bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward an organizational DSS: A process-oriented approach
Authors: Iyer R.K. , Raja M.K.
Published: December 2019

The development of DSS has traditionally addressed individual and group decision support systems. These so-called specific decision support systems tend to support only one dimension of the decision making process in an organization. The need for an organizational DSS has been addressed by many researchers recently. This artilce develops the basic framework in which the organizational DSS becomes the foundation for developing specific DSS. A process-oriented approach to developing the organizational DSS is proposed and the tasks involved in implementing this approach are presented. The relationship of the organizational DSS to individual and group DSS is discussed. A three-tier model for generating specific DSS from organizational DSS is proposed. An example of an organizational DSS is presented.
Employment and organization aspects of high technology: A case study of machine vision*
Authors: Chen Kan , Stafford Frank P.
Published: December 2019

A case study of machine vision has been conducted to help identify and analyze the global employment effects of high technology in general. Machine vision as a new industry has grown exponentially but erratically, and its major users are presently concentrated in the automotive and electronics industries. The total employment of this high-tech industry has been growing rapidly in proportion to its sales. However, very few blue-collar workers are employed, and its highly trained employees have come from other high-tech firms or directly from schools. The user firms have had a reduction of work force on the factory floor due to machine vision applications. On the other hand, machine vision may bring some of the offshore manufacturing activites back to the United States, or at least slow down the trend of manufacturing outmigration. The work looks closely at the risks and strategies of firms in a mercurial technological environment. These findings have policy implications in many areas, including human resource management.
Human resource development paradigm as applied to sanitation management in public buildings in the metropolitan and municipal context
Authors: Pamnani G.L.
Published: December 2019

Modem society all over the world is faced with a host of problems and, as a result, Human Resource Development is at discount. Inequality in incomes leads to mad professionalism by the high-income groups and social neglect and economic deprivation in the low-income groups. The Human Resource Development Paradigm has been presented as the core for organising management ideas which should lead to ideal managerial systems. A practical project to verify the Hypothesis which has been stated is proposed. Vocational skills based on physical labour need to be organised and developed on sound managerial lines as a social challenge to create a focus for saving humanity plagued by unemployment on the one hand, and the spectre of robotronics on the other and the resultant anomy.
Two French job redesign diagnostic tools for management and employees
Authors: Trépo George X.
Published: December 2019

Although a rational diagnosis made by experts is feared by both managers and union delegates, it is extremely useful for sound job redesign especially if human engineering aspects are to be taken into account. This article presen ts three methodologies: – Two grids to rate QWL: · at industrial work stations (LEST), · at clerical work stations (CLERICAL GRID). – ACTIF to guide the design process of EDP specialists. It compares these diagnostic methodologies with others (opinion surveys, etc.) and shows the advantages and disadvantages of each according to management's objectives.
From work ethics towards work esthetics: Work as art and technological choice
Authors: Hoebeke Luc
Published: December 2019

The author reflects upon the future of work in the technological environment in which industrialised societies are evolving. Basic concepts as labour, employment and work are critically analysed. Options and paradoxes concerning the future of work are put forward to open the debate.
Increasing Integration in Information Technology and Communication Systems
Authors: Smith August W. , Dykman Charlene , Davis Charles
Published: December 2019

Recent developments in information technology and communication systems permit greater overall integration of technical, human and organizational systems. Evolutionary transitions from electronic data processing (EDP) and management information systems (MIS) are extended in new knowledge systems, decision support systems (DSS), expert systems (ES) and artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Increased integration permits developing more complete management support systems (MSS) with multiple options and interactive strategic management plans and controls. ‘The significance of interactive and integrative, systemic management is that it helps managers see a panorama instead of a limited picture. It builds added awareness and incorporates feedback into the overall dynamic practice of management’. August W. Smith, Stages of Management Evolution Intersystems Publishers, 1987, pp. 74–75.
Knowledge as a New Form of Capital
Authors: Zeleny Milan
Published: December 2019

How is human business to be managed in an increasingly knowledge-intensive environment? Can traditional labor- or capital-intensive management systems be ‘reconstructed’ under such fundamentally nontraditional conditions of knowledge dominance? What are the basic characteristics, requirements and potentials of knowledge-oriented management systems? We introduce the notion of the customer-oriented Integrated Process Management (IPM) paradigm as a prototype of emerging knowledge-based management systems. A number of useful cases and examples of IPM praxis are discussed in the Appendix. Broader socio-political implications of extending the principles of representative and direct democracy from political to business and social spheres are also discussed. The systems of absentee-ownership capitalism and etatistic socialism are contrasted with the emerging systems of social participation based on the employee-ownership of the means of production.
Microelectronics Applications, Product Strategies and Competence Needs in Great Britain and West Germany
Authors: Campbell Adrian , Sorge Arndt , Warner Malcolm
Published: December 2019

