bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging of Novel Oncologic Treatments in Lung Cancer Part 2
Authors: Halpenny Darragh , O’Dwyer Elisabeth , Camacho Vasquez Juan , Shaverdian Narek , Girshman Jeffrey , Ginsberg Michelle S.
Published: October 2019

Conventional approaches to the treatment of early-stage lung cancer have focused on the use of surgical methods to remove the tumor. Recent progress in radiation therapy techniques and in the field of interventional oncology has seen the development of several novel ablative therapies that have gained widespread acceptance as alternatives to conventional surgical options in appropriately selected patients. Local control rates with stereotactic body radiation therapy for early-stage lung cancer now approach those of surgical resection, while percutaneous ablation is in widespread use for the treatment of lung cancer and oligometastatic disease for selected other malignancies. Tumors treated with targeted medical and ablative therapies can respond to treatment differently when compared with conventional therapies. For example, after stereotactic body radiation therapy, radiologic patterns of posttreatment change can mimic disease progression, and, following percutaneous ablation, the expected initial increase in the size of a treated lesion limits the utility of conventional size-based response assessment criteria. In addition, numerous treatment-related side effects have been described that are important to recognize, both to ensure appropriate treatment and to avoid misclassification as worsening tumor. Imaging plays a vital role in the assessment of patients receiving targeted ablative therapy, and it is essential that thoracic radiologists become familiar with these findings.
Defining Benchmark Outcomes for ALPPS
Authors: Raptis Dimitri A. , Linecker Michael , Kambakamba Patryk , Tschuor Christoph , Müller Philip C. , Hadjittofi Christopher , Stavrou Gregor A. , Fard-Aghaie Mohammad H. , Tun-Abraham Mauro , Ardiles Victoria , Malagó Massimo , Campos Ricardo Robles , Oldhafer Karl J. , Hernandez-Alejandro Roberto , de Santibañes Eduardo , Machado Marcel Autran , Petrowsky Henrik , Clavien Pierre-Alain
Published: October 2019

Objective:

The aim of this study was to use the concept of benchmarking to establish robust and standardized outcome references after the procedure ALPPS (Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged hepatectomy).

Background and Aims:

The recently developed ALPPS procedure, aiming at removing primarily unresectable liver tumors, has been criticized for safety issues with high variations in the reported morbidity/mortality rates depending on patient, disease, technical characteristics, and center experience. No reference values for relevant outcome parameters are available.

Methods:

Among 1036 patients registered in the international ALPPS registry, 120 (12%) were benchmark cases fulfilling 4 criteria: patients ≤67 years of age, with colorectal metastases, without simultaneous abdominal procedures, and centers having performed ≥30 cases. Benchmark values, defined as the 75th percentile of the median outcome parameters of the centers, were established for 10 clinically relevant domains.

Results:

The benchmark values were completion of stage 2: ≥96%, postoperative liver failure (ISGLS-criteria) after stage 2: ≤5%, ICU stay after ALPPS stages 1 and 2: ≤1 and ≤2 days, respectively, interstage interval: ≤16 days, hospital stay after ALPPS stage 2: ≤10 days, rates of overall morbidity in combining both stage 1 and 2: ≤65% and for major complications (grade ≥3a): ≤38%, 90-day comprehensive complication index was ≤22, the 30-, 90-day, and 6-month mortality was ≤4%, ≤5%, and 6%, respectively, the overall 1-year, recurrence-free, liver-tumor-free, and extrahepatic disease-free survival was ≥86%, ≥50%, ≥57%, and ≥65%, respectively.

Conclusions:

This benchmark analysis sets key reference values for ALPPS, indicating similar outcome as other types of major hepatectomies. Benchmark cutoffs offer valid tools not only for comparisons with other procedures, but also to assess higher risk groups of patients or different indications than colorectal metastases.
A Systematic Review of Comparing Single-incision Versus Traditional Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy For Right Colon Diseases
Authors: Zhao Guo-Hua , Wang Haotian , Yu Hairu , Sun Jiayi , Zhao Congxuan , Liu Yeqiu , Xiong Jiajia , Chang Jing , Wang Mixue , Wang Wenhui , Ye Dongman , Zhou Hongyan , Yu Tao
Published: October 2019

Background:

Single-incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (SILS) has been promoted in clinic since 2008, but a systematic review of comparing SILS and traditional laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (TLS) with long-term follow-up is rare. Here, in this study, comparison of SILS and TLS with long-term follow-up was evaluated by a meta-analysis method.

Methods:

All studies about SILS and TLS for right hemicolectomy from 2010 to 2018 were searched from databases including Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Wanfang. Operation index, recovery, and midterm follow-up data were evaluated by fixed-effects models, random-effects models, and Begg test.

