bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On ‘Separation Anxiety’
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

In this essay, Winnicott discusses Bowlby’s work ‘Separation Anxiety’ by referring to Freud’s 1926 views on anxiety where Freud enumerates five types of anxiety: birth trauma, signal, persecutory, depressive, primary. He then describes the situations appropriate to development of primary anxiety, fright, and expectant anxiety. For Winnicott in early infancy the infant is not yet differentiated from external reality. The sequence, protest, despair, denial that Bowlby outlines is acceptable, in Winnicott’s view, to analysts. He proposes that if we take into account the fantasy personal to the small child, we already understand much about this sequence, especially when we use the concept of the death of the internal representation of the object, and denial of this deadness. Bowlby’s paper takes us towards primary anxiety and towards the very special vulnerability that, he (Bowlby) postulates, belongs after 28 weeks of life. Winnicott wonders if Bowlby offers something new to analysis in the form of the clinging and following instincts he describes in young children, and which make this behaviour biologically present in all animals. Winnicott still believes, after reading Bowlby’s very rich paper, that it is the psychoanalysis of patients of all kinds and ages that will continue to be the basis of psychoanalytic research as opposed to studies like Bowlby’s derived largely from ethology.
Letter to Victor Smirnoff
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

In this letter to Victor Smirnoff, Winnicott responds to queries about the translation of his transitional objects paper into French and says that he is implying that actual experiencing does not stem directly either from the individual’s psychic reality or from the individual’s external relationships.
Letter to Reginald Lightwood
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

In this letter to Reginald Lightwood, Winnicott expresses his disappointment about the London Hospital appointment outcome for paediatrics. He reiterates his support of Tom Stapleton, detailing Stapleton’s work at Paddington Green and St Mary’s hospitals, and mentions Jolly, and John Davis, as good candidates.
Letter to Miss Maw
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

In this letter, Winnicott sends a memorandum about Gisburne House to Miss Maw, the chief organiser of this establishment.
Memorandum on Gisburne House
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

In this memorandum sent to the London County Council, Winnicott details the important work of Gisburne House as a school and mental hospital for disturbed girls and applauds its reopening.
Letter to The Times
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

In this letter from Winnicott to The Times newspaper, he applauds the publication of a letter on the need for nursery schools, which he says are supported by all child psychiatrists.
Letter to A. Tommy M. Wilson
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

In this letter to Tommy Wilson, Winnicott asks for a meeting to discuss the publishers, Tavistock Publications, and their relationship to the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations as well as the question of appropriate publicity for the books by Winnicott published by Tavistock.
Foreword to Childbirth with Confidence
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

In his foreword to Prunella Briance’s book Childbirth with Confidence, on natural childbirth and the work of Grantly Dick-Read, Winnicott addresses the fact that the great majority of women can have a natural labour and birth and that, although medical interventions are important in the three percent of births where something goes wrong, the healthy mother in labour does not respond well to the medical techniques which are needed in cases where there are problems at birth.
Clinical Material on the Theme of a Male Patient’s Exploitation of His Female Self
Authors: Winnicott Donald W.
Published: March 2017

In this essay, Winnicott explores the theme of a male patient’s exploitation of his female self, his latent homosexuality, his compulsive fantasy about being a woman, and his relationships with his wife and his mother.
Cytological and Molecular Characterization of ZmWAK-Mediated Head-Smut Resistance in Maize
Authors: Zhang Nan , Zhang Boqi , Zuo Weiliang , Xing Yuexian , Konlasuk Suvimon , Tan Guoqing , Zhang Qianqian , Ye Jianrong , Xu Mingliang
Published: March 2017

Head smut, caused by the fungal pathogen Sporisorium reilianum, poses a threat to maize production worldwide. ZmWAK, a cell wall–associated receptor kinase, confers quantitative resistance to head smut disease. Here, two near-isogenic lines (NILs), susceptible line Huangzao4 and its ZmWAK-converted resistant line Huangzao4R, were used to decipher the role of ZmWAK in head smut resistance. Cytological and molecular characterization in response to S. reilianum infection was compared between two NILs. Upon S. reilianum infection, the growth of pathogen hyphae was severely arrested in the ZmWAK-converted resistant line Huangzao4R, relative to its susceptible parental line Huangzao4. Infected cells exhibited apoptosis-like features in Huangzao4R and hyphae were sequestered within dead cells, whereas pathogen invasion caused autophagy in Huangzao4, which failed to prevent hyphal spreading. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis indicated that ZmWAK functions as a hub in the trade-off between growth and defense, whereby ZmWAK promotes cell growth in the absence of the pathogen and switches to a defense response upon S. reilianum attack. These findings shed light on an elegant regulatory mechanism governed by ZmWAK in the trade-off between growth and head smut defense.
Imaging markers of multiple sclerosis prognosis
Authors: Louapre Céline , Bodini Benedetta , Lubetzki Catherine , Freeman Léorah , Stankoff Bruno
Published: March 2017

Purpose of review

Studies of large longitudinal cohorts of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have emphasized the prognostic value of conventional MRI markers, at least during early stages. Advanced imaging metrics derived from quantitative MRI and PET provide relevant information about microstructural damage within and outside visible lesions that may be more sensitive to predict long-term disability. Here, we summarize the most recent findings regarding the prognostic value of imaging markers throughout MS stages.