This paper looks at applications of microelectronics in Britain and Germany in relation to product strategy, competence and training, showing the links between quantitative and qualitative factors at different levels of analysis. It conjectures that variations in product strategies may provide a plausible explanation of different competence needs of companies, and that strategic differences between national samples may help to explain differences in the emphasis on particular skills and skill mixes.
Japan vs. USA: A Comparison of Corporate Environments and Characteristics
Authors: Burton Gene E.
Published: December 2019

Much of the current literature deals with what might be described as the mystique of Japanese management theory and practice. Other authors prefer to bring the focus to bear on those Japanese techniques that might be borrowed and/or adopted for American applications. The purpose of this paper is to help identify the basic differences between Japan and the U.S.A. with respect to corporate environments and characteristics.
The Critical Approach Versus the Mystique of Leadership
Authors: Popper Karl
Published: December 2019

This article contains a brief application of the author's epistemology to the problems of management. It is argued that fallibilism has shown its superiority to authoritarianism even from the point of view of efficiency.
The Absent Centre: The Neglect of Philosophy in Anglo-American Management Theory
Authors: Burrell Gibson
Published: December 2019

The article concerns the neglect of philosophical issues within management theory. It argues that the rise of ‘Heathrow Organization Theory’, whatever its country of origin, has been characterized by a philosophical vacuuity. There is rarely any discussion of Modernism let alone Postmodernism within the literature which relies upon a very crude pragmatism. The paper includes, not that Postmodernism should be embraced but that the philosophical issues filling management theory should be directly confronted.
Creativity in Daily Work
Authors: Kondo Yoshio
Published: December 2019

Simplification of work and separation of planning from execution which are the premises behind the Taylor system are being examined, and the creativity in daily work is being extensively investigated. As the background of creative work, Maslow's hierarchy of human needs and Herzberg's theory of motivation are examined. The superficial contradiction between standardization and creativity is discussed, and four steps leading to creative works are presented. Supporting creative works of employees is indispensable.
‘Japanology’ in Organizational Sciences: The Myth and its Dangers
Authors: Shenkar Oded
Published: December 2019

The growing interest in Japanese management has not always been translated into a coherent, rigorous body of knowledge. One reason for this situation has been the attempt to claim a disciplinary status for the field despite the absence of the prerequisites for such a status. The negative consequences of this attempt are highlighted.
Some Incorrect Meta-Assumptions in Human Systems Management
Authors: Maruyama Magoroh
Published: December 2019

Meta-assumptions are epistemologically different assumptions. Epistemological structures may vary neurologically or culturally. Management which does not take the epistemological differences does injustice to individuals and fails to make maximum use of individual abilities. As concrete examples, dyslexia and nonverbal thinking are discussed, and concrete steps to remove the barriers caused by some incorrect assumptions are illustrated.
Moving from the Age of Specialization to the Era of Integration*
Authors: Zeleny Milan , Cornet Robert , Stoner James A.F.
Published: December 2019

The paper begins with a short identification of a set of forces likely to affect managers in the 1990s and discusses how managers frequently deal with such forces. The same set of forces is then viewed from a different perspective – through a new set of lenses constructed explicitly from historical trends and events. Finally, the paper proposes what managers might do in response to those forces when they are viewed through the new set of lenses. We address four questions: 1. What are the forces managers must deal with in the 1990s, and what do those forces look like from a traditional management viewpoint? 2. What does it mean to say that we are moving from an age of specialization to an era of integration, and what are the signs that such a change is actually taking place? 3. What do the forces of the next decade look like when viewed through the lenses of a shift from an age of specialization to an era of integration? 4. How does the new perspective help managers (and others) make sense of the forces and decide what to do about them? The paper suggests that one possible answer to that last question involves reframing our definition of management's responsibility for dealing with future forces. We think of the management task as facilitating the organization's participation in its environments in such a way that the viability of both the organization and its environments are enhanced. We refer to this way of understanding the role of management and the relationship of the organization to its environments as the ‘business ecosystem’.
Korea's Export-Managed Industrialization and Its Lessons
Authors: Kim Youn-Suk
Published: December 2019

Developing countries searching the strategies for solving the critical problems of industrialization and export should adapt their trade policies to the framework of dynamic world trade patterns. Lessons of Korean industrialization is discussed in this context. Korea's industrialization is based on outward-growth policies, as the formation of a production-export linkage has been a strategy for economic development. Korea has clearly demonstrated its effectiveness in realizing export-managed industrialization. Thus Korea's experience has much to offer those potentially industrial developing countries in regard to expanding the export horizon of their industrialization.
The Declining Price of Personal Computers: The Question of When to Invest
Authors: Ronen Boaz , Lucas Jr. Henry C. , Eden Yoram
Published: December 2019

