bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critically Ill Children With Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Case Series of 14 Patients
Authors: Leow Esther Huimin , Soh Shui Yen , Tan Ah Moy , Mok Yee Hui , Chan Mei Yoke , Lee Jan Hau
Published: July 2017

Children with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) are at an increased risk of critical illness. In this study, we described the clinical characteristics of critically ill children with HLH and identify factors associated with poor clinical outcomes. Children who were diagnosed with HLH with emergent admission to Children’s Intensive Care Unit (CICU) between January 1, 2000 and October 31, 2015 were included. The primary outcome was CICU mortality. Over the 15-year period, there were 14 critically ill patients with HLH with 23 CICU admissions. Median age at HLH diagnosis was 8.2 years (interquartile range [IQR], 2.9 to 11.3). Overall CICU mortality was 8 of 23 CICU admissions (34.8%). Factors that were associated with CICU mortality in critically ill children with HLH identified in this study include: a worse median pediatric index of mortality 2 score (4.7% in survivors [IQR, 2.9% to 11.6%] vs. 2.4% [IQR, 1.2% to 4.3%];P=0.031); higher median peak serum lactate level (mmol/L) within 24 hours of admission (5.6 [IQR, 2.7 to 17.4] vs. 1.6 [IQR, 1.2 to 2.8];P=0.032); the need for mechanical ventilation (100% vs. 46.7%;P=0.019); inotropic support (87.5% vs. 20.0%;P=0.006); renal replacement therapy (50% vs. 0%;P=0.008); and blood product transfusion episodes (24.5 [IQR, 14.3 to 46.8] vs. 3.0 [IQR, 1.0 to 9.0];P=0.002). Further studies are required to validate the factors that are associated with poor outcomes in critically ill children with HLH.
Open Adoption Placement by Birth Mothers in Their Twenties
Authors: Clutter Lynn B.
Published: July 2017

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to summarize birth mothers' descriptions of unplanned pregnancy experienced in their twenties and how open adoption influenced their lives.

Study Design and Methods:

Naturalistic inquiry was used with purposive sampling from one agency and telephone interviews of women who experienced unplanned pregnancy in their twenties and relinquishment through open adoption. Recorded, transcribed, and deidentified interviews were analyzed for qualitative themes.

Results:

Fifteen participants judiciously weighed the open adoption decision. Over half parented other children prior to placement. Most knew they could not have parented this child due to life stressors. Placement was a hard decision, but ongoing contact with birth child and adoptive family was valued. Open adoption processes made them stronger by being happy that their child experienced family life with greater opportunities than birth mothers could offer at the time. Summarized themes used the acronym COMMITTED: C—care deeply about what is best for the child, O—ongoing open adoption: good and hard, M—meeting together regularly, M—moving on in personal growth, accomplishments, and milestones, I—independence from previous stressors or crises, T—transitions, T—therapeutic support, E—emotions, D—depression giving way to deepened strength and personal direction.

Clinical Implications:

Open adoption is reinforced as a positive resolution of unintended pregnancy for birth mothers in their twenties.
Cervical Squamous Carcinomas With Prominent Acantholysis and Areas Resembling Breast Lobular Carcinoma: An Aggressive Form of Dedifferentation
Authors: Scott Kerry , Bryson Gareth , Jamison Jackie , Coutts Michael , McCluggage W. Glenn
Published: July 2017

There have been occasional reports of primary cervical adenocarcinoma with areas of dedifferentiation resulting in morphologic mimicry of breast lobular carcinoma. We describe 4 cases of primary cervical squamous carcinoma with prominent acantholysis (3 cases), areas resembling breast lobular carcinoma (3 cases) or both (2 cases). All 4 tumors showed positivity with p63 and CK5/6 and 3 of 4 exhibited block-type immunoreactivity with p16. Two of the 4 cases contained high-risk human papillomavirus (types 16 and 18) on molecular testing; of the 2 cases which were human papillomavirus negative, 1 exhibited patchy nonblock immunoreactivity with p16. All cases exhibited some degree of loss of E-cadherin membranous staining in the areas of acantholysis and foci resembling breast lobular carcinoma. Three of 4 patients had extracervical spread at diagnosis; the fourth patient developed extracervical recurrence on follow-up. The initial FIGO stages were IB1, IIB (2 cases) and IVB. The 2 patients whose neoplasms were human papillomavirus negative developed distant metastases (supraclavicular, meningeal, and lung) during the course of their disease; the same 2 patients died of disease at periods of 4 mo and 1 yr after diagnosis. Cervical squamous carcinomas with acantholytic features and areas resembling breast lobular carcinoma are an unusual morphologic variant of squamous carcinoma. We consider the acantholysis and mimicry of breast lobular carcinoma to be part of a spectrum of morphologic changes, possibly related to loss of E-cadherin. These features can be regarded as a form of dedifferentiation which indicates a potential for aggressive behavior.
Data Set for the Reporting of Carcinomas of the Cervix: Recommendations From the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR)
Authors: McCluggage W. Glenn , Judge Meagan J. , Alvarado-Cabrero Isabel , Duggan Máire A. , Horn Lars-Christian , Hui Pei , Ordi Jaume , Otis Christopher N. , Park Kay J. , Plante Marie , Stewart Colin J.R. , Wiredu Edwin K. , Rous Brian , Hirschowitz Lynn
Published: July 2017

