bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation study of high‐reverse blocking AlGaN/GaN power rectifier with an integrated lateral composite buffer diode
Authors: Wang Zeheng , Wang Fangzhou , Guo Songnan , Wang Zirui
Published: April 2017

In this study, a novel AlGaN/GaN power rectifier with an integrated lateral composite buffer diode (IBD‐Rectifier) for reverse blocking capability improvement is proposed and investigated by Sentaurus simulations (this paper includes only simulated data and no real experimental result). AlGaN buffer layer under the anode is adopted to realise great high reverse blocking capability. A minimum turn‐on voltage of 0.6 V and a maximum breakdown voltage (BV) >1.3 kV are simultaneously obtained in the IBD‐Rectifier, resulting in a high Baliga's figure of merits BV 2/Ron,sp (Ron,sp is specific‐on resistance) of ∼3000 MW/cm2. In comparison with MIS‐gated hybrid anode diode and conventional schottky barrier diode, the IBD‐Rectifier delivers an excellent theoretical method to achieve superior performances in high‐efficiency GaN power applications.
Klinische und pathologische Prognosefaktoren für das Langzeitüberleben von Patienten mit pT1 Nierenzellkarzinom
Authors: Breyer Johannes , Otto Wolfgang , Lausenmeyer Eva , Denzinger Stefan , Schwientek Ann-Kathrin , Ochs Ludwig , Mayr Roman , Gierth Michael , Bründl Johannes , Burger Maximilian , Evert Matthias , Fritsche Hans-Martin , Eichelberg Christian
Published: April 2017

Einleitung In den letzten Jahrzehnten ist eine steigende Inzidenz des Nierenzellkarzinoms zu beobachten. Bedingt durch die verbesserten bildgebenden Verfahren und deren häufigeren Einsatz kommt es gleichzeitig zu einer vermehrten Diagnose kleiner Tumoren im Stadium pT1. Es ist jedoch bekannt, dass auch kleine Nierentumore spät rezidivieren und metastasieren können. Die Fragestellung der vorliegenden Studie ist es, unkompliziert zu erhebende klinische und histopathologische Faktoren für die Prognoseeinschätzung kleiner Nierentumore zu identifizieren.

Patienten/Methoden Es erfolgte die retrospektive Analyse aller Patienten, die im Zeitraum zwischen 1993 – 2007 an einem Einzelzentrum aufgrund eines pT1-Nierenzellkarzinoms operiert wurden. Klinische und histopathologische Parameter wurden hinsichtlich ihres Einflusses auf das Rezidiv-freie Überleben (RFS), Karzinom-spezifische Überleben (CSS) und das Gesamtüberleben (OS) mittels Kaplan-Meier-Analyse, univariater und multivariater Cox-Regressionsanalyse untersucht.

Ergebnisse Insgesamt konnten die Daten von 571 Patienten erhoben werden. Das mediane Follow-up betrug 111 Monate. Die Rezidivrate betrug 7,2 %, 15 % der Rezidive traten nach über 10 Jahren auf.

Bezogen auf das RFS zeigten sich höheres Grading (p = 0,031) und Stadium pT1b (p < 0,001) in der univariaten Analyse mit einem signifikant schlechteren RFS verbunden. Stadium pT1b (p = 0,001) und Grading G2 /3 (p = 0,019) waren ebenso beide mit einem statistisch signifikant schlechteren CSS verbunden. Bezüglich des OS war das Stadium nicht mehr signifikant, dafür zeigten die komplette statt partielle Nephrektomie (p = 0,024) sowie eine Diabeteserkrankung (p < 0,001) einen negativen Einfluss.

In der multivariaten Analyse zeigte sich das Stadium pT1b als einziger prädiktiver Faktor für ein schlechteres RFS (p = 0,001) und CSS (p = 0,009). Hinsichtlich des Gesamtüberlebens waren Multifokalität (p = 0,041) und das Vorhandensein eines Diabetes mellitus (p < 0,001) unabhängige negativ prädiktive Faktoren.

Schlussfolgerung Die beschriebenen prognostischen Parameter können helfen, die Nachsorge von Patienten mit kleinen Nierentumoren risikoadaptiert anzupassen.
Influence of chemical doping on flux pinning of GdBa2Cu3O7−z films
Authors: Liu L. , Wang W. T. , Huo B. L. , Wang M. J. , Yu Z. , Yang X. , Zhang Y. , Cheng C. H. , Zhao Y.
Published: April 2017

