bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Consequences of Using an Indeterminate Range for Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV: A Decision Model
Authors: Salvatore Phillip , Johnson Karl , Vojnov Lara , Doherty Meg , Dowdy David
Published: October 2019

Background:

To minimize false-positive diagnoses of HIV in exposed infants, the World Health Organization recommends confirmatory testing for all infants initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART). In settings where confirmatory testing is not feasible or intermittently performed, clinical decisions may be aided by semi-quantitative cycle thresholds (Cts) that identify positive results most likely to be false-positive.

Methods:

We developed a decision analysis model of HIV-exposed infants in sub-Saharan Africa to estimate the clinical consequences of deferring ART for infants with weakly positive (“indeterminate”) results. We assessed the degree to which “indeterminate” results may reduce the number of infants starting ART unnecessarily while missing a small number of HIV-infected infants. Our primary outcome was the ratio of averted unnecessary ART regimens to additional HIV-related deaths (due to false-negative diagnosis) at different Ct cutoffs.

Results:

The clinical consequences of adopting an indeterminate range varied with the prevalence of HIV and Ct cutoff. Considering a Ct cutoff ≥33, adopting an indeterminate range could prevent a median of 1.4 infants from receiving ART unnecessarily (95% UR: 1.0–2.0) for each additional HIV-related death. This ratio could be improved by prioritizing infants with indeterminate results for confirmatory testing [median 8.8 (95% UR: 6.0–13.3)] and by adopting a higher cutoff [median 82.3 (95% UR: 49.0–155.8) with Ct ≥36].

Conclusions:

When implemented in settings where confirmatory testing is not universal, the benefits of classifying weakly positive results as “indeterminate” may outweigh the risks. Accordingly, the World Health Organization has recommended Ct values ≥33 be considered indeterminate for infant HIV diagnosis.
Propranolol Accelerats Hemangioma Stem Cell Transformation Into Adipocyte
Authors: Li Hong-hong , Lou Yin , Zhang Rong-rong , Xie Juan , Cao Dong-sheng
Published: October 2019

Background

Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common childhood benign vascular tumor. Recently, propranolol has been found to be an effective therapy for IH, but its mechanism of action is not yet understood. Hemangioma stem cells (HemSCs) have a mesenchymal morphology, robust proliferation, and multilineage differentiation (into adipocytes). Therefore, we hypothesized that propranolol could accelerate the transdifferentiation of HemSCs and prevent the growth of proliferating IH. In this study, the fibrofatty tissue of IH that received therapy with propranolol appeared much earlier than without the treatment.

Methods

We isolated HemSCs with CD133-tagged immunomagnetic beads, and then we used flow cytometry technology to analyze the HemSC phenotypes and determine whether propranolol induced HemSC death. The proliferation and adipogenesis abilities of propranolol-treated HemSCs were analyzed by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-diphenytetrazoliumromide assay, Oil red O staining, and Western blotting.

Results

We observed that the HemSC morphological traits gradually became spindle shaped, like fibroblasts, and the average extraction yield of HemSCs was about 0.25%. The HemSCs had high rates of expression for CD90 (98.8%) and CD105 (97.8%) but did not significantly express CD31 (0.7%). We also found a 100 μM concentration of propranolol cutoff point. Propranolol did not affect HemSC survival significantly at low concentrations (6.25, 12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 μM). However, propranolol resulted in a sharp and significant variation in cell morphology and survival rates at high concentrations (100, 200, and 400 μM). The results suggest that treatment with propranolol inhibited HemSC proliferation and induced cell death and apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Oil droplets determined by Oil red O staining showed that propranolol increased the transdifferentiation rate of HemSCs into adipocytes. Furthermore, the expressions of phosphorylated AKT and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) were increased with a 100 μM concentration of propranolol in HemSC culture.

Conclusions

Our study found that propranolol inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis and necrosis, and promoted differentiation of HemSCs. Propranolol may upregulate PPARγ via PI3K pathways, thereby accelerating lipogenesis and enhancing IH HemSC adipogenesis.
Usefulness of Ramified Cephalic Vein Graft in the Wrist for Connection With Concomitant Vein in Head and Neck Reconstruction
Authors: Shin Jin Yong , Roh Si-Gyun , Chang Suk Choo , Lee Nae-Ho
Published: October 2019

A vein graft in head and neck reconstruction is essential in some circumstances. The cephalic vein in the wrist has a suitable caliber for both a concomitant vein and the internal jugular vein (IJV). A vein graft involving the cephalic vein and its branches was used in 2 cases of head and neck reconstruction. The ramified distal vein was anatomized with a concomitant vein, and the proximal larger vein was anastomosed with the IJV using an end-to-side technique. After placement of vein grafts using the cephalic vein, the flaps were stable with no venous complications. To overcome the size difference between concomitant veins and the IJV, the authors recommend the cephalic vein including its distal branches in the wrist area.
Reconstruction of a Huge Residual Palatal Cleft
Authors: Sancak Kevser , Naifoğlu Eda , Yurttutan Mehmet Emre , Tuzuner Aysegul Mine
Published: October 2019