A comprehensive pathologic report is essential for optimal patient management, cancer staging and prognostication. In many countries, proforma reports are used but the content of these is variable. The International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting is an alliance formed by the Royal Colleges of Pathologists of Australasia and the United Kingdom, the College of American Pathologists, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and the European Society of Pathology, for the purpose of developing standardized, evidence-based reporting data sets for each cancer site. This will reduce the global burden of cancer data set development and reduplication of effort by different international institutions that commission, publish and maintain standardized cancer-reporting data sets. The resultant standardization of cancer-reporting benefits not only those countries directly involved in the collaboration but also others not in a position to develop their own data sets. We describe the development of an evidence-based cancer data set by the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting expert panel for the reporting of primary cervical carcinomas and present the “required” and “recommended” elements to be included in the pathology report as well as an explanatory commentary. This data set encompasses the International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Union for International Cancer Control staging systems for cervical neoplasms and the updated World Health Organization classification of gynecologic tumors. The data set also addresses controversial issues such as tumor grading and measurement, including measurement of multifocal carcinomas. The widespread implementation of this data set will facilitate consistent and accurate data collection, comparison of epidemiological and pathologic parameters between different populations, facilitate research, and hopefully result in improved patient management.
IFITM1 Outperforms CD10 in Differentiating Low-grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcomas From Smooth Muscle Neoplasms of the Uterus
Authors: Busca Aurelia , Gulavita Previn , Parra-Herran Carlos , Islam Shahidul
Published: July 2017

Distinguishing between uterine neoplasms of smooth muscle and endometrial stromal origin is a frequent diagnostic challenge. We investigated the staining pattern of interferon-induced transmembrane protein-1 (IFITM1), a novel endometrial stromal marker, in endometrial and smooth muscle uterine neoplasms and compared it with CD10 in its ability to differentiate between these two groups. Immunohistochemistry for IFITM1 and CD10 was performed in 20 cases of smooth muscle neoplasms (10 cases leiomyoma, 10 cases leiomyosarcoma), 14 cases of endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) (12 cases of low grade and 2 cases of high grade) and 12 cases of carcinosarcoma. Staining was scored in terms of intensity and distribution (0=absent, 1=weak/<50%, 2=moderate/50%–75%, 3=strong/>75%). A total score was obtained by adding intensity and distribution scores and classified as positive (score 3–6) or negative (score 0–2). IFITM1 was positive in 10 of 12 (83%) low-grade ESSs, 6 of 20 (30%) smooth muscle tumors (leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas) and 11 of 12 carcinosarcomas (91.6%). The 2 cases of high-grade ESS were IFITM1 negative. While both IFITM1 (83%) and CD10 (91%) had high sensitivity in differentiating low-grade ESSs from smooth muscle neoplasms, IFITM1 (70%) had higher specificity compared with CD10 (45%). In this study IFITM1 appears to be a more specific marker of endometrial stromal differentiation compared with CD10 in differentiating low-grade ESSs from smooth muscle neoplasms. Thus, IFITM1 may be a valuable tool as part of an immunohistochemical evaluation panel in this diagnostic scenario.
Diabetes and dementia incidence in Latin America; a 10/66 population-based cohort study
Authors: Salas Aquiles , Acosta Daisy , Guerra Mariella , Huang Yueqin , Jimenez-Velazquez Ivonne Z , Rodriguez Juan J Llibre , Sosa Ana Luisa , Dewey Michael E , Gaona Ciro , Guerchet Maëlenn M , Gonzalez Loida , Liu Zhaorui , Luchsinger Jose A , Medina A M Lopez , Salinas Rosa M , Prince Martin J
Published: July 2017

Background

Diabetes prevalence is already high in middle income countries, particularly among older people. Current evidence on diabetes as a risk factor for dementia is limited to cohort studies in high income countries. Few studies carried out fasting glucose assessments to identify undiagnosed cases, and assess diabetes control. We aimed to determine the association between both diagnosed diabetes and total diabetes (including undiagnosed cases) and incident dementia, examining also the impact of glycaemic control on dementia risk.

Methods

Population-based cohort studies of those aged 65 years and over in sites in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Peru, Venezuela, and Mexico. Diagnosed diabetes was assessed through self-reported diagnosis, and undiagnosed diabetes through fasting blood samples (glucose >= 7mmol/L). Blood pressure, smoking, underactivity and waist circumference were assessed from questionnaires and physical examination. Incident 10/66 dementia (and subtypes), and mortality, were ascertained three to five years later.

