bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma and Fat Graft Preparation Methods
Authors: Luck Joshua , Smith Oliver J. , Mosahebi Afshin
Published: December 2017

Background:

The addition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to adipose tissue may improve fat graft survival, although graft retention rates vary markedly between studies. To what extent this outcome heterogeneity reflects differing methodological factors remains unknown. This systematic review aims to synthesize and critically review methodological approaches to autologous PRP and fat cotransplantation in both human and animal studies.

Methods:

In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to April 2017. Data were extracted from all in vivo studies involving autologous PRP and fat cotransplantation. A secondary aim was to assess reporting of technical detail; authors were not contacted to provide missing data.

Results:

From 335 articles, 23 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Some 21 were performed in humans and 2 in rabbits. Six studies were randomized control trials; the remainder reported on observational data. Methods of PRP extraction and activation varied markedly between studies. Fat graft preparation was comparatively more consistent. Methods of PRP and fat mixing differed significantly, especially with regards to relative volume/volume ratios.

Conclusions:

Our study represents the first systematic review of methodological factors in autologous PRP and fat cotransplantation. It demonstrates that technical factors in graft preparation and administration vary significantly between in vivo studies. Such methodological heterogeneity may explain observed differences in experimental and clinical outcomes. Reporting of key procedural information is inconsistent and often inadequate. These issues make meaningful evaluation of the PRP-enhanced fat grafting literature difficult and may limit its translation into clinical practice.
Volumetric Analysis of 700 Mandibular Condyles Based Upon Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Safi Ali-Farid , Kauke Martin , Grandoch Andrea , Nickenig Hans-Joachim , Zöller Joachim E. , Kreppel Matthias
Published: December 2017

The authors’ aim was to provide volumetric data of mandibular condyles based upon cone beam computed tomography with the means of semiautomatic segmentation.

Retrospective chart review of 350 patients (700 mandibular condyles) with cone beam computerized tomography between February 2007 and December 2016. Univariate analysis was performed to analyze associations between variables. P values <0.05 were considered significant. Volume measurement was performed in a semiautomatic segmentation method with the program “ITK-Snap.”

The mean volume was 2.443 cm3 for the right condyle and 2.278 cm3 for the left condyle. Bivariate analysis indicated a highly significant difference between the volume of the left and right condyles (P < 0.01). Female had a significant smaller condyle volume than male (P < 0.01 left condyle; P < 0.01 right condyle). Volume and age did not significantly correlate (P = 0.939 right condyle; P = 0.798 left condyle).

A detailed assessment of the volume of mandibular condyles with cone beam computed tomography can help to assess pathophysiological alterations.

Hence, the volumetric measurement may improve patient's individualized treatment.
Age-Related Volumetric Changes in Mandibular Condyles
Authors: Safi Ali-Farid , Kauke Martin , Grandoch Andrea , Nickenig Hans-Joachim , Zöller Joachim E. , Kreppel Matthias
Published: December 2017

A precise knowledge of the condylar changes with advancing age may improve understanding of pathophysiological alterations of the mandibular condyles. However, the majority of studies focusses on morphological changes, although volumetric analysis based upon cone beam computerized tomography may provide important additional data to characterize mandibular condyles. Therefore, we aimed to provide and compare volumetric data of mandibular condyles of a young and old patient group. This is a retrospective chart review of 195 patients with cone beam computerized tomography between 2007 and 2016. Student t test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation test were performed to analyze associations between categorical and continuous variables. P values <0.05 were considered as significant. Volume measurement was performed in a semiautomatic segmentation method with the program "ITK-Snap." Side- and sex-specific significant differences between condylar volumes were found both in the young and old patient cohort. Age and posterior occlusal support did not significantly correlate with the condylar volume. Volumetric measurement of the mandibular condyles may serve as an important additional characteristic, derived from 3-dimensional imaging. Significant differences in volumetric measurement of mandibular condyles exist between sex and side, but not in relation to age and occlusal support.
Pierre Robin Sequence: An Evidence-Based Treatment Proposal
Authors: Gómez Oswaldo J. , Barón Oscar I. , Peñarredonda Martha L.
Published: December 2017

Background:

The Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) has been defined as the presence of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and respiratory obstruction in the neonatal period. Since its original description, different therapeutic approaches have been proposed obtaining different success rates, but there is no consensus about its management.

Methods:

A literature review was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases, for the period of January,1985 to November, 2016. A number of 23 articles resulting from clinical studies, discussing diagnostic tests or therapeutic approaches, and directly or indirectly comparing diagnostic or treatment modalities were selected and assessed using the GRADE methodology.

Results:

After reviewing and analyzing the selected articles, an evidence-based algorithm for diagnosis and integral management of PRS patients was designed.

