practical implications

Information professionals need to acknowledge the true variety of motivations that prompt young people to read, and those responsible for information literacy instruction must determine how far they view their role as providing teaching in basic reading skills.

Originality/value

The paper is unusual in examining reading from two quite different perspectives - those of information behaviour and information literacy - and, despite its academic orientation, concludes with a range of suggestions intended to be of use to practising librarians.
Characteristics, preferences and motivation of avid non-fiction readers
Authors: Merga Margaret Kristin , Mat Roni Saiyidi
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to provide insights into the characteristics of avid non-fiction book readers, exploring their typical demographic characteristics in relation to reading volume and frequency. It also investigates their comparative library usage in relation to avid fiction readers, as well as their motivation to read, and barriers to reading. Findings from the subset of self-identified avid non-fiction readers from the 2015 International Study of Avid Book Readers are interrogated to provide insights into this under-researched group.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have used a single-stage mixed-methods approach, using data from both qualitative and quantitative items in an international survey.

Findings

The quantitative data analysis of this study suggests that avid non-fiction book readers were more likely to be men and older than avid fiction readers, and that they also tended to read less frequently, though avid non-fiction readers tended to read a greater volume of books. Avid fiction readers reported greater library usage, and thus unsurprisingly were found to have a greater borrowing tendency than non-fiction readers. Our qualitative findings around reading motivation identified a range of recurrent themes. The authors also found three key barriers to reading: time, book access and concentration.

Originality/value

The findings of this study provide unique insights into the characteristics, preferences and motivation of avid non-fiction readers, with the relationship between pleasure and the reading of non-fiction of particular interest.
Is women empowerment a zero sum game? Unintended consequences of microfinance for women’s empowerment in Ghana
Authors: Salia Samuel , Hussain Javed , Tingbani Ishmael , Kolade Oluwaseun
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Against the background of growing concerns that development interventions can sometimes be a zero sum game, the purpose of this paper is to examine the unintended consequences of microfinance for women empowerment in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a participatory mixed-method approach including household questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews to investigate the dynamics of microfinance effects on women in communities of different vulnerability status in Ghana.

Findings

The results of hierarchical regression, triadic closure and thematic analyses demonstrate that the economic benefits of microfinance for women is also directly associated with conflicts amongst spouses, girl child labour, polygyny and the neglect of perceived female domestic responsibilities due to women’s devotion to their enterprises.

Originality/value

In the light of limited empirical evidence on potentially negative impacts of women empowerment interventions in Africa, this paper fills a critical gap in knowledge that will enable NGOs, policy makers and other stakeholders to design and implement more effective interventions that mitigate undesirable consequences.
Entrepreneurs as parents: the antecedents and consequence of parenting stress
Authors: Boz Semerci Anil , Volery Thierry
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand parenting stress of entrepreneurs and to attempt to extend the empirical evidence on the predictors and consequences of parenting stress for entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey. The quantitative research method was used. Drawing on the data of 2,051 entrepreneurs, a model was tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results reveal that social support is a strong predictor of parenting stress and that there is a direct effect between parenting stress and family to work interference (FWI). In addition, parenting stress partially mediates the relationship between social support and FWI. Adding a direct path from social support to FWI substantially improves the validity in a revised model. No effects of gender stereotypes are found.

Originality/value

This study attempts to extend previous work on parenting and vocational behavior by investigating the perceptional and stereotypical antecedents of parenting stress and examining the impact of parenting stress on FWI. To the challenges of parenting, many entrepreneurs face constant pressure to achieve a positive return in their business venture and work hard, for long hours. Therefore, a better understanding of entrepreneurs’ parenting roles and stress can shed some light on the challenges faced by self-employed individuals and contributes to the vocational behavior and career development literature and practical experiences.
Impact of Facebook on leisure travel behavior of Singapore residents
Authors: Jadhav Veena , Raman Seetha , Patwa Nitin , Moorthy Krishna , Pathrose John
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Social media has fundamentally changed the leisure travel behavior of Singapore residents. The purpose of this paper is to focus on Facebook and its impact on travel behavior. The study focuses on Singapore residents.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 16 input and five output variables were tested, with a sample of 203 Facebook users residing in Singapore. Primary data modeling was done using ADANCO, a structural equation modeling tool that uses composite modeling approach for hypothesis testing. The analysis performed an estimated structural model and then determined the best model fit by measuring reliability, validity and path analysis and estimating model parameters.

