bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Technique of Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Intracorneal Ring Segment Implantation
Authors: Izquierdo Luis , Orozco Alejandra , Henriquez Maria A.
Published: May 2017

Purpose:

To describe a new technique of femtosecond laser-assisted intracorneal ring segment implantation.

Methods:

The study included 6 eyes of 5 patients. Software of the LDV Z6 femtosecond laser was modified to create a 110-degree reverse side cut between the corneal surface and incision instead of the conventional 90 degree angle (which changed the angle between the incision and tunnel from conventional 90–70 degrees) and 2 disjointed tunnels separated by 10 degrees arc length at the proximal and distal ends.

Results:

One-year postoperatively, there were no cases of segment extrusion or touch/overlap. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography showed appropriate position of the rings in all eyes postoperatively. Improvement was also found in visual, refractive, keratometric, and asphericity parameters.

Conclusions:

The results of this pilot study are promising. A comparative prospective study with more eyes and longer follow-up may confirm whether this technique is better than the conventional femtosecond laser-assisted one.
Demography and mating system shape the genome-wide impact of purifying selection inArabis alpina
Authors: Laenen Benjamin , Tedder Andrew , Nowak Michael D. , Toräng Per , Wunder Jörg , Wötzel Stefan , Steige Kim A. , Kourmpetis Yiannis , Odong Thomas , Drouzas Andreas D. , Bink Marco , Ågren Jon , Coupland George , Slotte Tanja
Published: May 2017

Plant mating systems have profound effects on levels and structuring of genetic variation, and can affect the impact of natural selection. While theory predicts that intermediate outcrossing rates may allow plants to prevent accumulation of deleterious alleles, few studies have empirically tested this prediction using genomic data. Here, we study the effect of mating system on purifying selection by conducting population genomic analyses on whole-genome resequencing data from 38 European individuals of the arctic-alpine cruciferArabis alpina. We find that outcrossing and mixed-mating populations maintain genetic diversity at similar levels, whereas highly self-fertilizing ScandinavianA. alpinashow a strong reduction in genetic diversity, most likely as a result of a postglacial colonization bottleneck. We further find evidence for accumulation of genetic load in highly self-fertilizing populations, whereas the genome-wide impact of purifying selection does not differ greatly between mixed-mating and outcrossing populations. Our results demonstrate that intermediate levels of outcrossing may allow efficient selection against harmful alleles whereas demographic effects can be important for relaxed purifying selection in highly selfing populations. Thus, both mating system and demography shape the impact of purifying selection on genomic variation inA. alpina. These results are important for an improved understanding of the evolutionary consequences of mating system variation and the maintenance of mixed-mating strategies.

Significance

Intermediate outcrossing rates are theoretically predicted to maintain effective selection against harmful alleles, but few studies have empirically tested this prediction using genomic data. We used whole-genome resequencing data from alpine rock-cress to study how genetic variation and purifying selection vary with mating system. We find that populations with intermediate outcrossing rates have similar levels of genetic diversity as outcrossing populations, and that purifying selection against harmful alleles is efficient in mixed-mating populations. In contrast, self-fertilizing populations from Scandinavia have strongly reduced genetic diversity, and accumulate harmful mutations, likely as a result of demographic effects of postglacial colonization. Our results suggest that mixed-mating populations can avoid the negative evolutionary consequences of high self-fertilization rates.
Ranking quantitative resistance to Septoria tritici blotch in elite wheat cultivars using automated image analysis
Authors: Karisto Petteri , Hund Andreas , Yu Kang , Anderegg Jonas , Walter Achim , Mascher Fabio , McDonald Bruce A. , Mikaberidze Alexey
Published: April 2017

Quantitative resistance is likely to be more durable than major gene resistance for controlling Septoria tritici blotch (STB) on wheat. Earlier studies hypothesized that resistance affecting the degree of host damage, as measured by the percentage of leaf area covered by STB lesions, is distinct from resistance that affects pathogen reproduction, as measured by the density of pycnidia produced within lesions. We tested this hypothesis using a collection of 335 elite European winter wheat cultivars that was naturally infected by a diverse population ofZymoseptoria triticiin a replicated field experiment. We used automated image analysis (AIA) of 21420 scanned wheat leaves to obtain quantitative measures of conditional STB intensity that were precise, objective, and reproducible. These measures allowed us to explicitly separate resistance affecting host damage from resistance affecting pathogen reproduction, enabling us to confirm that these resistance traits are largely independent. The cultivar rankings based on host damage were different from the rankings based on pathogen reproduction, indicating that the two forms of resistance should be considered separately in breeding programs aiming to increase STB resistance. We hypothesize that these different forms of resistance are under separate genetic control, enabling them to be recombined to form new cultivars that are highly resistant to STB. We found a significant correlation between rankings based on automated image analysis and rankings based on traditional visual scoring, suggesting that image analysis can complement conventional measurements of STB resistance, based largely on host damage, while enabling a much more precise measure of pathogen reproduction. We showed that measures of pathogen reproduction early in the growing season were the best predictors of host damage late in the growing season, illustrating the importance of breeding for resistance that reduces pathogen reproduction in order to minimize yield losses caused by STB. These data can already be used by breeding programs to choose wheat cultivars that are broadly resistant to naturally diverseZ. triticipopulations according to the different classes of resistance.
Assessing the Dynamics and Control of Droplet- and Aerosol-Transmitted Influenza Using an Indoor Positioning System
Authors: Smieszek Timo , Lazzari Gianrocco , Salathé Marcel
Published: April 2017