Results:

We collected 22 studies with 2218 patients. SILS groups contained 1038 (46.7%) patients, and 1180 (53.3%) patients were observed in the TLS group. Patients’ baseline data were similar in the 2 groups. Compared with TLS, SILS had shorter operation duration [standardized mean difference (SMD): −0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.61 to −0.08, P<0.001, χ2=49.40], shorter hospitalization time (SMD: −0.27, 95% CI: −0.37 to −0.16, P<0.001, χ2=9.17), slightly less blood loss (SMD: −0.23, 95% CI: −0.36 to −0.10; P<0.001; χ2=5.36), and smaller incision length (SMD: −2.19, 95% CI: −3.66 to −0.71, P<0.001; χ2=316.1). No statistical differences were observed in other figures.

Conclusion:

SILS is more convenient and has better efficacy than TLS and could provide a promising surgical approach for right colon diseases.
Cancer cachexia in thoracic malignancy: a narrative review
Authors: Kidd Andrew C. , Skrzypski Marcin , Jamal-Hanjani Mariam , Blyth Kevin G.
Published: October 2019

Purpose of review

Thoracic malignancies are amongst the most lethal of all cancers. Cancer cachexia lacks unanimously accepted diagnostic criteria, and therefore is referenced to as a conceptual framework whereby cancer cachexia is ‘an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass (termed sarcopenia), with or without loss of fat mass that cannot be reversed by conventional nutritional support and leads to progressive functional impairment’. This review summarises the current evidence base in this field, including imaging techniques currently used to define sarcopenia, inflammatory and metabolic changes associated with the syndrome and ongoing research into potential treatment strategies.

Recent findings

Sarcopenia is a key component of the cancer cachexia syndrome. It is common in patients with both early-stage and advanced NSCLC. Patients with sarcopenia have more treatment-related side effects and poorer overall survival compared with nonsarcopenic patients.

Early identification of cancer cachexia may facilitate stratification of patients most-at-risk and initiation of emerging anticachexia treatments. If these are proven to be effective, this strategy has the potential to improve tolerance to anti-cancer therapies, improving the quality of life, and perhaps the survival, of patients with thoracic malignancies.
Single cell ecology
Authors: Richards Thomas A. , Massana Ramon , Pagliara Stefano , Hall Neil
Published: October 2019

Cells are the building blocks of life, from single-celled microbes through to multi-cellular organisms. To understand a multitude of biological processes we need to understand how cells behave, how they interact with each other and how they respond to their environment. The use of new methodologies is changing the way we study cells allowing us to study them on minute scales and in unprecedented detail. These same methods are allowing researchers to begin to sample the vast diversity of microbes that dominate natural environments. The aim of this special issue is to bring together research and perspectives on the application of new approaches to understand the biological properties of cells, including how they interact with other biological entities.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Single cell ecology’.
Cardiomyocyte mechanodynamics under conditions of actin remodelling
Authors: Pires Ricardo H. , Shree Nithya , Manu Emmanuel , Guzniczak Ewa , Otto Oliver
Published: October 2019

The mechanical performance of cardiomyocytes (CMs) is an important indicator of their maturation state and of primary importance for the development of therapies based on cardiac stem cells. As the mechanical analysis of adherent cells at high-throughput remains challenging, we explore the applicability of real-time deformability cytometry (RT-DC) to probe cardiomyocytes in suspension. RT-DC is a microfluidic technology allowing for real-time mechanical analysis of thousands of cells with a throughput exceeding 1000 cells per second. For CMs derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells, we determined a Young's modulus of 1.25 ± 0.08 kPa which is in close range to previous reports. Upon challenging the cytoskeleton with cytochalasin D (CytoD) to induce filamentous actin depolymerization, we distinguish three different regimes in cellular elasticity. Transitions are observed below 10 nM and above 10
3
nM and are characterized by a decrease in Young's modulus. These regimes can be linked to cytoskeletal and sarcomeric actin contributions by CM contractility measurements at varying CytoD concentrations, where we observe a significant reduction in pulse duration only above 10
3
nM while no change is found for compound exposure at lower concentrations. Comparing our results to mechanical cell measurements using atomic force microscopy, we demonstrate for the first time to our knowledge, the feasibility of using a microfluidic technique to measure mechanical properties of large samples of adherent cells while linking our results to the composition of the cytoskeletal network.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Single cell ecology'.
A single-cell genome perspective on studying intracellular associations in unicellular eukaryotes
Authors: Tyml Tomáš , Date Shailesh V. , Woyke Tanja
Published: October 2019

Single-cell genomics (SCG) methods provide a unique opportunity to analyse whole genome information at the resolution of an individual cell. While SCG has been extensively used to investigate bacterial and archaeal genomes, the technique has been rarely used to access the genetic makeup of uncultivated microbial eukaryotes. In this regard, the use of SCG can provide a wealth of information; not only do the methods allow exploration of the genome, they can also help elucidate the relationship between the cell and intracellular entities extant in nearly all eukaryotes. SCG enables the study of total eukaryotic cellular DNA, which in turn allows us to better understand the evolutionary history and diversity of life, and the physiological interactions that define complex organisms.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Single cell ecology’.
Single cell ecogenomics reveals mating types of individual cells and ssDNA viral infections in the smallest photosynthetic eukaryotes
Authors: Benites L. Felipe , Poulton Nicole , Labadie Karine , Sieracki Michael E. , Grimsley Nigel , Piganeau Gwenael
Published: October 2019