Findings

Research findings indicate that Facebook has had a strong behavioral influence on the frequency of travel, itinerary planning and social sharing, while it had no impact during the destination-selection stage of travel planning.

Originality/value

Facebook’s influence on leisure travel behavior confirms the theory of planned behavior proposed by Icek Ajzen. From Facebook’s perspective, the outcome of this study is helpful in recommending the best use of the platform for destination providers.
The Value Scorecard
Authors: Town Stephen
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the Value Scorecard framework for performance measurement and advocacy in academic and research libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a leadership perspective and an autoethnographic approach to develop and test the theory and practice of value measurement in a case study research library. A constructivist approach was taken for developing the framework, followed by quantitative and qualitative methods to develop, deepen and implement the full description.

Findings

The Scorecard proposition is summarized as previously elaborated in five papers, covering the overall framework and its implementation and more detailed theory and practice from the case library on human and relational capital assessment.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a new ontology for research libraries. Implementation has been undertaken in one case library, but the learning should be transferable to others and also potentially to other public sector or values-based organizations.

Practical implications

The Value Scorecard is shown to be applicable to organize measurement and assessment in research libraries for the demonstration and advocacy of a library’s value. It is hospitable to pre-existing data collection approaches.

Social implications

The Scorecard addresses the need to prove the social value and worth of libraries.

Originality/value

The Value Scorecard is a unique and unifying contribution to the frameworks and methods for performance measurement and advocacy in academic and research libraries. The study covers 10 years of research work to understand the concept of value in libraries, as well as 8 years of organizational development to apply this learning.
Service operations: what have we learned?
Authors: Victorino Liana , Field Joy M. , Buell Ryan W. , Dixon Michael J. , Meyer Goldstein Susan , Menor Larry J. , Pullman Madeleine E. , Roth Aleda V. , Secchi Enrico , Zhang Jie J.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify research themes in service operations that have great potential for exciting and innovative conceptual and empirical work. To frame these research themes, the paper provides a systematic literature review of operations articles published in theJournal of Service Management(JOSM). The thorough review of published work inJOSMand proposed research themes are presented in hopes that they will inspire impactful research on service operations. These themes are further developed in a companion paper, “Service operations: what’s next?” (Fieldet al., 2018).

Design/methodology/approach

TheJOSMService Operations Expert Research Panel conducted a Delphi study to generate research themes where leading-edge research on service operations is being done or has yet to be done. Nearly 700 articles published inJOSMfrom its inception through 2016 were reviewed and classified by discipline focus. The subset of service operations articles was then further categorized according to the eight identified research themes plus an additional category that primarily represented traditional manufacturing approaches applied in service settings.

Findings

From the Delphi study, the following key themes emerged: service supply networks, evaluating and measuring service operations performance, understanding customer and employee behavior in service operations, managing servitization, managing knowledge-based service contexts, managing participation roles and responsibilities in service operations, addressing society’s challenges through service operations, and the operational implications of the sharing economy. Based on the literature review, approximately 20 percent of the published work inJOSMis operations focused, with earlier articles predominantly applying traditional manufacturing approaches in service settings. However, the percentage of these traditional types of articles has been steadily decreasing, suggesting a trend toward dedicated research frameworks and themes that are unique to the design and management of services operations.