Epitaxial GdBCO films with Cobalt (Co) and BaZrO3 (BZO) doping were prepared on (00l) LaAlO3 substrate by a self-developed fluorine-free polymer-assisted metal-organic deposition (FF-PA-MOD) approach. The effect of different doping ways on structure and properties of GdBCO films was investigated. Our results show that in-field critical current density ( Jc) values of doped films have been distinctly improved compared to the pure film. It is noted that Co-doped film has much larger in-field Jc values than BZO-doped film, especially at higher temperatures. Furthermore, Co-doped GdBCO film shows significantly enhanced surface smoothness and grain connectivity. It is suggested that obviously enhanced Jc– B properties of the film may be attributed to improved surface morphologies and effective flux pinning centres by dilute Co doping. This study may offer another simple and efficient way to obtain the GdBCO-based coated conductors with high current densities.
Novel wear-resistant anti-bacterial stainless steel surfaces
Authors: Tian Linhai , Li Xiaoying , Dong Hanshan
Published: April 2017

To generate a long-lasting antibacterial surface on stainless steels for demanding applications involving rubbing and wear, a novel triple-glow plasma (TGP) technology was employed to generate Ag/N co-alloying layers on AISI 316 austenitic stainless steel. The mechanical, chemical, antibacterial and tribological behaviour of the samples treated under different settings and parameters were fully characterised. It is identified that a durable antibacterial surface has been achieved using the novel TGP technology under an optimal parameters, as proved by the high hardness, low wear rate and high antibacterial efficacy. A bilayer structure composed of a thin top layer containing about 20–25% Ag embedded in N supersaturated austenite followed by a relatively thick (∼10 µm) S-phase layer was formed after Ag/N co-alloying by TGP. The silver embedded in the hard S-phase provides bactericidal activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus) with a reduction rate of 95% compared with the untreated stainless steel.
Impact of Fishing Exploitation and Climate Change on the Grey Mullet Mugil cephalus Stock in the Taiwan Strait
Authors: Lan Kuo-Wei , Zhang Chang Ik , Kang Hee Joong , Wu Long-Jing , Lian Li-Jhih
Published: April 2017

This study estimated the impact of fishing exploitation and climate change on the stock of Grey Mullet (known as Striped Mullet in North America) Mugil cephalus in the Taiwan Strait. Cohort analysis was employed to estimate the population abundance and instantaneous rate of fishing mortality by age of Grey Mullet in the Taiwan Strait. The instantaneous rate of natural mortality (M) was varied to 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, and 1.50 times the estimated M to conduct a sensitivity analysis of varying M on correlation coefficients on other factors. Since 1986, the annual catches have sharply dropped and remained at a very low level despite high fishing intensity, indicating that overfishing has occurred since the 1980s. The population of the age-group 4 years and older has decreased since 1986, reaching 20,000 individuals in 2004, which is only 1% of what the population was in 1981. The overexploitation of Grey Mullet reduced its biomass, and environmental changes during the past two decades are likely to have driven the stock to consecutive years of poor recruitment, causing its current low level in the Taiwan Strait. We also observed that the recruitment population of Grey Mullet was influenced by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, with the lag in its influence changing from 2–3 years from the time period of 1958–1985 to 0–2 years after 1986. In addition, sea surface temperature anomalies have shown a significant time lag of a 0–2-year effect since 1986. Overexploitation of the Grey Mullet population after the 1980s suggested an increased sensitivity to short-term environmental changes.
Sparse matrices: storage schemes and simple operations
Authors: Duff I. S. , Erisman A. M. , Reid J. K.
Published: April 2017

We consider how best to store sparse vectors, to add a multiple of one to another and to form inner products. We also discuss using a full array even when the vector is sparse. We compare the different ways that sparse matrices can be held and discuss the use of linked lists. Sorting may be needed before or during a sparse matrix computation, so we discuss two sorting methods that we have found particularly useful: the counting sort and the heap sort. We consider grouping variables into supervariables and we discuss matrix-vector and matrix-matrix products.
Gaussian elimination for dense matrices: the algebraic problem
Authors: Duff I. S. , Erisman A. M. , Reid J. K.
Published: April 2017

We review the fundamental operations in the direct solution of linear equations without concern for rounding error caused by computer arithmetic. We consider the relationship between Gaussian elimination and LU factorization. We compare the use of different computational sequences including left-looking and right-looking. We show that advantage can be taken of symmetry and we consider the use of blocking. Our choice of material is based on what will be useful in the sparse case.
Intracranial Connections of the Vertebral Venous Plexus: Anatomical Study with Application to Neurosurgical and Endovascular Procedures at the Craniocervical Junction
Authors: Tubbs R Shane , Demerdash Amin , Loukas Marios , Curé Joel , Oskouian Rod J , Ansari Shaheryar , Cohen-Gadol Aaron A
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Descriptions of intracranial extensions of vertebral venous plexuses are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To identify vertebral venous plexuses at the craniocervical junction in cadavers and describe them.

METHODS

The authors dissected 15 ink-injected, formalin-fixed, adult cadaveric heads and measured cranial extensions of the spinal venous plexuses.