Planktonic photosynthetic organisms of the class Mamiellophyceae include the smallest eukaryotes (less than 2 µm), are globally distributed and form the basis of coastal marine ecosystems. Eight complete fully annotated 13–22 Mb genomes from three genera,
Ostreococcus
,
Bathycoccus
and
Micromonas
, are available from previously isolated clonal cultured strains and provide an ideal resource to explore the scope and challenges of analysing single cell amplified genomes (SAGs) isolated from a natural environment. We assembled data from 12 SAGs sampled during the Tara Oceans expedition to gain biological insights about their
in situ
ecology, which might be lost by isolation and strain culture. Although the assembled nuclear genomes were incomplete, they were large enough to infer the mating types of four
Ostreococcus
SAGs. The systematic occurrence of sequences from the mitochondria and chloroplast, representing less than 3% of the total cell's DNA, intimates that SAGs provide suitable substrates for detection of non-target sequences, such as those of virions. Analysis of the non-Mamiellophyceae assemblies, following filtering out cross-contaminations during the sequencing process, revealed two novel 1.6 and 1.8 kb circular DNA viruses, and the presence of specific Bacterial and Oomycete sequences suggests that these organisms might co-occur with the Mamiellales.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Single cell ecology’.
The need to account for cell biology in characterizing predatory mixotrophs in aquatic environments
Authors: Wilken Susanne , Yung Charmaine C. M. , Hamilton Maria , Hoadley Kenneth , Nzongo Juliana , Eckmann Charlotte , Corrochano-Luque Maria , Poirier Camille , Worden Alexandra Z.
Published: October 2019

Photosynthesis in eukaryotes first arose through phagocytotic processes wherein an engulfed cyanobacterium was not digested, but instead became a permanent organelle. Other photosynthetic lineages then arose when eukaryotic cells engulfed other already photosynthetic eukaryotic cells. Some of the resulting lineages subsequently lost their ability for phagocytosis, while many others maintained the ability to do both processes. These mixotrophic taxa have more complicated ecological roles, in that they are both primary producers and consumers that can shift more towards producing the organic matter that forms the base of aquatic food chains, or towards respiring and releasing CO
2
. We still have much to learn about which taxa are predatory mixotrophs as well as about the physiological consequences of this lifestyle, in part, because much of the diversity of unicellular eukaryotes in aquatic ecosystems remains uncultured. Here, we discuss existing methods for studying predatory mixotrophs, their individual biases, and how single-cell approaches can enhance knowledge of these important taxa. The question remains what the gold standard should be for assigning a mixotrophic status to ill-characterized or uncultured taxa—a status that dictates how organisms are incorporated into carbon cycle models and how their ecosystem roles may shift in future lakes and oceans.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Single cell ecology’.
Combined cultivation and single-cell approaches to the phylogenomics of nucleariid amoebae, close relatives of fungi
Authors: Galindo Luis Javier , Torruella Guifré , Moreira David , Eglit Yana , Simpson Alastair G. B. , Völcker Eckhard , Clauß Steffen , López-García Purificación
Published: October 2019

Nucleariid amoebae (Opisthokonta) have been known since the nineteenth century but their diversity and evolutionary history remain poorly understood. To overcome this limitation, we have obtained genomic and transcriptomic data from threeNuclearia, twoPompholyxophrysand oneLithocollaspecies using traditional culturing and single-cell genome (SCG) and single-cell transcriptome amplification methods. The phylogeny of the complete 18S rRNA sequences ofPompholyxophrysandLithocollaconfirmed their suggested evolutionary relatedness to nucleariid amoebae, although with moderate support for internal splits. SCG amplification techniques also led to the identification of probable bacterial endosymbionts belonging to Chlamydiales and Rickettsiales inPompholyxophrys. To improve the phylogenetic framework of nucleariids, we carried out phylogenomic analyses based on two datasets of, respectively, 264 conserved proteins and 74 single-copy protein domains. We obtained full support for the monophyly of the nucleariid amoebae, which comprise two major clades: (i)Parvularia–Fonticulaand (ii)Nucleariawith the scaled generaPompholyxophrysandLithocolla. Based on these findings, the evolution of some traits of the earliest-diverging lineage of Holomycota can be inferred. Our results suggest that the last common ancestor of nucleariids was a freshwater, bacterivorous, non-flagellated filose and mucilaginous amoeba. From the ancestor, two groups evolved to reach smaller (Parvularia–Fonticula) and larger (Nucleariaand related scaled genera) cell sizes, leading to different ecological specialization. TheLithocolla+Pompholyxophrysclade developed exogenous or endogenous cell coverings from aNuclearia-like ancestor.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Single cell ecology’.
Using single-cell transcriptomics to understand functional states and interactions in microbial eukaryotes
Authors: Ku Chuan , Sebé-Pedrós Arnau
Published: October 2019