Recent findings

In clinically isolated syndrome, the presence of at least one brain or spinal cord T2 lesion strongly increases the risk of conversion to clinically definite MS (hazard ratio ranging from 5 to 11). Similarly, the occurrence of new white matter lesions is strongly predictive of subsequent relapse rate and response to current disease modifying therapies. Beyond white matter lesions, volumetric changes in the grey matter and normal-appearing tissue damage are more sensitive prognostic markers for physical and cognitive disability, especially in progressive MS.

Although white matter lesion number and volume still remains the imaging metric used in daily clinical practice, further development of advanced imaging predictors of long-term disability should allow a better stratification of patients in future clinical trials aimed at promoting repair or neuroprotection.
Paternally inherited noncoding structural variants contribute to autism
Authors: Brandler William M. , Antaki Danny , Gujral Madhusudan , Kleiber Morgan L. , Maile Michelle S. , Hong Oanh , Chapman Timothy R. , Tan Shirley , Tandon Prateek , Pang Timothy , Tang Shih C. , Vaux Keith K. , Yang Yan , Harrington Eoghan , Juul Sissel , Turner Daniel J. , Kingsmore Stephen F. , Gleeson Joseph G. , Kakaradov Boyko , Telenti Amalio , Venter J Craig , Corominas Roser , Cormand Bru , Rueda Isabel , Messer Karen S. , Nievergelt Caroline M. , Arranz Maria J. , Courchesne Eric , Pierce Karen , Muotri Alysson R. , Iakoucheva Lilia M. , Hervas Amaia , Corsello Christina , Sebat Jonathan
Published: March 2017

The genetic architecture of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is known to consist of contributions from gene-disrupting de novo mutations and common variants of modest effect. We hypothesize that the unexplained heritability of ASD also includes rare inherited variants with intermediate effects. We investigated the genome-wide distribution and functional impact of structural variants (SVs) through whole genome analysis (≥30X coverage) of 3,169 subjects from 829 families affected by ASD. Genes that are intolerant to inactivating variants in the exome aggregation consortium (ExAC) were depleted for SVs in parents, specifically within fetal-brain promoters, UTRs and exons. Rare paternally-inherited SVs that disrupt promoters or UTRs were over-transmitted to probands (P= 0.0013) and not to their typically-developing siblings. Recurrent functional noncoding deletions implicate the geneLEO1in ASD. Protein-coding SVs were also associated with ASD (P= 0.0025). Our results establish that rare inherited SVs predispose children to ASD, with differing contributions from each parent.
Dystroglycan Maintains Inner Limiting Membrane Integrity to Coordinate Retinal Development
Authors: Clements Reena , Turk Rolf , Campbell Kevin P. , Wright Kevin M.
Published: March 2017

Proper neural circuit formation requires the precise regulation of neuronal migration, axon guidance and dendritic arborization. Mutations affecting the function of the transmembrane glycoprotein dystroglycan cause a form of congenital muscular dystrophy that is frequently associated with neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Despite its importance in brain development, the role for dystroglycan in regulating retinal development remains poorly understood. Using a mouse model of dystroglycanopathy (ISPDL79*) and conditionaldystroglycanmutants of both sexes, we show that dystroglycan is critical for the proper migration, axon guidance and dendritic stratification of neurons in the inner retina. Using genetic approaches, we show that dystroglycan functions in neuroepithelial cells as an extracellular scaffold to maintain the integrity of the retinal inner limiting membrane (ILM). Surprisingly, despite the profound disruptions in inner retinal circuit formation, spontaneous retinal activity is preserved. These results highlight the importance of dystroglycan in coordinating multiple aspects of retinal development.