Conclusion:

Based on the anatomical principles and natural evolution of PRS, the clinical scenario must be evaluated thoroughly as a dynamic event to develop a management sequence that minimizes morbidity and mortality and accelerates patients’ reinsertion to normal life.
Detailed Anatomy of Osteoperiosteal Ligamentous Structures in the Forehead
Authors: Choi Jong Pil , Kang Hyun Gu , Nam Yong Seok , Kim In-Beom
Published: December 2017

This study aimed to present the anatomic characteristics of osteoperiosteal ligamentous attachments of the forehead and provide a better understanding of lateral eyebrow descent for safe and effective foreheadplasty. Anatomic dissections of the face were performed in 10 fresh Korean adult cadavers (20 hemifaces) using 2.5× magnification surgical loupes. Supraorbital, inferomedial orbital, and frontonasal osteoperiosteal ligamentous attachments were identified as fibrous tissues originating from a bone, and their tensile strengths were measured. The supraorbital osteoperiosteal ligamentous attachment had medial and lateral parts. It can be classified into 4 subtypes. It was located 11.0 ± 6.6 mm lateral to the midline and 9.2 ± 12.3 mm superior to the superior orbital margin. The inferomedial orbital osteoperiosteal ligamentous attachment was located 16.2 ± 3.9 mm lateral to the midline and 2.2 ± 2.7 mm inferior to the superior orbital margin, whereas the frontonasal osteoperiosteal ligamentous attachment was located 5.4 ± 2.3 mm lateral to the midline and 1.4 ± 8.5 mm superior to the superior orbital margin. Tensile strengths of all the osteoperiosteal ligamentous attachments in the forehead were above 10 N. These results indicate that osteoperiosteal ligamentous attachments develop in the rather medial region of the eyebrow and have a tensile strength adequate enough to maintain the medial eyebrow. Thus, the current study provides surgeons with detailed anatomic information that can be used as a valuable reference for forehead rejuvenation procedures.
Nasal Septal Cavernous Hemangioma
Authors: Baki Ahmet
Published: December 2017

Hemangiomas are benign tumors originating from the skin, mucosa, muscle, gland, and vascular tissue in the bone. Although it is common in the head and neck region, it is rarely seen in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Histologically capillary, cavernous, and mixed types are present, the most common is cavernous-type hemangioma. Cavernous hemangiomas in the nasal cavity, generally originated from the lateral nasal wall, cause symptoms as nasal obstruction and epistaxis. In the author's patient, cavernous hemangioma was originated from the nasal septum, where rarely seen. The author wanted to discuss this rare disease by presenting a 78-year-old woman who presented with nasal obstruction and recurrent epistaxis to the author's clinic.
Cross-Sectional Study of four Serological Bone Turnover Markers for the Risk Assessment of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
Authors: Peisker Andre , Raschke Gregor F. , Fahmy Mina D. , Guentsch Arndt , Roshanghias Korosh , König Kai C. , Schultze-Mosgau Stefan
Published: December 2017

Background:

Despite the benefits related to the use of bisphosphonates and denosumab, medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a serious complication. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of 4 biochemical markers including serum c-terminal telopeptide cross-link of type I collagen (s-CTX), serum osteocalcin (s-OC), serum parathormon (s-PTH), and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (s-BAP) as useful clinical tools to help assess the risk for MRONJ prior to invasive oral surgery.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty patients diagnosed with MRONJ and 20 controls who have been on antiresorptive therapies with no occurrence of MRONJ were included in this 2-arm cross-sectional study. The s-CTX, s-OC, s-PTH, and s-BAP values were measured. Mann–Whitney U test compared the s-CTX, s-OC, s-PTH, and s-BAP values of the MRONJ group and the controls (P < 0.05).

Results:

Lower values were observed in the MRONJ group compared with the control group for s-CTX (130.00 pg/mL versus 230.0 pg/mL; P = 0.12) and for s-OC (10.6 ng/mL versus 14.80 ng/mL; P = 0.051) both without significance and for s-BAP (0.23 μkat/L versus 0.31 μkat/L; P = 0.002) with significance. By contrast, the median s-PTH value of the MRONJ group was higher (30.65 ng/L versus 25.50 ng/L; P = 0.89), but without significance.

Conclusions:

The evaluation of the 4 biochemical markers showed that only the value of s-BAP was significantly decreased in the MRONJ patients compared with the controls. Presently, because of the lack of evidence, a routine check prior to oral surgery for the risk assessment of MRONJ cannot be recommended.
Seasonal Variation of Orofacial Clefts
Authors: Sofianos Chrysis , Christofides Efthimios A. , Phiri Sibusiso E.
Published: December 2017

Background:

Orofacial clefts represent the most common craniofacial malformation diagnosed at birth and may be divided into isolated cleft lip (CL), cleft lip and palate (CL/P), or isolated cleft palate (CP). The causes of orofacial clefts have long been understood to be multifactorial; however, research into the genetic and environmental factors underpinning these disorders in African populations is scant. Seasonal variation in the occurrence of orofacial clefts was investigated. Seasonal variation is defined as differences due to periodic, temporal, and external influences, namely the particular time or season of the year.

