bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Update in the management of pediatric psoriasis
Authors: Tangtatco Jennifer Aileen Ang , Lara-Corrales Irene
Published: June 2017

Purpose of review

Psoriasis is a multifactorial, chronic, inflammatory skin disease that may represent a therapeutic challenge in children. This review aims to provide a framework for the management of pediatric psoriasis, emphasizing in new insights and considerations for management. It will focus on new disease associations and innovative treatment modalities that challenge current approach of psoriasis in children.

Recent findings

There is an increasing body of literature both in adults and in children linking psoriasis with different comorbidities. This new evidence points to the need of addressing psoriasis as a systemic disease and suggests the need for screening and creating awareness of possible associations. In a similar manner, newer medications are also being investigated in children. Recent publications report on the efficacy and safety of biologics for psoriasis in pediatric patients.

The review provides better understanding of present and future risks of untreated and uncontrolled psoriasis in children and at the same time the benefits and risks of new treatments available.
Probiotics for the Prevention of Nosocomial Diarrhea in Children
Authors: Hojsak Iva , Szajewska Hania , Canani Roberto B. , Guarino Alfredo , Indrio Flavia , Kolacek Sanja , Orel Rok , Shamir Raanan , Vandenplas Yvan , van Goudoever Johannes B. , Weizman Zvi ,   ESPGHAN Working Group for Probiotics/Prebiotics
Published: June 2017

This document provides recommendations developed by the ESPGHAN Working Group on Probiotics and Prebiotics on the role of probiotics in the prevention of nosocomial diarrhea in children based on a systematic review of previously completed systematic reviews and of subsequently published randomized controlled trials. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation guidelines. Recommendations were given only if at least 2 randomized controlled trials examined the same probiotic strain. Based on currently available evidence the Working Group recommends using Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG if the use of probiotics for preventing nosocomial diarrhea in children is considered.
Acute Isolated Paraplegia Revealing an Ewing Sarcoma of the Thoracic Spine
Authors: Beuriat Pierre-Aurélien , Melloul Sarah , Galmiche Louise , Cristofori Irene , Zerah Michel , Beccaria Kevin
Published: June 2017

Ewing sarcoma (ES) infrequently affects the spine. Diagnosis is usually made several weeks following growing symptoms. In this report, we present the case of a child with ES localized at the upper thoracic level. ES was revealed by isolated acute complete paraplegia mimicking medullary stroke. The girl was operated for decompressive laminectomy and tumor removal. Afterwards, she received adjuvant therapy. Subsequently, the child showed a slow improvement of her leg sensitivity associated with a partial motor recovery. ES can affect the mobile spine. Acute symptomatology due to intratumoral hemorrhage and sudden spinal cord compression may suggest the diagnosis. Neurological outcomes following ES are generally poor.
Does a CEO's Departure Trigger a Crisis for a CNO?
Authors: Wright Phyllis
Published: June 2017

For chief nursing officers, volatility has become an expected characteristic of the professional landscape. Recent studies indicate that this volatility is likely to continue for at least the next decade. For chief nursing officers caught in an organizational crisis, the thought of leaving the leadership ranks triggers professional angst and a range of personal emotion. This article examines the most common reasons chief nursing officers leave their positions and how they can take steps to rebound. It also explores the tools and resources that can positively affect these monumental transitions, whether voluntary or involuntary.
Personal Experience Shapes Viewpoint on Transition to Retirement
Authors: Rick Cathy
Published: June 2017

Executives transitioning to retirement experience professional and personal challenges. This article provides examples of decision points for timing and potential aspects to consider when transitioning to retirement. Examples are opinion-based as a result of personal experience and observations from an expert vantage point.
Transitional Moments
Authors: Porter-O'Grady Tim , Malloch Kathy
Published: June 2017

All leaders require a plan and a template for either transition from a career to another career or retirement. Part of this plan includes receiving transition information from others. Reflections about an individual's career, observations from a career, and insights about strategies to create a rich and robust transition experience are discussed in this article. Also included are suggestions for the “transition receivers,” or those benefitting from the experiences and wisdom of others, to optimize their career transitions while recognizing the value of transitioning as a 2-way process and dialogue.
Endometrial Carcinoma With Trophoblastic Components: Clinicopathologic Analysis of a Rare Entity
Authors: Rawish Kojo R. , Buza Natalia , Zheng Wenxin , Fadare Oluwole
Published: June 2017