Significance Statement

The extracellular environment plays a critical role in coordinating neuronal migration and neurite outgrowth during neural circuit development. The transmembrane glycoprotein dystroglycan functions as a receptor for multiple extracellular matrix proteins, and its dysfunction leads to a form of muscular dystrophy frequently associated with neurodevelopmental defects. Our results demonstrate that dystroglycan is required for maintaining the structural integrity of the inner limiting membrane (ILM) in the developing retina. In the absence of functional dystroglycan, ILM degeneration leads to defective migration, axon guidance and mosaic spacing of neurons, and a loss of multiple neuron types during retinal development. These results demonstrate that disorganization of retinal circuit development is a likely contributor to visual dysfunction in patients with dystroglycanopathy.
Steroid hormone induction of temporal gene expression in Drosophila brain neuroblasts generates neuronal and glial diversity
Authors: Syed Mubarak Hussain , Mark Brandon , Doe Chris Q.
Published: March 2017

An important question in neuroscience is how stem cells generate neuronal diversity. During Drosophila embryonic development, neural stem cells (neuroblasts) sequentially express transcription factors that generate neuronal diversity; regulation of the embryonic temporal transcription factor cascade is lineage-intrinsic. In contrast, larval neuroblasts generate longer ˜50 division lineages, and currently only one mid-larval molecular transition is known: Chinmo/Imp/Lin-28+ neuroblasts transition to Syncrip+ neuroblasts. Here we show that the hormone ecdysone is required to down-regulate Chinmo/Imp and activate Syncrip, plus two late neuroblast factors, Broad and E93. We show that Seven-up triggers Chinmo/Imp to Syncrip/Broad/E93 transition by inducing expression of the Ecdysone receptor in mid-larval neuroblasts, rendering them competent to respond to the systemic hormone ecdysone. Importantly, late temporal gene expression is essential for proper neuronal and glial cell type specification. This is the first example of hormonal regulation of temporal factor expression in Drosophila embryonic or larval neural progenitors.

Hormone induction of temporal gene expression in neural progenitors
Stem cell intrinsic, Seven-up-triggered temporal factor gradients diversify intermediate neural progenitors
Authors: Ren Qingzhong , Yang Ching-Po , Liu Zhiyong , Sugino Ken , Mok Kent , He Yisheng , Lee Tzumin
Published: March 2017

Drosophilatype II neuroblasts produce numerous neurons and glia due to transiently amplifying, intermediate neural progenitors (INP). Consecutively born INPs produce morphologically distinct progeny, presumably due to temporal patterning in type II neuroblasts. We therefore profiled type II neuroblasts’ transcriptome across time. Our results reveal opposing temporal gradients of Imp and Syp RNA-binding proteins (descending and ascending, respectively). Maintaining Imp expression throughout brain development expands the number of neurons/glia with early temporal fate at the expense of cells with late fate. Conversely, precocious upregulation of Syp reduces the number of cells with early fate. Further, we reveal that the transcription factor, Seven-up initiates progression of the Imp/Syp gradients. Interestingly, genetic manipulations that fix Imp or Syp levels still yield progeny with a small range of early fates. We propose that the Seven-up-initiated Imp/Syp gradients create coarse temporal windows within type II neuroblasts to pattern INPs, which subsequently undergo fine-tuned subtemporal patterning.
SUPERmerge: ChIP-seq coverage island analysis algorithm for broad histone marks
Authors: Khomtchouk Bohdan B. , Van Booven Derek , Wahlestedt Claes
Published: March 2017

SUPERmerge is a ChIP-seq read pileup analysis and annotation algorithm for investigating alignment (BAM) files of diffuse histone modification ChIP-seq datasets with broad chromatin domains at a single base pair resolution level. SUPERmerge allows flexible regulation of a variety of read pileup parameters, thereby revealing how read islands aggregate into areas of coverage across the genome and what annotation features they map to within individual biological replicates. SUPERmerge is especially useful for investigating low sample size ChIP-seq experiments in which epigenetic histone modifications (e.g., H3K9me1, H3K27me3) result in inherently broad peaks with a diffuse range of signal enrichment spanning multiple consecutive genomic loci and annotated features.
Neural computations underpinning the strategic management of influence in advice giving
Authors: Hertz Uri , Palminteri Stefano , Brunetti Silvia , Olesen Cecilie , Frith Chris D , Bahrami Bahador
Published: March 2017

Research on social influence has mainly focused on the target of influence (e.g., consumer, voter), while the cognitive and neurobiological underpinnings of the source of the influence (e.g., spin doctor, financial adviser) remain unexplored. Here, we introduce a 3-sided Advising Game consisting of a client and two advisers. Advisers managed their influence over the client strategically by modulating the confidence of their advice depending on their level of influence (i.e. which adviser had the client’s attention) and their relative merit (i.e. which adviser was more accurate). Functional magnetic resonance imaging showed that these sources of social information were computed in distinct cortical regions: relative merit prediction error was tracked in the medial-prefrontal cortex and selection by client in the right temporo-parietal junction. Trial-by-trial changes in both sources of social information modulated the activity in the ventral striatum. These results open a fresh avenue for exploration of human interactions and provide new insights on the neurobiology involved when we try to influence others.
Enhancing sensitivity and controlling false discovery rate in somatic indel discovery using a latent variable model
Authors: Dijkstra Louis J. , Köster Johannes , Marschall Tobias , Schönhuth Alexander
Published: March 2017

Cancer is a genetic disorder in the first place. Therefore, next-generation sequencing (NGS) based discovery of somatically acquired genetic variants has gained widespread attention. Computational prediction of somatic variants, however, is affected by a variety of confounding factors. In addition to the uncertainties that one commonly encounters also in germline variation prediction, such as misplaced and/or inaccurate read alignments, cancer heterogeneity and impure samples significantly add to the issues. Overall, this hampers state-of-the-art indel discovery tools to discover somatic indels at operable performance rates, although they perform excellently when calling germline indels. While affecting all size ranges, both common and cancer-specific problems interfere in particularly unfavorable ways in the prediction of somatic midsize (30-150 bp) insertions and deletions.