When should a manager invest in new technology? This paper provides guidelines for deciding when to invest in microcomputers. The authors argue that the technology and marketplace of micros today fits the conditions of the declining cost paradox observed by Eden and Ronen (1988). Under these conditions, a decision to defer purchasing equipment until the future to take advantage of hardware price decreases may lead to higher overall costs. The paper concludes with recommendations for the manager confronted with the decision of when to purchase microcomputer technology.
Re-Inventing Corporations
Authors: Turnbull Shann
Published: December 2019

The paper shows how current corporations are deficient in their ability to promote economic efficiency, justice, self-governance, social accountability and environmental sustainability. To ameliorate these deficiencies it is proposed that the static, perpetual and monopoly property rights of stockholders be replaced with dynamic, time-limited, co-ownership rights. This would create Ownership Transfer Corporations (OTC's) which could be used to reduce the ability of investors to obtain profits in excess of the incentive required to attract their investment. The excess incentive or ‘surplus profits’ could then be shared with corporate stakeholders by making them co-owners. As the stakeholders would include employees, customers, and suppliers, the general adoption of OTC's would produce a universal income. National income could be re-distributed without work or welfare and taxes. OTC's would extend the self-governing attributes of Mondragon co-operatives and provide a simpler and more effective way than Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP's) for either capitalising socialism and/or democratising the wealth of nations.
Intelligent complex adaptive systems (iCAS): An analysis of the education system and three junior colleges in Singapore
Authors: Liang Thow Yick , Ng Pak Tee
Published: December 2019

The entire humanity is gradually drifting into the fourth era – the intelligence era. The transformation is facilitated by the emergence of a better educated and continuous learning and relearning generation that can function comfortably in a knowledge-intensive economy and respond constructively to the fast-changing environment. Therefore, a highly educated population is the main resource that all competitive nations must cultivate. In this respect, the first critical factor necessary for nurturing a highly competitive organization/nation is to optimize the intrinsic intelligence and thinking ability of the individuals, and the second factor is to increase the effectiveness of the interactive dynamics. The primary intelligence sources in such a nation must be connected effectively to elevate the collective intelligence of the systems synergistically. Apparently, individual intelligence and collective intelligence must be nurtured and utilized to the optimal in order to survive in the stiffer and faster-changing competitions. In particular, collective intelligence and its associated attributes must be better cultivated through a deeper comprehension of complex adaptive systems and intelligent organizations dynamics. Therefore, the strategies to be adopted are those that focus on bio-logic rather than machine-logic. In this study, the strategies utilized by the Singapore's education system as an intelligent human organization are examined and the analysis is further substantiated by a more in-depth investigation of three junior colleges as intelligent complex adaptive systems (iCAS) at the operational level.
Implementation of good corporate governance in Turkey: The case of Dogan Yayın Holding1
Authors: Atakan Serap , Özsoy Zeynep , Oba Beyza
Published: December 2019

Corporate governance has been one of the major issues studied by academicians in management and economics. Recent problems faced by various companies in certain economic systems forced the widespread adoption and implementation of corporate governance logic and principles by various types of companies. This study describes the successful implementation of corporate governance (CG) principles by Dogan Yayın Holding (DYH) which is Turkey's leading media-entertainment conglomerate. The company's success in implementing the CG principles led to the improvement of its company image, gaining prestige in the eyes of foreign institutional investors, and improving its internal and external control mechanisms. Considering all of these implementations, one can realize the successful involvement of DYH in pursuing good CG practices in Turkey.
Simon's paradox: Bounded rationality and the computer metaphor of the mind
Authors: Patokorpi Erkki
Published: December 2019

Milan Zelený has pointed out that Herbert Simon has a paradoxical distrust of human reason which he labelled as bounded whereas at the same time he had an unbounded, unlimited trust in the capacity of computers. As a result, Simon does not present an alternative concept of rationality but stays trapped in the concept of complete rationality, positing a machine (computer) in the ghost (the mind). This computational model of the mind seems to dominate even more recent thought about the human mind and behaviour, for instance the various research programmes related to heuristics. The purpose of this paper is to examine the metaphor of the mind as a computer or computation, discussing some of its roots, development and underlying assumptions as well as the ensuing blind spots, and, finally, briefly present some alternative conceptions of rationality. In a man-made world dominated by information and communication technology, metaphors, conceptions and models of the mind as well as those of computation shape – through system design and the user's use patterns – the very life we lead. System designers and users alike should be sensitive to these models, conceptions and metaphors.
Establishment of a comprehensive framework for strategic supply chain management
Authors: Hwang Ming-Hon
Published: December 2019