Understanding the diversity and evolution of eukaryotic microorganisms remains one of the major challenges of modern biology. In recent years, we have advanced in the discovery and phylogenetic placement of new eukaryotic species and lineages, which in turn completely transformed our view on the eukaryotic tree of life. But we remain ignorant of the life cycles, physiology and cellular states of most of these microbial eukaryotes, as well as of their interactions with other organisms. Here, we discuss how high-throughput genome-wide gene expression analysis of eukaryotic single cells can shed light on protist biology. First, we review different single-cell transcriptomics methodologies with particular focus on microbial eukaryote applications. Then, we discuss single-cell gene expression analysis of protists in culture and what can be learnt from these approaches. Finally, we envision the application of single-cell transcriptomics to protist communities to interrogate not only community components, but also the gene expression signatures of distinct cellular and physiological states, as well as the transcriptional dynamics of interspecific interactions. Overall, we argue that single-cell transcriptomics can significantly contribute to our understanding of the biology of microbial eukaryotes.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Single cell ecology’.
Structure of a rabies virus polymerase complex from electron cryo-microscopy
Authors: Horwitz Joshua A. , Jenni Simon , Harrison Stephen C. , Whelan Sean P.J.
Published: October 2019

Non-segmented negative-stranded (NNS) RNA viruses, among them the virus that causes rabies (RABV), include many deadly human pathogens. The large polymerase (L) proteins of NNS-RNA viruses carry all the enzymatic functions required for viral mRNA transcription and replication: RNA polymerization, mRNA capping, cap methylation. We describe here a complete structure of RABV L bound with its phosphoprotein cofactor (P), determined by electron cryo-microscopy at 3.3 Å resolution. The complex closely resembles vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) L-P, the one other known full-length NNS-RNA L protein structure, with key local differences (e.g., in L-P interactions). Like the VSV L-P structure, the RABV complex analyzed here represents a pre-initiation conformation. Comparison with the likely elongation state, seen in two partial structures of pneumovirus L-P complexes, suggests differences between priming/initiation and elongation complexes. Analysis of internal cavities within RABV L suggests distinct template and product entry and exit pathways during transcription and replication.
Deep Active Lesion Segmentation
Authors: Hatamizadeh Ali , Hoogi Assaf , Sengupta Debleena , Lu Wuyue , Wilcox Brian , Rubin Daniel , Terzopoulos Demetri
Published: October 2019

Lesion segmentation is an important problem in computer-assisted diagnosis that remains challenging due to the prevalence of low contrast, irregular boundaries that are unamenable to shape priors. We introduce Deep Active Lesion Segmentation (DALS), a fully automated segmentation framework that leverages the powerful nonlinear feature extraction abilities of fully Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and the precise boundary delineation abilities of Active Contour Models (ACMs). Our DALS framework benefits from an improved level-set ACM formulation with a per-pixel-parameterized energy functional and a novel multiscale encoder-decoder CNN that learns an initialization probability map along with parameter maps for the ACM. We evaluate our lesion segmentation model on a new Multiorgan Lesion Segmentation (MLS) dataset that contains images of various organs, including brain, liver, and lung, across different imaging modalities—MR and CT. Our results demonstrate favorable performance compared to competing methods, especially for small training datasets.
The mTORC1/S6K/PDCD4/eIF4A axis determines outcome of mitosis
Authors: Moustafa-Kamal Mohamed , Kucharski Thomas , El Assad Wissal , Gandin Valentina , Abas Yazan , Nagar Bhushan , Pelletier Jerry , Topisirovic Ivan , Teodoro Jose G.
Published: October 2019

mTOR is a serine/threonine kinase which acts a master regulator of cell growth and proliferation. Raptor, a scaffolding protein that recruits substrates to mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1), is known to be phosphorylated during mitosis, but the significance of this phosphorylation remains largely unknown. Here we show that raptor expression and mTORC1 activity are dramatically reduced in mitotic arrested cells across a variety of cancer and normal cell lines. Prevention of raptor phosphorylation during mitosis resulted in reactivation of mTORC1 in a rapamycin-sensitive manner. Importantly, expression of a non-phosphorylatable raptor mutant caused a dramatic reduction in cytotoxicity of the spindle poison Taxol. This effect was mediated via degradation of Programmed Cell Death Protein 4 (PDCD4), a tumor suppressor protein that inhibits eIF4A activity and is negatively regulated by the mTORC1/S6K pathway. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of eIF4A was able to enhance the effects of taxol and restore sensitivity in Taxol resistant cancer cells. These findings indicate that the mTORC1/S6K/PDCD4/eIF4A axis has a pivotal role in death vs. slippage decision during prolonged mitotic arrest and may be exploited to gain a clinical benefit in treating cancers resistant to anti-mitotic drugs.
Effect of Geometric Sharpness on Translucent Material Perception
Authors: Xiao Bei , Zhao Shuang , Gkioulekas Ioannis , Bi Wenyan , Bala Kavita
Published: October 2019