Methods:

The study design is a retrospective record review and sampled patients presenting to the Cleft Clinic at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital during the time period October 2000 to October 2015. Ethical approval was obtained. Information recorded included patient demographics (date of birth and gender), diagnosis and laterality of the cleft.

Results:

This study includes 512 infants. This study shows seasonal variation in the incidence of orofacial clefts limited to patients with both a CL/P. There was no significant seasonal variation observed in isolated CL or CP and laterality of the cleft. Significant seasonal variation was observed only in those born in winter versus summer, with more children born with a CL/P in winter months.

Conclusion:

Seasonal (or temporal) variation indicates a distinct environmental influence on the formation of orofacial clefts in utero, more specifically in pregnancies with the first trimester during spring. Several reasons have been advanced and include sunlight exposure and vitamin D levels, weight gain, and maternal obesity. More study is required to further elucidate these reasons.
In Search of Mobile Applications for Patients With Pelvic Floor Disorders
Authors: Sudol Neha T. , Adams-Piper Emily , Perry Rachel , Lane Felicia , Chen Katherine T.
Published: December 2017

Objectives

The aims of the study were to identify patient-centered applications (apps) in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery and to evaluate them using a modified APPLICATIONS scoring system.

Methods

A comprehensive list of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery search terms was used to identify apps in the iTunes store. Apps that were eligible for scoring were in English, pertinent to the search term, patient centered, and accurate. All five authors independently evaluated eligible apps using a modified APPLICATIONS scoring system and subsequently reconciled differences by discussion.

Results

One hundred and fifty-seven terms were generated and searched in the iTunes Store to reveal 4127 apps. Twenty-three eligible apps were scored. Approximately half (47%, 11/23) of the apps were free. Twelve (52%) apps cited scientific literature or expert source. Only 8 (35%) of the apps were also available in the Google Play Store. “Squeezy,” “LeakFreeMe,” and “Stop UTI” received the highest score of 14.

Conclusions

Few identified apps were accurate and subsequently scored. Our results demonstrate that when searching for apps, patients are likely to obtain information that is not relevant or inaccurate, even if the appropriate search term is used. By carefully excluding inaccurate apps, providers should feel confident that the 23 scored apps can be shared with patients.
Shared genetic requirements for ATF5 translation in the vomeronasal organ and main olfactory epithelium
Authors: Dalton Ryan P
Published: December 2017

Background

Both olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) require the transcription factor Atf5 for maturation and survival. In OSNs, ATF5 translation is controlled by olfactory receptor (OR) expression-mediated activation of the PERK branch of the unfolded protein response. This study evaluated whether OSNs and VSNs share genetic requirements for ATF5 translation.

Methods

ATF5 immunoreactivity was assayed in whole vomeronasal organs from a series of genetic mutant animals identified in studies of OR gene choice, OR feedback, and regulation and OSN development.

Results

ATF5 expression in VSNs required the histone demethylase Lsd1, which has been previously reported to be required for OR expression. ATF5 expression also required PERK-mediated phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2α. Finally, unlike previous observations in OSNs, ATF5 was found to be widespread in the mature VNO and co-expressed with mature VSN markers.

Conclusions

These data suggest that the initiation of ATF5 translation in VSNs and OSNs is under similar regulation, and that persistent/prolonged ATF5 translation in VSNs may serve VSN-specific gene regulatory programs. This study firmly establishes the unfolded protein response as a major controller of sensory neuronal maturation and diversification.
Effect sizes of somatic mutations in cancer
Authors: Cannataro Vincent L. , Gaffney Stephen G. , Townsend Jeffrey P.
Published: December 2017

A major goal of cancer biology is determination of the relative importance of the genomic alterations that confer selective advantage to cancer cells. Tumor sequence surveys have frequently ranked the importance of substitutions to cancer growth byPvalue or a false-discovery conversion thereof. However,Pvalues are thresholds for belief, not metrics of effect. Their frequent misuse as metrics of effect has often been vociferously decried. Here, we estimate the effect sizes of all recurrent single nucleotide variants in 23 cancer types, quantifying relative importance within and between driver genes. Some of the variants with the highest effect size, such as EGFR L858R in lung adenocarcinoma and BRAF V600E in primary skin cutaneous melanoma, have yielded remarkable therapeutic responses. Quantification of cancer effect sizes has immediate importance to the prioritization of clinical decision-making by tumor boards, selection and design of clinical trials, pharmacological targeting, and basic research prioritization.
Characterization of Gene Expression Changes Over Healthy Term Pregnancies
Authors: Knight Anna K. , Dunlop Anne L. , Kilaru Varun , Cobb Dawayland , Corwin Elizabeth J. , Conneely Karen N. , Smith Alicia K.
Published: December 2017