Results

12,297 interviews were completed at baseline, with 80-95% responding by site. The ‘at risk’ cohort comprised 10,945 dementia-free individuals, of whom 8,171 (75%) provided blood samples. Mean age varied from 72.0 to 75.1 years by site. Total diabetes prevalence was 43.5% in Puerto Rico, ranging from 11.5% to 27.0% in other sites. Most diabetes cases (50.2% to 68.4%) were not controlled (fasting glucose >7.0 mmol/L). 7,000 participants were followed up for 26,423 person-years with 659 incident dementia cases, and 905 dementia free deaths. Total diabetes was associated with incident 10/66 dementia (pooled meta-analysed adjusted sub-hazard ratio [pASHR] 1.25, 95% CI, 1.05-1.49, I2=48.6%), with a stronger association for uncontrolled (pASHR 1.47, 95% CI 1.19-1.81, I2=49.6%) than controlled cases (pASHR 1.29, 95% CI 0.95-1.74, I2=13.3%). Total diabetes was strongly associated with the incidence of vascular dementia (pASHR 2.25, 95% CI 1.24-4.08, I2=23.7%), but not Alzheimer’s Disease (pASHR 0.99, 95% CI 0.70-1.42, I2=49.0%).

Conclusions

Diabetes, particularly when poorly controlled, may increase dementia risk. There is considerable scope for improved detection and control of diabetes among older people in these settings, and hence an opportunity to carry out proof of concept prevention trials. Overlapping epidemics of these age dependent disorders will challenge poorly-resourced health systems in the future.
The landscape of somatic mutation in sporadic Chinese colorectal cancer
Authors: Liu Zhe , Yang Chao , Li Xiangchun , Luo Wen , Roy Bhaskar , Xiong Teng , Zhang Xiuqing , Yang Huanming , Wang Jian , Ye Zhenhao , Chen Yang , Song Jinghe , Ma Shuai , Zhou Yong , Yang Min , Fang Xiaodong , Du Jie
Published: July 2017

Colorectal cancer is the fifth prevalent cancer in China. Nevertheless, a large-scale characterization of Chinese colorectal cancer mutation spectrum has not been carried out. In this study, we have performed whole exome-sequencing analysis of 98 patients’ tumor samples with matched pairs of normal colon tissues using Illumina and Complete Genomics high-throughput sequencing platforms. Canonical CRC somatic gene mutations with high prevalence (>10%) have been verified, includingTP53, APC, KRAS, SMAD4, FBXW7andPIK3CA. PEG3is identified as a novel frequently mutated gene (10.6%).APCand Wnt signaling exhibit significantly lower mutation frequencies than those in TCGA data. Analysis with clinical characteristics indicates thatAPCgene and Wnt signaling display lower mutation rate in lymph node positive cancer than negative ones, which are not observed in TCGA data.APCgene and Wnt signaling are considered as the key molecule and pathway for colorectal cancer initiation, and these findings greatly undermine their importance in tumor progression for Chinese patients. Taken together, the application of next-generation sequencing has led to the determination of novel somatic mutations and alternative disease mechanisms in colorectal cancer progression, which may be useful for understanding disease mechanism and personalizing treatment for Chinese patients.
Molluscs community associated with the brown algae of the genusCystoseirain the Gulf of Naples (South Tyrrhenian Sea)
Authors: Chiarore Antonia , Fioretti Sara , Meccariello Angela , Saccone Giuseppe , Patti Francesco Paolo
Published: July 2017

The brown macroalgae of the genusCystoseiraare important habitat forming species along the rocky coasts all over the Mediterranean Sea. However, their decline at basin and local scale has been documented in many studies. We have characterized malacofauna associated withCystoseira amentacea, C. compressaandC. crinitaalong the coasts of Ischia Island (Gulf of Naples). Samples were collected by snorkeling in the infralittoral belt. The surface within 20 x 20 cm frames was scraped off and collected in three replicates each sites. The diversity and structure of community were described by number of species, the exponential Shannon and the reciprocal Simpson’s indexes of diversity. The patterns of diversity at spatial scale were assessed by alpha, beta and gamma diversity. A total of 53 species of molluscs were identified in those associations. Gastropoda were the most species-rich class followed by Bivalvia and Polyplacophora. Bivalves were dominant in terms of number of individuals because of the musselMytilus galloprovincialis.The speciesM. galloprovincialiswas the most frequent and top dominant one inhabitingCystoseiraassociations along the coasts of Ischia Island (96.6 % of the total abundance). Most of the identified molluscs species belonged to two feeding guilds: micrograzers and filter feeders (29 and 13 species respectively). Only juveniles were found providing the importance ofCystoseiraassociations as nursery for molluscs recruitment. Differences in composition and structure of molluscs assemblages were found within the three algal associations and seem to correspond both to different morphology and habitat in which these algal species live.
Maize Phyllosphere Microbial Community Niche Development Across Stages of Host Leaf Growth
Authors: Manching Heather C. , Carlson Kara , Kosowsky Sean , Smitherman C. Tyler , Stapleton Ann E.
Published: July 2017