RESULTS

All specimens had vertebral venous plexuses at the craniocervical junction composed of multiple interwoven vessels concentrated anteriorly (anterior vertebral plexuses), posteriorly (posterior vertebral venous plexuses), and laterally (lateral vertebral venous plexuses). Veins making up the plexus tended to be largest for the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus. On 33%, a previously unnamed lateral internal vertebral venous plexus was identified that connected to the lateral marginal sinus. The anterior external vertebral venous plexus connected to the basilar venous plexus via transclival emissary veins in 13%; remaining veins connected either intracranially via small perforating branches through the anterior atlanto-occipital membrane (33%) or had no direct gross connections inside the cranium (53%). The anterior internal vertebral plexus, which traveled between layers of the posterior longitudinal ligament, connected to the anterior half of the marginal sinus in 33% and anterolateral parts of the marginal sinus in 20%. The posterior internal venous plexus connected to the posterior aspect of the marginal sinus on 80% and into the occipital sinus in 13.3%. The posterior external venous plexus connected to veins of the hypoglossal canal in 20% and into the posterior aspect of the marginal sinus in 13.3%.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge of these connections is useful to neurosurgeons and interventional radiologists.
No Time for Silence: An Urgent Need for Political Activism Among the Medical Community
Authors: Levinsohn Erik , Weisenthal Karrin , Wang Priscilla , Shahu Andi , Meizlish Matthew , Robledo-Gil Talia , Duffy Eamon , Fox Samara , Berk-Krauss Juliana
Published: April 2017

Despite being a major stakeholder in the U.S. health care system, the medical community has remained relatively mute in the debate over the future of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). If the ACA were repealed, tens of millions of Americans would be in danger of losing their insurance, resulting in a significant increase in mortality. Because misinformation about the ACA is rampant, it is imperative that health care providers explain to the public what exactly the ACA is and how repeal will affect patients. Traditionally, many in the medical community have abstained from political advocacy for multiple reasons, including compromising the doctor–patient relationship, financial incentives, lack of experience with activism due to an absence of training in that area, and fear of political retaliation. Encouragingly, there are indications that the medical community is beginning to become more vocal. Medical students are one example, having formed a grassroots response to repeal. However, students need more guidance and support from experienced mentors to most effectively serve as patient advocates. This is no time for silence: On this life-or-death issue, the medical community cannot afford to remain mute.
The Utility of High-Fidelity Simulation for Training Critical Care Fellows in the Management of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Emergencies: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zakhary Bishoy M. , Kam Lily M. , Kaufman Brian S. , Felner Kevin J.
Published: April 2017

Objective:

Although extracorporeal membrane oxygenation volume has increased, proficiency in the technology requires extensive training. We compared traditional water-drill–based extracorporeal membrane oxygenation training with simulation-based extracorporeal membrane oxygenation training with the hypothesis that simulation-based training is superior.

Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

Academic medical center.

Subjects:

Pulmonary/critical care fellows.

Interventions:

Participants had a preintervention simulated extracorporeal membrane oxygenation emergency (Sim1—recirculation) then randomized into simulation and traditional groups. Each group participated in three teaching scenarios, via high-fidelity simulation or via water-drills. After 6 weeks and after 1 year, participants returned for two simulated extracorporeal membrane oxygenation emergencies (Sim2—pump failure and Sim3—access insufficiency). Sim2 was a case encountered during teaching, whereas Sim3 was novel. A critical action, necessary for resolution of each scenario, was preidentified for timing.

Measurements and Main Results:

Primary outcome was time required to perform critical actions. Twenty-one fellows participated in the study (simulation, 10; traditional, 11). Groups had similar scenario scores (p = 0.4) and times to critical action (p = 0.8) on Sim1. At 6 weeks, both groups had similar scenario scores on Sim2 (p = 0.5), but the simulation group scored higher on Sim3 (p = 0.03). Times to critical actions were shorter in the simulation group during Sim2 (127 vs 174 s, p = 0.004) and Sim3 (159 vs 300 s; p = 0.04). These findings persisted at 1 year.

Conclusions:

In novice critical care fellows, simulation-based extracorporeal membrane oxygenation training is superior to traditional training. Benefits transfer to novel scenarios and are maintained over the long term. Further studies evaluating the utility of simulation in other learner groups and for maintenance of proficiency are required.
Variation in Adult Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes in the United States
Authors: Greene Nathaniel H. , Kernic Mary A. , Vavilala Monica S. , Rivara Frederick P.
Published: April 2017

Objective:

To ascertain the degree of variation, by state of acute care hospitalization, in outcomes associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an adult population.

Setting:

All acute care hospitals in 21 states in the United States in the year 2010.

Participants:

Adult (> 18 years) patients (N = 95 546) admitted to a hospital with a moderate or severe TBI.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study using data from State Inpatient Databases from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project.

Main Measures:

Inpatient mortality and discharge to inpatient rehabilitation.