During pregnancy, women experience numerous physiological changes but, to date, there is limited published data that characterize accompanying changes in gene expression over pregnancy. This study sought to characterize the complexity of gene expression over the course of pregnancy among women with healthy pregnancies. Subjects provided a venous blood sample during early (6-15 weeks) and late (22-33 weeks) pregnancy, which was used to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells prior to RNA extraction. Gene expression was examined for 63 women with uncomplicated, term deliveries. We evaluated the association between weeks gestation at sample collection and expression of each transcript. Of the 16,311 transcripts evaluated, 439 changed over pregnancy after a Bonferroni correction to account for multiple comparisons. Genes whose expression changed over pregnancy were associated with oxygen transport, the immune system, and host response to bacteria. Characterization of changes in gene expression over the course of healthy term pregnancies may enable the identification of genes whose expression predicts complications or adverse outcomes of pregnancy.
Evidence against the detectability of a hippocampal place code using functional magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Nolan Christopher R. , Vromen J.M.G. , Cheung Allen , Baumann Oliver
Published: December 2017

Individual hippocampal neurons selectively increase their firing rates in specific spatial locations. As a population these neurons provide a decodable representation of space that is robust against changes to sensory- and path-related cues. This neural code is sparse and distributed, theoretically rendering it undetectable with population recording methods such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Existing studies nonetheless report decoding spatial codes in the human hippocampus using such techniques. Here we present results from a virtual navigation experiment in humans in which we eliminated visual- and path-related confounds and statistical shortcomings present in existing studies, ensuring that any positive decoding results would be only spatial in nature and would represent a true voxel-place code. Consistent with theoretical arguments derived from electrophysiological data and contrary to existing fMRI studies, our results show that although participants were fully oriented during the navigation task, there was no statistical evidence for a place code.
Transcriptomic analysis of longitudinalBurkholderia pseudomalleiinfecting the cystic fibrosis lung
Authors: Price Erin P. , Viberg Linda T. , Kidd Timothy J. , Bell Scott C. , Currie Bart J. , Sarovich Derek S.
Published: December 2017

The melioidosis bacterium,Burkholderia pseudomallei, is increasingly being recognized as a pathogen in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We have recently catalogued genome-wide variation of paired, isogenicB. pseudomalleiisolates from seven Australasian CF cases, which were collected between four and 55 months apart. Here, we extend this investigation by documenting the transcriptomic changes inB. pseudomalleiin five cases. Following growth in an artificial CF sputum medium, four of the five paired isolates exhibited significant differential gene expression (DE) that affected between 32 and 792 genes. The greatest number of DE events was observed between patient CF9 strains, consistent with the hypermutator status of the latter strain, which is deficient in the DNA mismatch repair protein MutS. Two patient isolates harbored duplications that concomitantly increased expression of the β-lactamase genepenA, and a 35kb deletion in another abolished expression of 29 genes. Convergent expression profiles in the chronically-adapted isolates identified two significantly downregulated and 17 significantly upregulated loci, including the antibiotic resistance-nodulation-division (RND) efflux pump BpeEF-OprC, the quorum-sensinghhqABCDEoperon, and a cyanide- and pyocyanin-insensitive cytochromebdquinol oxidase. These convergent pathoadaptations lead to increased expression of pathways that may suppress competing bacterial and fungal pathogens and that enhance survival in oxygen-restricted environments, the latter of which may render conventional antibiotics less effectivein vivo. Treating chronically-adaptedB. pseudomalleiinfections with antibiotics designed to target anaerobic infections, such as the nitroimidazole class of antibiotics, may significantly improve pathogen eradication attempts by exploiting this Achilles heel.
Light assisted antibiotics
Authors: Argyraki Aikaterini , Markvart Merete , Stavnsbjerg Camilla , Kragh Kasper Nørskov , Bjørndal Lars , Bjarnsholt Thomas , Petersen Paul Michael
Published: December 2017

The overuse of antibiotics is accelerating the bacterial resistance, and therefore there is a need to reduce the amount of antibiotics used for treatment. Here, we demonstrate that specific wavelengths in a narrow range around 296 nm are able to eradicate bacteria in the biofilm state more effectively, than antibiotics and the combination of irradiation and antibiotics is even better, introducing a novel conceptlight assisted antibiotics. The investigated wavelength range was 249 nm to 338 nm with an approximate step of 5 nm. The novel concept can significantly reduce the amount of antibiotics needed for eradicating mature bacterial biofilms. The irradiation treatment was combined with tobramycin and its efficiency was compared to combinatory antibiotic treatment and highly concentrated antibiotic monotherapy. The eradication efficacies, on mature biofilms, achieved by light assisted antibiotic and by the antibiotic monotherapy at 10-fold higher concentration, were equivalent. The present achievement could motivate the development of light assisted antibiotic treatments for treating infections.
An orthogonal and pH-tunable sensor-selector for muconic acid biosynthesis in yeast
Authors: Snoek Tim , Romero-Suarez David , Zhang Jie , Skjoedt Mette L. , Sudarsan Suresh , Jensen Michael K. , Keasling Jay D.
Published: December 2017