Supply chain management (SCM) has recently attracted significant attention from industry and academia. Unfortunately, strategic supply chain management (SSCM) and its general framework have seldom been addressed. SSCM refers to a situation in which its members always realize the whole direction and strategy when a supply chain carries out various functional activities to achieve a competitive advantage and long-term profit-making position among supply chains in the same industry. This study discusses how to develop not only a supply chain’s overall competitive strategic direction, but also the objective of the entire supply chain with those objectives of its members, thus optimizing the performance of the supply chain. Moreover, this study presents a general SSCM framework including three stages, namely strategy formulation, strategy implementation and strategy evaluation. Also discussed herein are the limitations of this study that could be addressed in future.
Size, relationships and capabilities: A new approach to the growth of the firm
Authors: Furlan Andrea , Grandinetti Roberto
Published: December 2019

In line with a recent stream of research, this paper explores firm growth as a multidimensional phenomenon. Our starting point is the recognition that the traditional management literature on firm growth has committed a fallacy in modeling it, or rather all the models frame growth exclusively in terms of size. We maintain that this fallacy can be overcome by reframing firm growth as the interaction of three dimensions: size growth, relationship growth, and capability growth. Based on a qualitative analysis, we show how these dimensions interact over time thus giving shape to firm growth. Furthermore, we suggest that the management of interdependencies between the three dimensions of growth is the core issue lying at the heart of successful growth strategies.
Enhancing virtual learning team performance: A leadership perspective
Authors: Chen Charlie C. , Wu Jiinpo , Ma Meng , Knight Michael B.
Published: December 2019

Debate abounds over whether the virtual team is an effective substitute for the traditional F2F team and can sustain itself. Drawing upon literature on leadership, trust, computer-mediated communication, and teams, we propose a theoretical model of online learning team effectiveness. A quasi-experiment was conducted to empirically test the impact of trust, trust propensity, leadership effectiveness, and communication frequency on virtual learning team satisfaction and performance. The results of PLS support the majority of our hypotheses. Trust serves a mediating role in the relationship between leadership effectiveness and team satisfaction and performance. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed at the end of the paper.
Relationships among e-learning systems and e-learning outcomes: A path analysis model1
Authors: Eom Sean B.
Published: December 2019

In this study, path analysis modeling is applied to examine the relationships among e-learning systems, self-efficacy, and students' perceived learning outcomes in the context of university online courses. Independent variables included in the study are e-learning system quality, information quality, computer self-efficacy, system-use, self-regulated learning behavior, and user satisfaction as potential determinants of online learning outcomes. A total of 674 valid unduplicated responses from students who have completed at least one online course at a university in the Midwest were used to fit the path analysis model. The results indicated that system quality, information quality, and computer self-efficacy all affected system use, user satisfaction, and self-managed learning behavior. The findings from the current study have significant implications for the distance educators, students, and administrators. First, university administrators must continuously invest to upgrade the systems so that e-learning systems exhibit faster response time, better systems accessibility, higher system reliability and flexibility, and ease of learning. Second, the instructor in e-learning courses should facilitate, stimulate, guide, and challenge his/her students via empowering them with freedom and responsibility. Third, In order for the e-learning system to be successful, it should provide e-learners with the information and knowledge they need.
Guest editorial on transformation and societal change
Authors: Georgantzas Nicholas C.
Published: December 2019

Catering to the growing community of scholars and practitioners who see the needed transformation and societal change in our modern temporality, this article serves as a preamble to a fascinating collection of five applied-research contributions. The article also defines our modernity's problematic mess, an attempt that creates the need to reconcile three hellenic ‘–isms’, three philosophical constructs most pertinent to our modernity's quest for transformational and societal change. They are pertinent because all five research contributions this guest editorial is about rely on one or more of them either explicitly or implicitly. Newcomers to transformational and societal change research will find the brief overview of the requisite philosophical background useful as it emphasizes philosophy's value for future research. By integrating multiple, diverse perspectives, this Human Systems Management (HSM) Special Issue can serve as a prototype for future HSM special issues, which will further integrate transformation and societal change with research and practice in managing human, i.e., natural, systems and help identify new, exciting opportunities for future research in social science and beyond.
Hardware task scheduling and placement in operating systems for dynamically reconfigurable SoC
Authors: Hsiung Pao-Ann , Huang Chun-Hsian , Chen Yuan-Hsiu
Published: December 2019