Results:

The adjusted risk of inpatient mortality varied between states by as much as 40%, with age, severity of injury, and insurance status as significant factors in both outcomes. The adjusted risk of discharge to inpatient rehabilitation varied between by more than 100% among the states measured.

Conclusions:

There was clinically significant variation between states in inpatient mortality and rehabilitation discharge after adjusting for variables known to affect each outcome. Future efforts should be focused on identifying the causes of this state-to-state variation, how these causes affect patient outcomes, and may serve as a guide to further standardization of treatment for traumatic brain injury across the United States.
TheDrosophilaZO-1 protein Polychaetoid suppresses Deltex-regulated Notch activity to modulate germline stem cell niche formation
Authors: Shimizu Hideyuki , Wilkin Marian B. , Woodcock Simon A. , Bonfini Alessandro , Hung Yvonne , Mazaleyrat Sabine , Baron Martin
Published: April 2017

The developmental signalling protein Notch can be proteolytically activated following ligand-interaction at the cell surface, or can be activated independently of its ligands, following Deltex (Dx)-induced Notch endocytosis and trafficking to the lysosomal membrane. The means by which different pools of Notch are directed towards these alternative outcomes remains poorly understood. We found that theDrosophilaZO-1 protein Polychaetoid (Pyd) suppresses specifically the Dx-induced form of Notch activation bothin vivoand in cell culture assays.In vivowe confirmed the physiological relevance and direction of the Pyd/Dx interaction by showing that the expanded ovary stem cell niche phenotypes ofpydmutants require the presence of functional Dx and other components that are specific to the Dx-induced Notch activation mechanism. In S2 cells we found that Pyd can form a complex with Dx and Notch at the cell surface and reduce Dx-induced Notch endocytosis. Similar to other known activities of ZO-1 family proteins, the action of Pyd on Dx-induced endocytosis and signalling was found to be cell density dependent. Thus, together, our results suggest an alternative means by which external cues can tune Notch signalling through Pyd regulation of Dx-induced Notch trafficking.
Creating beauty: creativity compensates for low physical attractiveness when individuals assess the attractiveness of social and romantic partners
Authors: Watkins Christopher D.
Published: April 2017

Although creativity is attractive in a potential mate, it is unclear (i) whether the effects of creativity on attractiveness generalize to other social contexts and (ii) whether creativity has equivalent effects on men's and women's attractiveness. As social knowledge of creativity may either enhance or ‘offset’ the appeal of social partners who differ in physical attractiveness, three repeated measures experiments were conducted to directly address these issues. Here, participants rated a series of face–text pairs for attractiveness on trials that differed in one of four combinations of facial attractiveness (attractive and less attractive) and creativity (creative and less creative), rating story-tellers in two experiments (short interpretations of an identical painting) and creative ideas in a further experiment (alternative uses for an everyday object). Regardless of the sex of the judge, creativity and facial attractiveness had independent effects on men's overall attractiveness (initial experiment) and, in further experiments, more substantial effects on the attractiveness of men with less attractive faces than men with attractive faces (when using a different measure of creativity) and specific effects on the attractiveness of individuals with less attractive faces (when using different face stimuli). Collectively, across three experiments, these findings suggest that creativity may compensate for putative cues to lower biological ‘quality’ and that the benefits of creativity to social groups more generally enhance attraction to creative men (in two experiments) and creative men and women (one experiment). More broadly, the data suggest that species can integrate knowledge of cognitive intelligence with visual cues to biological ‘quality’ to facilitate mate and/or ally choice.
Social Reward Questionnaire—Adolescent Version and its association with callous–unemotional traits
Authors: Foulkes Lucy , Neumann Craig S. , Roberts Ruth , McCrory Eamon , Viding Essi
Published: April 2017

During adolescence, social interactions are a potent source of reward. However, no measure of social reward value exists for this age group. In this study, we adapted the adult Social Reward Questionnaire, which we had previously developed and validated, for use with adolescents. Participants aged 11–16 (n = 568; 50% male) completed the Social Reward Questionnaire—Adolescent Version (SRQ-A), alongside measures of personality traits—five-factor model (FFM) and callous–unemotional (CU) traits—for construct validity purposes. A confirmatory factor analysis of the SRQ-A supported a five-factor structure (Comparative Fit Index = 0.90; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.07), equating to five questionnaire subscales: enjoyment of Admiration, Negative Social Potency, Passivity, Prosocial Interactions and Sociability. Associations with FFM and CU traits were in line with what is seen for adult samples, providing support for the meaning of SRQ-A subscales in adolescents. In particular, adolescents with high levels of CU traits showed an ‘inverted’ pattern of social reward, in which being cruel is enjoyable and being kind is not. Gender invariance was also assessed and was partially supported. The SRQ-A is a valid, reliable measure of individual differences in social reward in adolescents.
Group size and visitor numbers predict faecal glucocorticoid concentrations in zoo meerkats
Authors: Scott Katy , Heistermann Michael , Cant Michael A. , Vitikainen Emma I. K.
Published: April 2017