When judging optical properties of a translucent object, humans often look at sharp geometric features such as edges and thin parts. Analysis of the physics of light transport shows that these sharp geometries are necessary for scientific imaging systems to be able to accurately measure the underlying material optical properties. In this paper, we examine whether human perception of translucency is likewise affected by the presence of sharp geometry, by confounding our perceptual inferences about an object’s optical properties. We employ physically accurate simulations to create visual stimuli of translucent materials with varying shapes and optical properties under different illuminations. We then use these stimuli in psychophysical experiments, where human observers are asked to match an image of a target object by adjusting the material parameters of a match object with different geometric sharpness, lighting geometry, and 3D geometry. We find that the level of geometric sharpness significantly affects perceived translucency by the observers. These findings generalize across a few illuminations and object shapes. Our results suggest that the perceived translucency of an object depends on both the underlying material optical parameters and 3D shape. We also conduct analyses using computational metrics including (luminance-normalized) L2, structural similarity index (SSIM), and Michelson contrast. We find that these image metrics cannot predict perceptual results, suggesting low level image cues are not sufficient to explain our results.
Bayesian machine learning improves single-wavelength anomalous diffraction phasing
Authors: Garcia-Bonete Maria-Jose , Katona Gergely
Published: October 2019

Single-wavelength X-ray anomalous diffraction (SAD) is a frequently employed technique to solve the phase problem in X-ray crystallography. The precision and accuracy of recovered anomalous differences are crucial for determining the correct phases. Continuous rotation (CR) and inverse-beam geometry (IBG) anomalous data collection methods have been performed on tetragonal lysozyme and monoclinic survivin crystals and analysis carried out of how correlated the pairs of Friedel's reflections are after scaling. A multivariate Bayesian model for estimating anomalous differences was tested, which takes into account the correlation between pairs of intensity observations and incorporates the a priori knowledge about the positivity of intensity. The CR and IBG data collection methods resulted in positive correlation between I(+) and I(−) observations, indicating that the anomalous difference dominates between these observations, rather than different levels of radiation damage. An alternative pairing method based on near simultaneously observed Bijvoet's pairs displayed lower correlation and it was unsuccessful for recovering useful anomalous differences when using the multivariate Bayesian model. In contrast, multivariate Bayesian treatment of Friedel's pairs improved the initial phasing of the two tested crystal systems and the two data collection methods.
Considering the impacts of simultaneous perils
Authors: Ordaz Mario , Salgado-Gálvez Mario Andrés , Huerta Benjamín , Rodríguez Juan Carlos , Avelar Carlos
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The development of multi-hazard risk assessment frameworks has gained momentum in the recent past. Nevertheless, the common practice with openly available risk data sets, such as the ones derived from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Global Risk Model, has been to assess risk individually for each peril and afterwards aggregate, when possible, the results. Although this approach is sufficient for perils that do not have any interaction between them, for the cases where such interaction exists, and losses can be assumed to occur simultaneously, there may be underestimation of losses. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper summarizes a methodology to integrate simultaneous losses caused by earthquakes and tsunamis, with a peril-agnostic approach that can be expanded to other hazards. The methodology is applied in two relevant locations in Latin America, Acapulco (Mexico) and Callao (Peru), considering in each case building by building exposure databases with portfolios of different characteristics, where the results obtained with the proposed approach are compared against those obtained after the direct aggregation of individual losses.

Findings

The fully probabilistic risk assessment framework used herein is the same of the global risk model but applied at a much higher resolution level of the hazard and exposure data sets, showing its scalability characteristics and the opportunities to refine certain inputs to move forward into decision-making activities related to disaster risk management and reduction.

Originality/value

This paper applies for the first time the proposed methodology in a high-resolution multi-hazard risk assessment for earthquake and tsunami in two major coastal cities in Latin America.
Analyzing the sequence and interrelations of Natech disasters in Urban areas using interpretive structural modelling (ISM)
Authors: Firouzi Jahantigh Farzad , Jannat Forozandeh
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Natural disasters such as earthquake, flood and hurricane always threaten human life and societies. A major challenge is technological hazards triggered by such disasters, especially in metropolises and urban areas. Thus, these hazards have been the focus of interest in many countries, and suitable crisis management plans have been made to address them. The purpose of this study was to cluster technological hazards caused by natural disasters in urban areas.

Design/methodology/approach

According to literature, a set of 15 technological hazards was identified whose magnificence and interrelations were analysed using interpretive structural modelling technique. DEMATEL technique was used to determine internal relations among the hazards and to draw a network relation map.

Findings

The results revealed that dam failing, water supply disruption and building collapse form the base of the structural model.