Somatic endometrial carcinomas with trophoblastic components have only rarely been described. To better characterize this distinctive combination of histotypes, we report herein 4 new cases, representing the largest cohort reported thus far, and review previously reported cases. The 4 new patients ranged in age from 61 to 77 yr (mean, 68 yr). The first patient had a grade 2 endometrioid carcinoma, surgical International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IA, that recurred 5 months later at the vaginal apex with purely choriocarcinoma elements, suggestive of unsampled trophoblastic areas in the uterus. The 3 other patients were all International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III, and included 2 cases of dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma with 40% and 20% choriocarcinoma components, and 1 case of grade 1 endometrioid carcinoma with a 40% choriocarcinoma component. Postoperative serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin was elevated in all patients. All received adjuvant combination chemotherapy, but all were dead of disease with distant metastases at an average of 11.75 mo (range, 7–16 mo) after primary staging. Data from our cases were combined with those from 24 cases that had previously been reported in the literature between 1972 and 2016. Analysis of this combined data indicates that endometrial carcinoma with trophoblastic component is a rare neoplasm that occurs primarily in postmenopausal patients. The trophoblastic component is most commonly a choriocarcinoma and the somatic component is most commonly an endometrioid carcinoma or an adenocarcinoma/carcinoma reported without further specification; the somatic component may be a diverse array of histotypes or histotype admixtures. Serum and/or urine β-human chorionic gonadotropin is elevated in almost all patients, and fluctuations of β-human chorionic gonadotropin generally correlated with tumor relapses or recurrences. The stage distribution and patient outcomes in the current and previously reported patients suggests that trophoblastic differentiation usually, but not invariably denotes clinical aggressiveness.
Expression of GATA-3 in Testicular and Gynecologic Mesothelial Neoplastic and Non-neoplastic Tissues
Authors: Ronaghy Arash , Xiao Guang-Qian , Santagada Eugene , Hasanovic Adnan , Unger Pamela
Published: June 2017

GATA-3 expression in testicular/gynecologic mesothelial neoplasms and benign mesothelia have not been completely investigated. We graded GATA-3, calretinin, and WT1 staining in 20 adenomatoid tumors [9/20 (para)testicular and 11/20 tubal/uterine] and 38 normal mesothelia (20/38 tunica vaginalis and 18/38 fallopian tubes) as either 0 (≤5%), +1 (>5% and <25%), +2 (≥25% and ≤50%), and +3 (>50%). Adenomatoid tumor GATA-3 staining: 2 urologic cases were positive (2/9, +3 and +1), no gynecologic cases were positive (0/11), and all were positive for WT1/calretinin (20/20,+2 to +3). The normal tunica vaginalis mesothelia: 3 of 20 were GATA-3 positive (+2) while 20 of 20 were WT1/calretinin (+2 to +3) positive. The gynecologic cases with walthard nests: are positive for GATA-3 (18/18,+3), WT1 (11/18, +2 to +3), and calretinin (1/18,+2). The nonmetaplastic gynecologic mesothelia were GATA-3 negative (18/18) and WT1/calretinin postive (18/18,+2 to +3). All 18 epididymi were GATA-3 positive (+3) and negative for WT1/calretinin. All 11 efferent ductules examined were negative for GATA-3, WT1/calretinin (0/11). Although GATA-3 rarely stains adenomatoid tumors, gynecologic walthard nests are consistently positive with GATA-3 staining but lose mesothelial markers reflecting a metaplastic change. Excluding the walthard nests, GATA-3 is rarely positive in normal urologic and gynecologic mesothelia. GATA-3 is uniformally positive in epididymi and negative in efferent ductules, which may be due to their embryological evolvement. Awareness of the GATA-3 staining patterns in the genitourinary and gynecologic mesothelial tissues and their respective neoplasms is important to prevent misdiagnosis and possible unnecessary interventions.
Intravascular Lymphocytic Accumulation in the Uterine Cervix: A Frequent Finding
Authors: Karpathiou Georgia , Dal Col Pierre , Chauleur Celine , Peoc’h Michel
Published: June 2017