The phyllosphere hosts a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, which can play a positive role in the success of the host plant. Bacterial communities in the phylloplane are influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors, including host plant surface topography and chemistry, which change in concert with microbial communities as the plant leaves develop and age. We examined howZea maysleaf microbial community structure changed with plant age. Ribosomal spacer length (ARISA) and scanning electron microscopic (size trait) imaging strategies were used to assess microbial community composition across maize plant ages, using a novel staggered experimental design. Significant changes in community composition were observed for both molecular and imaging analyses, and the two analysis methods provided complementary information about bacterial community structure within each leaf developmental stage. Both taxonomic and cell-size trait patterns provided evidence for niche-based contributions to microbial community development on leaves.
Overcoming insecticide resistance through computational inhibitor design
Authors: Correy Galen J. , Zaidman Daniel , Harmelin Alon , Carvalho Silvia , Mabbitt Peter D. , Calaora Viviane , James Peter J. , Kotze Andrew C. , London Nir , Jackson Colin J.
Published: July 2017

Insecticides allow control of agricultural pests and disease vectors and are vital for global food security and health. The evolution of resistance to insecticides, such as organophosphates (OPs), is a serious and growing concern. OP resistance often involves sequestration or hydrolysis of OPs by carboxylesterases. Inhibiting carboxylesterases could therefore restore the effectiveness of OPs for which resistance has evolved. Here, we use covalent computational design to produce nano/pico-molar boronic acid inhibitors of the carboxylesterase αE7 from the agricultural pestLucilia cuprina, as well as a common Gly137Asp αE7 mutant that confers OP resistance. These inhibitors, with high selectivity against human acetylcholinesterase, and low to no toxicity in human cells and mice, act synergistically with the OPs diazinon and malathion to reduce the amount of OP required to killL. cuprinaby up to 16-fold, and abolish resistance. The compounds exhibit broad utility in significantly potentiating another OP, chlorpyrifos against the common pest, the peach-potato aphid(Myzus persicae). These compounds represent a solution to OP resistance as well as to environmental concerns regarding overuse of OPs, allowing significant reduction of use without compromising efficacy.
De novo organelle biogenesis in the cyanobacterium TDX16 released from the green algaHaematococcus pluvialis
Authors: Dong Qing-lin , Xing Xiang-ying , Han Yang , Wei Xiao-lin , Zhang Shuo
Published: July 2017

It is believed that eukaryotes arise from prokaryotes, which means that organelles can form in the latter. Such events, however, had not been observed previously. Here, we report the biogenesis of organelles in the endosymbiotic cyanobacterium TDX16 that escaped from its senescent/necrotic host cell of green algaHaematococcus pluvialis. In brief, organelle biogenesis in TDX16 initiated with cytoplasm compartmentalization, followed by de-compartmentalization, DNA allocation, and re-compartmentalization, as such two composite organelles-the primitive chloroplast and primitive nucleus sequestering minor and major fractions of cellular DNA respectively were formed. Thereafter, the eukaryotic cytoplasmic matrix was built up from the matrix extruded from the primitive nucleus; mitochondria were assembled in and segregated from the primitive chloroplast, whereby the primitive nucleus and primitive chloroplast matured into nucleus and chloroplast respectively; while most mitochondria turned into double-membraned vacuoles after matrix degradation. Results of pigment analyses, 16S rRNA and genome sequencing revealed that TDX16 is a phycocyanin-containing cyanobacterium resemblingChroococcidiopsis thermalis, which had acquired 9,017,401bp DNAs with 10301 genes form its host. Therefore, organelle biogenesis in TDX16 was achieved by hybridizing the acquired eukaryotic DNAs with its own ones and expressing the hybrid genome.

Organelle biogenesis in TDX16 results in its transition into a new eukaryotic alga TDX16-DE, which provides a reference to re-understand the development, structure, function and association of organelles in eukaryotes and the reasons behind them, and has implications on other sections of biology, particularly cancer biology and evolutionary biology: (1) the formation and maturation of the small organelle-less nascent cancer cells share striking similarities with TDX16 development and transition, so, it is most likely that cancer cells arise from bacteria; (2) organelle biogenesis in TDX16 uncovers a way of new organelle and new single-celled eukaryote formation, and in light of which, the ancestral organelles were likely formed in rather than transformed form the endosymbiotic prokaryotes that had acquired their hosts’ DNAs.
Toxicity of 2 pg ethynylestradiol in brown trout embryos (Salmo trutta)
Authors: da Cunha Lucas Marques , Uppal Anshu , Seddon Emily , Nusbaumer David , Vermeirssen Etienne L. M. , Wedekind Claus
Published: July 2017