There is increasing evidence that aerosol transmission is a major contributor to the spread of influenza. Despite this, virtually all studies assessing the dynamics and control of influenza assume that it is transmitted solely through direct contact and large droplets, requiring close physical proximity. Here, we use wireless sensors to measure simultaneously both the location and close proximity contacts in the population of a US high school. This dataset, highly resolved in space and time, allows us to model both droplet and aerosol transmission either in isolation or in combination. In particular, it allows us to computationally assess the effectiveness of overlooked mitigation strategies such as improved ventilation that are available in the case of aerosol transmission. While the effects of the type of transmission on disease outbreak dynamics appear to be weak, we find that good ventilation could be as effective in mitigating outbreaks as vaccinating the majority of the population. In simulations using empirical transmission levels observed in households, we find that bringing ventilation to recommended levels has the same mitigating effect as a vaccination coverage of 50% to 60%. Our results therefore suggest that improvements of ventilation in public spaces could be an important and easy-to-implement strategy supplementing vaccination efforts for effective control of influenza spread.
Estimating Effects Of Second Line Therapy For Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Gottlieb Assaf , Yanover Chen , Cahan Amos , Goldschmidt Yaara
Published: April 2017

Objective

Metformin is the recommended initial drug treatment in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, but there is no clearly preferred choice for an additional drug when indicated. We use electronic health records to infer the counterfactual drug effectiveness in reducing HbA1c levels and effect on body-mass index (BMI) of four second line diabetes drug classes.

Study design and setting

Retrospective analysis of the electronic health records of US-based patients in the Explorys database using causal inference methodology to adjust for censored patients and confounders.

Participants and Exposures

Our cohort consisted of roughly 25,000 patients with type 2 diabetes, prescribed metformin along with a drug out of four second line drug classes – sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists, during the years 2000-2013.

Main outcome measures

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and BMI of these patients after six and twelve months of treatment.

Results

We show that all four drug classes reduce glycated hemoglobin levels, but the effect of sulfonylureas after 12 months of treatment is less pronounced compared to other classes. We also predict that thiazolidinediones increase body weight while DPP-4 inhibitors decrease it.

Conclusion

Our results are in line with current knowledge on second line drug effectiveness and effect on BMI. They demonstrate that causal inference from Electronic health records is an effective way for conducting multi-treatment causal inference studies.
Mycophenolate mofetil increases susceptibility to opportunistic fungal infection independent of lymphocytes
Authors: Gibson Rory H. , Evans Robert J , Hotham Richard , Bojarczuk Aleksandra , Lewis Amy , Bielska Ewa , May Robin C. , Elks Philip M. , Renshaw Stephen A. , Johnston Simon A.
Published: April 2017

Anti-proliferative agents that target lymphoid cells are common immunosuppressive agents used in the treatment of diverse autoimmune, graft versus host and inflammatory diseases. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an anti-proliferative agent that targets lymphoid dependence on inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase for thede novopurine synthesis of deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP) for DNA replication. Here we show that MMF has a distinct and specificin vivoeffect on macrophages, in the absence of lymphoid cells. This results in increased macrophage cell death that is dependent on the depletion of cellular GTP, independent of DNA synthesis. Furthermore, the macrophage specific effect of MMF treatment causes an increase in susceptibility to the opportunistic fungal infectionCryptococcus neoformansby reducing phagocytosis and increasing the release of intracellular pathogens via macrophage lysis. Our study demonstrates the need for a better mechanistic understanding of immunosuppressive treatments used in clinical practice and of the specific infection risks associated with certain treatment regimens.
Evolutionarily Conserved Roles For Blood-Brain Barrier Xenobiotic Transporters In Endogenous Steroid Partitioning And Behavior
Authors: Hindle Samantha , Munji Roeben , Dolghih Elena , Gaskins Garrett , Orng Souvinh , Ishimoto Hiroshi , Soung Allison , DeSalvo Michael , Kitamoto Toshihiro , Keiser Michael , Jacobson Matthew , Daneman Richard , Bainton Roland
Published: April 2017