Closure of large oronasal fistula (ONF) in cleft patients is a challenge for patients and surgeons. The extent of functional impairment has psychologic, social, and developmental consequences. The ONF affects the feeding and speech of patients. Keys to repairing fistulas in this region are a 2-layer, tension-free closure, and an attentive suturing technique. In this article, the details and effectiveness of 2-flap palatoplasty are presented.
Relationship of Inflammation With Trigeminal Neuralgia
Authors: Yao Yuzhi , Chang Bowen , Li Shiting
Published: October 2019

Objective:

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a common cranial nerve disease. Inflammation is suggested in many recent studies to be involved in neuropathic pain, but its role in TN remains unclear so far. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the relationship of inflammation with TN.

Methods:

The levels of inflammatory markers, such as white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil (NE), lymphocyte (LY), monocyte (MO), platelet (PLT), and albumin (ALB), as well as the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR (dNLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) had been compared between TN patients and healthy controls using nonparametric tests. Moreover, multiple logistic regression models had been employed to assess the associations of inflammatory markers with TN. Besides, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to analyze the values of these inflammatory makers, as well as their matched combinations in diagnosing TN.

Results:

The levels of WBC, NE, MO, NLR, dNLR, and MLR in TN patients were evidently increased combined with those in normal subjects. In addition, multivariate logistic regression models illustrated that inflammation had close correlation with TN. Meanwhile, the area under the curve (AUC) values for NE, NLR, and dNLR, as well as those for the matched combinations of NLR+PLR, NLR+PNI, dNLR+NLR, and dNLR+PLR in TN were >0.7, which might have predictive value for TN compared with those for normal subjects.

Conclusions:

Findings of this study reveal that inflammation could have played a close and important role in the progression and etiology of TN.
Anti-BAFF Treatment Interferes With Humoral Responses in a Model of Renal Transplantation in Rats
Authors: Steines Louisa , Poth Helen , Schuster Antonia , Geissler Edward K. , Amann Kerstin , Banas Bernhard , Bergler Tobias
Published: October 2019

Background.

B-cell–activating factor (BAFF) is associated with donor-specific antibodies (DSA) and poorer outcomes after renal transplantation (RTx). We examined the effects of anti-BAFF treatment on B cells, expression of costimulatory molecules and cytokines, germinal centers (GCs), and DSA formation in an RTx model in rats.

Methods.

Anti-BAFF antibody was injected on days 3, 17, 31, and 45 after allogeneic RTx. Rats received reduced dose cyclosporine A for 28 or 56 days to allow chronic rejection and DSA formation. Leukocytes, B-cell subsets, and DSA were measured using flow cytometry; expression of cytokines and costimulatory molecules was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and GCs and T follicular helper were assessed using immunohistochemistry. Rejection was evaluated by a nephropathologist.

Results.

Anti-BAFF treatment reduced the frequency of B cells in allografts and spleen. Naive B cells were strongly reduced by anti-BAFF treatment in all compartments. Messenger RNA expression of interleukin-6 and the costimulatory molecules CD40 and inducible T cell costimulator ligand was significantly reduced in anti–BAFF-treated rats. GC area was smaller and plasmablasts/plasma cell numbers lower in anti–BAFF-treated rats, which was reflected by less DSA in certain IgG subclasses.

Conclusions.

Anti-BAFF treatment interferes with humoral responses at multiple levels in this model of allogeneic RTx.
Sugar as a therapeutic target for the cognitive restoration following traumatic brain injury
Authors: Kumar Amit
Published: October 2019

Purpose of review

This review aims to discuss examples of changes in glucose (sugar) metabolism after traumatic brain injury (TBI). It will attempt to provide an understanding of what changes in glucose metabolism mean for the injured brain. It will further identify potential therapeutic target(s) emanating from our growing understanding of glucose pathways and their roles in TBI.

Recent findings

Although a significant fraction of glucose is utilized for the energy production in the brain, a small fraction is utilized in other, often ignored pathways. Recent studies have unraveled unexpected biological effects of glucose through these pathways, including redox regulation, genetic and epigenetic regulation, glycation of proteins, nucleotide synthesis and amino acid synthesis.

A number of regulatory players in minor glucose metabolic pathways, such as folate and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, have recently been identified as potential targets to restore cognitive functions. Targeting of these players should be combined with the supplementation of alternative energy substrates to achieve the maximal cognitive restoration after TBI. This multimodal therapeutic strategy deserves testing in various models of TBI.