Here, we present a latent variable model that can take the major confounding factors and uncertainties into a unifying account. Using this modeling framework, wefirstdemonstrate how toefficientlycompute the probability for a (putative) indel to be somatic, thereby resolving a principled computational runtime bottleneck in Bayesian uncertainty quantification.Second, we show how to reliably estimate the allele frequencies for a given list of indels.Third, we also present an intuitive and effective way to control the false discovery rate, an issue in genetic variant discovery that has been found notoriously hard to deal with. As a tool that implements all methodology developed, we present PROSIC (PROcessing Somatic Indel Calls). PROSIC achieves significant improvements in particular in terms of recall when applied to deletion call sheets, as provided by prevalent state-of-the-art tools, in comparison to their integrated somatic indel calling routines.

The software is publicly available athttps://prosic.github.ioand can be easily installed viahttps://bioconda.github.io.
DrosophilaShort stop as a paradigm for the role and regulation of spectraplakins
Authors: Voelzmann Andre , Liew Yu-Ting , Qu Yue , Hahn Ines , Melero Cristina , Sánchez-Soriano Natalia , Prokop Andreas
Published: March 2017

Spectraplakins are evolutionarily well conserved cytoskeletal linker molecules that are true members of three protein families: plakins, spectrins and Gas2-like proteins. Spectraplakin genes encode at least 7 characteristic functional domains which are combined in a modular fashion into multiple isoforms, and which are responsible for an enormous breadth of cellular functions. These functions are related to the regulation of actin, microtubules, intermediate filaments, intracellular organelles, cell adhesions and signalling processes during the development and maintenance of a wide variety of tissues. To gain a deeper understanding of this enormous functional diversity, invertebrate genetic model organisms, such as the fruit flyDrosophila, can be used to develop concepts and mechanistic paradigms that can inform the investigation in higher animals or humans. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of our current knowledge of theDrosophilaspectraplakin Short stop (Shot). We describe its functional domains and isoforms and compare them with those of the mammalian spectraplakins dystonin and MACF1. We then summarise its roles during the development and maintenance of the nervous system, epithelia, oocytes and muscles, taking care to compare and contrast mechanistic insights across these functions in the fly, but especially also with related functions of dystonin and MACF1 in mostly mammalian contexts. We hope that this review will improve the wider appreciation of how work onDrosophilaShot can be used as an efficient strategy to promote the fundamental concepts and mechanisms that underpin spectraplakin functions, with important implications for biomedical research into human disease.
Epigenetic analyses of planarian stem cells demonstrate conservation of bivalent histone modifications in animal stem cells
Authors: Dattani Anish , Kao Damian , Mihaylova Yuliana , Abnave Prasad , Hughes Samantha , Lai Alvina , Sahu Sounak , Aboobaker Aziz
Published: March 2017

Planarian flatworms have an indefinite capacity to regenerate missing or damaged body parts owing to a population of pluripotent adult stems cells called neoblasts (NBs). Currently, little is known about the importance of the epigenetic status of NBs and how histone modifications regulate homeostasis and cellular differentiation. We have developed an improved and optimized ChIP-seq protocol for NBs inSchmidtea mediterraneaand have generated genome-wide profiles for the active marks H3K4me3 and H3K36me3, and suppressive marks H3K4me1 and H3K27me3. The genome-wide profiles of these marks were found to correlate well with NB gene expression profiles. We found that genes with little transcriptional activity in the NB compartment but which switch on in post-mitotic progeny during differentiation are bivalent, being marked by both H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 at promoter regions. In further support of this hypothesis bivalent genes also have a high level of paused RNA Polymerase II at the promoter-proximal region. Overall, this study confirms that epigenetic control is important for the maintenance of a NB transcriptional program and makes a case for bivalent promoters as a conserved feature of animal stem cells and not a vertebrate specific innovation. By establishing a robust ChIP-seq protocol and analysis methodology, we further promote planarians as a promising model system to investigate histone modification mediated regulation of stem cell function and differentiation.
High-Throughput Characterization of Protein-Protein Interactions by Reprogramming Yeast Mating
Authors: Younger David , Berger Stephanie , Baker David , Klavins Eric
Published: March 2017