Existing operating systems can manage the execution of software tasks efficiently, however the manipulation of hardware tasks is very limited. In the research on the design and implementation of an embedded operating system that manages both software and hardware tasks in the same framework, two major issues are the dynamic scheduling and the dynamic placement of hardware tasks into a reconfigurable logic space in an SoC. The distinguishing criteria for good dynamic scheduling and placement methods include the total schedule length and the amount of fragmentation incurred while tasks are dynamically placed and replaced. Existing methods either do not take fragmentation into consideration or postpone the consideration of fragmentation to a later stage of space allocation. In our method, we try to reduce fragmentation during placement itself. The advantage of such an approach is that not only the reconfigurable space is utilized more efficiently, but the total schedule length is also reduced, that is, hardware tasks complete faster. Experimental results on large random tasks sets have shown that the proposed improvement is as much as 23.3% in total fragmentation and 2.0% in total schedule time.
Hardware-software co-design of a speech translation embedded system
Authors: Lin Shun-Chieh , Wang Jia-Ching , Yang Hsueh-Wei , Wang Jhing-Fa
Published: December 2019

Previous research has shown that there are two architectures for speech-to-speech translation (S2ST) system implementation. One is client-server based systems that are built on the server computer, which means they are not available anytime or anywhere. The other is portable stand-alone devices, which lack real-time performance. Therefore, this work presents a hardware-software co-design of a speech translation embedded system for portable S2ST applications. This system is characterized by small size, low cost, real-time operation, and high portability. In order to realize the proposed S2ST system, we have designed the ARM-based system-on-a-programmable-chip (SoPC) architecture, the speech translation intellectual property, and the software procedures of the proposed SoPC. The entire design was implemented on ALTERA EPXA10. The English-to-Mandarin translation process can be completed within 0.5 second at a 40 MHz clock frequency with 1,200 translation patterns. The maximum frequency is 46.22 MHz, and the usage of logic elements is 19,318 (50% of the total number of logic elements of the EPXA10 device).
Cognitive Deficits in Transgenic and Knock-in HTT Mice Parallel those in Huntington's Disease
Authors: Farrar Andrew M. , Murphy Carol A. , Paterson Neil E. , Oakeshott Stephen , He Dansha , Alosio William , McConnell Kristi , Menalled Liliana B. , Ramboz Sylvie , Park Larry C. , Howland David , Brunner Dani
Published: December 2019

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized not only by severe motor deficits but also by early cognitive dysfunction that significantly increases the burden of the disease for patients and caregivers. Considerable efforts have concentrated, therefore, on the assessment of cognitive deficits in some HD mouse models. However, many of these models that exhibit cognitive deficits also have contemporaneous serious motor deficits, confounding interpretation of cognitive decline. Objective: The BACHD and zQ175 mouse models present a more slowly progressing disease phenotype in both motor and cognitive domains, and might therefore offer a better opportunity to measure cognitive decline over a longer timeframe; such models could be useful in screening therapeutic compounds. In order to better define the cognitive impairments evident in BACHD and zQ175 HD mice, both were tested in an instrumental touchscreen visual discrimination assay designed to assess discrimination learning and cognitive flexibility. Methods: BACHD and zQ175 mice, as well as their WT controls were tested for their ability to discriminate two complex visual stimuli. Following this discrimination phase, the reinforcement contingencies were reversed and the previously incorrect stimulus became the correct stimulus. In a final, third phase of testing, two novel stimuli were introduced and mice were required to undergo a second round of discrimination testing with these stimuli. Results: Our results show that learning during the discrimination phase was similar between the WT and BACHD mice. In contrast, the zQ175 at 26 weeks of age showed decreased accuracy over the last 10 days of discrimination, compared to WT controls. During subsequent reversal and novel stimuli phases, both BACHD and zQ175 mice exhibited significant deficits compared to WT controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the BACHD, and for the first time, zQ175 HD models exhibit cognitive inflexibility and psychomotor slowing, a phenotype that is consistent with cognitive symptoms described in HD patients.
Changes in Cognitive Control in Pre-Manifest Huntington's Disease Examined Using Pre-Saccadic EEG Potentials – A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Ness Vanessa , Bestgen Anne-Kathrin , Saft Carsten , Beste Christian
Published: December 2019

Background: It is well-known that Huntington's disease (HD) affects saccadic processing. However, saccadic dysfunctions in HD may be seen as a result of dysfunctional processes occurring at the oculomotor level prior to the execution of saccades, i.e., at a pre-saccadic level. Virtually nothing is known about possible changes in pre-saccadic processes in HD. Objective: This study examines pre-saccadic processing in pre-manifest HD gene mutation carriers (pre-HDs) by using clinically available EEG measures. Methods: Error rates, pre-saccadic EEG potentials and saccade onset EEG potentials were measured in 14 pre-HDs and case-matched controls performing prosaccades and antisaccades in a longitudinal study over a 15-month period. Results: The results show that pre-saccadic potentials were changed in pre-HDs, relative to controls and also revealed changes across the 15-month longitudinal period. In particular, pre-saccadic ERP in pre-HDs were characterized by lower amplitudes and longer latencies, which revealed longitudinal changes. These changes were observed for anti-saccades, but not for pro-saccades. Overt saccadic trajectories (potentials) were not different to those in controls, showing that pre-saccadic processes are sensitive to subtle changes in fronto-striatal networks in pre-HDs. Conclusions: Deficits in pre-saccadic processes prior the execution of an erroneous anti-saccade can be seen as an effect of dysfunctional cognitive control in HD. This may underlie saccadic abnormalities and hence a major phenotype of HD. Pre-saccadic EEG potentials preceding erroneous anti-saccades are sensitive to pre-manifest disease progression in HD.
Aquatherapy for Neurodegenerative Disorders
Authors: Plecash Alyson R. , Leavitt Blair R.
Published: December 2019