Originality/value

The paper presents key research themes for advancing conceptual and empirical research on service operations. Additionally, a review of the past and current landscape of operations articles published inJOSMoffers an understanding of the scholarly conversation so far and sets a foundation from which to build future research.
The impacts of trust and feelings on knowledge sharing among chinese employees
Authors: Zhang Michael Jijin
Published: January 2018

This article examines the differential effects of two types of trust (affect based and cognition based) and two types of feelings (ganqing and jiaoqing) on different knowledge-sharing processes (seeking, transfer, and adoption) among Chinese employees. The influences of these different types of trust and feelings on Chinese employeesʼ propensities to seek, transfer, and adopt explicit and tacit knowledge are also analyzed and discussed. The analysis shows affect-based trust increases knowledge transfer, while cognition-based trust is more important to knowledge seeking and adoption. Affect-based trust alone can facilitate the different processes of sharing explicit knowledge. Effective sharing of tacit knowledge, on the other hand, requires the simul-taneous support from affect-based trust and cognition-based trust. Ganqing and jiaoqing are also important in knowledge transfer and adoption. Either feeling may increase the likelihood to seek, transfer, and adopt explicit knowledge by itself. The influences of both feelings on tacit knowledge seeking, transfer, and adoption hinge on the presence of cognition-based trust.
Pearl millet processing: a review
Authors: Rani Savita , Singh Rakhi , Sehrawat Rachna , Kaur Barjinder Pal , Upadhyay Ashutosh
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a rich source of nutrients as compared to the major cultivated cereal crops. However, major factors which limit its utilization are the presence of anti-nutritional factors (phytate, tannins and polyphenols) which lower availability of minerals and poor keeping quality because of higher lipase activity. Therefore, this paper aims to focus on the impact of different processing methods on the nutrient composition and anti-nutritional components of pearl millet.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a literature review study from 1983 to 2017, focusing on studies related to pearl millet processing and their effectiveness in the enrichment of nutritional value through reduction of anti-nutritional compounds.

Findings

From the literature reviewed, pearl millet processing through various methods including milling, malting, fermentation, blanching and acid as well as heat treatments were found to be effective in achieving the higher mineral digestibility, retardation of off flavor, bitterness as well as rancidity problems found during storage of flour.

Originality/value

Through this review paper, possible processing methods and their impact on the nutrient and anti-nutrient profile of pearl millet are discussed after detailed studied of literature from journal articles and thesis.
Beet and orange mixed juices added with Lactobacillus acidophilus
Authors: Porto Maria Rita Alaniz , Okina Vivian Sayuri , Pimentel Tatiana Colombo , Garcia Sandra , Prudencio Sandra Helena
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate beet and orange mixed juices added with lyophilized Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotic culture.

Design/methodology/approach

Two formulations of probiotic beet and orange mixed juices (1:1 e 1:2 v/v) were prepared, stored at 4°C for 28 days and were evaluated for probiotic survival, physicochemical stability, antioxidant activity and sensory acceptance. The probiotic culture was added in a lyophilized form and was not propagated in culture media or juice.

Findings

Physicochemical characteristics (pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids and color) and antioxidant activity showed no undesirable alterations during storage. The number of probiotics followed established minimum requirement for probiotic foods (109 CFU/200mL) during the 28 days of storage. The juices showed good sensory acceptance and purchase intention, especially regarding the color of the product.

Practical implications

The beet and orange mixed juices are suitable carriers for L. acidophilus with a shelf life of at least 28 days at 4°C.

Originality/value

Direct addition of the probiotic culture could result in high probiotic survival in mixed juices, dispensing the propagation step.
Decolorization of reactive dyes, Part I: eco-friendly approach of reactive dye effluents decolorization using cationized sugarcane bagasse
Authors: Aly Amal A. , Mahmoud Safia A. , El-Apasery Morsy Ahmed
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to decolorize the effluents of textile Reactive Orange 5 and Reactive Red 195 dyes by using cationized sugarcane bagasse.

Design/methodology/approach

Cationized sugarcane bagasse was prepared and used as an adsorbent for both reactive and hydrolyzed reactive dyes. Characterization of the sugarcane bagasse structure resulted by cationization was monitored using Fourier transform–infrared, while morphologically was detected using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction.

Findings

The maximum adsorption capacities are 805, 1,664, 1,772 and 1,596 mg/g for Hydrolyzed Red 195, Hydrolyzed Orange 5, Reactive Red 195 and Reactive Orange 5 dyes, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

Factors affecting the percentage of dye removal were optimized on different parameters such as adsorbent dose and treatment time. The data were discussed using the Langmuir and Freundlich Models of adsorption.

Practical implications

The reuse of hydrolyzed reactive dyebaths gives reasonably good fastness properties on nylon fabrics.