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are a threat to natural fish populations in the aquatic environment. Their toxicity is usually discussed relative to concentrations in the water the fish are exposed to. In the case of the synthetic compound 17-alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2), a common and persistent estrogen, concentrations around 1 ng/L have repeatedly been found to induce toxic effects in fish. Here, we used brown trout (Salmo trutta) from a natural population to study EE2 take up and how it affects early life-history. We collected adults during the spawning season, produced 730 familiesin vitro(to control for potential maternal and paternal effects on embryo stress tolerance), and singly raised 7,300 embryos (in a 2 mL static system) that were either exposed to one dose of EE2 at 1 ng/L (i.e., 2 pg/embryo) or sham-treated. We found that EE2 concentration did not significantly change over a period of 3 months in control containers without embryos. Embryos took up most of the 2 pg EE2 within about 4 weeks at 4.6°C. EE2 treated embryos experienced higher mortality, delayed hatching of the survivors, and had reduced size at hatching. Our findings suggest that the toxicity of EE2 is often underestimated when discussed at the level of concentrations in water only.
Neurotropism of enterovirus D68 isolates is independent of sialic acid and is not a recently acquired phenotype
Authors: Rosenfeld Amy B , Warren Audrey L , Racaniello Vincent R
Published: July 2017

Acute flaccid myelitis /acute flaccid paralysis (AFM/AFP) is a rare but serious illness of the nervous system, specifically affecting the grey matter of the spinal cord, motor controlling regions of the brain and the cranial nerve. Most cases of AFM/AFP are pathogen associated, typically with poliovirus and enterovirus infections, and occur in children under the age of 6 years old. Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) was first isolated from children with pneumonia in 1962, but an association with AFM/AFP was not observed until the 2014 outbreak. Organotypic mouse brain slice cultures generated from postnatal day 1 to 10 mice were used to determine if neurotropism of EV-D68 is shared among virus isolates. Six of the seven EV-D68 isolates examined, including two from 1962 and four from the 2014 outbreak, replicated in neurons, and all replicated in astrocytes. Furthermore, a putative viral receptor, sialic acid, is not required for neurotropism of EV-D68, as both sialic acid dependent and independent viruses replicated within neurons. These observations demonstrate that EV-D68 is neurotropic independent of its genetic lineage, can infect both neurons and astrocytes, and that neurotropism is not a recently acquired characteristic as has been suggested.

Significance

Recently there has been an increase in the number of children infected with enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). Most infections are associated with mild flu-like symptoms, but neurological dysfunction may develop in a small number of children. How the biochemical and genetic differences among EV-D68 isolates relates to development of neurological disease remains an unanswered question. Assessing infection of multiple viral isolates in organotypic brain slice cultures from postnatal day 1 to 10 mice revealed that multiple isolates are neurotropic. Both neuraminidase sensitive and resistant viruses infected neurons, indicating that sialic acid binding does not play a role in EV-D68 neuropathogenesis. Establishment of a genetically and pharmacologically amenable system using organotypic brain slice cultures will provide insight into how EV-D68 neuropathologies develop.
A Synthetic Microbial Operational Amplifier
Authors: Zeng Ji , Kim Jaewook , Banerjee Areen , Sarpeshkar Rahul
Published: July 2017

Synthetic biology has created oscillators, latches, logic gates, logarithmically linear circuits, and load drivers that have electronic analogs in living cells. The ubiquitous operational amplifier, which allows circuits to operate robustly and precisely has not been built with bio-molecular parts. As in electronics, a biological operational-amplifier could greatly improve the predictability of circuits despite noise and variability, a problem that all cellular circuits face. Here, we show how to create a synthetic 3-stage inducer-input operational amplifier with a differential transcription-factor stage, a CRISPR-based push-pull stage, and an enzymatic output stage with just 5 proteins including dCas9. Our ‘Bio-OpAmp’ expands the toolkit of fundamental circuits available to bioengineers or biologists, and may shed insight into biological systems that require robust and precise molecular homeostasis and regulation.

One Sentence Summary

A synthetic bio-molecular operational amplifier that can enable robust, precise, and programmable homeostasis and regulation in living cells with just 5 protein parts is described.
Shimming design and optimal selection for non-uniform gaps in wing assembly
Authors: Wang Qing , Dou Yadong , Cheng Liang , Ke Yinglin
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a shimming method based on scanned data and finite element analysis (FEA) for a wing box assembly involving non-uniform gaps. The effort of the present work is to deal with gap compensation problem using hybrid shims composed of solid and liquid forms.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the assembly gaps of the mating components are calculated based on the scanned surfaces. The local gap region is extracted by the seed point and region growth algorithm from the scattered point cloud. Second, with the constraints of hole margin, gap space and shim specification, the optional shimming schemes are designed by the exhaustive searching method. Finally, the three-dimensional model of the real component is reconstructed based on the reverse engineering techniques, such as section lines and sweeping. Using FEA software ABAQUS, the stress distribution and damage status of the joints under tensile load are obtained for optimal scheme selection.

Findings

With the scanned mating surfaces, the non-uniform gaps are digitally evaluated with accurate measurement and good visualization. By filling the hybrid shims in the assembly gaps, the joint structures possess similar load capacity but stronger initial stiffness compared to the custom-shimmed structures.