Optimal brain function depends upon efficient control over the brain entry of blood components; this is provided by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Curiously, some brain-impermeable drugs can still cause behavioral side effects. To investigate this phenomenon, we asked whether the promiscuous drug efflux transporter Mdr1 has dual functions in transporting drugs and endogenous molecules. If this is true, brain-impermeable drugs may cause behavioral side effects by affecting brain levels of endogenous molecules. Using computational, genetic and pharmacologic approaches across diverse organisms we demonstrate that BBB-localized efflux transporters are critical for regulating brain levels of endogenous steroids, and steroid-regulated behaviors (sleep in Drosophila and anxiety in mice). Furthermore, we show that Mdr1-interacting drugs are associated with anxiety-related behaviors in humans. We propose a general mechanism for common behavioral side effects of prescription drugs: pharmacologically challenging BBB efflux transporters disrupts brain levels of endogenous substrates, and implicates the BBB in behavioral regulation.
Topical Silver Diamine Fluoride for Dental Caries Arrest in Preschool Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Milgrom Peter , Horst Jeremy A. , Ludwig Sharity , Rothen Marilynn , Chaffee Benjamin W. , Lyalina Svetlana , Pollard Katherine S. , DeRisi Joseph L. , Mancl Lloyd
Published: April 2017

Objectives:

The Stopping Cavities Trial investigated effectiveness and safety of 38% silver diamine fluoride in arresting caries lesions.

Materials and Methods:

Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled superiority trial with 2 parallel groups. Oregonpreschools.66 preschool children with ≥1 lesion. 38% silver diamine fluoride or placebo(blue-tinted water),applied topically to the lesion. The primary endpoint was caries arrest (lesion inactivity, Nyvad criteria) 14-21days post intervention. Dental plaque was collected from all children, and microbial composition was assessed byRNAsequencing from 2 lesions and 1 unaffected surface before treatment and at follow-up for 3 children from each group.

Results and Conclusion:

Mean fraction of arrested caries lesions in the silver diamine fluoride group was higher (0.72; 95% CI; 0.55, 0.84) than in the placebo group (0.05; 95% CI; 0.00, 0.16). Confirmatory analysis using generalized estimating equation log-linear regression, accounting for the number of treated surfaces and length of follow-up, indicated the fraction of arrested caries was significantly higher in the treatment group (relative risk, 17.3; 95% CI: 4.3 to 69.4). No harms were observed.RNAsequencing analysis identified no consistent changes in relative abundance of caries-associated microbes, nor emergence of antibiotic or metal resistance gene expression. Topical 38% silver diamine fluoride was effective and safe in arresting cavities in preschool children. The treatment is applicable to primary care practice and may reduce the burden of untreated tooth decay in the population.

Trial Registration:

ClinicalTrials.govNCT02536040.

Clinical Significance

In this clinical trial, 72% of caries lesions were arrested bysilver diamine fluoride, withno harms.Contrary to the presumed antibacterial mechanism, lesion bacterial composition changed negligibly.This simple topical treatment is applicable to primary care practice and may reduce the burden of untreated tooth decay in the population.
Causal epigenome-wide association study identifies CpG sites that influence cardiovascular disease risk
Authors: Richardson Tom G. , Zheng Jie , Smith George Davey , Timpson Nicholas J. , Gaunt Tom R. , Relton Caroline L. , Hemani Gibran
Published: April 2017

The extent to which genetic influences on complex traits and disease are mediated by changes in DNA methylation levels has not been systematically explored. We developed an analytical framework that integrates genetic fine mapping and Mendelian randomization with epigenome-wide association studies to evaluate the causal relationships between methylation levels and 14 cardiovascular disease traits.

We identified 10 genetic loci known to influence proximal DNA methylation which were also associated with cardiovascular traits (P < 3.83×10-08). Bivariate fine mapping suggested that the individual variants responsible for the observed effects on cardiovascular traits at theABO,ADCY3,ADIPOQ, APOA1andIL6Rloci were likely mediated through changes in DNA methylation. Causal effect estimates on cardiovascular traits ranged between 0.109-0.992 per standard deviation change in DNA methylation and were replicated using results from large-scale consortia.