Originality/value

The authors developed a structural model representing the hierarchy and interrelations among various elements of technological hazards caused by natural disaster. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first attempt to reveal internal relations of Natech factors. Finally, some recommendations were proposed for crisis management according to research findings.
Implementation of phosphor sedimentation to reduce thermal instability issue affecting white LED luminescence
Authors: Peng Hui Yuen , Yam Fong Kwong
Published: October 2019

Purpose

In general, lighting application, white light emitting diode (LED) usually exposed to an extreme operating temperature of above 90°C. It is well-known that luminous efficacy and spectral characteristic of white LED are dependent on the temperature, causing thermal effects on luminous efficacy and color shift of white LED become a critical application checkpoint to be addressed by white LED manufactures. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to minimize the thermal stability issue affecting white LED luminescence during operation by introducing phosphor sedimentation process.

Design/methodology/approach

The LED samples were assembled and sent for centrifugation with 0, 5 and 10 revolutions per second (rps), respectively, during phosphor sedimentation process. Luminescence properties of these LED samples were then characterized at a varying temperature to investigate the effect of phosphor sedimentation on the luminescence stability of LED samples. The LED samples were also cross-sectioned and analyzed to understand the phosphor sedimentation mechanism. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was applied to study the temperature distribution of the non-phosphor sediment (NPS) and phosphor sediment (PS) LED during operation to validate the hypotheses based on experimental data.

Findings

Experimental results show that the luminous intensity of PS LED samples degrades less significant at high temperature. The experimental results also show that the color coordinate for PS LED samples is more stable and is less blue-shifted than NPS LED samples as the temperature increased. These are because the heat generated by phosphor particles during operation can be dissipated effectively throughout a high thermal conductivity substrate after phosphor sedimentation. Thus, the phosphor temperature of PS LED is lower than NPS LED during operation as validated with the thermal simulation.

Practical implications

The study of this paper is applicable as a reference for industries who intend to resolve the thermal stability of white LED during operation. The luminescence properties changes as a function of the temperature study in this paper can be used to predict the application performances of white LED accurately. Apart from that, the analysis method of temperature distribution using CFD simulations can be extended by other CFD users in the future.

Originality/value

Implementation of phosphor sedimentation to reduce thermal instability issue of white LED has yet to be reported on previous studies. Most literature just studied the thermal instability issue of either assembled LED or raw material, without suggesting any solution to tackle the issue.
Assessment of the management of student affairs records
Authors: Netshakhuma Nkholedzeni Sidney
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess records management components, such as record scheduled, records appraisal, destroyed/disposed, retained, training of staff on the management of the student affairs records (SARs), provided access, the challenges associated with efficient management of SARs and strategies for effective management of SARs, to determine the extent the Student Affairs Department (SAD) complies with the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) records management policy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses qualitative methodology of a triangulation of data collection and this included interviews, document analysis and observation.

Findings

The literature review, as well as the interview, revealed that findings on the UMP records management policy are multi-layered. A number of participants mentioned lack of records centre, records retention and appraisal of records, records management training and managing access to information as a challenge to the management of SARs.

Research limitations/implications

The research was only limited to the UMP, Student Affairs Division, with a population of 15 staff members even though the findings can be applied to all the universities in South Africa.

Practical implications

SAD has a unique contribution to make to ensure that records created within their division are managed in terms of the UMP records management policy by ensuring that components such as records storage retention and appraisal of records management training and managing access to information are adhered to.

Social implications

Failure to comply with the UMP records management policy by the Student Affairs Division will contribute to the loss of institutional memories, non-compliance with legislations such as Promotion of Access to Information Act 2000, National Archives and Records Services Act 46 of 1996 and the Protection of Personal Information Act No 4. Of 2013.

Originality/value

The research appears to be the first of its kind, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to assess SARs at the UMP, South Africa.
Developing resilient supply chains: lessons from high-reliability organisations
Authors: Sawyerr Emmanuel , Harrison Christian
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the prescribed formative elements of supply chain resilience (SCR) in literature, to compare them with the unique characteristics of high reliability organisations (HROs) and derive lessons useful for improving SCR.

Design/methodology/approach

Two systematic literature reviews are carried out as follows: one on SCR and the other on HRO, which identified 107 studies and 18 papers, respectively. The results from the review are presented, analysed and synthesised.

Findings

Findings suggest that despite significant similarities in some of the proposed formative elements for SCR and the characteristics of HROs, the strong managerial commitment exhibited in HROs is absent in SCR literature. More importantly, the most cited characteristic of HROs, which is their flexible decision making structure is pointed out as a prima lesson towards developing resilience in supply chains.

Practical implications

A decision making framework to facilitate flexible decision making for supply chains during crisis is presented. Further, practical lessons are pointed out from principles common to both streams of literature such as redundancy, human resource management, collaboration, agility, flexibility, culture and risk avoidance that can be implemented in supply chains.

Originality/value

This paper is the first study to systematically review HROs, adapt a HRO decision making framework and also apply the Cynefin framework to SCR. This, therefore, provides the basis to launch further research into the use of these theories and the role of decision-making in SCR creation.
Achieving sustainability in global sourcing: towards a conceptual framework
Authors: Jiang Yan , Jia Fu , Blome Constantin , Chen Lujie
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to set out the development, based on the extant literature, an integrated conceptual framework for the emergent field of sustainable global sourcing (GS) that synthesizes its antecedents, GS practices and sustainable performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual theory building combined with content analysis is used to develop a framework and propositions representing a middle-range theory of sustainable GS. A literature review of the 89 most influential papers is followed by a further discussion based on the resource orchestration perspective (ROP) to advance an integrated conceptual framework.