Practical implications

This method has been tested with the interface data of a wing tip, and the results have shown good efficiency and automation of the shimming process.

Originality/value

The proposed method can decrease the manufacturing cost of shims, shorten the shimming process cycle and improve the assembly efficiency.
Citizen engagement to sustaining community-based rural water supply in Indonesia
Authors: Kasri Rahmi Yetri , Wirutomo Paulus , Kusnoputranto Haryoto , Moersidik Setyo Sarwanto
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This study aims to understand basic elements that form and influence citizen engagement to sustain service delivery of rural water in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

Citizen engagement is elaborated through a sociological perspective of basic elements of social life that consist of structure, culture and process within the realm of a community’s living environment. Sustainability is explored through the life cycle of rural water supply service delivery by means of a strategic plan, financing and budget allocation, construction/expansion, operational and maintenance and support system for sustaining services. A case study was conducted in four Pamsimas villages in two districts with comparable natural environment and water system but with a contrast sustainability performance. Pamsimas is the biggest rural water supply program in Indonesia that was started in 2008 and implemented in 27,000 villages.

Findings

Through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the study found that appropriate citizen and government engagement since the implementation of the strategic plan throughout the rest of sub-cycles is key to sustainable service delivery. In the four aforementioned villages, sustainability is influenced more by structure elements such as government policy, program governance and source of water than by social and cultural elements.

Research limitations/implications

The study was done in four Pamsimas villages located in a mountainous area with a gravitation type of water system. The findings may be different in other locations or settings.

Originality/value

Lessons from this study will guide sector stakeholders to better define the engagement of citizens and the government and to create activities that trigger better engagement between citizens and the government, particularly the village government, so that citizens can avail the services.
Water, sanitation and hygiene in Jordan’s healthcare facilities
Authors: Khader Yousef Saleh
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine water availability, sanitation and hygiene (WSH) services, and healthcare waste management in Jordan healthcare facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 19 hospitals (15 public and four private) were selected. The WSH services were assessed in hospitals using the WSH in health facilities assessment tool developed for this purpose.

Findings

All hospitals (100 percent) had a safe water source and most (84.2 percent) had functional water sources to provide enough water for users’ needs. All hospitals had appropriate and sufficient gender separated toilets in the wards and 84.2 percent had the same in outpatient settings. Overall, 84.2 percent had sufficient and functioning handwashing basins with soap and water, and 79.0 percent had sufficient showers. Healthcare waste management was appropriately practiced in all hospitals.

Practical implications

Jordan hospital managers achieved major achievements providing access to drinking water and improved sanitation. However, there are still areas that need improvements, such as providing toilets for patients with special needs, establishing handwashing basins with water and soap near toilets, toilet maintenance and providing sufficient trolleys for collecting hazardous waste. Efforts are needed to integrate WSH service policies with existing national policies on environmental health in health facilities, establish national standards and targets for the various healthcare facilities to increase access and improve services.

Originality/value

There are limited WSH data on healthcare facilities and targets for basic coverage in healthcare facilities are also lacking. A new assessment tool was developed to generate core WSH indicators and to assess WSH services in Jordan’s healthcare facilities. This tool can be used by a non-WSH specialist to quickly assess healthcare facility-related WSH services and sanitary hazards in other countries. This tool identified some areas that need improvements.
How feasible is the West African eco currency union? An investigation using synchronicity and similarity measures
Authors: Miles William
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the proposed eco currency union has sufficient business cycle synchronization among its members to avoid problems such as those experienced in the last several years by countries in the eurozone. This monetary union would potentially include 18 countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo – which collectively have a GDP of over 744 billion dollars and a population of over 300 million people.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors will apply some recently created econometric tools that were developed specifically to investigate business cycle synchronization in the eurozone. These tools – denoted synchronicity and similarity – overcome some of the limitations of previous studies which have used vector autoregressions and suffered simultaneity bias as a result.

Findings

The different measures employed suggest that the potential members of the eco exhibit a very low level of synchronization. Nigeria in particular, which is heavily dependent on oil, as are some, but not all potential members, would be the largest member, and exhibits a very low level of synchronization with other prospective eco member nations. Finally, preliminary evidence from several countries which have joined the existing African currency unions does not indicate that the act of joining a currency union improves synchronization, and this result contradicts the “endogenous optimal currency area” hypothesis.

Research limitations/implications

Like previous studies on the topic, the authors rely on the available data. The number of observations is more limited than would be optimal.

Practical implications

The results would strongly caution against the creation of the eco currency union, as members appear even less ready for monetary integration than countries in the eurozone did.

Originality/value

This is the first study to apply the synchronicity and similarity tools to the prospective West African eco nations.
Labor mobility across the formal/informal divide in Turkey
Authors: Tansel Aysit , Acar Elif Öznur
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper, the first one to use individual-level Turkish panel data, examines the labor market transitions in Turkey along the formal/informal employment divide. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the limited body of empirical evidence available on mobility and informality in the Turkish labor market.