High-throughput methods for screening protein-protein interactions enable the rapid characterization of engineered binding proteins and interaction networks. While existing approaches are powerful, none allow quantitative library-on-library characterization of protein interactions in a modifiable extracellular environment. Here, we show that sexual agglutination ofS. cerevisiaecan be reprogrammed to link interaction strength with mating efficiency using synthetic agglutination (SynAg). Validation of SynAg with 89 previously characterized interactions shows a log-linear relationship between mating efficiency and protein binding strength for interactions with KD’s ranging from below 500 pM to above 300 μM. Using induced chromosomal translocation to pair barcodes representing binding proteins, thousands of distinct interactions can be screened in a single pot. We demonstrate the ability to characterize protein interaction networks in a modifiable environment by introducing a soluble peptide that selectively disrupts a subset of interactions in a representative network by up to 800-fold. SynAg enables the high-throughput, quantitative characterization of protein-protein interaction networks in a fully-defined extracellular environment at a library-on-library scale.

Significance Statement

De novoengineering of protein binders often requires experimental screening to select functional variants from a design library. We have achieved high-throughput, quantitative characterization of protein-protein binding interactions without requiring purified recombinant proteins, by linking interaction strength with yeast mating. Using a next-generation sequencing output, we have characterized protein networks consisting of thousands of pairwise interactions in a single tube and have demonstrated the effect of changing the binding environment. This approach addresses an existing bottleneck in protein binder design by enabling the high-throughput and quantitative characterization of binding strength between designed protein libraries and multiple target proteins in a fully defined environment.
Advances in abscission signaling
Authors: Patharkar O. Rahul , Walker John C.
Published: March 2017

Abscission is a process in plants for shedding unwanted organs such as leaves, flowers, fruits, or floral organs. Shedding of leaves in the fall is the most visually obvious display of abscission in nature. The very shape plants take is forged by the processes of growth and abscission. Mankind manipulates abscission in modern agriculture to do things like prevent pre-harvest fruit drop prior to mechanical harvesting in fruit orchards. Abscission occurs specifically at abscission zones that are laid down as the organ that will one day abscise is developed. A sophisticated signaling network initiates abscission when it is time to shed the unwanted organ. In this article, we review recent advances in understanding the signaling mechanisms that activate abscission. Physiological advances and roles for hormones in abscission are also addressed. Finally, we discuss current avenues for basic abscission research and potentially lucrative future directions for its application to modern agriculture.
Crystallographic insights into the structural aspects of thioctic acid based halogen-bond donor for the functionalization of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Sanjeeva Kavitha Buntara , Tirotta Ilaria , Kumar Vijith , Bombelli Francesca Baldelli , Terraneo Giancarlo , Metrangolo Pierangelo
Published: March 2017

The synthesis and self-assembly capabilities of a new halogen-bond donor ligand, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-iodophenyl 5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)pentanoate (1), are reported. The crystal structure of ligand (1) and the formation of a cocrystal with 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene, (1)·(2), both show halogen bonds involving the 4-iodotetrafluorobenzene moiety. Ligand (1), being a self-complementary unit, forms an infinite halogen-bonded chain driven by the S...I synthon, while the cocrystal (1)·(2) self-assembles into a discrete trimeric entity driven by the N...I synthon. Ligand (1) was also successfully used to functionalize the surface of gold nanoparticles, AuNP-(1). Experiments on the dispersibility profile of AuNP-(1) demonstrated the potential of halogen bonding in facilitating the dispersion of modified NPs with halogen-bond donors in pyridine.
Relationships between hydrogen bonds and halogen bonds in biological systems
Authors: Rowe Rhianon K. , Ho P. Shing
Published: March 2017

The recent recognition that halogen bonding (XB) plays important roles in the recognition and assembly of biological molecules has led to new approaches in medicinal chemistry and biomolecular engineering. When designing XBs into strategies for rational drug design or into a biomolecule to affect its structure and function, we must consider the relationship between this interaction and the more ubiquitous hydrogen bond (HB). In this review, we explore these relationships by asking whether and how XBs can replace, compete against or behave independently of HBs in various biological systems. The complex relationships between the two interactions inform us of the challenges we face in fully utilizing XBs to control the affinity and recognition of inhibitors against their therapeutic targets, and to control the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids and other biomolecular scaffolds.
Halogen bonding stabilizes acis-azobenzene derivative in the solid state: a crystallographic study
Authors: Saccone Marco , Siiskonen Antti , Fernandez-Palacio Franisco , Priimagi Arri , Terraneo Giancarlo , Resnati Giuseppe , Metrangolo Pierangelo
Published: March 2017