Social implications

The study has enabled the production of an eco-friendly and less expensive method of reactive dye effluent decolorization.

Originality/value

The study provides a potentially simple approach to decolorize dye effluents of Reactive Orange 5, Red 195 dyes and also the reuse of hydrolyzed reactive dyebaths for dyeing nylon.
Family Networks’ Support to Employment Paths of Rural Youth in a Ghanaian Community
Authors: Dwumah Peter , Akuoko Kofi Osei , Yeboah Eric Henry
Published: January 2018

The study examined family networks’ support to rural young people’s past and present employment as well as their employment aspirations since research on these issues especially in African and Ghanaian context is rare. The research analysed whether or not rural youth expect and receive employment support from their family networks. Mixed method approach for collection and analysis of data from young people in Amankyea a rural community in the Atwima Nwabiagya district of Ashanti region in Ghana was used. Three (3) focus group discussions and interviews of 20 young people who were purposively selected were conducted. Questionnaires were also administered to 270 randomly selected young people in the rural community. Social capital theory was used as theoretical framework for the study. It was found that majority of the rural youth did not expect, and receive employment support from their family networks. Though rural youth did not expect support from their family networks generally, female rural youth expected and received support from their male partners. The study recommends the need to encourage family networks through workshops and seminars to prioritize employment support to rural young people to reduce reliance on government of Ghana.
Energy Balance and Power Loss Pathway Study of a 120 cc Four-Stroke Internal Combustion Engine
Authors: Blantin Jason R. , Polanka Marc D. , Ausserer Joseph K. , Litke Paul J. , Baranski Jacob A.
Published: January 2018

Efforts to improve the range and endurance of group 2 (10–25 kg), internal combustion engine (ICE) powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been underway for several years at Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). To obtain the desired performance improvements, research into improving the overall efficiency of the ICE powerplants is of great interest. The high specific energy of hydrocarbon fuels (13,000 W h/kg for gasoline), but low fuel conversion efficiency for small ICEs means that relatively minor improvements in the fuel conversion efficiency of the engines can yield large improvements in range and endurance. Little information is available however for the efficiency of ICEs in the size range of interest (10–200 cm3 displacement volume) for group 2 UAVs. Most of the currently available efficiency data for 10–200 cm3 ICEs is for two-stroke engines. The goal of this study was to provide an in-depth probe of the efficiency and energy losses of a small displacement four-stroke engine which could potentially be used to power a group 2 UAV. Energy balances were performed on a Honda GX120 four-stroke engine using empirical research methods. The engine was a 118 cm3 displacement, single cylinder ICE. Energy pathways were characterized as a percentage of the total chemical energy available in the fuel. Energy pathways were characterized into four categories: brake power, cooling load, exhaust sensible enthalpy and incomplete combustion. The effect of five operating parameters was examined in the study. Fuel conversion efficiency ranged from 22.2% to 25.8% as engine speed was swept from 2000 to 3600 RPM, from 20.8% to 27.3% as equivalence ratio was swept from 0.85 to 1.25, and from 15.7% to 24.9% as throttle was swept from 28.5% to 100%. Combustion phasing and cylinder head temperature sweeps showed only minor changes in fuel conversion efficiency.
On the Simulation Scalability of Predicting Residual Stress and Distortion in Selective Laser Melting
Authors: Li C. , Liu Z. Y. , Fang X. Y. , Guo Y. B.
Published: January 2018

Rapid heating and cooling thermal cycle of metals in selective laser melting (SLM) generates high tensile residual stress which leads to part distortion. However, how to fast and accurately predict residual stress and the resulted part distortion remains a critical issue. It is not practical to simulate every single laser scan to build up a functional part due to the exceedingly high computational cost. Therefore, scaling up the material deposition rate via increasing heat source dimension and layer thickness would dramatically reduce the computational cost. In this study, a multiscale scalable modeling approach has been developed to enable fast prediction of part distortion and residual stress. Case studies on residual stress and distortion of the L-shaped bar and the bridge structure were presented via the deposition scalability and validation with the experimental data. High residual stress gradient in the building direction was found from high tensile on the surface to high compressive in the core. The part distortion can be predicted with reasonable accuracy when the block thickness is scaled up by 50 times the layer thickness from 30 μm to 1500 μm. The influence of laser scanning strategy on residual stress distribution and distortion magnitude of the bridges has shown that orthogonal scanning pattern between two neighboring block layers is beneficial for reducing part distortion.
Crystal Structure of NisI in a Lipid-Free Form, the Nisin Immunity Protein, from Lactococcus lactis
Authors: Jeong Jin Hee , Ha Sung Chul
Published: January 2018