Intravascular accumulation of lymphocytes in any body site can raise concerns for a lymphoproliferative disorder, mainly intravascular lymphoma, leukemia, or a form of angiocentric lymphoma. We recently found an intravascular lymphocytic accumulation of non-neoplastic nature in a uterine cervix. The aim of the study was to define the frequency and the nature of this observation in the uterine cervix. Thirty cervical excision specimens including 23 cone biopsies and 7 hysterectomies were examined for the presence of intravascular accumulation of lymphocytes. Intravascular accumulation of lymphocytes was observed in 9 of the 30 specimens (30%). These were small-sized or medium-sized lymphocytes accumulating in lymphatic channels. The lymphocytes showed no atypia or mitotic activity. Intravascular lymphocytic accumulation was more common in cases with severe cervicitis (P<0.0001). Immunohistochemically, there was a mixed population of lymphocytes that were CD20 and CD3 positive; they were negative for CD30. Similar but larger lymph-node–like structures were noted inside the paracervical tissue in cases of wide excision. Intralymphatic accumulation of small nonatypical lymphocytes sometimes forming small corpuscles is a frequent and benign finding of the uterine cervix.
A Report of Ovarian Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumors With Heterologous Intestinal-type Glands and Alpha Fetoprotein Elevation and Review of the Literature
Authors: Al-Hussaini Maysa , Al-Othman Yazan , Hijazi Eman , McCluggage W. Glenn
Published: June 2017

Ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (SLCTs) are uncommon neoplasms that are occasionally associated with an elevated level of serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP), a marker of germ cell neoplasms, particularly yolk sac tumor (YST). We report 7 cases of ovarian SLCT (3 moderately differentiated, 2 poorly differentiated, 2 retiform) with heterologous intestinal-type glands, 6 of which were associated with elevated serum AFP. The intestinal-type mucinous glands were immunoreactive for SALL4 (4 cases), AFP (4 cases), glypican 3 (1 case), CDX2 (6 cases), and villin (7 cases), markers that are commonly expressed in YSTs, although the latter 2 markers would be expected to be positive in intestinal-type glands. We show that heterologous intestinal-type glands in ovarian SLCTs often have an endodermal sinus–like (YST-like) immunophenotype and stress that these should not be misinterpreted as microscopic foci of endodermal-type YST. Cases of ovarian SLCT with elevated serum AFP should be sampled extensively to look for foci of intestinal-type glands, the likely source of the AFP elevation in some of these neoplasms.
Introducing the International Confederation of Plastic Surgery Societies: ICOPLAST
Authors: Rakhorst Hinne A. , Badran Hassan , Clarke Howard M. , Cooter Rodney , Evans Gregory R. D. , Kirschbaum Julio Daniel , Koh Kyung Suk , Lazier Carol , Murphy Robert X. , Nakatsuka Takashi , Piccolo Nelson Sarto , Perks Graeme
Published: June 2017

This article describes the formation of the International Confederation of Plastic Surgery Societies (ICOPLAST) as a novel, transparent, dynamic, and proactive confederation of national plastic surgery societies. ICOPLAST aspires to provide a voice for the entire international community of plastic surgeons. ICOPLAST has been designed to benefit the patient, plastic surgery as a profession, and each individual plastic surgeon. Its principal objective is to enhance international communication, education, and advocacy processes to ultimately improve patient outcomes for plastic surgery patients globally. The new ICOPLAST’s focus is to add true value for patients. ICOPLAST’s evolution, philosophy, governance, and bylaws are explained and all societies worldwide are encouraged and cordially invited to join. An open and warm invitation is provided. Additional information is found at www.ICOPLAST.org.
Five Operations That Give the Best Results after Brachial Plexus Injury
Authors: Maldonado Andrés A. , Bishop Allen T. , Spinner Robert J. , Shin Alexander Y.
Published: June 2017

Treatment of brachial plexus injuries has improved slowly over the past 45 years. Changes in strategy, techniques, microsurgical equipment, and technology have expanded the surgical options for reconstructing these life-altering, highly complex injuries. The surgical techniques available include neurolysis, nerve repair, nerve grafting, nerve transfers, tendon transfer, muscle transfer, and other soft- and bony-tissue procedures. In this article, the authors have selected five surgical procedures (i.e., Oberlin procedure, Leechavengvongs procedure, free functional muscle transfer, radial nerve tendon transfers, and C5-C6 nerve grafting in obstetric birth palsy) that have consistently yielded good results in patients who require surgical reconstruction.
Current Clinical Applications of Fat Grafting
Authors: Khouri Roger K. , Khouri Roger K.
Published: June 2017

Learning Objectives:

After reading this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand the theory and principles behind successful avascular fat transfer; 2. Apply these principles into techniques that yield safe and successful fat grafting operations; 3. Identify the well-established indications and limitations of the various fat grafting operations as well as the indications that require additional clinical and translational research.