Aquatherapy is used for rehabilitation and exercise; water provides a challenging, yet safe exercise environment for many special populations. We have reviewed the use of aquatherapy programs in four neurodegenerative disorders: Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. Results support the use of aquatherapy in Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis, however further evidence is required to make specific recommendations in all of the aforementioned disorders.
Rhes Suppression Enhances Disease Phenotypes in Huntington's Disease Mice
Authors: Lee John H. , Sowada Matthew J. , Boudreau Ryan L. , Aerts Andrea M. , Thedens Daniel R. , Nopoulos Peg , Davidson Beverly L.
Published: December 2019

In Huntington's disease (HD) mutant HTT is ubiquitously expressed yet the striatum undergoes profound early degeneration. Cell culture studies suggest that a striatal-enriched protein, Rhes, may account for this vulnerability. We investigated the therapeutic potential of silencing Rhes in vivo using inhibitory RNAs (miRhes). While Rhes suppression was tolerated in wildtype mice, it failed to improve rotarod function in two distinct HD mouse models. Additionally, miRhes treated HD mice had increased anxiety-like behaviors and enhanced striatal atrophy as measured by longitudinal MRI when compared to control treated mice. These findings raise caution regarding the long-term implementation of inhibiting Rhes as a therapy for HD.
The Potential of Composite Cognitive Scores for Tracking Progression in Huntington's Disease
Authors: Jones Rebecca , Stout Julie C. , Labuschagne Izelle , Say Miranda , Justo Damian , Coleman Allison , Dumas Eve M. , Hart Ellen , Owen Gail , Durr Alexandra , Leavitt Blair R. , Roos Raymund , O'Regan Alison , Langbehn Doug , Tabrizi Sarah J. , Frost Chris
Published: December 2019

Background: Composite scores derived from joint statistical modelling of individual risk factors are widely used to identify individuals who are at increased risk of developing disease or of faster disease progression. Objective: We investigated the ability of composite measures developed using statistical models to differentiate progressive cognitive deterioration in Huntington's disease (HD) from natural decline in healthy controls. Methods: Using longitudinal data from TRACK-HD, the optimal combinations of quantitative cognitive measures to differentiate premanifest and early stage HD individuals respectively from controls was determined using logistic regression. Composite scores were calculated from the parameters of each statistical model. Linear regression models were used to calculate effect sizes (ES) quantifying the difference in longitudinal change over 24 months between premanifest and early stage HD groups respectively and controls. ES for the composites were compared with ES for individual cognitive outcomes and other measures used in HD research. The 0.632 bootstrap was used to eliminate biases which result from developing and testing models in the same sample. Results: In early HD, the composite score from the HD change prediction model produced an ES for difference in rate of 24-month change relative to controls of 1.14 (95% CI: 0.90 to 1.39), larger than the ES for any individual cognitive outcome and UHDRS Total Motor Score and Total Functional Capacity. In addition, this composite gave a statistically significant difference in rate of change in premanifest HD compared to controls over 24-months (ES: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.44), even though none of the individual cognitive outcomes produced statistically significant ES over this period. Conclusions: Composite scores developed using appropriate statistical modelling techniques have the potential to materially reduce required sample sizes for randomised controlled trials.
A Pilot Study of Virtual Visits in Huntington Disease
Authors: Bull Michael T. , Darwin Kristin , Venkataraman Vinayak , Wagner Joseph , Beck Christopher A. , Dorsey E. Ray , Biglan Kevin M.
Published: December 2019