Design/methodology/approach

Toward this end, the authors use Turkish income and Living Conditions Survey panel data for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 to compute the Markov transition probabilities of individuals moving across six different labor market states: formal-salaried (FS), informal-salaried, formal self-employed, informal self-employed, unemployed and inactive. In order to examine the nature of mobility patterns in more detail, the authors then estimate six multinomial logit models individually for each transition adopting a number of individual and employment characteristics as explanatory variables.

Findings

The authors find evidence that mobility patterns are fairly similar across different time spans, the probability of remaining in initial state is higher than the probability of transition into another state for all the labor market states, except for unemployment, there is only very limited mobility into the FS state. Gender, education and sector of economic activity are observed to display significant effects on mobility patterns. The results reveal several relationships between the covariates and likelihood of variant transitions.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a comprehensive and detailed diagnosis of the Turkish labor market. The market is observed to display a rather static structure throughout the period considered. The results indicate that a well recognition of underlying dynamics may help policy makers to produce various effective tools for addressing informality.

Originality/value

First study to analyze labor market mobility across formal/informal sectors using newly available panel data.
Block copolymers of pyrrole and ethoxylated nonylphenol
Authors: Köken N. , Çamoglu M.E. , Güvel E.A.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to synthesise block copolymers (PPy-b-ENP) of pyrrole (Py) and ethoxylated nonyl phenols (ENP) via redox systems in presence of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) at room temperature. The initiating radical was formed on reducing organic compound which in turn initiated polymerisation to give diblock copolymers containing chain ends of ENPs and polypyrrole (Ppy). The effects of the concentration of Ce+4 salt, ENPs and Py on both the yield and electrical conductivities of corresponding polymers were studied.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 0.1 M stock solution of CAN:100 ml 1 M HNO3 was prepared freshly (7 ml HNO3 dissolved in 100 ml water) and used in 50 ml of 0.1 M CAN solution (2.7438 g CAN dissolved in 50 ml nitric acid solution). The reducing compound (Py) was dissolved in water. Py and ENP were added slowly to the flask with vigorous stirring. The content of the flask was flushed with oxygen-free nitrogen. The resulting copolymers were characterised with spectroscopic methods like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope.

Findings

In this study, DMSO-slightly soluble Py copolymers were produced with ENPs. The conductivities of copolymers were found to be in the range of 10-1 to 10-4 S/cm. Soluble and processable conductive polymers were developed.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, the water solubility of ENPs diminishes the conductivity of copolymer because of its surfactant structure. When the CAN/Py ratio was increased, PPys and copolymers with both higher yield and lower conductivity values were obtained. The results indicated that solubilities and the yield of the polymers synthesised in the presence of ENP have increased considerably. ENP caused degradative chain transfer reaction to become significant compared with bimolecular termination, so the yield decreased with increasing ENP concentration about 20 g/l. Results showed that yield of the copolymers strongly depends on Ce+4 concentrations while of copolymers were measured to be 10-3 S/cm.

Practical implications

PPy-b-ENP diblock copolymers were prepared with Ce+4 as an oxidation agent in a single step.

Social implications

These slightly soluble and conductive copolymers may overcome difficulties in the applications of PPy homopolymers and open new application areas.

Originality/value

PPy-b-ENPs of lightly soluble (in DMSO) and conductive (10-2 S/cm) copolymers have been synthesised in one step. The results indicate that the surface of the copolymer is composed of well-distributed nanospheres with an average particle diameter of 35-400 nm.
Deliverology
Authors: Nordstrum Lee E. , LeMahieu Paul G. , Dodd Karen
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper is one of seven in this volume elaborating different approaches to quality improvement in education. This paper aims to delineate a methodology called Deliverology.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the origins, theoretical foundations, core principles and a case study showing an application of Deliverology in the Kentucky Department of Education in the USA.

Findings

The core principles underlying the approach are embodied in its guiding questions: What is our system trying to do? How are we planning to do it? At any given moment, how will we know whether we are on track to succeed? and If we are not on track, what are we going to do about it?

Originality/value

Few theoretical treatments and demonstration cases are currently available on commonly used models of quality improvement in other fields that might have potential value in improving education systems internationally. This paper fills this gap by elucidating one promising approach. The paper also derives value, as it permits a comparison of the Deliverology approach with other quality improvement approaches treated in this volume.
Lean for education
Authors: LeMahieu Paul G. , Nordstrum Lee E. , Greco Patricia
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper is one of seven in this volume that aims to elaborate different approaches to quality improvement in education. It delineates a methodology called Lean for Education.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the origins, theoretical foundations, core concepts and a case study demonstrating an application in US education, specifically dealing with the problem of improving technology supports and services for instructional purposes in a school district system.

Findings

An approach borrowed from manufacturing, Lean is aimed at creating and delivering the greatest value to the clients or “customers” in education systems while consuming the fewest resources and eliminating waste. Simultaneously, the method engages the organization in continuous problem solving, learning and making quality improvements with Plan-Do-Check-Act cycles. The core concepts that organize the Lean for Education approach are: continuous improvement and respect for people (Emiliani, 2005).