Findings

Three main themes are identified from the literature as antecedents, GS practices and sustainable performance, with each theme being detailed in a variety of constructs. Based on the ROP, the relationships between these constructs are revealed, and therefore, an integrated conceptual framework is advanced via three sets of propositions in recourse orchestration breadth, recourse orchestration depth and resource orchestration evolution, respectively. Eight directions for future research are further proposed.

Originality/value

First, this study provides a comprehensive framework for future study in the emergent field of sustainable GS. Second, the authors contribute to theory development by proposing a ROP to explore the GS practices towards sustainability. Third, the future research directions we proposed can benefit scholars interested in the overlapping areas of GS and sustainability.
Investigating the intention to adopt smartphone apps among the entrepreneurs of a developing country
Authors: Soomro Bahadur Ali , Shah Naimatullah , Memon Maqsood
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Nowadays, in mobile communication, smartphone is one of the modern progress and emergent phenomena for business as well as social networking. The purpose of this paper is to investigate an intention to adopt smartphone apps among the entrepreneurs of a developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative methods based on cross-section data are employed for examining an intention towards adopting smartphone apps. The data are collected through a survey questionnaire. In the initial stage, 500 questionnaires were randomly distributed among the businessmen of a developing context. The value of the return samples is 280. The response rate has remained at 56 per cent.

Findings

By applying the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression show a positive and significant relationship of perceived usefulness, ease of use, perceived enjoyment and satisfaction with an intention to adopt smartphone apps. On the other hand, a positive and non-significant relationship between social needs and the intention to adopt smartphone apps is investigated.

Practical implications

The present study may provide valuable insights into the use pattern of smartphones among entrepreneurs and contribute for nurturing an intention to adopt smartphone apps in the developing context. Moreover, such a study may contribute to the literature of the developing country context, especially in the perspective of developing an intention and attitude towards smartphone apps.

Originality/value

This paper offers the factors which may be supportive of the actual usage of smartphone applications. The study is original containing data from a developing country.
Migration and political institutions: Other side of the hill
Authors: Wong Kin Ming
Published: October 2019

The present paper examines the effect of migrant population on political institutions in their host societies using data from the local elections in Hong Kong. The share of the population that has migrated from mainland China is found to have a positive effect on the pro‐government votes in local elections. This effect continues to exist after demographic characteristics are controlled. Further investigation suggests that the effect of migrant population on voting patterns varies across periods of migration to Hong Kong. These findings contribute to the published literature in two ways. First, they provide evidence that the effects of migration on political development are two‐way. Migration not only influences the political institutions in migrants’ home countries, but also shapes the political institutions in their host regions. Second, they also pave the way for future research on why and how periods of migration influence migrant populations’ voting patterns in their host regions.
Post‐‘Brexit’ Financial Governance: Which Dispute Settlement Framework Should Be Utilised?
Authors: Howell Elizabeth
Published: October 2019

This contribution to the ongoing Brexit discussions addresses topical legal and regulatory issues in the post‐Brexit policy debate, especially the questions surrounding the important area of financial governance and dispute resolution. Specifically, a number of future UK/EU legal disputes with respect to financial services may emerge post‐Brexit. The article examines the UK's track record at the Court of Justice of the European Union, and discusses some likely future challenges. It then considers which institutional framework should be used for resolving disagreements. The article assesses the strengths and weaknesses of three potential models (the proposed Swiss/EU institutional framework; the EFTA ‘docking’ option; and the WTO system) and provides an original cross‐model evaluation. It also discusses the associated design challenges that EU and UK negotiators may encounter in the attempt to devise a post‐Brexit dispute settlement system.
Exhibiting the Revolution: Expositions at the Museum of the Revolution in Leningrad in the 1920s and 1930s
Authors: HALE RYAN
Published: October 2019

This article analyses the first two decades of the flagship museum of revolutionary history in Petrograd/Leningrad following the October Revolution of 1917. The article discusses the purpose behind the efforts to enlighten the masses on the revolutionary movement and the methods employed to collect and display artefacts of the revolutionary period in Russia. Further examination is made of the communication methods employed by the museum and how the changing economic and political circumstances affected the ability of the revolutionary museum to enlighten Soviet visitors, especially the nationalization of private collections, the removal of plurality and academic independence and, of course, the demand for Stalinist orthodoxy within cultural expression.
Application of Immunoassays for Rapid Monitor of Carbofuran Residue in Vegetables
Authors: Zhao Yajie , Tan Guiyu , Wang Mian , Lin Huan , He Lishan , Li Lingyun , Wang Baomin
Published: October 2019