Background: Virtual visits through web-based video conferencing can increase access to specialty care for individuals with Huntington disease (HD) and facilitate research participation. Objective: To determine the feasibility of conducting virtual visits directly into the homes of individuals with HD, to assess the reliability of conducting remote versus in-person motor assessments, and to determine the test-retest reliability of conducting motor assessments remotely. Methods: Individuals with mild to moderate HD underwent baseline in-person clinic assessments and completed a HD care survey. Participants were randomized to receive three virtual visits from one of two physicians over four months that included a modified Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale motor examination (excluding rigidity and balance assessments) via web-based video conferencing. Intraclass coefficients (ICC) were calculated to determine the level of agreement between remote and in-person assessments. Participants also completed a survey on their interest in telemedicine. Results: Thirteen individuals underwent baseline assessments, eleven (85%) participants completed at least one virtual visit, and 27 (82%) of 33 total virtual visits were completed. Remote motor scores demonstrated good reliability (ICC = 0.78; n = 11) compared to in-person motor scores. Test-retest reliability of motor scores conducted remotely was excellent (ICC = 0.90; n = 11). Participants expressed moderate future interest in using virtual visits to participate in research and to receive care. Conclusion: In this pilot study, virtual visits into the home were feasible and reliable for conducting motor assessments in HD. Larger scale studies need to confirm and generalize these findings to a broader population of participants.
Review: Electrophysiology of Basal Ganglia and Cortex in Models of Parkinson Disease
Authors: Ellens Damien J. , Leventhal Daniel K.
Published: December 2019

Incomplete understanding of the systems-level pathophysiology of Parkinson Disease (PD) remains a significant barrier to improving its treatment. Substantial progress has been made, however, due to the availability of neurotoxins that selectively target monoaminergic (in particular, dopaminergic) neurons. This review discusses the in vivo electrophysiology of basal ganglia (BG), thalamic, and cortical regions after dopamine-depleting lesions. These include firing rate changes, neuronal burst-firing, neuronal oscillations, and neuronal synchrony that result from a combination of local microanatomic changes and network-level interactions. While much is known of the clinical and electrophysiological phenomenology of dopamine loss, a critical gap in our conception of PD pathophysiology is the link between them. We discuss potential mechanisms by which these systems-level electrophysiological changes may emerge, as well as how they may relate to clinical parkinsonism. Proposals for an updated understanding of BG function are reviewed, with an emphasis on how emerging frameworks will guide future research into the pathophysiology and treatment of PD.
Recovery of Neurological Functions in Non-Human Primate Model of Parkinson's Disease by Transplantation of Encapsulated Neonatal Porcine Choroid Plexus Cells
Authors: Luo Xian-Ming , Lin Hai , Wang Wei , Geaney Marilyn S. , Law Lee , Wynyard Shaun , Shaikh Shamim B. , Waldvogel Henry , Faull Richard L.M. , Elliott Robert B. , Skinner Stephen J.M. , Lee Jacqueline E. , Tan Paul L.-J.
Published: December 2019

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is primarily characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and a loss of their fibre projections in the striatum. We utilized the neonatal porcine choroid plexus (CP), an organ that secretes cerebrospinal fluid containing various types of neurotrophic and neuroprotective factors, to ameliorate the Parkinsonian symptoms in MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine)-treated rhesus monkeys without requiring immunosuppression. We demonstrate that transplanted encapsulated CP clusters (eCPs) significantly improved neurological functions in MPTP-treated monkeys during the course of six months after transplantation (p < 0.001) when compared with monkeys implanted with empty capsules or subjected to sham surgery. The improvement in neurological scores was accompanied by a corresponding improvement in apomorphine-induced circling behaviour (p < 0.001) as well as increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) staining in the striatum. Our results suggest that eCPs are a promising cell therapeutic agent to treat Parkinson's disease.
RETRACTED: Genetic Susceptibility Model of Parkinson’s Disease Resulting from Exposure of DJ-1 Deficient Mice to MPTP: Evaluation of Neuroprotection by Ubisol-Q10
Authors: Muthukumaran Krithika , Smith Jessica , Jasra Harshil , Sikorska Marianna , Sandhu Jagdeep K. , Cohen Jerome , Lopatin Daniel , Pandey Siyaram
Published: December 2019

IOS Press and the Editors were contacted by Pubpeer of suspected image manipulation of Figure 1, where a western blot image is turned and repeated (https://pubpeer.com/publications/6DCC9037670DD855DE16341C5842A3#1). After detailed considerations including discussion with the author, reviewers and editorial office, in the end the editorial office decided the scientific integrity could not be guaranteed. In this light the journal cannot condone publication of this paper and has decided to retract it from its online catalogue. The author states: “It was an error and an oversight on my behalf. We stand by all the corrected data, and we have all the slides, we confirmed similar findings in other models. This project was approved from our Animal Care Committee.”
Neuropsychological Effects of Deep Brain Stimulation in Subjects with Early Stage Parkinson's Disease in a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Tramontana Michael G. , Molinari Anna L. , Konrad Peter E. , Davis Thomas L. , Wylie Scott A. , Neimat Joseph S. , May Alexandra T. , Phibbs Fenna T. , Hedera Peter , Gill Chandler E. , Salomon Ronald M. , Wang Lily , Song Yanna , Charles David
Published: December 2019