Measures of physiological stress in zoo animals can give important insights into how they are affected by aspects of their captive environment. We analysed the factors influencing variation in glucocorticoid metabolites in faeces (fGCs) from zoo meerkats as a proxy for blood cortisol concentration, high levels of which are associated with a stress response. Levels of fGCs in captive meerkats declined with increasing group size. In the wild, very small groups of meerkats are at a higher risk of predation, while in larger groups, there is increased competition for resources. Indeed, group sizes in captivity resemble those seen in unstable coalitions in the wild, which may represent a stressful condition and predispose meerkats to chronic stress, even in the absence of natural predators. Individuals in large enclosures showed lower levels of stress, but meerkat density had no effect on the stress measures. In contrast with data from wild meerkats, neither sex, age nor dominance status predicted stress levels, which may reflect less food stress owing to more equal access to resources in captivity versus wild. The median number of visitors at the enclosure was positively correlated with fGC concentrations on the following day, with variation in the visitor numbers having the opposite effect. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that there is an optimum group size which minimizes physiological stress in meerkats, and that zoo meerkats at most risk of physiological stress are those kept in small groups and small enclosures and are exposed to consistently high numbers of visitors.
Floaters may buffer the extinction risk of small populations: an empirical assessment
Authors: Robles Hugo , Ciudad Carlos
Published: April 2017

The high extinction risk of small populations is commonly explained by reductions in fecundity and breeder survival associated with demographic and environmental stochasticity. However, ecological theory suggests that population extinctions may also arise from reductions in the number of floaters able to replace the lost breeders. This can be particularly plausible under harsh fragmentation scenarios, where species must survive as small populations subjected to severe effects of stochasticity. Using a woodpecker study in fragmented habitats (2004–2016), we provide here empirical support for the largely neglected hypothesis that floaters buffer population extirpation risks. After controlling for population size, patch size and the intrinsic quality of habitat, populations in patches with floaters had a lower extinction probability than populations in patches without floaters (0.013 versus 0.131). Floaters, which often replace the lost breeders, were less likely to occur in small and low-quality patches, showing that population extirpations may arise from unnoticed reductions in floater numbers in poor-quality habitats. We argue that adequate pools of the typically overlooked floaters may buffer extirpation risks by reducing the detrimental impacts of demographic and environmental stochasticity. However, unravelling the influence of floaters in buffering stochastic effects and promoting population stability require additional studies in an ample array of species and stochastic scenarios.
Wall following inXenopus laevisis passive
Authors: Hänzi Sara , Straka Hans
Published: April 2017

The tendency of animals to follow boundaries within their environment can serve as a strategy for spatial learning or defence. We examined whether animals ofXenopus laevisemploy such a strategy by characterizing their swimming behaviour. We also investigated potential developmental changes, the influence of tentacles, which some of the developmental stages possess, and whether wall-following is active (animals seek out wall contact) or passive. Animals’ swimming movements were recorded with a camera from above in a square tank with shallow water and their trajectories were analysed especially for proximity to the nearest wall. With the exception of young larvae, in which wall following was less strong, the vast majority of animals – tadpoles and froglets – spent more time near the wall than what would be expected from the proportion of the area near the wall. The total distance covered was not a confounding factor. Wall following was also not influenced by whether the surrounding of the tank was black or white, illuminated by infrared light, or by the presence or absence of tentacles. Animals were stronger wall followers in smaller tanks. When given a choice in a convex tank to swim straight and leave the wall or turn to follow the wall, the animals consistently left the wall, indicating that wall following inXenopus laevisis passive. This implies that wall following behaviour inXenopusderives from constraints imposed by the environment (or the experimenter) and is unlikely a strategy for spatial learning or safety-seeking.

Summary statement:

Xenopus laevistadpoles and froglets tend to swim along the walls of a square tank; but this wall following is passive – in a convex tank, they leave the wall.
The genetic legacy of Zoroastrianism in Iran and India: Insights into population structure, gene flow and selection
Authors: López Saioa , Thomas Mark G. , van Dorp Lucy , Ansari-Pour Naser , Stewart Sarah , Jones Abigail L. , Jelinek Erik , Chikhi Lounès , Parfitt Tudor , Bradman Neil , Weale Michael E. , Hellenthal Garrett
Published: April 2017

Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest extant religions in the world, originating in Persia (present-day Iran) during the second millennium BCE. Historical records indicate that migrants from Persia brought Zoroastrianism to India, but there is debate over the timing of these migrations. Here we present novel genome-wide autosomal, Y-chromosome and mitochondrial data from Iranian and Indian Zoroastrians and neighbouring modern-day Indian and Iranian populations to conduct the first genome-wide genetic analysis in these groups. Using powerful haplotype-based techniques, we show that Zoroastrians in Iran and India show increased genetic homogeneity relative to other sampled groups in their respective countries, consistent with their current practices of endogamy. Despite this, we show that Indian Zoroastrians (Parsis) intermixed with local groups sometime after their arrival in India, dating this mixture to 690-1390 CE and providing strong evidence that the migrating group was largely comprised of Zoroastrian males. By exploiting the rich information in DNA from ancient human remains, we also highlight admixture in the ancestors of Iranian Zoroastrians dated to 570 BCE-746 CE, older than admixture seen in any other sampled Iranian group, consistent with a long-standing isolation of Zoroastrians from outside groups. Finally, we report genomic regions showing signatures of positive selection in present-day Zoroastrians that might correlate to the prevalence of particular diseases amongst these communities.
Improvedde novoGenome Assembly: Linked-Read Sequencing Combined with Optical Mapping Produce a High Quality Mammalian Genome at Relatively Low Cost
Authors: Mohr DW , Naguib A , Weisenfeld NI , Kumar V , Shah P , Church DM , Jaffe D , Scott AF
Published: April 2017

Current short-read methods have come to dominate genome sequencing because they are cost-effective, rapid, and accurate. However, short reads are most applicable when data can be aligned to a known reference. Two new methods forde novoassembly are linked-reads and restriction-site labeled optical maps. We combined commercial applications of these technologies for genome assembly of an endangered mammal, the Hawaiian Monk seal.

We show that the linked-reads produced with 10X Genomics Chromium chemistry and assembled with Supernova v1.1 software produced scaffolds with an N50 of 22.23 Mbp with the longest individual scaffold of 84.06 Mbp. When combined with Bionano Genomics optical maps using Bionano RefAligner, the scaffold N50 increased to 29.65 Mbp for a total of 170 hybrid scaffolds, the longest of which was 84.78 Mbp. These results were 161X and 215X, respectively, improved over DISCOVARde novoassemblies. The quality of the scaffolds was assessed using conserved synteny analysis of both the DNA sequence and predicted seal proteins relative to the genomes of humans and other species. We found large blocks of conserved synteny suggesting that the hybrid scaffolds were high quality. An inversion in one scaffold complementary to human chromosome 6 was found and confirmed by optical maps.

The complementarity of linked-reads and optical maps is likely to make the production of high quality genomes more routine and economical and, by doing so, significantly improve our understanding of comparative genome biology.
Clustering of Drosophila housekeeping promoters facilitates their expression
Authors: Corrales Marc , Rosado Aránzazu , Cortini Ruggero , van Arensbergen Joris , van Steensel Bas , Filion Guillaume J.
Published: April 2017

Housekeeping genes of animal genomes cluster in the same chromosomal regions. It has long been suggested that this organization contributes to their steady expression across all the tissues of the organism. Here, we show that the activity of Drosophila housekeeping gene promoters depends on the expression of their neighbors. By measuring the expression of ∼85,000 reporters integrated in Kc167 cells, we identified the best predictors of expression as chromosomal contacts with the promoters and terminators of active genes. Surprisingly, the chromatin composition at the insertion site and the contacts with enhancers were less informative. These results are substantiated by the existence of genomic “paradoxical” domains, rich in euchromatic features and enhancers, but where the reporters are expressed at low level, concomitant with a deficit of interactions with promoters and terminators. This indicates that the proper function of housekeeping genes relies not on contacts with long distance enhancers but on spatial clustering. Overall, our results suggest that spatial proximity between genes increases their expression and that the linear architecture of the Drosophila genome contributes to this effect.
Impact of participation on behaviour outcomes in health care service
Authors: Mahapatra Sabita
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of patient participation on patient satisfaction and the subsequent effect on patient behavior outcomes

Design/methodology/approach

The research employs self-administered survey method to test hypotheses. The convenience sampling approach is used to collected data from 410 patients in metropolitan cities of India. The data are analyzed using SmartPLS to test the proposed model.

Findings

The results shows patient participation is positively related to behaviour outcomes and patient confidence and satisfaction mediate the effect of patient participation on adherence.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to a small sample which may somewhat limit generalization of the findings. However, the findings, based on primary data, are insightful. Second, the current study was cross-sectional in nature, whereas a longitudinal study could had measured changes in perceptions over an extended time period.

Practical implications

The results provide interesting insights about the significance of patient participation in positive behavior outcome. These insights will enable health care professionals and government to formulate a suitable policy through which to encourage patient participation in health treatment regimes.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates the influence of patient participation on behavior. There has been little research on this aspect in the Indian context to date, so this study offers an important guideline to the health care industry in relation to introducing customer empowerment into health care regimes.
Leaky building stigma
Authors: Shi Song , McCarthy Iona , Mai Uyen
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the stigma effect on property valuation/sale price for remediated residential leaky buildings constructed in New Zealand during the 1990s and 2000s. In particular, the authors want to know whether meeting the regulatory standards for remediation work will totally eliminate the negative stigma effect on remediated properties.