Carbofuran residue in vegetables is a concern to human health. Direct competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (dcELISA) and dipstick immunoassay were developed in the present study. The dcELISA showed a 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) and working range of 1.3 and 0.2 to 7.5 ng/mL, respectively, while the cutoff value of dipstick immunoassay was 20 ng/mL. Applying the two immunoassays, we achieved the goal of rapid screening of carbofuran residue in commercial vegetables with a simple sample processing method. Among 46 leek, 39 potato, and 39 sweet potato samples, carbofuran residue was detected in 22% of the leek samples, and two samples exceeded the maximum residue limit of China (0.02 mg/kg). In addition, carbofuran residue was found at less than 2.5 ng/g in one potato and one sweet potato samples. The residual level of carbofuran measured by immunoassays agreed well with those determined by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. To ensure food safety and human health, it is greatly necessary and meaningful to monitor carbofuran residue in commercial vegetables.

Practical Application

Rapid monitoring of carbofuran residue in vegetables is very necessary and important for consumers, regulatory agencies, and food industry.
Interlaboratory Measurement of Rheological Properties of Tomato Salad Dressing
Authors: Tan Juzhong , Martini Silvana , Wang Ye , Kong Fanbin , Hartel Richard , Barbosa‐Cánovas Gustavo , Vardhanabhuti Bongkosh , Bornhorst Gail , Keppler Silvia , Joyner Helen
Published: October 2019

Rheological properties of food materials are important as they influence food texture, processing properties, and stability. Rotational rheometry has been widely used for measuring rheological properties. However, the measurements obtained using different geometries and rheometers are generally not compared for precision and accuracy, so it is difficult to compare data across different studies. In this study, nine rheometers from seven laboratories were used to measure the viscosity and viscoelastic properties of a commercial salad dressing. The measurements were obtained at three temperatures (8, 25, and 60 °C) using different diameter parallel plates (20, 40, 50, and 60 mm). Generally, the viscosity measurements among rheometers differed significantly (). For larger geometry diameter (40, 50, and 60 mm) and at lower temperatures (8 °C), viscosity measurements at lower shear rate (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 s−1) were significantly different. Rheometer brand significantly affected storage modulus only at low (0.01%) and high levels (10% and 100%) of strain. Temperature was an influencing factor on viscoelastic behaviors only at high strain (>10%). Storage moduli values obtained by frequency sweeps were not affected by rheometer or plate diameter. Overall, rheometer, geometry, and temperature can influence rheological measurements and care should be taken when comparing data across laboratories or published works. Higher shear rates (≥10 s−1) and moderate strains (0.1% to 10%) generally provide more repeatable data among different laboratories.

Practical Application

This study provides information on what factors may potentially influence rheological measurements conducted across different laboratories. It is useful for rheometer users who want to compare their experimental data to published data or compare two sets of published data. It is better to compare data collected at shear rates 10 s−1 and strains between 0.1% and 1.0%.
Encapsulation of Vitamin D3 in Pickering Emulsion Stabilized by Nanofibrillated Mangosteen Cellulose: Effect of Environmental Stresses
Authors: Mitbumrung Wiphada , Suphantharika Manop , McClements David Julian , Winuprasith Thunnalin
Published: October 2019

Vitamin D3 was encapsulated in 10% wt soybean oil‐in‐water (O/W) Pickering emulsions stabilized by either nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) or whey protein isolate (WPI) at 0.3%, 0.5%, and 0.7% w/w. The vitamin D3‐enriched emulsions were tested for their stability against temperature (30 °C to 90 °C), pH (2 to 8), and ionic strength (0 to 500 mM NaCl). The mean particle diameter (d32), ζ‐potential, and creaming stability of the oil droplets in the emulsions were measured, as well as their vitamin D3 encapsulation efficiency (EE). After preparation, the oil droplet size (d32) of the emulsions stabilized by NFC increased with increasing emulsifier concentration, whereas the droplet size of emulsions stabilized by WPI decreased. NFC provided good stability to the emulsions through a combination of steric and electrostatic repulsion. The EE of vitamin D3 increased with increasing emulsifier concentration. Heating or ionic strength did not significantly (P < 0.05) affect the emulsions properties and EE. On the other hand, the NFC‐stabilized emulsions were sensitive to highly acidic conditions (pH 2), with an increase in particle size and decrease in EE. The WPI‐stabilized emulsions aggregated around the isoelectric point of the adsorbed proteins (pI ≈ 4.8). Increasing NFC or WPI concentration improved the stability and EE of the emulsions against environmental stresses. NFC‐stabilized emulsions had good long‐term stability. The results show that NFC can be used as an effective emulsifier for creating vitamin‐enriched emulsions with good stability.

Practical Application

This study can be used to develop more effective encapsulation technologies for fat‐soluble vitamins in emulsion‐based food products. Encapsulation using nanofibrillated cellulose effectively protected the encapsulated vitamins against environmental stresses which occur in industrial food production (such as pH changes, salt addition, and thermal processing). Moreover, nanofibrillated cellulose extracted from mangosteen rind is a nature‐derived emulsifier that is environmental friendly.