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) and motor symptom complications. Recently, attention has been focused on whether offering DBS earlier in the course of PD is beneficial. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of DBS on neuropsychological functioning in subjects with early stage PD. Methods: Thirty subjects with early PD (Hoehn & Yahr Stage II off medication) were randomized to optimal drug therapy (ODT) (n = 15) or bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS+ODT (n = 15) after completing an expanded informed consent process specially designed for the study and administered by a medical ethicist and the study team. Comprehensive neuropsychological testing was completed in the treatment-withdrawn state at baseline and at 12 month and 24 month follow-ups. Results: Two serious adverse events occurred in the DBS+ODT group. One subject experienced a stroke and another developed infected hardware that contributed to specific declines in cognitive functioning. However, compared to the ODT group, the remaining subjects in the DBS+ODT group exhibited modest reductions on a few measures of attention, executive function, and word fluency at 12 months. These differences were largely diminished at 24 months, especially when those with the adverse events were excluded. Conclusions: The results of this trial provide novel data regarding the effects of DBS on cognitive function in early PD. We believe that the findings and insights from this trial can help guide the safety analysis and risk-benefit evaluations in future discussions of DBS in early stage PD.
Sleep Correlates of Trait Executive Function and Memory in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Scullin Michael K. , Fairley Jacqueline A. , Trotti Lynn Marie , Goldstein Felicia C. , Factor Stewart A. , Bliwise Donald L.
Published: December 2019

Background: Sleep disturbance and cognitive impairment are correlated in non-diseased populations, but their association in Parkinson's disease (PD) is uncertain. Prior studies examining measures of cognition in relation to sleep have used either self-report or actigraphically measured sleep and have produced conflicting findings. Objective: In this descriptive study, we correlated measurements of sleep in PD patients derived from the gold-standard measurement, in-lab polysomnography, with an extensive battery of cognitive measures. We hypothesized that poorer sleep would be related to relatively more impaired cognition. Methods: Idiopathic PD patients (n = 34) completed a cognitive battery encompassing three broad domains (executive function, immediate memory and delayed memory), and underwent PSG for two nights. Scores for each domain from individual cognitive measures were converted to z-scores and then averaged to produce a composite score. We used second night PSG data and quantified measures of sleep architecture, sleep continuity, sleep apnea and nocturnal movement (periodic leg movements, PLMS). Results: Lower executive function was associated with higher PLMS after controlling for chronological age, mini-mental state examination scores, and UPDRS motor subscale scores. These results were independent from psychomotor speed. There was a marginally significant positive correlation between the proportion of time spent in REM and immediate recall ability. Measures of sleep continuity and sleep apnea were unrelated to cognition in these patients. Conclusions: PLMS, known to be a frequent feature of PSG-measured sleep in PD, may be an important correlate of impaired executive function in PD. Whether treating this disorder of sleep results in improvement in cognition remains to be determined.
Activation of Metabotropic Glutamate 4 Receptors Decreases L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Lopez Sébastien , Bonito-Oliva Alessandra , Pallottino Simone , Acher Francine , Fisone Gilberto
Published: December 2019

Group III metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors modulate glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission in the basal ganglia. In this study, we examined a novel orthosteric agonist at the mGlu4 receptor, LSP1-2111, for its ability to affect L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID), in a mouse model. In 6-OHDA-lesioned mice treated with L-DOPA, chronic co-administration of LSP1-2111 significantly attenuated the development of abnormal involuntary movements, which are regarded as a marker of dyskinesia. In contrast, a single injection of LSP1-2111 did not modify the expression of LID, once this condition had been established by previous administration of L-DOPA. LSP1-2111 did not affect L-DOPA-induced cAMP and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase signaling, which have been previoulsy implicated in dyskinesia. These results indicate that co-administration of LSP1-2111 may improve the efficacy of standard L-DOPA therapy by attenuating its liability for dyskinesia.
Removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution by nano LaFeO3 particles
Authors: Hashemian Saeedeh , Monshizadeh Majeed
Published: December 2019

LaFeO3 was prepared by the sol-gel method and characterized by XRD, SEM and FT-IR. The XRD results showed that LaFeO3 is a perovskite oxide with an orthorhombic unit cell. The average crystalline size for nano crystalline LaFeO3 is 32–65 nm. Methylene blue adsorption experiments were carried out under different conditions of contact time, solution pH from 2–12 and LaFeO3 dose. The equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and the equilibrium adsorption was best described by the Langmuir isotherm model. Adsorption data were modeled using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second order kinetics equations. The pseudo-second-order kinetic equation best described the adsorption kinetics. Thermodynamic activation parameters such as Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and entropy were calculated. The adsorption process of methylene blue on LaFeO3 was found to be spontaneous and endothermic.