In this article, the authors summarize the established principles and techniques of fat grafting, discuss debated topics, and present both the well-established and the novel clinical applications of fat grafting.
Is it the End for Urologic Pelvic Laparoscopic Surgery?
Authors: Athanasiadis Grigorios , Bourdoumis Andreas , Masood Junaid
Published: June 2017

Aim:

To scrutinize the rapid development of robotic versus traditional laparoscopic technique in pelvic urologic surgery.

Introduction:

In the last few decades, advances in research and development have led to tremendous progress in medical diagnostics and treatment of disease. Minimally invasive surgery has moved from experimental to becoming the dominant form of surgical management across the surgical specialties. Laparoscopy is nowadays used widely in abdominal surgery, from simple diagnostic laparoscopy to complex colorectal and gynecologic cancer procedures.

Methods:

A literature search of electronic databases (PubMed, Medscape, Embase) using the key words: “pelvic laparoscopy, urologic oncology, robotic surgery, minimally invasive access” was performed for all relevant articles in the English language. Data were extrapolated from the abstracts alone to avoid subjective bias in drawing conclusions.

Results:

Telemedicine and telesurgery, the diagnostic and operative process is conducted from a distance. The surgeon uses computer-assisted surgery away from the bedside via a robotic system and performs the surgical task at hand. In pelvic urological cancer surgery the use of robotic technique expands to female and reconstructive procedures as well. The leap forward is so massive, that traditional laparoscopic surgery is starting to be considered less, with a growing number of organizations being now more interested in developing a robotic service. Minimally invasive surgical techniques aim to improve surgical outcome in conjunction with delivery of high-quality patient care. Quality studies demonstrating superiority and cost effectiveness are lacking, however.

Conclusions:

Although tremendous accomplishments took place over a few years, there is still a lot of ground to be covered in standardizing the learning process and evaluating the outcome from the application of new technologies in the field of robotic pelvic surgery.
Ephemeral-habitat colonization and neotropical species richness ofCaenorhabditisnematodes
Authors: Ferrari Céline , Salle Romain , Callemeyn-Torre Nicolas , Jovelin Richard , Cutter Asher D. , Braendle Christian
Published: June 2017

Background

The drivers of species co-existence in local communities are especially enigmatic for assemblages of morphologically cryptic species. Here we characterize the colonization dynamics and abundance of nine species ofCaenorhabditisnematodes in neotropical French Guiana, the most speciose known assemblage of this genus, with resource use overlap and notoriously similar outward morphology despite deep genomic divergence.

Methods

To characterize the dynamics and specificity of colonization and exploitation of ephemeral resource patches, we conducted manipulative field experiments and the largest sampling effort to date forCaenorhabditisoutside of Europe. This effort provides the first in-depth quantitative analysis of substrate specificity forCaenorhabditisin natural, unperturbed habitats.

Results

We amassed a total of 626 strain isolates from nine species ofCaenorhabditisamong 2865 substrate samples. With the two new species described here (C. astrocaryaandC. dolens), we estimate that our sampling procedures will discover few additional species of these microbivorous animals in this tropical rainforest system. We demonstrate experimentally that the two most prevalent species (C. nouraguensisandC. tropicalis) rapidly colonize fresh resource patches, whereas at least one rarer species shows specialist micro-habitat fidelity.