Functional informatics suggests that the causal variants and CpG sites identified in this study were enriched for histone mark peaks in adipose tissue and gene promoter regions. Integrating our results with expression quantitative trait loci data we provide evidence that variation at these regulatory regions is likely to also influence gene expression at these loci.
Reading canonical and modified nucleotides in 16S ribosomal RNA using nanopore direct RNA sequencing
Authors: Smith Andrew M. , Jain Miten , Mulroney Logan , Garalde Daniel R. , Akeson Mark
Published: April 2017

The ribosome small subunit is expressed in all living cells. It performs numerous essential functions during translation, including formation of the initiation complex and proofreading of base-pairs between mRNA codons and tRNA anticodons. The core constituent of the small ribosomal subunit is a ∼1.5 kb RNA strand in prokaryotes (16S rRNA) and a homologous ∼1.8 kb RNA strand in eukaryotes (18S rRNA). Traditional sequencing-by-synthesis (SBS) of rRNA genes or rRNA cDNA copies has achieved wide use as a ‘molecular chronometer’ for phylogenetic studies1, and as a tool for identifying infectious organisms in the clinic2. However, epigenetic modifications on rRNA are erased by SBS methods. Here we describe direct MinION nanopore sequencing of individual, full-length 16S rRNA absent reverse transcription or amplification. As little as 5 picograms (∼10 attomole) of E. coli 16S rRNA was detected in 4.5 micrograms of total human RNA. Nanopore ionic current traces that deviated from canonical patterns revealed conserved 16S rRNA base modifications, and a 7-methylguanosine modification that confers aminoglycoside resistance to some pathological E. coli strains. This direct RNA sequencing technology has promise for rapid identification of microbes in the environment and in patient samples.
The effector TepP mediates the recruitment and activation of Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase on earlyChlamydia trachomatisvacuoles
Authors: Carpenter Victoria , Chen Yi-Shan , Dolat Lee , Valdivia Raphael H.
Published: April 2017

Chlamydia trachomatisdelivers multiple Type 3 secreted effector proteins to host epithelial cells to manipulate cytoskeletal functions, membrane dynamics and signaling pathways. TepP is the most abundant effector protein secreted early in infection but its molecular function is poorly understood. In this report, we provide evidence that TepP is important for bacterial replication in cervical epithelial cells, the activation of Type I IFN genes, and the recruitment of Class I phosphoinositide 3 kinases (PI3K) and the signaling adaptor protein CrkL to nascent pathogen-containing vacuoles (inclusions). We also show that TepP is a target of tyrosine phosphorylation by Src kinases but these modifications do not appear to influence the recruitment of PI3K or CrkL. The translocation of TepP correlated with an increase in the intracellular pools of phosphoinositide 3,4,5 triphosphate but not the activation of the pro-survival kinase Akt, suggesting that TepP-mediated activation of PI3K is spatially restricted to early inclusions. Furthermore, we linked PI3K activity to the dampening of transcription of Type I IFN induced genes early in infection. Overall, these findings indicate that TepP can modulate cell signaling and potentially membrane trafficking events by spatially restricted activation of PI3K.
Universal patterns of selection in cancer and somatic tissues
Authors: Martincorena Iñigo , Raine Keiran M. , Gerstung Moritz , Dawson Kevin J. , Haase Kerstin , Loo Peter Van , Davies Helen , Stratton Michael R. , Campbell Peter J.
Published: April 2017

Cancer develops as a result of somatic mutation and clonal selection, but quantitative measures of selection in cancer evolution are lacking. We applied methods from evolutionary genomics to 7,664 human cancers across 29 tumor types. Unlike species evolution, positive selection outweighs negative selection during cancer development. On average, <1 coding base substitution/tumor is lost through negative selection, with purifying selection only detected for truncating mutations in essential genes in haploid regions. This allows exome-wide enumeration of all driver mutations, including outside known cancer genes. On average, tumors carry ∼4 coding substitutions under positive selection, ranging from <1/tumor in thyroid and testicular cancers to >10/tumor in endometrial and colorectal cancers. Half of driver substitutions occur in yet-to-be-discovered cancer genes. With increasing mutation burden, numbers of driver mutations increase, but not linearly. We identify novel cancer genes and show that genes vary extensively in what proportion of mutations are drivers versus passengers.

HIGHLIGHTS

Unlike the germline, somatic cells evolve predominantly by positive selection

Nearly all (∼99%) coding mutations are tolerated and escape negative selection

First exome-wide estimates of the total number of driver coding mutations per tumor

1-10 coding driver mutations per tumor; half occurring outside known cancer genes
Signaling Pathway Activities Improve Prognosis for Breast Cancer
Authors: Jiao Yunlong , Hidalgo Marta R. , Çubuk Cankut , Amadoz Alicia , Carbonell-Caballero José , Vert Jean-Philippe , Dopazo Joaquín
Published: April 2017