Microbes offer enormous potential for production of industrially relevant chemicals and therapeutics, yet the rapid identification of high-producing microbes from large genetic libraries is a major bottleneck in modern cell factory development. Here, we develop and apply a synthetic selection system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that couples the concentration of muconic acid, a plastic precursor, to cell fitness by using the prokaryotic transcriptional regulator BenM driving an antibiotic resistance gene. We show the sensor-selector does not affect production, and find that tuning pH of the cultivation medium limits the rise of non-producing cheaters. We apply the sensor-selector to selectively enrich for best-producing variants out of a large library of muconic acid production strains, and identify an isolate that produced more than 2 g/L muconic acid in a bioreactor. We expect that this sensor-selector can aid the development of other synthetic selection systems based on allosteric transcription factors.
The rust fungus Melampsora larici-populina expresses a conserved genetic program and distinct sets of secreted protein genes during infection of its two host plants, larch and poplar
Authors: Lorrain Cécile , Marchal Clémence , Hacquard Stéphane , Delaruelle Christine , Pétrowski Jérémy , Petre Benjamin , Hecker Arnaud , Frey Pascal , Duplessis Sébastien
Published: December 2017

Mechanims required for broad spectrum or specific host colonization of plant parasites are poorly understood. As a perfect illustration, heteroecious rust fungi require two alternate host plants to complete their life cycle. Melampsora larici-populina infects two taxonomically unrelated plants, larch on which sexual reproduction is achieved and poplar on which clonal multiplication occurs leading to severe epidemics in plantations. High-depth RNA sequencing was applied to three key developmental stages of M. larici-populina infection on larch: basidia, pycnia and aecia. Comparative transcriptomics of infection on poplar and larch hosts was performed using available expression data. Secreted protein was the only significantly over-represented category among differentially expressed M. larici-populina genes in basidia, pycnia and aecia compared together, highlighting their probable involvement in the infection process. Comparison of fungal transcriptomes in larch and poplar revealed a majority of rust genes commonly expressed on the two hosts and a fraction exhibiting a host-specific expression. More particularly, gene families encoding small secreted proteins presented striking expression profiles that highlight probable candidate effectors specialized on each host. Our results bring valuable new information about the biological cycle of rust fungi and identify genes that may contribute to host specificity.
Non-invasive online wavelength measurements at FLASH2 and present benchmark
Authors: Braune Markus , Buck Jens , Kuhlmann Marion , Grunewald Sören , Düsterer Stefan , Viefhaus Jens , Tiedtke Kai
Published: December 2017

At FLASH2, the free-electron laser radiation wavelength is routinely measured by an online spectrometer based on photoionization of gas targets. Photoelectrons are detected with time-of-flight spectrometers and the wavelength is determined by means of well known binding energies of the target species. The wavelength measurement is non-invasive and transparent with respect to running user experiments due to the low gas pressure applied. Sophisticated controls for setting the OPIS operation parameters have been created and integrated into the distributed object-oriented control system at FLASH2. Raw and processed data can be stored on request in the FLASH data acquisition system for later correlation with data from user experiments or re-analysis. In this paper, the commissioning of the instrument at FLASH2 and the challenges of space charge effects on wavelength determination are reported. Furthermore, strategies for fast data reduction and online data processing are presented.
Nanofocusing with aberration-corrected rotationally parabolic refractive X-ray lenses
Authors: Seiboth Frank , Wittwer Felix , Scholz Maria , Kahnt Maik , Seyrich Martin , Schropp Andreas , Wagner Ulrich , Rau Christoph , Garrevoet Jan , Falkenberg Gerald , Schroer Christian G.
Published: December 2017

Wavefront errors of rotationally parabolic refractive X-ray lenses made of beryllium (Be CRLs) have been recovered for various lens sets and X-ray beam configurations. Due to manufacturing via an embossing process, aberrations of individual lenses within the investigated ensemble are very similar. By deriving a mean single-lens deformation for the ensemble, aberrations of any arbitrary lens stack can be predicted from the ensemble with \bar{\sigma} = 0.034λ. Using these findings the expected focusing performance of current Be CRLs are modeled for relevant X-ray energies and bandwidths and it is shown that a correction of aberrations can be realised without prior lens characterization but simply based on the derived lens deformation. The performance of aberration-corrected Be CRLs is discussed and the applicability of aberration-correction demonstrated over wide X-ray energy ranges.
Coatings for FEL optics: preparation and characterization of B4C and Pt
Authors: Störmer Michael , Siewert Frank , Horstmann Christian , Buchheim Jana , Gwalt Grzegorz
Published: December 2017