Video abstract:

Supplemental digital video content 1: Video that demonstrates an effective therapeutic strategy for the cognitive restoration after TBI. http://links.lww.com/CONR/A46.
Rapidly Sequential Vision Loss From Posterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Due to Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia
Authors: Aldrees Sultan S. , Micieli Jonathan A.
Published: October 2019

A 63-year-old man with a history of high-grade bladder cancer was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with renal failure and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia originating from his nephrostomy tube. While in the ICU, he had painless, severe loss of vision in the right eye followed by his left eye 12 hours later. Visual acuity was no light perception in each eye. He was anemic, and before each eye lost vision, there was a significant decrease in blood pressure. Dilated fundus examination was normal, and MRI showed hyperintense signal in the bilateral intracanalicular optic nerves on diffusion-weighted imaging and a corresponding low signal on apparent diffusion coefficient imaging. He was diagnosed with bilateral posterior ischemic optic neuropathies (PION), and despite transfusion and improvement in his systemic health, his vision did not recover. PION may be seen in the context of sepsis, and patients with unilateral vision loss have a window for optimization of risk factors if a prompt diagnosis is made.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities of the Optic Nerve Sheath and Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery in Giant Cell Arteritis
Authors: Gospe Sidney M. , Amrhein Timothy J. , Malinzak Michael D. , Bhatti M. Tariq , Mettu Pradeep , El-Dairi Mays A.
Published: October 2019

Background:

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an important diagnostic consideration in elderly patients with vision changes. Superficial temporal artery biopsy (TAB) has long been considered the gold standard diagnostic approach for GCA, but MRI has gained interest as an alternative diagnostic modality. Although most of the literature has focused on imaging abnormalities of branches of the external carotid artery, there have been a few reports of GCA-related inflammatory involvement of the orbit and internal carotid arteries (ICAs) on MRI.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients undergoing TAB at a single tertiary referral center over a 5-year period. Patients who had undergone contrast-enhanced MRI of the brain and orbits within 1 month of biopsy were included. Fifty-four TAB-positive and 78 TAB-negative patients were reviewed, with the MRI studies of 7 TAB-positive and 6 TAB-negative patients deemed adequate for interpretation. MRI studies were reviewed by 2 masked neuroradiologists, and the findings were correlated with biopsy results and clinical findings.

Results:

Intracranial ICA vessel wall enhancement was identified in 6 of 7 TAB-positive patients (sensitivity 86%), compared with 2 of 6 TAB-negative patients (specificity 67%). Optic nerve sheath enhancement was identified in 5 of 7 TAB-positive patients (sensitivity 71%) and in 2 of 6 TAB-negative patients (specificity 67%), bilateral in all such cases. The combination of both abnormal imaging findings was observed in 5 of 7 TAB-positive patients (sensitivity 71%) and in none of the 6 TAB-negative patients (specificity 100%).

Conclusions:

Intracranial ICA and optic nerve sheath enhancement were observed in a majority of patients with TAB-proven GCA, and the combination of these findings was highly specific for GCA. Identification of these abnormalities on MRI should raise concern for GCA and prompt a thorough review of systems, laboratory testing, and consideration of TAB in patients with ocular complaints potentially consistent with ischemia.
Patterns of electrical brain activation in response to socially-disputed perceptual judgments
Authors: Zanesco Julie , Tipura Eda , Clément Fabrice , Pegna Alan J.
Published: October 2019

In recent years, neuroscience has begun to investigate brain responses to social stimuli. To date, however, the effects of social feedback on attentional and perceptual processes remain unclear. In this study, participants were asked to judge the hues of distinct, or ambiguously coloured stimuli, and to indicate their confidence ratings. Alleged social feedback was then provided, either endorsing or disputing the participants’ responses. Participants were then presented the stimulus a second time and given the option to reconsider their decision. Behavioural findings showed that confidence levels decreased both with task difficulty and with conflicting social feedback. Event-related potential data showed greater P2 and N2 amplitudes for ambiguous squares compared to distinct squares upon initial stimulus presentations, compatible with heightened attention. Moreover, a decreased P300 was found for ambiguous stimuli, consistent with an increase in metacognitive activity. After social feedback, an early-late positive potential between 270 and 370 ms continued to distinguish ambiguous from distinct stimuli. More importantly, after 400 ms, the late positive potential distinguished endorsed from disputed stimuli. These results reveal that social feedback, while decreasing effects linked to uncertainty, gives rise to later processes associated with enhanced motivational significance of the stimulus following divergence from social approval.
Epidemiology of bacterial contamination of inert hospital surfaces and equipment in critical and non-critical care units: a Brazilian multicenter study
Authors: Rodrigues Dayane Otero , da Paixão Peixoto Laís , Barros Erica Tatiane Mourão , Guimarães Julianne Rodrigues , Gontijo Bruna Clemente , Almeida Jaisa Leite , de Azevedo Lucas Guimarães , Lima Júlia Cristina Oliveira e , Câmara Deyse Silva
Published: October 2019