With the advent of high-throughput technologies for genome-wide expression profiling, a large number of methods have been proposed to discover gene-based signatures as biomarkers to guide cancer prognosis. However, it is often difficult to interpret the list of genes in a prognostic signature regarding the underlying biological processes responsible for disease progression or therapeutic response. A particularly interesting alternative to gene-based biomarkers is mechanistic biomarkers, derived from signaling pathway activities, which are known to play a key role in cancer progression and thus provide more informative insights into cellular functions involved in cancer mechanism. In this study, we demonstrate that pathway-level features, such as the activity of signaling circuits, outperform conventional gene-level features in prediction performance in breast cancer prognosis. We also show that the proposed classification scheme can even suggest, in addition to relevant signaling circuits related to disease outcome, a list of genes that do not code for signaling proteins whose contribution to cancer prognosis potentially supplements the mechanisms detected by pathway analysis.
Convergent evolution of the army ant syndrome and congruence in big-data phylogenetics
Authors: Borowiec Marek L.
Published: May 2017

The evolution of the suite of morphological and behavioral adaptations underlying the ecological success of army ants has been the subject of considerable debate. This “army ant syn-drome” has been argued to have arisen once or multiple times within the ant subfamily Dorylinae. To address this question I generated data from 2,166 loci and a comprehensive taxon sampling for a phylogenetic investigation. Most analyses show strong support for convergent evolution of the army ant syndrome in the Old and New World but certain relationships are sensitive to analytics. I examine the signal present in this data set and find that conflict is diminished when only loci less likely to violate common phylogenetic model assumptions are considered. I also provide a temporal and spatial context for doryline evolution with timecalibrated, biogeographic, and diversification rate shift analyses. This study underscores the need for cautious analysis of phylogenomic data and calls for more efficient algorithms employing better-fitting models of molecular evolution.

Significance

Recent interpretation of army ant evolution holds that army ant behavior and morphology originated only once within the subfamily Dorylinae. An inspection of phylogenetic signal in a large new data set shows that support for this hypothesis may be driven by bias present in the data. Convergent evolution of the army ant syndrome is consistently supported when sequences violating assumptions of a commonly used model of sequence evolution are excluded from the analysis. This hypothesis also fits with a simple scenario of doryline biogeography. These results highlight the importance of careful evaluation of signal and conflict within phylogenomic data sets, even when taxon sampling is comprehensive.
Impact of sequencing depth and read length on single cell RNA sequencing data: lessons from T cells
Authors: Rizzetto Simone , Eltahla Auda A. , Lin Peijie , Bull Rowena , Lloyd Andrew R. , Ho Joshua W. K. , Venturi Vanessa , Luciani Fabio
Published: May 2017

Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has shown great potential in measuring the gene expression profiles of heterogeneous cell populations. In immunology, scRNA-seq allowed the characterisation of transcript sequence diversity of functionally relevant sub-populations of T cells, and notably the identification of the full length T cell receptor (TCRαβ), which defines the specificity against cognate antigens. Several factors, such as RNA library capture, cell quality, and sequencing output have been suggested to affect the quality of scRNA-seq data, but these factors have not been systematically examined.

We studied the effect of read length and sequencing depth on the quality of gene expression profiles, cell type identification, and TCRαβ reconstruction, utilising 1,305 publically available scRNA-seq datasets, and simulation-based analyses. Gene expression was characterised by an increased number of unique genes identified with short read lengths (<50 bp), but these featured higher technical variability compared to profiles from longer reads. TCRαβ were detected in 1,027 cells (79%), with a success rate between 81% and 100% for datasets with at least 250,000 (PE) reads of length >50 bp.

Sufficient read length and sequencing depth can control technical noise to enable accurate identification of TCRαβ and gene expression profiles from scRNA-seq data of T cells.
Complex Dynamics From Simple Cognition: The Primary Ratchet Effect in Animal Culture
Authors: Mcelreath Mary Brooke , Boesch Christophe , Kühl Hjalmar , McElreath Richard
Published: May 2017

Abstract

It is often observed that human culture, unlike most other animal culture, iscumulative: human technology and behavior is more complex than any individual could invent in their own lifetime. Cumulative culture is often explained by appeal to a combination of high-fidelity social learning and innovation, the “ratchet effect.” What is often overlooked is that both human and other animal culture is supported by a more primary ratchet effect that retains and increases the prevalence of adaptive behavior. This primary ratchet can arise without appeal to specialized cognitive adaptations and is plausibly more widespread in animal societies. We use a simple model to highlight how simple forms of contingent social learning can create the primary ratchet effect, dramatically increasing the prevalence of adaptive, hard to invent behavior. We investigate some ways that demography may interact with the primary ratchet to generate patterns of cultural variation. As the primary ratchet may be common to many animal societies, its cognitive components and population dynamics provide a common foundation for the study of animal culture and a necessary foundation for understanding the origins of human cumulative culture.
Seeking “conversations for accountability”
Authors: Agyemang Gloria , O’Dwyer Brendan , Unerman Jeffrey , Awumbila Mariama
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain how upward accountability processes can be enabling in, or constraining to, the effective deployment of development aid funding.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper derives its primary insights from in-depth interviews and focus groups with non-governmental organization (NGO) fieldworkers working and delivering development aid in Northern Ghana. It analyses inductively the perspectives of fieldworkers to explain their experiences of upward accountability.