Nisin is a lantibiotic, a member of a family of polypeptides containing lanthionine with antimicrobial activity. Nisin-producing microorganisms require immunity proteins for self-protection from nisin itself.
Lactococcus lactis
, a microorganism that synthesizes nisin, has an integral NisFEG ABC transporter and an NisI lipoprotein that function in nisin immunity. Here, we present the crystal structure of the full length of NisI
22-C
, a lipid-free form of NisI, determined at 1.9-Å resolution. As with the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structures of the N- and C-terminal domains of NisI, NisI
22-C
is composed of N- and C-terminal domains, both of which display a fold similar to that found in SpaI, a lipoprotein with immunity against subtilin in
Bacillus subtilis
. The full-length structure of NisI
22-c
reveals a large, deep cleft by the interdomain association, one side of which is occupied by the residues important for immunity. Opposite the cleft, a shallow groove is found where nisin-interacting residues are distributed in the periphery composed of the C-terminal negative patch. Based on a sulfate ion found in the large and deep cleft, a model of NisI in complex with a farnesyl diphosphate backbone of lipid II is proposed, suggesting a mechanism for increasing the chances of encountering nisin.
Capsule Prolongs Survival of Streptococcus pneumoniae during Starvation
Authors: Hamaguchi Shigeto , Zafar M. Ammar , Cammer Michael , Weiser Jeffrey N.
Published: January 2018

Person-to-person transmission of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(the pneumococcus) may occur via environmental sources in close contact with carriers. Pneumococcal polysaccharide capsules, the determinant of serotype (or type), are heterogeneous in structure and amount, and these differences affect rates of transmission. In this study, we examined the contribution of capsule and its variations to the maintenance of pneumococcal viability under starvation conditions.
S. pneumoniae
retained its ability to colonize infant mice even after incubation for 24 h in phosphate-buffered saline at 25°C. The expression of capsule by the
cps
locus prolonged survival under these and other nutrient-poor conditions. Analysis of capsule-switch constructs showed that strain-to-strain differences in survival were due to capsule type rather than genetic background. The addition of glucose was sufficient to rescue the survival defect of the capsule-deficient derivative, demonstrating that in the absence of capsule, survival depends upon nutrient availability. During starvation, there was a decrease in capsule size and amount of capsular polysaccharide that was dependent on bacterial viability and the presence of the
cps
locus. These observations suggest that pneumococci catabolize their own capsular polysaccharide using the genes involved in its biosynthesis to maintain viability when other carbon sources are unavailable. Our findings describe a new role of the pneumococcal capsule: the prolongation of viability under nutrient-limiting conditions as would be encountered during periods when the organism is between hosts.
Translocation through the Conjugative Type IV Secretion System Requires Unfolding of Its Protein Substrate
Authors: Trokter Martina , Waksman Gabriel
Published: January 2018

Bacterial conjugation, a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer, is the major means by which antibiotic resistance spreads among bacteria (1, 2). Conjugative plasmids are transferred from one bacterium to another through a type IV secretion system (T4SS) in the form of single-stranded DNA covalently attached to a protein called relaxase. The relaxase is fully functional both in a donor cell (prior to conjugation) and recipient cell (after conjugation). Here, we demonstrate that the protein substrate has to unfold for efficient translocation through the conjugative T4SS. Furthermore, we present various relaxase modifications that preserve the function of the relaxase but block substrate translocation. This study brings us a step closer to deciphering the complete mechanism of T4SS substrate translocation, which is vital for the development of new therapies against multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria.