Design/methodology/approach

Property transaction data for remediated leaky homes are often limited and not well recorded. Thus, it is very difficult or even impossible to identify those remediated properties in a standard property transaction data set. Moreover, a vast amount of information regarding the nature of property defects, remediation process and method is very difficult to obtain. In this study, members of the Property Institute of New Zealand (PINZ) and the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand were invited to participate in an online website survey. The results were then analysed using the principal component analysis, ordinary least squares and multinomial logit regressions.

Findings

This study indicates that for monolithic-clad dwellings, the price discount due to leaky building stigma is significant. Depending on the severity of the leaking problems, this is about 11 per cent on average for general market stigma and an additional 5-10 per cent for post-remediation stigma. The results highlight that meeting the regulatory standards for remediation work cannot totally eliminate the negative stigma effect on remediated properties. The findings are in line with the lemon theory introduced by Akerlof (1970) and robust to individual characteristics of the survey respondent.

Originality/value

General market stigma has been widely researched and documented in the literature. In contrast, there is a lack of research as to whether remediation will eliminate stigma, particularly in the presence of general market stigma. The authors are the first to show that post-remediation stigma can cause value loss in addition to general market stigma based on the lemon theory proposed by Akerlof (1970).
Accounting logics as a challenge for ERP system implementation: a field study of SAP
Authors: Heinzelmann Rafael
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the accounting logic inscribed in the SAP enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and how this accounting logic becomes effective in organizations. The authors draw on the notion of accounting logics by mobilizing the institutional logics literature (Thornton et al., 2012). Accordingly, accounting logics are conceptualized as crucial underlying design principles consisting of a system of beliefs, assumptions and ideas how accounting systems should be designed.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a qualitative case study approach conducted in a manufacturing company, hereafter called Wood Plc. The primary data source is qualitative research interviews. Secondary data, such as internal documents, were collected to increase validity and reliability through data triangulation (Ahrens and Chapman, 2006; Scapens, 2004).

Findings

The paper demonstrates how a particular accounting logic – the Germanic accounting logic – gets diffused throughout the organization by the means of the SAP ERP system, and creates challenges for management accounting practices in local entities. The contribution of the paper is to show that ERP systems can foster the diffusion of a specific accounting logic, which is inherently linked to the SAP system, and which enables a specific version of accounting to work in an organization.

Research limitations/implications

This paper could be viewed as an extreme case of a German organization using the SAP ERP system with its Germanic accounting logic inscribed to make a German accounting logic work in the entire organization. Consequently, further research could unpack the relationship between accounting logics, ERP systems, accounting systems and their use by studying not only different empirical settings with respect to the organizational context but also the ERP software used by organizations.

Practical implications

This paper aims to raise the awareness of practitioners of the conceptual underpinnings inscribed in the SAP accounting modules while at the same time pinpointing the potential challenges of implementation generated by the accounting logics.

Originality/value

The paper complements existing studies on accounting and ERP systems by bringing the accounting logic inscribed in the SAP ERP system to the fore. More precisely, this paper shows that in the wake of SAP ERP implementation, the organization studied spread its assumptions and beliefs on accounting, which are manifested in the Germanic accounting logic inscribed in the SAP ERP system, in the organization. This invoked particular challenges in non-Germanic subsidiaries in making accounting work.
Drivers of management accounting adaptability: the agility lens
Authors: Yigitbasioglu Ogan M.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Management accounting practices are expected to adapt and evolve with changing information requirements. The purpose of this study is to determine factors that drive management accounting adaptability (MAA) in organisations using the agility lens.

Design/methodology/approach

This study identifies three factors that drive MAA through their support of agility. Specifically, the impact of top management team knowledge, team-based structures and information system flexibility on MAA is examined. The hypotheses are tested using data collected from an online survey of Australian and New Zealand companies.

Findings

The results support the proposed relations and explain a significant variance in MAA. Also, consistent with previous findings, a positive association between MAA and management accounting effectiveness was found.

Research limitations/implications

This study illustrates the value of using the agility lens in the context of management accounting change, which is under-explored in the accounting literature relative to other disciplines such as production economics.

Practical implications

This study recommends management to refrain from behaviour that encourages and maintains the status quo. Influencing the factors identified in this study can encourage more innovation in management accounting and improve adaptability when changes to organisational contingencies occur.