Findings

The fieldworkers’ perception of upward accountability was mainly one of external control, in response to which they enacted a skilful form of compliance accountability. This perception of control failed to stifle their initiative and intrinsic commitment to beneficiaries. The fieldworkers craved “conversations for accountability”, in which they had a voice in the development of upward accountability metrics, thereby enabling them to fulfil their sense of felt responsibility to beneficiaries. While aspects of “conversations for accountability” were emerging in fieldworker-funder interactions, it was unclear to what extent funders were committed to further advancing them. Overall, the analysis unveils how felt responsibility mediates for, and partly diminishes, the perceived negative impacts on aid effectiveness of upward accountability processes informed by a focus on control.

Originality/value

The authors examine the potential of upward accountability processes using in-depth analyses of the actual experiences of those involved in delivering NGO services at the grassroots level. The authors contribute to emerging work in this vein by enriching the authors’ understanding of local constituencies’ experiences of accountability processes more generally, especially the impact these mechanisms have on NGO operational activities. The authors also unveil the mediating role fieldworkers’ “felt responsibility” to beneficiaries’ plays in moderating the perceived negative impacts on aid effectiveness of upward accountability processes.
Examining distinct carbon cost structures and climate change abatement strategies in CO2polluting firms
Authors: Cadez Simon , Guilding Chris
Published: May 2017

Purpose

A management accounting perspective that underscores a quest for reducing conventionally appraised costs, negative output costs as well as heightened eco-efficiency has been used in pursuit of the study’s two main study objectives. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, the study seeks to further understanding of the relationship between product output volume, carbon costs, and CO2emission volume in carbon-intensive firms. Second, it identifies factors affecting climate change abatement strategies pursued by these firms. Heightening appreciation of the climate change challenge, combined with minimal CO2emission research undertaken from a cost management perspective, underscores the significance of the study.

Design/methodology/approach

A triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data collected from Slovenian firms that operate in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme has been deployed.

Findings

CO2polluting firms exhibit differing carbon cost structures that result from distinctive drivers of carbon consumption (product output vs capacity level). Climate change abatement strategies also differ across carbon-intensive sectors (energy, manufacturing firms transforming non-fossil carbon-based materials, and other manufacturing firms) but are relatively homogeneous within them.

Practical implications

From a managerial perspective, the study demonstrates that carbon efficiency improvements are generally not effective in triggering corporate CO2emission reduction when firms pursue a growth strategy.

Social implications

Global warming signifies that CO2emissions constitute a social problem. The study has the potential to raise societal awareness that the causality of the manufacturing sector’s CO2emissions is complex. Further, the study highlights that while more efficient use of environmental resources is a prerequisite of enhanced ecological sustainability, in isolation it fails to signify improved ecological sustainability in manufacturing operations.

Originality/value

The paper has high originality as it reports one of the first management accounting studies to explore the distinction between combustion- and process-related CO2emissions. In addition, it provides distinctive support for the view that eco-efficiency is more consistent with the economic than the environmental pillar of sustainability.
Counting to zero: accounting for a green building
Authors: Georg Susse , Justesen Lise
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how a particular form of environmental accounting, energy accounting, is negotiated in practice and how energy accounting may act as a productive organizing device in organizational contexts. Energy accounting is considered as performative in organizational practices rather than as a representation of resource use.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a longitudinal case study of the design phase in a construction project. Data collection entailed observational and document studies as well as interviews with those involved in the design processes. This paper draws on actor-network theory, notably the notions of framing and overflowing, in analyzing the role of energy accounting in design processes and in affecting organizational practice.

Findings

The paper provides several insights regarding energy accounting in the making, energy accounting’s performative role in enacting possible futures, the narrative importance of numbers, and the entangled nature of designing, accounting and organizing practices. The findings demonstrate the strong links between accounting and organizing.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the extant literature on environmental accounting by directing attention to how such accounting practices contribute to forming rather than just informing management decisions. By focusing on how the calculative practices of making such accounts mediate ideas and help assemble new entities, this paper provides useful insights into the performative role of environmental accounting.
Bubble characterizations on hydrophobic surface using lattice Boltzmann simulation with large density ratios
Authors: Du Peng , Hu Haibao , Ren Feng , Song Dong
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The maintenance of the air–water interface is crucial for the drag reduction on hydrophobic surfaces. But the air bubbles become unstable and even washed away under high speed flow, causing the failure of surface hydrophobicity. Thereby, this paper aims to understand the relations between bubble behaviors and surface properties, flow conditions and to discover new methods to maintain the air–water interface.