Discussion

Despite the potential to colonize rapidly, these ephemeral patchy resources of rotting fruits and flowers are likely to often remain uncolonized byCaenorhabditisprior to their complete decay, implying dispersal-limited resource exploitation. We hypothesize that a combination of rapid colonization, high ephemerality of resource patches, and species heterogeneity in degree of specialization on micro-habitats and life histories enables dynamic co-existence of so many morphologically cryptic species ofCaenorhabditis.
Causal modeling dissects tumour-microenvironment interactions in breast cancer
Authors: Chlon Leon , Markowetz Florian
Published: June 2017

Elucidating interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment is a key goal of cancer research with implications for understanding cancer evolution and improving immunotherapy. Previous studies used association-based approaches to infer relationships in transcriptomic data, but could not infer the direction of interaction. Here we present a causal modeling approach that infers directed interactions between signaling pathway activity and immune activity by anchoring the analysis on somatic genomic changes. Our approach integrates copy number profiles, transcriptomic data, image data and a protein-protein interaction network to infer directed relationships. As a result, we propose 11 novel genomic drivers of T cell phenotypes in the breast cancer tumour microenvironment and validate them in independent cohorts and orthogonal data types. Our framework is flexible and provides a generally applicable way to extend association-based analysis in other cancer types and to other data and clinical parameters.
Mesoscopic model for DNA G-quadruplex unfolding
Authors: Bergues-Pupo A. E. , Gutiérrez I. , Arias-Gonzalez J. R. , Falo F. , Fiasconaro A.
Published: June 2017

Genomes contain rare guanine-rich sequences capable of assembling into four-stranded helical structures, termed G-quadruplexes, with potential roles in gene regulation and chromosome stability. Their mechanical unfolding has only been reported to date by all-atom simulations, which cannot dissect the major physical interactions responsible for their cohesion. Here, we propose a mesoscopic model to describe both the mechanical and thermal stability of DNA G-quadruplexes, where each nucleotide of the structure, as well as each central cation located at the inner channel, is mapped onto a single bead. In this framework we are able to simulate loading rates similar to the experimental ones, which are not reachable in simulations with atomistic resolution. In this regard, we present single-molecule force-induced unfolding experiments by a high-resolution optical tweezers on a DNA telomeric sequence capable of forming a G-quadruplex conformation. Fitting the parameters of the model to the experiments we find a correct prediction of the rupture-force kinetics and a good agreement with previous near equilibrium measurements. Since G-quadruplex unfolding dynamics is halfway in complexity between secondary nucleic acids and tertiary protein structures, our model entails a nanoscale paradigm for non-equilibrium processes in the cell.
Crystal structure of {N-[(6-bromopyridin-2-yl)(phenyl)methylidene]-2,6-dimethylaniline-κ2N,N′}dichloridozinc dichloromethane hemisolvate
Authors: Wile Bradley M.
Published: June 2017

The solvated title compound, [ZnCl2(C20H17BrN2)]·0.5CH2Cl2, comprises a bidentate iminopyridine ligand and two Cl atoms bound to a zinc2+cation in a distorted tetrahedral arrangement. The chelate bond lengths are consistent with localized C=N double bonds and a C—C single bond, as expected for an unreduced ligand bound to a closed-shell transition metal cation. Apart from weak nonclassical C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds between the complex molecules and the disordered solvent molecules (occupancy = 0.5), no further significant intermolecular interactions are observed.
C2-isomer of [Pd(tfd)]6[tfd is S2C2(CF3)2] as its benzene solvate: a new member of the small but growing class of homoleptic palladium(II) monodithiolenes in the form of hexameric cubes
Authors: Moscattini Joshua , Lough Alan J. , Fekl Ulrich
Published: June 2017

The title compound, hexakis[μ3-1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)ethene-1,2-dithiolato]-octahedro-hexapalladium(II), [Pd(C4F6S2)]6, crystallizes as its benzene solvate, [Pd(tfd)]6·2.5C6H6, where tfd is the dithiolene S2C2(CF3)2. The molecular structure of [Pd(tfd)]6is of the hexametallic cube type seen previously in three examples of hexameric homoleptic palladium monodithiolene structures. All structures have in common: (a) the cluster closely approximates a cube containing six PdIIatoms, one at the centre of each cube face; (b) 12 S atoms occupy the mid-points of all 12 cube edges, providing for each PdIIatom an approximately square-planarS4environment; (c) each S atom is part of a dithiolene molecule, where the size of the dithiolene ligand necessitates that only sulfur atoms on adjacent cube edges can be part of the same dithiolene. This general cube-type framework has so far given rise to two isomeric types: anS6-symmetric isomer and aC2-chiral type (two isomers that are enantiomers of each other). The structure of [Pd(tfd)]6is of theC2-type. Out of the 12 CF3groups, three are rotationally disordered over two positions. Further, we answer the question of whether additional, previously undiscovered, isomers could follow from the cube rules (a) through (c) above. An exhaustive analysis shows that no additional isomers are possible and that the list of isomers (oneS6isomer, twoC2enantiomers) is complete. Each isomer type could give rise to an unlimited number of compounds if the specific dithiolene used is varied.
Crystal structure of ({(1R,2R)-N,N′-bis[(quinolin-2-yl)methyl]cyclohexane-1,2-diamine}chloridoiron(III))-μ-oxido-[trichloridoferrate(III)] chloroform monosolvate
Authors: Swift Hannah , Carrig Molly W. , Oshin Kayode D. , Vinokur Anastasiya I. , Desper John A. , Levy Christopher J.
Published: June 2017