The hospital environment is an important reservoir of microorganisms, including multidrug-resistant pathogens, which can cause in-patient contamination and healthcare-related infections. The objective of this study was to analyze the epidemiology of bacterial contamination (contaminated sites, pathogen species and their antimicrobial susceptibility, and tracking of multidrug-resistant microorganisms - MDR) of inert hospital surfaces and medical equipment in two public hospitals in Northern Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study with 243 samples (n = 208, from Hospital A; and n = 35, from Hospital B) collected by friction with swabs moistened in Brain Heart Infusion from inert surfaces and equipment. The samples were cultivated and bacterial species were identified by the classical approach and tested for their susceptibility through agar diffusion assay according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Most inert surfaces and equipment analyzed presented bacterial contamination (95.5%). Staphylococcus aureus was the main pathogen of clinical significance detected both in Hospital A (61.8%) and B (68.6%). Hospital A showed higher rates of isolated MDR bacteria than Hospital B, especially in the Adult Intensive Care Unit, which included methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (52.7%), Enterobacteria resistant to 4th generation cephalosporins (19.4%), and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.78%). The failures in the prevention and control of infections in the two hospitals analyzed reinforce the need for a revised protocol for cleaning and disinfection of inert surfaces and medical equipment, and for regulation of antibiotic dispensing, mainly in the AICU of Hospital A, which was found to be a reservoir of MDR pathogens. This study is innovative because it is the pioneer in Western Bahia that describes the epidemiology of contamination of hospital surfaces, opportuning futures studies in this field.
Edge-centric functional network representations of human cerebral cortex reveal overlapping system-level architecture
Authors: Faskowitz Joshua , Esfahlani Farnaz Zamani , Jo Youngheun , Sporns Olaf , Betzel Richard F.
Published: October 2019

Network neuroscience has relied on a node-centric network model in which cells, populations, and regions are linked to one another via anatomical or functional connections. This model cannot account for interactions of edges with one another. Here, we develop an edge-centric network model, which generates the novel constructs of “edge time series” and “edge functional connectivity” (eFC). Using network analysis, we show that at rest eFC is consistent across datasets and reproducible within the same individual over multiple scan sessions. We demonstrate that clustering eFC yields communities of edges that naturally divide the brain into overlapping clusters, with regions in sensorimotor and attentional networks exhibiting the greatest levels of overlap. We go on to show that eFC is systematically and consistently modulated by variation in sensory input. In future work, the edge-centric approach could be used to map the connectional architecture of brain circuits and for the development of brain-based biomarkers of disease and development.
Genome-informed integrative taxonomic description of three cryptic species in the earthworm genus Carpetania (Oligochaeta, Hormogastridae)
Authors: Marchán Daniel Fernández , Fernández Rosa , Domínguez Jorge , Díaz Cosín Darío J. , Novo Marta
Published: October 2019

Research on cryptic species complexes has reached a consensus on the necessity of integrating multiple sources of evidence. Low-coverage genomic scan techniques like Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) have proven useful to study these groups. Both integrative taxonomy and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data remain to be widely applied to earthworms, an animal group with widespread presence of cryptic diversity. The genus Carpetania (formerly the Hormogaster elisae species complex) was found to contain six deeply divergent genetic lineages and some inconspicuous morphological differentiation based in a handful of Sanger-sequenced markers. Marchán et al. (submitted) delimited three well supported species-level clades on the basis of a genomewide SNP dataset and geometric morphometric analyses, highlighting the necessity of a formal taxonomic description of these taxa. In this work, further analyses are applied to the SNP data and a thorough morphological study is performed in order to provide an integrative description of two new species and to redescribe Carpetania elisae. Species-specific SNPs are identified and used as diagnostic characters, and genome-wide and cytochrome oxidase C subunit 1 (COI) genetic distances are compared finding a strong correlation between them. The taxonomic description of these three cryptic species provides a useful tool to include them effectively in ecological studies and biodiversity conservation actions.
High-fidelity Musculoskeletal Modeling Reveals a Motor Planning Contribution to the Speed-Accuracy Tradeoff
Authors: Al Borno Mazen , Vyas Saurabh , Shenoy Krishna V. , Delp Scott L.
Published: October 2019

The speed-accuracy tradeoff is a fundamental aspect of goal-directed motor behavior, empirically formalized by Fitts’ law, which relates movement duration to movement distance and target width. Here, we introduce a computational model of three-dimensional upper extremity movements that reproduces well-known features of reaching movements and is more biomechanically realistic than previous models. Critically, these features arise without the need of signal-dependent noise. We analyzed motor cortical neural activity from monkeys reaching to targets of different sizes. We found that the contribution of preparatory neural states to movement duration variability was greater for smaller targets than larger targets, and that movements to smaller targets exhibited less variability in preparatory neural states, but greater movement duration variability. Taken together, these results suggest that Fitts’ law emerges from greater task demands constraining the optimization landscape in a fashion that reduces the number of “good” control solutions (i.e., faster reaches). Thus, the speed-accuracy tradeoff could be a consequence of motor planning variability and optimal control theory, and not exclusively signal-dependent noise, as is currently held.