Design/methodology/approach

Bubble properties on hydrophobic surfaces were characterized using single-component multiphase lattice Boltzmann simulation. Three equations of state (EOSs), including the Peng–Robinson, Carnahan–Starling and modified Kaplun–Meshalkin EOSs, were incorporated to achieve high density ratios.

Findings

Both the static and dynamic properties of bubbles on hydrophobic surfaces were investigated and analyzed under different flow conditions, solid–liquid interactions and surface topology.

Originality/value

By revealing the properties of bubbles on hydrophobic surfaces, the effects of flow conditions and surface properties were characterized. The maintenance method of air–water interface can be proposed according to the bubble properties in the study.
Built asset management climate change adaptation model
Authors: Jones Keith , Desai Api , Brosnan Noel , Cooper Justine , Ali Fuad
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present results of an action research addressing climate change adaptation of selected social housing stock in the UK. Climate change continues to pose major challenges to those responsible for the management of built assets. The adaptation required to address long-term building performance affected by climate change rarely get prioritised above more immediate, short-term needs (general built asset management needs).

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts an in-depth participatory action research with a London-based social landlord and integrates climate change adaptation framework and performance-based model established through author’s previous research projects.

Findings

A staged process for including adaptation measures in built asset management strategy is developed along with metrics to analyse the performance of the housing stock against climate change impact of flooding. The prioritisation of adaptation measure implementation into long-term built asset management plans was examined through cost-based appraisal.

Research limitations/implications

The research was carried out with a singular organisation, already acquainted with potential climate change impact, vulnerability and adaptive capacity assessment. The process adopted will differ for similar organisation in the sector with different settings and limited working knowledge of climate change impact assessment.

Practical implications

The paper concludes with a ten-step process developed as an aide memoir to guide social landlords through the climate change adaptation planning process.

Originality/value

In addition to the practical results from the study, the paper outlines a novel process that integrates resilience concepts, risk framing (to climate change impact) and performance management into built asset management (maintenance and refurbishment) planning.
Analysing community needs and skills for enhancing disaster resilience in the built environment
Authors: Perera Srinath , Adeniyi Onaopepo , Babatunde Solomon Olusola
Published: May 2017

Purpose

A better cooperation among all stakeholders working towards enhancing the disaster resilience of societies can only be achieved if the expectations or the needs of each stakeholder are understood. This study attempts to outline the needs of communities affected by disasters for the purpose of aligning the needs and skill requirements with the abilities of built environment professionals serving these communities. Therefore, the study aims to identify and describe community needs and skills requirements for enhancing disaster resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted literature review and semi-structured interviews. The semi-structured interviews were conducted with key members of some communities affected by disasters and with some of the professionals who participated in the restoration/reconstruction of those communities. Data obtained were analysed using NVivo 10.

Findings

The study revealed the current and emerging needs and skills of communities related to the built environment professionals from the viewpoint of enhancing disaster resilience. Thus, 29 classifications of skill and needs were derived and classified under five major disaster resilience dimensions to include social, economic, technological, environmental and institutional aspects.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses only of the needs and skills of the “community”, which is the major stakeholder that is basically the receiver of all that the other stakeholders of disaster resilience have to offer.

Practical implications

This study would help the built environment professionals involved in disaster resilience to become aware of the specific needs and skills of the communities affected by disasters for the purpose of developing their competences.

Originality/value

The study findings would be useful for both the built environment professionals and higher education institutions. Because it is important for professionals to update and upgrade their knowledge towards enhancing their capabilities and meeting stakeholders’ expectations in a bid to enhance societal resilience to disasters across all domains of resilience.
Assessing the legitimacy of HEIs’ contributions to society
Authors: Urdari Claudia , Farcas Teodora Viorica , Tiron-Tudor Adriana
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to inquire about the types of measurements used by international university rankings and their connection to the higher education institutions’ (HEIs) third mission activities, namely, the contribution to society.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a review of literature and content analysis of nine international rankings.

Findings

This empirical study corroborates that rankings focus on teaching and research activities but rarely measure the HEIs’ connection to practice.

Originality/value

As the measurements used by international university rankings are claimed to have a huge impact on the structuring of the academic environment, this paper shows that international rankings fail to measure the HEIs’ success in developing third mission activities.
Green information technology adoption: influencing factors and extension of theory of planned behavior
Authors: Dezdar Shahin
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The effect of global warming on our environment has shifted the focus to green technologies worldwide. Subsequently, multiple research studies have attempted to assess awareness around the concept of “Green IT” in different countries. This paper aims to examine the factors that affect the intention to use green information technology (IT) (INT) and their subsequent influence on the actual use of green IT (ACT) among students in the context of a developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected using survey questionnaires administered to six public university students. A total of 633 valid questionnaires were received and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

A positive relationship of INT with attitude toward green IT, subjective norms toward green IT, perceived behavioral control toward green IT, consideration of future consequences and openness was found, and also, a positive relationship between INT and ACT was found.