The first FeIIIatom in the solvated title compound, [Fe2Cl4O(C26H28N4)]·CHCl3, adopts a distorted six-coordinate octahedral geometry. It is coordinated by one chloride ligand, four N atoms from the (1R,2R)-N,N′-bis[(quinolin-2-yl)methyl]cyclohexane-1,2-diamine ligand, and a bridging oxido ligand attached to the second FeIIIatom, which is also bonded to three chloride ions. A very weak intramolecular N—H...Cl hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, the coordination complexes stack in columns, and a grouping of six such columns create channels, which are populated by disordered chloroform solvent molecules. Although the Fe—Cl bond lengths for the two metal atoms are comparable to the mean Fe—Cl bond lengths as derived from the Cambridge Structural Database, the Fe—O bond lengths are notably shorter. The solvent chloroform molecule exhibits `flip' disorder of the C—H moiety in a 0.544 (3):0.456 (3) ratio. The only directional interaction noted is a weak C—H...Cl hydrogen bond.
Epalrestat tetrahydrofuran monosolvate: crystal structure and phase transition
Authors: Umeda Daiki , Putra Okky Dwichandra , Gunji Mihoko , Fukuzawa Kaori , Yonemochi Etsuo
Published: June 2017

The title compound, epalrestat {systematic name: (5Z)-5-[(2E)-2-methyl-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-ylidene]-4-oxo-2-sulfanylidene-1,3-thiazolidine-3-acetic acid}, crystallized as a tetrahydrofuran monosolvate, C15H13NO3S2·C4H8O. Epalrestat, an important drug for diabetic neuropathy, has been reported to exist in polymphic, solvated and co-crystal forms. In the molecule reported here, the phenyl ring is inclined to the rhodamine ring by 22.31 (9)°, and the acetic acid group is almost normal to the rhodamine ring, making a dihedral angle of 88.66 (11)°. In the crystal, pairs of O—H...O hydrogen bonds are observed between the carboxylic acid groups of epalerstat molecules, forming inversion dimers with anR22(8) loop. The dimers are linked by pairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [101]. The solvate molecules are linked to the chain by a C—H...O(tetrahydrofuran) hydrogen bond. A combination of thermal analysis and powder X-ray diffraction revealed that title compound desolvated into epalerstat Form II. One C atom of the tetrahydrofuran solvate molecule is positionally disordered and has a refined occupancy ratio of 0.527 (18):0.473 (18).
Crystal structure of {(R)-N2-[(benzo[h]quinolin-2-yl)methyl]-N2′-[(benzo[h]quinolin-2-yl)methylidene]-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine-κ4N,N′,N′′,N′′′}(trifluoromethanesulfonato-κO)zinc(II)} trifluoromethanesulfonate dichloromethane 1.5-solvate
Authors: Skokan Shayna R. , Reeson Monica M. , Oshin Kayode D. , Vinokur Anastasiya I. , Desper John A. , Levy Christopher J.
Published: June 2017

The zinc(II) atom in the title compound, [Zn(C48H31N4)(CF3SO3)](CF3SO3)·1.5CH2Cl2, adopts a distorted five-coordinate square-pyramidal geometry. It is coordinated by one trifluoromethanesulfonate ligand and four N atoms of theN2-[(benzo[h]quinolin-2-yl)methyl]-N2′-[(benzo[h]quinolin-2-yl)methylidene]-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine ligand. The complex is present as a single-strandedP-helimer monohelical structure incorporating π–π and/or σ–π interactions. One of the imine bonds present in the original ligand framework is reduced, leading to variations in bond lengths and torsion angles for each side of the ligand motif. The imine-bond reduction also affects the bond lengths involving the metal atom with the N-donor atoms located on the imine bond. There are two molecules of the complex in the asymmetric unit. One of the molecules exhibits positional disorder within the coordinating trifluoromethanesulfonate ion making the molecules symmetrically non-equivalent.
Crystal structure of (1E,1′E)-1,1′-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis[N-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)ethan-1-imine]
Authors: Boyle Jenna , Breakfield Catherine , Buck Leah , McMahon Catherine , Babbini Dominic C.
Published: June 2017