Large X-ray mirrors are required for beam transport at both present-day and future free-electron lasers (FELs) and synchrotron sources worldwide. The demand for large mirrors with lengths up to 1 m single layers consisting of light or heavy elements has increased during the last few decades. Accordingly, surface finishing technology is now able to produce large substrate lengths with micro-roughness on the sub-nanometer scale. At the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG), a 4.5 m-long sputtering facility enables us to deposit a desired single-layer material some tens of nanometers thick. For the European XFEL project, the shape error should be less than 2 nm over the whole 1 m X-ray mirror length to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of X-ray beams to the scientific instruments. The challenge is to achieve thin-film deposition on silicon substrates, benders and gratings without any change in mirror shape. Thin films of boron carbide and platinum with a thickness in the range 30–100 nm were manufactured using the HZG sputtering facility. This setup is able to cover areas of up to 1500 mm × 120 mm in one step using rectangular sputtering sources. The coatings produced were characterized using various thin-film methods. It was possible to improve the coating process to achieve a very high uniformity of the layer thickness. The movement of the substrate in front of the sputtering source has been optimized. A variation in B4C layer thickness below 1 nm (peak-to-valley) was achieved at a mean thickness of 51.8 nm over a deposition length of 1.5 m. In the case of Pt, reflectometry and micro-roughness measurements were performed. The uniformity in layer thickness was about 1 nm (peak-to-valley). The micro-roughness of the Pt layers showed no significant change in the coated state for layer thicknesses of 32 nm and 102 nm compared with the uncoated substrate state. The experimental results achieved will be discussed with regard to current restrictions and future developments.
Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of diaquabis(2,6-diamino-7H-purin-1-ium-κN9)bis(4,4′-oxydibenzoato-κO)cobalt(II) dihydrate
Authors: Atria Ana María , Parada José , Moreno Yanko , Suárez Sebastián , Baggio Ricardo , Peña Octavio
Published: December 2017

The title mononuclear CoIIcomplex, [Co(C5H7N6)2(C14H8O5)2(H2O)2]·2H2O, has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic space groupP\overline{1}, with one formula unit per cell (Z= 1 andZ′ = 1 \over 2). It consists of a mononuclear unit with the CoIIion on an inversion centre coordinated by two 2,6-diamino-7H-purin-1-ium cations, two 4,4′-oxydibenzoate anions (in a nonbridging κO-monodentate coordination mode, which is less common for the anion in its CoIIcomplexes) and two water molecules, defining an octahedral environment around the metal atom. There is a rich assortment of nonbonding interactions, among which a strong N+—H...O−bridge, with a short N...O distance of 2.5272 (18) Å, stands out, with the H atom ostensibly displaced away from its expected position at the donor side, towards the acceptor. The complex molecules assemble into a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network. A variable-temperature magnetic study between 2 and 300 K reveals an orbital contribution to the magnetic moment and a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between CoIIcentres as the temperature decreases. The model leads to the following values:A(crystal field strength) = 1.81, λ (spin-orbit coupling) = −59.9 cm−1,g(Landé factor) = 2.58 andzJ(exchange coupling) = −0.5 cm−1.
Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Bebbington Jan , Unerman Jeffrey
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish and advance the role of academic accounting in the pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are regarded as the most salient point of departure for understanding and achieving environmental and human development ambitions up to (and no doubt beyond) the year 2030.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a synthesis of interdisciplinary perspectives on sustainable development and integration of this with the accounting for sustainability literature. In addition, potential accounting research contributions are proposed so as to support the development of new research avenues.

Findings

Existing research in accounting that is relevant to individual SDGs serves as an initial link between them and the accounting discipline. At the same time, the SDGs focus highlights new sites for empirical work (including interdisciplinary investigations) as well as inviting innovation in accounting theoretical frameworks. Moreover, the SDGs provide a context for (re)invigorating accounting’s contribution to sustainable development debates.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to explore the roles academic accounting can play in furthering achievement of the SDGs through enhanced understanding, critiquing and advancing of accounting policy, practice and theorizing. It is also the first paper to propose a research agenda in this area.
Accrual management as an indication of money laundering through legally registered Mafia firms in Italy
Authors: Ravenda Diego , Valencia-Silva Maika M. , Argiles-Bosch Josep Maria , Garcia-Blandon Josep
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how accounting is used to disguise and carry out money laundering activities in specific socio-economic and political contexts and whether discretionary accruals can provide evidence of such illicit practices performed through legally registered Mafia firms (LMFs).

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a sample of 224 Italian firms identified as LMFs, due to having been confiscated by judicial authorities because of their owners being accused of Mafia-type association. Using a multivariate regression model, specifically developed discretionary accrual proxies for LMFs are compared with those of a population of lawful firms (LWFs).

Findings

The results reveal that in the pre-confiscation years, LMFs manage aggregate, revenue and expense accruals more than LWFs do, in order to smooth earnings and disguise/carry out money laundering. In contrast, in the post-confiscation years, there is no significant difference in the level of accrual management between LMFs and LWFs, as a consequence of the effective intervention of legal administrators.