Originality/value

Few theoretical treatments and demonstration cases are currently available on commonly used models of quality improvement in other fields that might have potential value in improving education systems internationally, such as large grade kindergarten-to-12 education systems in the USA. This paper fills this gap by elucidating one promising approach. The paper also derives value as it permits a comparison of the Lean for Education method with other quality improvement approaches treated in this volume.
Positive deviance: learning from positive anomalies
Authors: LeMahieu Paul G. , Nordstrum Lee E. , Gale Dick
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper is one of seven in this volume, each elaborating different approaches to quality improvement in education. The purpose of this paper is to delineate a methodology called positive deviance.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents the origins, theoretical foundations, core principles and a case study demonstrating an application of positive deviance in US education, specifically dealing with the problem of high school dropout prevention in a California school district.

Findings

The six phases of this “asset-based” improvement approach are: define the organizational or community problem and desired outcomes; determine common practices relevant to the problem; discover uncommon but successful behaviors and strategies that solve the problem (the positive deviants), through inquiry and observation; design an action learning initiative based on findings; discern (monitor) progress of the initiative by documenting and evaluating regularly; and disseminate results through sharing, honoring and amplifying success stories.

Originality/value

Few theoretical treatments and demonstration cases are currently available on commonly used models of quality improvement from business, manufacturing and other fields that have potential value in improving education systems internationally. This paper fills this gap by elucidating one promising approach. By facilitating a comparison of the positive deviance approach to other quality improvement approaches treated in this volume, the paper provides added value.
Mentalization in dementia care: an autoethnographic account of a project worker’s experiences
Authors: Luxmoore Bethany , McEvoy Phil
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Mentalization is a psychodynamic concept that can help us to understand our emotional responses to others. The purpose of this paper to illustrate how the concept of mentalization may be applied in dementia care.

Design/methodology/approach

An autoethnographic account of the author’s experiences (first author), working as a project manager in which the author used the concept of mentalization to pay close attention to how the author’s emotional responses to people with dementia influenced thier communicative interactions.

Findings

This paper outlines how the author processed the author’s own internal experiences in both mentalizing and non-mentalizing modes, as the author wrestled with feelings of conscious incompetence. In the non-mentalizing mode, the author was pre-occupied with the author’s own anxieties. The author struggled to relate to or make sense of the experiences of the individuals with advanced dementia that the author engaged with. Moving towards a mentalizing stance helped the author to attune to the embodied experiences of the people with dementia and recognise the reciprocal nature of our communicative interactions.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates the role that mentalization may play in developing natural and authentic strategies to support communicative engagement in dementia care. These strategies may be of potential value to family carers. Family carers who can maintain a mentalizing stance may be more able to respond in empathic, person- centred ways to people who are living with dementia. On the other hand, non-mentalizing responses may be a root cause of mis-understanding and emotional disengagement.
3D joint inversion of magnetotelluric and airborne tipper data: a case study from the Morrison porphyry Cu–Au–Mo deposit, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Lee Benjamin M. , Unsworth Martyn J. , Hübert Juliane , Richards Jeremy P. , Legault Jean M.
Published: July 2017

Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic and broadband magnetotelluric data were used to determine three‐dimensional electrical resistivity models of the Morrison porphyry Cu–Au–Mo deposit in British Columbia. Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic data are collected with a helicopter, thus allowing rapid surveys with uniform spatial sampling. Ground‐based magnetotelluric surveys can achieve a greater exploration depth than Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic surveys, but data collection is slower and can be limited by difficult terrain. The airborne Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic tipper data and the ground magnetotelluric tipper data show good agreement at the Morrison deposit despite differences in the data collection method, spatial sampling, and collection date. Resistivity models derived from individual inversions of the Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic tipper data and magnetotelluric impedance data contain some similar features, but the Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic model appears to lack resolution below a depth of 1 km, and the magnetotelluric model suffers from non‐uniform and relatively sparse spatial sampling. The joint Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic inversion solves these issues by combining the dense spatial sampling of the airborne Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic technique and the deeper penetration of the lower frequency magnetotelluric data. The resulting joint resistivity model correlates well with the known geology and distribution of alteration at the Morrison deposit. Higher resistivity is associated with the potassic alteration zone and volcanic country rocks, whereas areas of lower resistivity agree with known faults and sedimentary units. The pyrite halo and ≥0.3% Cu zone have the moderate resistivity that is expected of disseminated sulphides. The joint Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic inversion provides an improved resistivity model by enhancing the lateral and depth resolution of resistivity features compared with the individual Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic and magnetotelluric inversions. This case study shows that a joint Z‐axis tipper electromagnetic–magnetotelluric approach effectively images the interpreted mineralised zone at the Morrison deposit and could be beneficial in exploration for disseminated sulphides at other porphyry deposits.