Significance Statement

A long-standing challenge in motor neuroscience is to understand the relationship between movement speed and accuracy, known as the speed-accuracy tradeoff. We introduce a computational model of reaching movements based on optimal control theory using a realistic model of musculoskeletal dynamics. The model synthesizes three-dimensional point-to-point reaching movements that reproduce kinematics features reported in motor control studies. Such high-fidelity modeling reveals that the speed-accuracy tradeoff as described by Fitts’ law emerges even without the presence of motor noise, which is commonly believed to underlie the speed-accuracy tradeoff. This suggests an alternative theory based on suboptimal control solutions. The crux of this theory is that some features of human movement are attributable to planning variability rather than execution noise.
Collaborative architectural design studio environment
Authors: Qureshi Hira
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test a studio pedagogy that originates from an experiment of a collaborative design studio held between two departments of Architecture, as a useful way for students to learn mutually. Meanwhile, it aims to capture the effectiveness, efficiency and impacts of this collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a qualitative research study to observe the role of collaborative design studio in the pedagogical structure of architectural education. It combines the conventional studio with live projects as a unique pedagogy within the studio of Architectural Design-I (AD-I). Primary data collected using open-ended questionnaires from students and focal studio tutors at both architecture departments generated results.

Findings

Built on the analyses of the questionnaires, this paper answers the research questions based on the collaborative studio pedagogy for the course of AD-I and reports on lessons learnt from this collaborative experience. It proves that students can successfully work collaboratively and build confidence in their own abilities to solve a challenge and achieve a common goal through practical experience as well.

Research limitations/implications

This research used a qualitative approach to evaluate the perspectives of 81 students and 6 tutors within a specific pedagogical approach. Given the small sample size and delimitation of the one-course approach, findings from this study are not generalizable to a broader population. Furthermore, a longer duration is needed to address collaborative learning challenges. Nevertheless, it provides valuable data for future studies and also offers pedagogical options for other schools to consider implementing and studying.

Originality/value

The collaborative pedagogical approach experimented in this study was the first initiative of its kind in Karachi, between a younger institution, AED-SSUET and a more established one which was DAP-NED. A four-week collaborative design studio exercise of AD-I engaging third-semester students of AED-SSUET[1] and DAP-NED[2] was a hybrid approach that combined conventional design studio with live project to promote a novel and effective collaborative learning method. In the process, students were encouraged to interact competitively with peers, facilitated by rigorous engagement of focal design tutors from both Architecture departments. It also influenced the active participation of experts from the industry and Architecture community and was exclusively designed to eliminate the pairing up of a single tutor with one student each. The students at AED-SSUET were also able to build a 1:1 scale project with an allocated budget and time-frame constraints.
Creating value in firms at different management levels
Authors: van Straten Roeland
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Value is created for firms’ owners when profits outweigh investments over a given time period. This paper aims to distinguish where, within firms, strategic thinking is required for the purposes of creating value.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel framework is developed, which explains how six sources of value can be identified and logically related to six practical value management levels.

Findings

Importantly, only one source of value, namely, autonomous revenue growth, demands true strategic thinking because it represents an unknown outcome from the strategist’s perspective. This source of value can be tapped into at any decision-making level.

Originality/value

This paper clarifies and emphasises that demonstrating strategic wisdom is possible for anyone within a firm and ultimately, it resolves down to the thinking and decision making that increases the chances of generating higher, earlier and more frequent future incoming cash flows.
Intelligence level analysis for crowd networks based on business entropy
Authors: Li Zhouxia , Pan Zhiwen , Wang Xiaoni , Ji Wen , Yang Feng
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Intelligence level of a crowd network is defined as the expected reward of the network when completing the latest tasks (e.g. last N tasks). The purpose of this paper is to improve the intelligence level of a crowd network by optimizing the profession distribution of the crowd network.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the concept of information entropy, this paper introduces the concept of business entropy and puts forward several factors affecting business entropy to analyze the relationship between the intelligence level and the profession distribution of the crowd network. This paper introduced Profession Distribution Deviation and Subject Interaction Pattern as the two factors which affect business entropy. By quantifying and combining the two factors, a Multi-Factor Business Entropy Quantitative (MFBEQ) model is proposed to calculate the business entropy of a crowd network. Finally, the differential evolution model and k-means clustering are applied to crowd intelligence network, and the species distribution of intelligent subjects is found, so as to achieve quantitative analysis of business entropy.

Findings

By establishing the MFBEQ model, this paper found that when the profession distribution of a crowd network is deviate less to the expected distribution, the intelligence level of a crowd network will be higher. Moreover, when subjects within the crowd network interact with each other more actively, the intelligence level of a crowd network becomes higher.