Crystals oftrans- andcis-isomers of a fluorinated azobenzene derivative have been prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The presence of F atoms on the aromatic core of the azobenzene increases the lifetime of the metastablecis-isomer, allowing single crystals of thecis-azobenzene to be grown. Structural analysis on thecis-azobenzene, complemented with density functional theory calculations, highlights the active role of the halogen-bond contact (N...I synthon) in promoting the stabilization of thecis-isomer. The presence of a long aliphatic chain on the azobenzene unit induces a phase segregation that stabilizes the molecular arrangement for both thetrans- andcis-isomers. Due to the rarity ofcis-azobenzene crystal structures in the literature, our paper makes a step towards understanding the role of non-covalent interactions in driving the packing of metastable azobenzene isomers. This is expected to be important in the future rational design of solid-state, photoresponsive materials based on halogen bonding.
Value co-creation, dynamic capabilities and customer retention in industrial markets
Authors: Preikschas Michael W. , Cabanelas Pablo , Rüdiger Klaus , Lampón Jesús F.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how value co-creation processes can influence the generation of dynamic capabilities and the retention of industrial customers. The authors explore this influence with the support of social exchange theory and resource-based view.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology applied was qualitative research, based on 29 semi-structured in-depth interviews with owners, managing directors and technical managers with previous experience in co-creation processes. The research was performed in four different European countries and is focused on the mobile crane industry.

Findings

The findings suggest that co-creation processes promote the generation of dynamic capabilities linked to adaptation, knowledge, innovation and relationship management. In addition, the closer contact with customers and the availability of their expertise favour the development of solutions that better meet their needs, bridging the cognitive gap which often exists between partners. Regarding customer retention, the results show that co-creation processes foster customer predisposition to buy and cross-sell.

Originality/value

Although value co-creation is a topical subject, research in industrial marketing literature analysing the effects of co-creation processes has been scarce up to now. This paper aims to contribute to the debate by analysing how the co-creation of value can influence the generation of dynamic capabilities in companies and how it affects the retention of industrial customers. Based on social exchange theory and dynamic capabilities, the researchers have been able to address how value is developed and its influence in customer retention proxies.
Performance evaluation and prioritization of organizations based on knowledge management and safety management approaches using DEA
Authors: Shirouyehzad Hadi , Mokhatab Rafiee Farimah , Berjis Negin
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a method for performance assessment of organizations based on integrated approach of knowledge management and safety management using data envelopment analysis, and the proposed model is then applied in the car industry in Isfahan province to be checked. Therefore, deficiencies can be highlighted and possible strategies can be evolved to improve the performance.

Design/methodology/approach

As data envelopment analysis is a robust mathematical tool, it has been used to evaluate organizational performance. For discovering the organizational performance of knowledge management and safety management by data envelopment analysis (DEA), the first step is to specify proper criteria. To this end, in this method, the indices in both approaches of knowledge management and safety management were identified. Then, inputs and outputs were specified. Knowledge management and safety management were determined as input indices, and customer satisfaction and accident indicators were the output indices. It is noteworthy that each output index was used one time. In the next stage, performance of organizations was assessed based on both determined approaches and via data envelopment analysis. Finally, the organizations were ranked.

Findings

The suggested method was implemented in the car industry in the Isfahan province. The obtained results disclosed that among 12 decision-making units, 4 units are efficient when customer satisfaction is the output and 5 units are efficient when accidents indices are the output. In ranking with customer satisfaction as the output, Sepahan Atlas Pump Company was ranked first via super efficiency method, data envelopment analysis and similarity to ideal solution. In ranking with accidents as the output, Sepahan Atlas Pump Company ranked first via strong efficiency method and Sanatgar Company ranked first via data envelopment analysis and similarity to ideal solution.

Originality/value

Knowledge has been recognized as one of the valuable resources, and knowledge management would greatly effect improvement of job quality. Knowledge level increase is led by better performance and less errors. Consequently, it can enhance the organizational health and safety. There are some studies which have been conducted on safety management or knowledge management performance analysis. The organizational performance evaluation based on integrated approach of knowledge management and safety management is an important issue which is less considered in theory and practice. Thus, the authors have proposed a method which is able to evaluate the organization based on this integrated approach with functional indices, which resulted in accurate results, and finally, ranking can show the organization status to determine proper strategies.
Genetic scatter search algorithm to solve the one-commodity pickup and delivery vehicle routing problem
Authors: Euchi Jalel
Published: March 2017

Purpose

In this paper, the author introduces a new variant of the pickup and delivery transportation problem, where one commodity is collected from many pickup locations to be delivered to many delivery locations within pre-specified time windows (one–to many–to many). The author denotes to this new variant as the 1-commodity pickup-and-delivery vehicle routing problem with soft time windows (1-PDVRPTW).

Design/methodology/approach

The author proposes a hybrid genetic algorithm and a scatter search to solve the 1-PDVRPTW. It proposes a new constructive heuristic to generate the initial population solution and a scatter search (SS) after the crossover and mutation operators as a local search. The hybrid genetic scatter search replaces two steps in SS with crossover and mutation, respectively.