Originality/value

Many of prior research focused on factors influencing green IT adoption and usage from the organizational point of view, and there is not much literature dedicated to the study of IT users’ belief and behavior about green IT. Moreover, most studies tend to focus on developed nations, while a lesser number of studies gave consideration to developing nations. This study proposes a research framework that incorporated two personality trait factors to the theory of planned behavior to investigate individual factors influencing INT among students in the context of a developing country.
Cruise tourism management: state of the art
Authors: Papathanassis Alexis
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Cruise tourism is a dynamic, growing segment of tourism that has long ceased to represent a mere niche and is slowly but steadily entering the domain of mainstream tourism. Yet, cruise tourism represents a minor fraction of tourism-related literature and research (Papathanassis and Beckmann, 2011). This study aims to examine the main trends and state-of-the-art developments in cruise tourism. The intension is to provide a starting point, a basis for non-specialists in this area, for further interdisciplinary research.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the author’s previous research and expertise over the past decade, this paper aims at providing a concise overview of the key perspectives and concepts in cruise tourism, whilst highlighting the current and future challenges faced by the sector and its stakeholders.

Findings

In this context, the potential of information and communication technologies for cruise tourism development and research (e-cruising) is underlined.

Originality/value

Finally, this paper offers a comprehensive systemic definition of cruise tourism and the corresponding Cruise Entities, inter-Relationships and Themes (CruisERT) framework, highlighting relevant areas and questions for further research.
Social responsibility influence on customer trust in hotels: mediating effects of reputation and word-of-mouth
Authors: Jalilvand Mohammad Reza , Nasrolahi Vosta Leila , Kazemi Mahyari Hamze , Khazaei Pool Javad
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to model and test the relationships between corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate reputation (CR), word-of-mouth (WOM) behavior and customer trust (CT) within the hotel context.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted among 300 hotel guests. Following a two-step approach, a measurement model was estimated and then a structural model was analyzed to test six proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The research results show that CSR has a direct and positive effect on CT, CR and WOM; CSR has an indirect and positive influence on CT via CR and WOM as mediating variables; CR is a significant antecedent of WOM; and CR and WOM are positively associated with CT.

Originality/value

The research examines the relationship among CSR, CR, WOM and CT, thus contributing to hospitality management literature theoretically. In addition, relevant implications are provided for managers as to how to improve CT in service industries.
Altered interhemispheric resting‐state functional connectivity in young male smokers
Authors: Yu Dahua , Yuan Kai , Bi Yanzhi , Luo Lin , Zhai Jinquan , Liu Bo , Li Yangding , Cheng Jiadong , Guan Yanyan , Xue Ting , Bu Limei , Su Shaoping , Ma Yao , Qin Wei , Tian Jie , Lu Xiaoqi
Published: May 2017

With the help of advanced neuroimaging approaches, previous studies revealed structural and functional brain changes in smokers compared with healthy non‐smokers. Homotopic resting‐state functional connectivity between the corresponding regions in cerebral hemispheres may help us to deduce the changes of functional coordination in the whole brain of young male smokers. Functional homotopy reflects an essential aspect of brain function and communication between the left and right cerebral hemispheres, which is important for the integrity of brain function. However, few studies used voxel mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) method to investigate the changes of homotopic connectivity in young male smokers. Twenty‐seven young male smokers and 27 matched healthy male non‐smokers were recruited in our study. Compared with healthy male non‐smokers, young male smokers showed decreased VMHC values in the insula and putamen, and increased VMHC values in the prefrontal cortex. Correlation analysis demonstrated that there were significant positive correlations between the average VMHC values of the prefrontal cortex and pack‐years in young male smokers. In addition, significant negative correlation was found between the average VMHC values in the insula and pack‐years. Our results revealed the disrupted homotopic resting‐state functional connectivity in young male smokers. The novel findings may extend our understanding of smoking.
Editorial: sorafenib toxicity, a biomarker of effect?
Authors: Clare K. E. , Miller M. H. , Dillon J. F.
Published: May 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Howell et al and Sharma papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13977 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14067.
Editorial: anti‐tumour necrosis factor α antibodies – can efficacy be regained?
Authors: Bar‐Yoseph H. , Chowers Y.
Published: May 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Strik et al and Strik, D'Heans papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13994 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14071.
Editorial: anti‐tumour necrosis factor α antibodies – can efficacy be regained? Authors' reply
Authors: Strik A. S. , D'Haens G. R.
Published: May 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Strik et al and Bar‐Yoseph, Chowers papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13994 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14047.