Originality/value

This paper aims to build the MFBEQ model according to factors that are related to business entropy and then uses the model to evaluate the intelligence level of a number of crowd networks.
Participatory-based risk impact propagation and interaction pattern analysis using social network analysis
Authors: Ongkowijoyo Citra S. , Doloi Hemanta , Mills Anthony
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a novel risk analysis model that uses both participatory and computerized techniques to capture and model the dynamic of risk impact propagation and interaction pattern.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, an integrated model, applying modified participatory method and novel dichotomize procedure in the perspectives of social network topological analysis, is developed.

Findings

Based on the analysis output, it is found that; (i) the risk propagation is characterized by its dynamic and non-linear impact pattern, and (ii) the risk interaction is distinguished based on the degree of connectedness between various risks.

Research limitations/implications

This research assumes that the risk impact propagation and interaction pattern within the risk network are static. Further research is required to analyze the risk network in dynamic circumstances.

Practical implications

This research contributes in delivering practical tools that could potentially provide a further path for developing mitigation strategy and policies that seek to address the complexity of risk phenomena, and thus enhance community resilience.

Social implications

This research reveals some underlying patterns of how the risk impact propagation and interaction pattern are structured. Thus, it can help decision-makers make formal arrangements of particular urban infrastructure (UI) governance visible toward building risk plan and mitigation strategies.

Originality/value

This research contributes to filling the risk management knowledge gap. It is suggested that analyzing risk using a network approach is suited to capture the intricate processes that shape the complexity of UI risk structural network. By validating the model, this research shows the applicability and capability of the model to improve both the RA accuracy and decision making effectiveness towards risk mitigation plan and strategy.
Stock keeping unit rationalization: a cross-functional, cross-firm perspective
Authors: Enz Matias G. , Schwieterman Matthew A. , Lambert Douglas M.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Although managers have struggled with SKU proliferation for decades, research has provided inconsistent guidance, and the cross-functional and cross-firm aspects of the problem were not considered. The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that favor successful and sustainable SKU rationalization.

Design/methodology/approach

A single case study was used to investigate the implementation of an SKU rationalization project by a national restaurant chain in collaboration with its food distributor. Qualitative data analysis techniques were used to understand managers’ perceptions about the SKU rationalization problem and the financial results that were achieved.

Findings

The findings include seven propositions that begin to formalize theory for SKU rationalization. Cross-functional involvement was both a challenge and a critical success factor, and the supplier was an important resource for managing product variety and complexity.

Research limitations/implications

Seven propositions are provided that increase the likelihood of successfully dealing with SKU proliferation.

Practical implications

SKU proliferation increases supply chain complexity and leads to higher costs. The research reports on an SKU rationalization project that saved a company and its supplier $6.7m.

Originality/value

A previously unexplored theoretical perspective on SKU rationalization was employed that emphasizes cross-functional alignment, buyer–supplier relationships and the impact on financial performance of a firm.
Designing for mathematical play: failure and feedback
Authors: Williams-Pierce Caro
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore three different types of digital environments for mathematics learning that may support mathematical play and the failure and feedback mechanics present in each.

Design/methodology/approach

Interaction analysis and the lenses of failure, feedback and mathematical play are used to analyze the mathematical interactions afforded by three different digital environments.

Findings

Each digital environment supports or restrains the potential for mathematical play through mathematical representations, failure and feedback.

Originality/value

The primary contribution of this paper is to highlight different ways in which digital failure and feedback designs can influence the emergent experience of mathematical play.
Three-dimensional topography simulation research of diamond-wire sawing based on MATLAB
Authors: Zhao Ligang , Xia Guofeng , Shi Yuhu , Wu Aisheng
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of the processing parameters of diamond wire sawing on surface morphology and roughness.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a wire saw cutting model is established to determine the positional relationship between a wire saw and the machined surface of the workpiece, and the abrasive grain cutting trajectory is generated. Through the data processing of the cutting trajectory, the simulation of the three-dimensional surface topography of the slice and the calculation of the surface roughness are realized by using the GUI programming of MATLAB. Finally, different surface roughness values are obtained by changing the machining parameters (saw wire speed and workpiece feed speed).

Findings

The conclusion is that the surface roughness of the slice is larger when the feed speed is higher and smaller when the linear speed is higher.

Originality/value

Diamond wire saw cutting is the first process of chip processing, and its efficiency and quality have an important impact on subsequent processing. This paper will focus on the influence of the sawing wire cutting processing parameters (sawing wire speed and workpiece feed speed) on the surface roughness to optimize the processing parameters and obtain smaller surface roughness values. Through MATLAB three-dimensional simulation, the surface morphology can be observed more intuitively, which provides a theoretical basis for improving the processing quality.
Governing the entrepreneurial discovery of blockchain applications
Authors: Allen Darcy W.E.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the institutional context of the entrepreneurial discovery of blockchain applications.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on institutional and entrepreneurial theory to introduce the economic problem entrepreneurship in the early stages of new technologies, examines the diversity of self-governed hybrid solutions to coordinating entrepreneurial information and draws policy implications.