Findings

So, the author proposes a greedy local search algorithm as a metaheuristic to solve the 1-PDVRPTW. Then, the author proposes to hybridize the metaheuristic to solve this variant and to make a good comparison with solutions presented in the literature.

Originality/value

The author considers that this is the first application in one commodity. The solution methodology based on scatter search method combines a set of diverse and high-quality candidate solutions by considering the weights and constraints of each solution.
A multiproduct economic order quantity model with simulated annealing application
Authors: Pereira Valdecy , Gomes Costa Helder
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a set of five models for the economic order quantity problem. Four models solve problems for a single product: incremental discounts with or without backorders and all-unit discounts with or without backorders, and the last model solves problems for the multiproduct case.

Design/methodology/approach

A basic integer non-linear model with binary variables is presented, and its flexible structure allows for all five models to be utilised with minor modifications for adaptation to individual situations. The multiproduct model takes into consideration the work of Chopra and Meindl (2012), who studied two types of product aggregations: full and adaptive. To find optimal or near-optimal solutions for the multiproduct case, the authors propose a simulated annealing metaheuristic application. Numerical examples are presented to improve the comprehension of each model, and the authors also present the efficiency of the simulated annealing algorithm through an example that aggregates 50 products, each one with different discount schemes and some allowing backorders.

Findings

Our model proved to be efficient at finding optimal or near optimal solutions even when confronted with mathematical complexities such as the allowance of backorders and incremental discounts.

Originality/value

Finally our model can process a mix of products with different discount schemes at the same time, and the simulated annealing metaheuristics could find optimal or near optimal solutions with very few iterations.
Can you tell it by the prime? A study of metaphorical priming in high‐functioning autism in comparison with matched controls
Authors: Chahboun Sobh , Vulchanov Valentin , Saldaña David , Eshuis Hendrik , Vulchanova Mila
Published: March 2017

Background

Problems with pragmatic aspects of language are well attested in individuals on the autism spectrum. It remains unclear, however, whether figurative language skills improve with language status and whether problems in figurative language are no longer present in highly verbal individuals with autism.

Aims

To investigate whether highly verbal individuals with autism perform similarly as age‐, intelligence‐ and verbal comprehension‐matched controls on the processing of one of the most common types of figurative language, metaphors. The goal was to establish whether the participants with autism are primed similarly to controls by figurative expressions (metaphors) presented in different conditions.

Methods & Procedures

The experiment was designed as a cross‐modal lexical‐decision task where metaphors served as primes for target words related to their figurative or literal meaning.

Outcomes & Results

Our findings show that both ASD and control participants made very few errors in the experimental task. However, the participants with ASD presented with problems in performance on the task, reflected in significantly slower reaction times compared with the typically developing peer groups. The similar response speed observed between the younger typical control children and the adult ASD participants suggests that the mechanisms underlying metaphor processing (e.g., selection of metaphorical versus literal interpretation) are still developing in high‐functioning autism, very much like in typical children.

Conclusions & Implications

These results may suggest that metaphor processing requires more than adequate language competences. The findings are also suggestive of a delay in developing sensitivity to figurative language, rather than sheer inability. This suggests that a timely training programme can be implemented to improve figurative language abilities in ASD.
Recovered insulin production after thiamine administration in permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus with a novel solute carrier family 19 member 2 (SLC19A2) mutation
Authors: Sun Chengjun , Pei Zhou , Zhang Miaoying , Sun Bijun , Yang Lin , Zhao Zhuhui , Cheng Ruoqian , Luo Feihong
Published: March 2017

Background

Solute carrier family 19 member 2 (SLC19A2) gene deficiency is one of the causes of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM) and can be effectively managed by thiamine supplementation. Herein we report on a male patient with a novel SLC19A2 mutation and summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with SLC19A2 deficiency.

Methods

The genetic diagnosis of the patient with PNDM was made by sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The clinical characteristics of PNDM were summarized on the basis of a systematic review of the literature.

Results

The patient with PNDM had c.848G>A (p.W283X) homozygous mutation in SLC19A2. His father had a wild‐type SLC19A2 (c.848G) and his mother was c.848G/A heterozygous. The patient and his father both had a diploid genotype (c.848A/A and c.848G/G). After oral thiamine administration, the patient's fasting C‐peptide levels increased gradually, and there was a marked decrease in insulin requirements. A search of the literature revealed that thiamine treatment was effective and improved diabetes in 63% of patients with SLC19A2 deficiency.