Originality/value

This paper explores and adopts the concept of agility to complement dominant theories in the management accounting change literature. The concept of agility is unpacked and applied to review existing literature to explain how management accounting may become more adaptable and open to evolving. The resulting model identifies factors that support sense-making and responding as constituents of agility. This study also extends a recent study by Yigitbasioglu (2016) on the link between information technology and MAA by building a more powerful model in terms of scope and explanatory power to explain the ability of management accounting to change over time.
Setting a knowledge boundary across teams: knowledge protection regulation for inter-team coordination and team performance
Authors: Lee Junyeong , Min Jinyoung , Lee Heeseok
Published: April 2017

Purpose

As teams are built around specialized and different knowledge, they need to regulate their knowledge boundaries to exchange their specialized knowledge with other teams and to protect the value of such specialized knowledge. However, prior studies focus primarily on boundary spanning and imply that boundaries are obstacles to sharing knowledge. To fill this research gap, this study aims to indicate the importance of knowledge protection regulation, an activity that sets an adequate boundary for protecting knowledge, and investigate the factors that facilitate knowledge protection regulation and its consequences.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected empirical data from 196 teams in seven organizations. Through a validation of the measurement model, data from 138 teams are used for further analysis. The hypotheses effects are assessed using a structural equation model.

Findings

The analysis results indicate that both task uncertainty and task interdependency enhance knowledge protection regulation in teams, and that information technology support moderates the relationship between task uncertainty and knowledge protection regulation. The results also indicate that knowledge protection regulation improves inter-team coordination and team performance.

Originality/value

This study focuses on knowledge protection regulation by adopting communication privacy management theory at the team level. The findings imply that boundary management is the process of communication and depends on the role the teams play in accomplishing their tasks. The findings also provide a new way to understand knowledge flow of the teams as well as the entire organization.
Value generation from industry-science linkages in light of targeted open innovation
Authors: Meissner Dirk , Carayannis Elias George
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a substantial overview of features and channels of knowledge and technology transfer in light of achieving impact from science and research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual with substantial desk research undertaken. A taxonomy of transfer channels is proved and levels of impact from STI proposed.

Findings

It is found that there are different levels of value generated from science, technology and innovation, each featuring different stakeholders with different agendas and expectations. It is argued that to make knowledge and technology transfer impactful and sustainable, a long-term and holistic view and approach is required.

Originality/value

Against most papers about technology and knowledge transfer, this work presents an overarching overview of objects, channels and features of partners involved in transfer. It is features technology and knowledge transfer from a holistic perspective and provides useful background for future empiric studies and impact assessments.
The professionalisation of auditing in less developed countries: the case of Sri Lanka
Authors: Yapa Prem W.S. , Ukwatte Jalathge Sarath L. , Siriwardhane Pavithra
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the tensions amongst the audit firms operating in Sri Lanka with the introduction of open economic policies in early 1980s and its impact to the auditing profession.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative approach, this study consists of in-depth interviews, documentary review and critical interpretation supported by the perspectives of globalisation, digitalisation and neo-liberalism.

Findings

The findings indicate that the main reasons for the tension between audit firms (local and international) have been the conflict of interests on the market share. While global pressures on International Standards of Auditing created more opportunities for international audit firms to capture a wider market with the support of the state, the local audit firms apparently lost their market and experienced tension created by staff. Evidence shows the negative impact of globalisation on the open economic policies and the local audit market.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this research will be useful for policymakers in revising auditing practices to ensure healthy corporate governance. Only 25 interviews were conducted; hence, the results may not be a holistic representation of the audit environment in Sri Lanka.

Originality/value

This study is significant, as the business capital has surged into Sri Lankan market as a result of the ongoing international agencies-led economic reforms. Such reforms have emphasised the transparency and accountability.
Self‐management of first trimester medical termination of pregnancy: a qualitative study of women's experiences
Authors: Purcell C , Cameron S , Lawton J , Glasier A , Harden J
Published: April 2017

Objective

To explore the experiences of women in Scotland who return home to complete medical termination of pregnancy (TOP) ≤63 days of gestation, after being administered with mifepristone and misoprostol at an NHS TOP clinic.

Design

Qualitative interview study.

Setting

One National Health Service health board (administrative) area in Scotland.

Population or Sample

Women in Scotland who had undergone medical TOP ≤63 days, and self‐managed passing the pregnancy at home; recruited from three clinics in one NHS health board area between January and July 2014.

Methods

In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with 44 women in Scotland who had recently undergone TOP ≤63 days of gestation, and who returned home to pass the pregnancy. Data were analysed thematically using an approach informed by the Framework method.

Main outcome measures

Women's experiences of self‐management of TOP ≤63 days of gestation.

Results

Key themes emerging from the analysis related to self‐administration of misoprostol in clinic; reasons for choosing home self‐management; facilitation of self‐management and expectation‐setting; experiences of getting home; self‐managing and monitoring treatment progress; support for self‐management (in person and remotely); and pregnancy self‐testing to confirm completion.

Conclusions

Participants primarily found self‐administration of misoprostol and home self‐management to be acceptable and/or preferable, particularly where this was experienced as a decision made jointly with health professionals. The way in which home self‐management is presented to women at clinic requires ongoing attention. Women could benefit from the option of home administration of misoprostol.

Tweetable abstract

Women undergoing medical TOP 63 days found home self‐management to be acceptable and/or preferable.