Findings

To perceive a valuable and actionable market opportunity, entrepreneurs must coordinate distributed non-price information under uncertainty with others. One potential class of transaction cost economising solution to this problem is private self-governance of information coordination within hybrids. This paper explores a diverse range of entrepreneurial hybrids coalescing around blockchain technology, with implications for innovation policy.

Originality/value

This paper points to the problem of how the defining of the innovation problem as either choice-theoretic or contract-theoretic changes the remit of innovation policy. Innovation policy and blockchain policy should extend beyond correcting sub-optimal investments or removing barriers to action, to incorporate how polices impact entrepreneurial choices over governance structures to coordinate information.
Real interest rate, income and bank loans: panel evidence from Egypt
Authors: Shokr Mohamed Aseel
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of monetary policy on bank loans in Egypt using generalized method of moments (GMM) model. Also, it investigates the impact of bank level variables, namely, total assets, liquidity, capital and income on bank loans. It develops the equation of loans, which is introduced by Ehrmann et al. (2002) using bank level variables such as income and the interaction between income and interest rate.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the impact of monetary policy shocks on bank loans in Egypt by applying the GMM technique and panel data from 1996 to 2014.

Findings

The results reveal that real interest rate has a significant impact on bank loans, which indicates that the bank lending channel is effective in Egypt. Furthermore, the bank level variables, namely, banks’ size, liquidity and income have significant effects on bank loans in Egypt, which sustains the heterogeneous effect of monetary policy on bank loans. Therefore, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) can adjust interest rate to influence the bank loans and total demand.

Research limitations/implications

It does not examine the effect of monetary policy on small and large banks in Egypt.

Practical implications

The policy implications from this paper indicate that the monetary authority in Egypt should adjust interest rate to stabilize the bank loan supply. By stabilizing the bank loans, the monetary authority is able to stabilize investment, consumption and total demand.

Social implications

The relevance of bank lending channel indicates that the role of commercial banks is very important in transmitting monetary policy shocks to the real sector.

Originality/value

It is important for the CBE, banks and people because it shows the effectiveness of bank lending channel and the effect of global financial crisis on the Egyptian economy.
Change in work functioning from pre‐ to post‐treatment in feedback‐informed Couple and Family Therapy in Norway
Authors: Zahl‐Olsen Rune , Tellefsen Håland Åshild , Gausel Nicolay , Wampold Bruce , Tilden Terje
Published: October 2019

Work functioning has significance for the individual and society but has rarely been used as an outcome measure for psychotherapy. Work‐related factors such as work satisfaction and working hours impact personal and relational life. More than half of those on sick leave suffer from social problems such as family‐related distress or mental health issues rather than medical issues. This article investigates work functioning change from pre‐ to post‐treatment in feedback‐informed couple and family therapy. With a sample of 165 clients from different parts of Norway, we used hierarchical multiple regression and calculated clinical significant change in the analysis. We found firstly that work functioning improved from pre‐ to post‐treatment. Secondly, we found that level of depressive symptoms, couple distress and family functioning predicted work functioning at pre‐treatment. Thirdly, we found that the improvements on these measures (depressive symptoms, couple distress and family functioning) predicted work functioning at post‐treatment.

Practitioner points

Clients in couple and family therapy improve from start to end of therapy in work functioning, depressive symptoms, couple distress and family functioning

Individual and relational improvement predicts the level of work functioning at post‐treatment

Therapists should attend to the client's difficulties not only at individual and relational levels but also in life functioning

Even if effect sizes are high for the treatment, not all clients improve
Truth, trust, and civic duty: Cultural factors in citizens' perceptions of mobile phone apps and social media in disasters
Authors: Appleby‐Arnold Sandra , Brockdorff Noellie , Fallou Laure , Bossu Rémy
Published: October 2019

This study investigates how citizens perceive the role of mobile phone apps specifically designed for disaster communication, and how these perceptions may differ from perceived roles and functions of social media in disaster‐related tasks/situations. Focusing on trust in authorities and technology use, results suggest that social media use not only fosters trust via shared narratives and collective sense‐making but may also improve trust relationships through local authorities assuming the function of a trustworthy information provider. In disaster apps usage, trust between citizens and authorities is generated through perceptions of shared responsibility rather than shared narratives. Apps were seen as mechanisms that reveal authorities' general willingness to share control, which may help overcome citizens' perceptions that they are distrusted by authorities.
Convergence History of the Songliao and Jiamusi Blocks in the Eastern End of Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Evidence from Detrital Zircons of Late Paleozoic Sedimentary Rocks
Authors: CHEN Zhaoxu , LIU Yongjiang , GUAN Qingbin
Published: October 2019

Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is one of the largest accretionary orogenic belts in the world. The eastern segment of CAOB is dominated by Paleozoic Paleo Asian Ocean tectonic regime, Mesozoic Paleo‐Pacific tectonic regime and Mongolian‐Okhotsk tectonic regime. The Songliao and Jiamusi blocks are located in the easternmost part of the CAOB and are the key region to solve the problem about overprinting processes of multiple tectonic regimes. It is generally believed that the Mudanjiang Ocean between the two blocks was finally closed in the Mesozoic, but the Paleozoic magmatism also developed along the Mudanjiang suture zone, while on both sides of the suture zone, there were comparable Paleozoic strata, indicating that the two blocks had converged during the Paleozoic, and the evolution history of the two blocks in the Late Paleozoic remains controversial. The Carboniferous‐Permian terrestrial strata mainly developed in Binxian, Wuchang and Tieli on Songliao Block, Baoqing and Mishan on Jiamusi Block. Samples from the Songliao and Jiamusi blocks in the Late Carboniferous‐Early Permian and Late Permian are collected for comparative analysis. The LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U‐Pb dating results show that the maximum depositional age of Middle Permian Tumenling Formation and Late Permian Hongshan Formation in Songliao Block is ∼260 Ma, while that of Tatouhe Formation and Carboniferous strata in Jiamusi Block are ∼290 Ma and ∼300 Ma, respectively, which supports the previous stratigraphic division scheme. The age peaks of ∼290–300 Ma, ∼400 Ma, ∼500 Ma appeared in the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian strata of Jiamusi Block and the Middle Permian strata of Songliao Block. The age peak of ∼500 Ma in the Middle Permian strata of Songliao Block may come from the Cambrian basement, Mashan Complex, of Jiamusi Block, while the age peaks of ∼420–440 Ma in the Carboniferous strata of Jiamusi Block may come from the Silurian magmatic arc in Zhangguangcai Range in the eastern margin of Songliao Block, reflects the history that they had been potential sources of each other, indicating that they may have combined in the Paleozoic. The Hongshan Formation of Songliao Block in the Late Permian lacks the age peak of ∼500 Ma, which indicate that Jiamusi Block was not the provenance of Songliao Block in the Late Permian, that is, there was a palaeogeographic isolation between the two blocks. Combined with the ∼210 Ma bimodal volcanic rocks developed along the Mudanjiang suture zone reported previously, we believe that the oceanic basin between the Songliao and Jiamusi blocks should have been connected in Late Permian and reopened during Late Permian to Late Triassic.
Postnatal probiotics and allergic disease in very preterm infants: Sub‐study to the ProPrems randomized trial
Authors: Plummer Erica L. , Chebar Lozinsky Adriana , Tobin Jacinta M. , Uebergang Jessica B. , Axelrad Christine , Garland Suzanne M. , Jacobs Susan E. , Tang Mimi L. K. ,   the ProPrems Study Group
Published: October 2019

Background

Probiotic supplementation to mothers and/or their term‐born infants has been suggested to prevent allergic disease, in particular eczema; however, no studies have investigated probiotics for prevention of allergic diseases in very preterm infants. We evaluated the effect of a postnatal probiotic combination on development of allergic diseases in very preterm infants.

Methods

This sub‐study was an a priori secondary outcome of the ProPrems multi‐center, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomized trial (ANZCTR:12607000144415). ProPrems randomized 1099 very preterm infants to receive a probiotic combination or placebo from soon after birth until discharge from hospital or term corrected age (CA), whichever was earlier. Allergic disease (eczema, atopic eczema, food allergy, wheeze, atopic sensitization) was assessed in a subgroup of ProPrems infants (n = 281) as close to 12 months CA as possible by questionnaire, clinical examination, and skin prick tests to common allergens.

Results

There was no difference in eczema incidence between the probiotic and placebo groups (35[30%] of 118 infants vs 37[27%] of 137 infants, respectively, absolute difference 2.65%, 95% CI −8.45 to 13.75). Similarly, the incidence of atopic eczema (6[5%] of 118 vs 3[2%] of 137), food allergy (4[3%] of 124 vs 2[1%] of 154), wheeze (39[31%] of 127 vs 45[29%] of 154), and atopic sensitization (14[13%] of 106 vs 13[11%] of 123) were similar between the probiotic and placebo groups.

Conclusion

This study found no effect of postnatal administration of a probiotic combination on the incidence of allergic diseases or atopic sensitization in the first 2 years of life in children born very preterm. Evidence that probiotics are effective for prevention of allergic disease in premature infants remains lacking; adequately powered randomized controlled trials evaluating probiotic supplementation for allergy prevention in very preterm infants are needed.