The title compound, C21H9F10N3, represents a potential redox non-innocent pyridine diimine ligand system. It consists of a central pyridine ring with two pentafluorophenyl substituted imine groups in positions 2 and 6. The whole molecule is generated by mirror symmetry, the mirror bisecting the N andpara-C atom of the pyridine ring. The perfluorophenyl ring is inclined to the pyridine ring by 73.67 (8)°. In the crystal, molecules stack along theaaxis, but there are no significant intermolecular interactions present.
Bis(4,6-di-tert-butyl-2-{N-[4-(diethylamino)phenyl]carboximidoyl}phenolato)cobalt(II)
Authors: Rani C.Vidya , Mitu L. , Chakkaravarthi G. , Rajagopal G.
Published: June 2017

In the title complex, [Co(C25H35N2O)2], the cobalt(II) atom has a distorted tetrahedral geometry provided by pairs of O and N atoms. The dihedral angles between the benzene rings of the same ligand are 52.39 (9) and 34.96 (9)°. The molecular structure is stabilized by weak intramolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds. The crystal packing is stabilized mainly by van der Waals forces. The structure contains a solvent-accessible void of 276 Å3which was treated using the SQUEEZE routine fromPLATON[Spek (2015).Acta Cryst.C71, 9–18]. The methyl C atoms of thetert-butyl groups are rotationally disordered, with site occupancies of 0.802 (3) and 0.548 (9) for the major components and 0.198 (3) and 0.452 (9) for the minor components.
The amino alcohol MeN(CH2CMe2OH)2
Authors: Lutter Michael , Gock Vinusuya , Jurkschat Klaus
Published: June 2017

The crystal structure, including a graph-set analysis, of 1-[(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)methylamino]-2-methylpropan-2-ol, C9H21NO2, is reported. The structure is characterized by unsymmetrical intra- and intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bridges, giving rise to the formation of an infinite polymer consisting of eight-membered rings arranged in zigzag chains running along theaaxis.
Integrating lean and visual management in facilities management using design science and action research
Authors: Schultz Audrey Lynn
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create a value-based facilities management (FM) workplace by integrating lean principles, lean concepts, and specifically visual management technologies to improve efficiency, transparency, and value in the built environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The original research methodology used design science research framework with an action research (AR) approach. The chosen qualitative research methods included questionnaires, unstructured and semi-structured interviews, and participatory observation in action.

Findings

The facilities asset management department needs to align itself more strategically with organization leadership by understanding core business values, mission, and vision. It is essential they become a partner in creating a value-based contribution to the organizations bottom line and strategic plan. This can be established by embracing lean principles, concepts, and visual technologies, strategically linking the FM and asset management department to the organization holistically. The research acknowledged that a lean visual workplace management system could be introduced in facilities asset management with success. The findings suggest that change management should form part of the lean journey.

Research limitations/implications

The original research was limited in scope to one UK university estates and property services department’s lean journey and their third party outsourced FM service provider.

Originality/value

By using the visual workplace management system to integrate lean and visual management technologies in FM asset management systems value-based FM services and recognition from the C-suite will be achieved. Additionally, a new design science framework with an AR approach was developed as a research method
Positive leadership and adding value – a lifelong journey
Authors: Cameron Kim , Quinn Robert E. , Caldwell Cam
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Kim Cameron and Robert Quinn are two widely admired world class scholars at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. The purpose of this paper is to explore their personal views about positive leadership and added values over the traditional approach to organizations and leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

This interview was designed to obtain personal insights to positive leadership from world renowned leadership scholars.

Findings

Most people do have something to give that is worthwhile, when they address the question of positive leadership over traditional leadership. The moment we orient people to their highest purpose, there is an incentive for them to close their integrity gap.