IMPORTANCE
Conjugation is the principal means by which antibiotic resistance genes spread from one bacterium to another (1, 2). During conjugation, a covalent complex of single-stranded DNA and a protein termed relaxase is transported by a type IV secretion system. To date, it is not known whether the relaxase requires unfolding prior to transport. In this report, we use functional assays to monitor the transport of wild-type relaxase and variants containing unfolding-resistant domains and show that these domains reduce conjugation and protein transport dramatically. Mutations that lower the free energy of unfolding in these domains do not block translocation and can even promote it. We thus conclude that the unfolding of the protein substrate is required during transport.
Characterization of Conserved and Novel Septal Factors in Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Wu Katherine J. , Zhang Jenna , Baranowski Catherine , Leung Vivian , Rego E. Hesper , Morita Yasu S. , Rubin Eric J. , Boutte Cara C.
Published: January 2018

Septation in bacteria requires coordinated regulation of cell wall biosynthesis and hydrolysis enzymes so that new septal cross-wall can be appropriately constructed without compromising the integrity of the existing cell wall. Bacteria with different modes of growth and different types of cell wall require different regulators to mediate cell growth and division processes. Mycobacteria have both a cell wall structure and a mode of growth that are distinct from well-studied model organisms and use several different regulatory mechanisms. Here, using
Mycobacterium smegmatis
, we identify and characterize homologs of the conserved cell division regulators FtsL and FtsB, and show that they appear to function similarly to their homologs in
Escherichia coli
. We identify a number of previously undescribed septally localized factors which could be involved in cell wall regulation. One of these, SepIVA, has a DivIVA domain, is required for mycobacterial septation, and is localized to the septum and the intracellular membrane domain. We propose that SepIVA is a regulator of cell wall precursor enzymes that contribute to construction of the septal cross-wall, similar to the putative elongation function of the other mycobacterial DivIVA homolog, Wag31.

IMPORTANCE
The enzymes that build bacterial cell walls are essential for cell survival but can cause cell lysis if misregulated; thus, their regulators are also essential. The number and nature of these regulators is likely to vary in bacteria that grow in different ways. The mycobacteria are a genus that have a cell wall whose composition and construction vary greatly from those of well-studied model organisms. In this work, we identify and characterize some of the proteins that regulate the mycobacterial cell wall. We find that some of these regulators appear to be functionally conserved with their structural homologs in evolutionarily distant species such as
Escherichia coli
, but other proteins have critical regulatory functions that may be unique to the actinomycetes.
Cyanide Production by
Chromobacterium piscinae
Shields It from
Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus
HD100 Predation
Authors: Mun Wonsik , Kwon Heeun , Im Hansol , Choi Seong Yeol , Monnappa Ajay K. , Mitchell Robert J.
Published: January 2018

Predation of
Chromobacterium piscinae
by
Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus
HD100 was inhibited in dilute nutrient broth (DNB) but not in HEPES. Experiments showed that the effector responsible was present in the medium, as cell-free supernatants retained the ability to inhibit predation, and that the effector was not toxic to
B. bacteriovorus
. Violacein, a bisindole secondary metabolite produced by
C. piscinae
, was not responsible. Further characterization of
C. piscinae
found that this species produces sufficient concentrations of cyanide (202 µM) when grown in DNB to inhibit the predatory activity of
B. bacteriovorus
, but that in HEPES, the cyanide concentrations were negligible (19 µM). The antagonistic role of cyanide was further confirmed, as the addition of hydroxocobalamin, which chelates cyanide, allowed predation to proceed. The activity of cyanide against
B. bacteriovorus
was found to be twofold, depending on the life cycle stage of this predator. For the attack-phase predatory cells, cyanide caused the cells to lose motility and tumble, while for intraperiplasmic predators, development and lysis of the prey cell were halted. These findings suggest that cyanogenesis in nature may be employed by the bacterial strains that produce this compound to prevent and reduce their predation by
B. bacteriovorus
.