Conclusions

A novel SLC19A2 mutation (c.848G>A; p.W283X) was identified, which was most likely inherited as segmental uniparental isodisomy. Insulin insufficiency in PNDM caused by SLC19A2 deficiency can be corrected by thiamine supplementation. The differential diagnosis of SLC19A2 deficiency should be considered in children with PNDM accompanied by anemia or hearing defects to allow for early treatment.
Sojourning Scots and the Portrait Miniature in Colonial India, 1770s‐1780s
Authors: Coltman Viccy
Published: March 2017

This article seeks to extend the prevailing art histories of later eighteenth‐century portrait miniatures beyond the dominant narratives of authorship and affect. It does so by considering the social role of these diminutive objects in affirming life and liveliness by mapping consanguineal relations between sojourning Scots in colonial India and their absent mothers and sisters back home in Scotland. This gendered axis – in which the portraits are commissioned by young, unmarried men for the possession and display on the bodies of their dislocated female family members – is complemented by equivalent geographical and temporal axes.
Resisting Post‐truth Politics, a Primer: Or, How Not to Think about Human Mobility and the Global Environment
Authors: Bilgin Pinar
Published: March 2017

In recent years, students of world politics have been shaken to the core by the ascent of post‐truth politics, which is a particular style of ‘doing politics’ by politicians and pundits – a style that strategically relies on misrepresentations at best, and at worst, lies. The so‐called post‐truth world has had consequences beyond those who are in the business of doing politics. The pervasiveness of presumed causal linkages between environmental degradation, violent conflict and human mobility has been utilized by policy makers and pundits to shape public opinion about the predicament of the Syrian refugees, the human tragedy of this decade in the Northern hemisphere. On the one hand, scholarly research shows that the relationship between environmental degradation, violent conflict and irregular mobility is far too complex to be understood in terms of causal linkages. On the other hand, in a post‐truth world, it is politicians and pundits who repeat falsehoods that have shaped public opinion about the Syrian refugees. It is in the spirit of engaging with post‐truth politics as such that I present what follows as a primer: how not to think about human mobility and the global environment.
Efficacy of nutritional supplementation with omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acids in dry eye syndrome: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Molina‐Leyva Ignacio , Molina‐Leyva Alejandro , Bueno‐Cavanillas Aurora
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To critically appraise scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of nutritional supplementation with omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acids for the treatment of dry eye syndrome (DES).

Methods

A systematic review of randomized clinical trials was performed. Two independent reviewers selected and analysed the scientific papers that met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Objective and subjective efficacy outcomes were assessed.

Results

The trials involved a total of 2591 patients in fifteen independent studies. All studies were published between 2005 and 2015. The supplements used were mostly omega‐3 and omega‐6 in different proportions. Subjective improvement was measured using mainly Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) test and Dry Eye Severity Score (DESS) test: significant differences in favour of the experimental group were found in seven of the studies. The objective amelioration was assessed by lacrimal function parameters: Tear break‐up time (TBUT) significantly increased in nine studies and Schirmer's test in four studies.

Conclusion

We observed a discrete improvement in the parameters of tear function. Scientific evidence is not strong enough to systematically recommend the use of omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acids as a standalone treatment of DES independently from its aetiology. However, they could be considered as an effective alternative to topical treatment in patients with DES secondary to certain pathologies.
Visual and health outcomes, measured with the activity inventory and the EQ‐5D, in visual impairment
Authors: Macedo Antonio Filipe , Ramos Pedro Lima , Hernandez‐Moreno Laura , Cima Joana , Baptista António M. G. , Marques Ana Patricia , Massof Robert , Santana Rui
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Generic instruments to assess health utilities can be used to express the burden of health problems in widely used indexes. That is in contrast with what can be obtained with condition‐specific instruments, outcomes are very specific and difficult to compare across conditions. The purpose of this study was to assess health and visual outcomes and its determinants in patients with visual impairment (VI) using the EQ‐5D‐3L and the Activity Inventory (AI).

Methods

Participants were recruited in different hospitals during the PCVIP‐study. A total of 134 patients with acuity 0.30 logMAR or less in the better eye were interviewed. The AI includes 46 goals split between three objectives: social functioning, recreation and daily living, and was used to measure visual ability. The EQ‐5D consists of five questions covering one domain each and was used to provide a measure of health states. Responses to each domain were combined to produce a single individual index.

Results

The AI and the EQ‐5D‐3L showed enough discriminatory power between VI levels (p < 0.001), and their results were strongly correlated r(134) = 0.825, (p < 0.001). Explanatory factors for visual ability were level of VI in better eye, age and gender, R2 = 0.43, (p < 0.001). Explanatory factors for the EQ‐5D‐3L were level of VI in the better eye, comorbidities and gender, R2 = 0.36, (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results showed that the EQ‐5D‐3L is useful when characterizing the burden of VI and to compute, when necessary, quality‐adjusted‐life‐years (QALY) changes due to VI. However, it is important to consider that the EQ‐5D‐3L uses a coarse response scale, assesses a limited spectrum of domains and is influenced by comorbidities. This might limit its responsiveness to small changes in visual ability.