Originality/value

This study adopts discretionary revenue and expense accrual proxies that provide additional insight into the simultaneous manipulation of revenues and expenses, linked to money laundering, which may not be fully detected by traditional aggregate accrual models. Furthermore, it suggests that the incentive for LMFs to manage accruals may be fostered by the irrelevance of their financial statements to trades with stakeholders. Finally, this paper may provide regulators with financial accounting signals which could be included in risk assessment models aiming to detect money laundering activities within firms.
Differentiated time management skills between leadership styles: simplified with a cross-cultural approach
Authors: Sarfraz Haniya
Published: December 2017

Purpose

A common conception is that transformational, transactional, and other types of leaders implement similar time management skills; however, this paper aims to state that this is not true to a very large extent.

Design/methodology/approach

The characteristics of transactional, transformational, and other leadership styles are defined, while the popular and latest time management principles are incorporated with this description. There are eight time management categories, and this paper connects the respective categories to nine leadership styles based on each style’s nature. Cross-cultural leadership’s approach to time management is used to highlight and provide simplification for this process. Together, this showcases the importance and need to further investigate the relationship between leadership style, time management, and time conception.

Findings

This time management differentiation between transformational, transactional, and other leaders needs to be acknowledged, as this will deliver insight about how leaders can advance their leadership style. This differentiation brings greater understanding of the link between leadership and time management thus giving leaders deeper awareness on how they form their groundbreaking strategies and, with the cross-cultural leadership’s time management approach, mold their personal traits and experiences in coordination with this link.

Originality/value

This review states and highlights the difference in time management skills between nine leadership styles. The cross-cultural leadership approach helps identify three time and behavioral conceptions and the countries to which these conceptions are prominent in. The time conceptions assist leaders in understanding why they portray certain time management behaviors based on their cultural background, thus providing simplification in applying the time management skills for their leadership style.
Understanding barriers and enablers to training in humanitarian organizations: a SAP-LAP framework
Authors: Kabra Gaurav
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This study aims to outline a practice-based theoretical model to identify barriers and enablers to training in humanitarian organizations toward improving the efficiency of humanitarian organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The situation actor process-learning action performance (SAP-LAP) model has been applied to understand the barriers and enablers to training in humanitarian organizations. The synthesis of SAP leads to LAP, which helps in identifying bottlenecks of training through analysis of present situations and processes. Then, suggested courses of action for enhancing performance are laid down. The data have been collected through discussions with five practitioners involved in past relief operations in India.

Findings

In all, five barriers and six enablers were uncovered during discussions with practitioners illustrating the complexity involved in training in humanitarian organizations. The results suggest the need for more effective strategic planning much before actual training starts, particularly in the current situation where resources are limited in terms of time, capital and manpower.

Research limitations/implications

The SAP-LAP model needs further validation through empirical data.

Practical implications

This study contributes to existing body of literature and helps practitioners by providing a better understanding of barriers and enablers to training in humanitarian organizations.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind that integrates the views of practitioners in identifying barriers and enablers to training in humanitarian organizations toward improving the efficiency of humanitarian organizations.
A framework for untapped creativity: leveraging components of individual creativity for organizational innovation
Authors: Budhiraja Sunil , Pathak Ujjwal Kumar , Kaushik Neeraj
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the components of individual creativity which are commonly unrecognized and untapped by managers and organizations. A framework is suggested to leverage these components of creativity for organizational innovation through organizational learning and support.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper makes use of grounded theory based on three levels of feedback received from employees of six information technology (IT) companies in India. The paper makes use of qualitative responses (and narratives) received from software engineers, their respective project managers, and HR representatives on various components of individual creativity. Deliberation on the role of respective organizations is also included to tap and leverage the unrecognized components of creativity

Findings

The paper provides a framework for practitioners working in IT industries on how to leverage the untapped individual creativity to achieve greater process innovation.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is written from the perspective of the Indian IT industry.

Practical implications

The framework proposed in the study will help organizations to identify and use components to achieve organizational innovation.

Originality/value

In the context of the Indian IT industry, there has been little effort put into identifying and examining the untapped components of individual creativity to build sustainable innovative organizations. Moreover, the findings of the study will help IT companies to build robust models by using various learning interventions.
Strengths-based leadership assessments miss the target – and the species
Authors: Warren Ronald
Published: December 2017

Purpose

There has been a decades-long debate in the leadership development field about the validity and efficacy of strengths-based assessment. This debate is not about recognizing the value in “a conversation about what’s right with people […] we were tired of living in a world that revolved around fixing our weaknesses”. Most agree that there is value in building on strengths.

Design/methodology/approach

The debate is fueled by psychologists, recognized experts in understanding human performance who dismiss Gallup – and other strengths-based leadership firms – who falsely promote the assertion “what’s more, we had discovered that people had several times more potential for growth when they invest energy in developing strengths instead of correcting weaknesses”. This is not true – no matter how aggressively strengths-based firms market this notion.