IMPORTANCE
Bacterial predators actively attack, kill, and enter the periplasm of susceptible Gram-negative bacteria, where they consume the prey cell components. To date, the activity of
B. bacteriovorus
HD100 has been demonstrated against more than 100 human pathogens. As such, this strain and others are being considered as potential alternatives or supplements to conventional antibiotics. However, the production of secondary metabolites by prey bacteria is known to mitigate, and even abolish, predation by bacterivorous nematodes and protists. With the exception of indole, which was shown to inhibit predation, the effects of bacterial secondary metabolites on
B. bacteriovorus
and its activities have not been considered. Consequently, we undertook this study to better understand the mechanisms that bacterial strains employ to inhibit predation by
B. bacteriovorus
HD100. We report here that cyanogenic bacterial strains can inhibit predation and show that cyanide affects both attack-phase predators and those within prey, i.e., in the bdelloplast.
Extracellular DNA and Type IV Pilus Expression Regulate the Structure and Kinetics of Biofilm Formation by Nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
Authors: Das Jayajit , Mokrzan Elaine , Lakhani Vinal , Rosas Lucia , Jurcisek Joseph A. , Ray William C. , Bakaletz Lauren O.
Published: January 2018

Biofilms formed in the middle ear by nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NTHI) are central to the chronicity, recurrence, and refractive nature of otitis media (OM). However, mechanisms that underlie the emergence of specific NTHI biofilm structures are unclear. We combined computational analysis tools and
in silico
modeling rooted in statistical physics with confocal imaging of NTHI biofilms formed
in vitro
during static culture in order to identify mechanisms that give rise to distinguishing morphological features. Our analysis of confocal images of biofilms formed by NTHI strain 86-028NP using pair correlations of local bacterial densities within sequential planes parallel to the substrate showed the presence of fractal structures of short length scales (≤10 μm). The
in silico
modeling revealed that extracellular DNA (eDNA) and type IV pilus (Tfp) expression played important roles in giving rise to the fractal structures and allowed us to predict a substantial reduction of these structures for an isogenic mutant (Δ
comE
) that was significantly compromised in its ability to release eDNA into the biofilm matrix and had impaired Tfp function. This prediction was confirmed by analysis of confocal images of
in vitro
Δ
comE
strain biofilms. The fractal structures potentially generate niches for NTHI survival in the hostile middle ear microenvironment by dramatically increasing the contact area of the biofilm with the surrounding environment, facilitating nutrient exchange, and by generating spatial positive feedback to quorum signaling.

IMPORTANCE
NTHI is a major bacterial pathogen for OM, which is a common ear infection in children worldwide. Chronic OM is associated with bacterial biofilm formation in the middle ear; therefore, knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie NTHI biofilm formation is important for the development of therapeutic strategies for NTHI-associated OM. Our combined approach using confocal imaging of NTHI biofilms formed
in vitro
and mathematical tools for analysis of pairwise density correlations and agent-based modeling revealed that eDNA and Tfp expression were important factors in the development of fractal structures in NTHI biofilms. These structures may help NTHI survive in hostile environments, such as the middle ear. Our
in silico
model can be used in combination with laboratory or animal modeling studies to further define the mechanisms that underlie NTHI biofilm development during OM and thereby guide the rational design of, and optimize time and cost for, benchwork and preclinical studies.
Effectiveness of pharmacist’s intervention in the management of cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Omboni Stefano , Caserini Marina
Published: January 2018

The pharmacist may play a relevant role in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, mainly through patient education and counselling, drug safety management, medication review, monitoring and reconciliation, detection and control of specific cardiovascular risk factors (eg, blood pressure, blood glucose, serum lipids) and clinical outcomes. Systematic reviews of randomised controlled and observational studies have documented an improved control of hypertension, dyslipidaemia or diabetes, smoking cessation and reduced hospitalisation in patients with heart failure, following a pharmacist’s intervention. Limited proof for effectiveness is available for humanistic (patient satisfaction, adherence and knowledge) and economic outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach, including medical input plus a pharmacist, specialist nurse or both, and a greater involvement of community rather than hospital pharmacists, seems to represent the most efficient and modern healthcare delivery model. However, further well-designed research is demanded in order to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the impact of pharmacist’s interventions on cardiovascular disease and to identify specific areas of impact of collaborative practice. Such research should particularly focus on the demonstration of a sensitivity to community pharmacist’s intervention. Since pharmacy services are easily accessible and widely distributed in the community setting, a maximum benefit should be expected from interventions provided in this context.