Findings

Strength-based approaches, especially as an exclusive approach, is overtly blind to the critical fact that most people show a mix of strengths and weaknesses – performance drivers and derailers – and the whole mix interacts. So besides missing the intended mark of increasing a professional’s skills in leadership, teamwork and communications, there are significant costs to this approach that vary from missed opportunities to downright dangerous.

Originality/value

Stanford Business School Professor Jeffrey Pfeiffer drives this point home in his book Leadership BS, a bruising critique of the leadership development industry. Pfeiffer correctly states that the leadership development industry is driven more by marketing and sales imperatives than the application of peer-reviewed scientific studies – which a century ago transformed the medical model and led to the successful eradication of many diseases. Unfortunately, the leadership development industry is driven by marketing and sales imperatives instead of good science. In fact, this may only accelerate in the future as many top assessment firms have been bought by public companies – often in the staffing industry – that seek ways to increase their earnings, focused more on shareholder returns than the science of performance.
Fuzzy logic and bed-to-wall heat transfer in a large-scale CFBC
Authors: Krzywanski Jaroslaw , Wesolowska Marta , Blaszczuk Artur , Majchrzak Anna , Komorowski Maciej , Nowak Wojciech
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to first present the key features of the fuzzy logic (FL) approach as a cost-effective technique in simulations of complex systems and then demonstrate the formulation and application of the method.

Design/methodology/approach

The FL approach is used as an alternative method of data handling, considering the complexity of analytical and numerical procedures and high costs of empirical experiments. The distance from gas distributor, the temperature and the voidage of the bed, flue gas velocity and the load of the boiler are the input parameters, whereas the overall heat transfer coefficient for the membrane walls constitutes the output. Five overlapping sigmoid and constant linguistic terms are used to describe the input and the output data, respectively. The Takagi–Sugeno inference engine and the weighted average defuzzification methods are applied to determine the fuzzy and crisp output value, respectively.

Findings

The performed FL model allows predicting the bed-to-wall heat transfer coefficient in a large-scale 670 t/h circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler. The local heat transfer coefficients evaluated using the developed model are in very good agreement with the data obtained in complementary investigations.

Originality/value

The performed model constitutes an easy-to-use and functional tool. The new approach can be helpful for further research on the bed-to-wall heat transfer coefficient in the CFB units.
Effect of viscous dissipation on forced convection for laminar flow through a straight regular polygonal duct using BEM method
Authors: Teleszewski Tomasz Janusz , Sorko Slawomir Adam
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of the viscous dissipation of laminar flow through a straight regular polygonal duct on forced convection with constant axial wall heat flux with constant peripheral wall temperature using the boundary element method (BEM).

Design/methodology/approach

Both the wall heating case and the wall cooling case are considered. Applying the velocity profile obtained for the duct laminar flow and the energy equation with the viscous dissipation term is solved exactly for the constant wall heat flux using the BEM. The numerical values are obtained by means of a computer program, written by the authors in Fortran. The results of the BEM approach are verified by analytic models. Nusselt numbers are obtained for flows with a different number of sides of a regular polygonal duct and Brinkman numbers.

Findings

When the difference in temperature between the wall temperature and the fluid bulk temperature changes the sign, then the functions of the Nusselt number with the Brinkman number generated some singularities (BrqLs). For the Brinkman number referring to the total wall linear power, with the increasing value of the number of sides of a regular polygonal duct, BrqLs decreases in the range of 3 ≤ n < ∞. If the BrqL < BrqLs, it is possible to note that, in general, the Nusselt number is higher for cross-sections having a lower value of the number of sides of a regular polygonal duct. For BrqL > BrqLs, this rule is reversed.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates the effects of viscous dissipation on laminar forced convective flow in regular polygon ducts with a different number n of sides. A compact relationship for the Nusselt number vs the Brinkman number referring to the temperature difference between the wall temperature and the fluid bulk temperature and the Brinkman number, which is based on the total wall linear power, have been proposed.
The crisis in state highway finances: Its roots, current effects, and some possible remedies
Authors: (Wie) Yusuf Juita-Elena , OʼConnell Lenahan
Published: December 2017

This paper focuses on the American states and the sources of the expanding structural imbalance between their highway-related revenues on the one hand and expenditures for transportation infrastructure needs on the other. The paper describes the roots of the funding problem over recent decades, looks at some of the responses taken at the state and federal level, and discusses their inherent limitations as solutions to this funding crisis. The paper also presents several policy recommendations for increasing revenues. We demonstrate that a variable rate gas tax indexed to the construction cost index and improvements in automobile fuel efficiency and a tax on large commercial trucks based on equivalent standard axle loads (an esal-mile tax) would more effectively fund the state highway system and reduce the need for more spending on maintenance and new facilities.