Originality/value

Obtaining personal insights from lifelong scholars of leadership by means of personal interviews is paramount in the professional field of leadership.
Who and what set the price of walnuts for small-scale farmers in Southwest China?
Authors: Yan Mei , Terheggen Anne , Mithöfer Dagmar
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Domestic demand for walnuts has been on the rise for the last decades. Consumption outstrips domestic production capacities, which led to increasing prices until recently. Small-scale farmers are at the centre of walnut tree planting and walnut collection efforts. Farmers are now integrated into rapidly expanding agrifood value chains. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the walnut value chain originating in Yunnan (the dominant producer of walnuts in China). The authors are especially interested in the position of small-scale farmers in the chain and the factors affecting the price that they receive.

Design/methodology/approach

Price and intra-chain governance information were collected through structured interviews with value chain actors like certified and conventional small-scale farmers, traders, processors, food manufacturers and wholesalers. The resultant price data set was analysed using a multiple regression analysis.

Findings

Timing of harvest, distance to market and sales volume are correlated with the village-level price. Farmers are in a market governance segment of the chain. Lead firms (e.g. supermarkets) are price-setters and determine the value distribution, with farmers receiving a smaller share relative to downstream actors’ shares.

Research limitations/implications

Improved connectivity to markets, transparency of standards and price (formation), processing and certification could improve farmers’ profits.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the growing literature of value chain studies focussing on farmers’ integration into food systems at different scales. The authors investigated the price determinants at the village level and additionally provide information on an organic marketing arrangement.
Convergence in the UK direct real estate market
Authors: Lee Stephen
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the issue of convergence in the monthly returns, rental growth and yields for ten market segments in the UK direct real estate market, using monthly data over the period from January 1987 to December 2014.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used to determine convergence is principal component analysis as it provides an assessment of the extent to which the variance of the market segments can be represented by a single common factor, explaining their long-run behaviour, and the degree of independence between the market segments.

Findings

The results suggest that there is strong evidence of convergence over the entire sample period in relation to monthly returns and yields but less evidence of convergence in rental growth, which confirms the findings in previous studies in international markets.

Practical implications

The evidence also suggests that convergence has increased over the sample period and that convergence is period specific and was particularly strong during and after the period of the Global Financial Crisis, which implies that the UK direct real estate market is largely integrated and as a consequence the extent of diversification potential in the market is still severely limited.

Social implications

The convergence in returns has crucial implications for investors as it leaves investors exposed to the same structural shocks and so magnifies the importance of volatility spillover effects, limits their ability to create well-diversified portfolios and make it more difficult for fund managers to outperform the market.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to examine the convergence in the UK direct real estate market.
How long is UK property cycle?
Authors: Jadevicius Arvydas , Huston Simon Hugh
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the duration of the UK commercial property cycles, their volatility and persistence to gauge future market direction.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a novel approach to dissect cycles in a form of a three-step algorithm. First, the Hodrick-Prescott de-trends the selected variables. Second, volatility (measured by the variance) screens periods of atypical fluctuations in the series. Finally, the series is regressed against its past values to assess the level of persistence. The sequential steps screen the length of the cycles in UK commercial property market to facilitate interpretation.

Findings

The estimates suggest that UK commercial property market follows an eight-year cycle. Combined modelling results indicate that the current market trend is likely to change over the coming year. The modelling suggests increasing probability of a market correction in late 2016/early 2017.

Practical implications

This updated appreciation of the UK commercial property cycle duration allows for better market timing and investment decision making.

Originality/value

The paper adds additional evidence on the contested issue of UK commercial property cycle duration.
Brand-driven identity development of places
Authors: Botschen Guenther , Promberger Kurt , Bernhart Josef
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present an interdisciplinary approach for the development and design of place brands, which goes far beyond communication strategies and advertising campaigns. The so-called “Brand-driven Identity Development of Places” (short: BIDP) approach provides a structured three-phase model that can serve as a practical guide for the development of commercial, touristy, urban and rural places.

Design/methodology/approach

Longitudinal collaborative action research over a time span of 20 years plus extended case study research supported the evolution of the BIDP approach.

Findings

BIDP is a circular three-phase model starting with the definition of the intended place brand identity, which in Phase 2 becomes translated into concrete touchpoint experiences along the main constituents of the place, and finally materialising into the new place format. The case study of the City of Innsbruck is prototypically used to illustrate the application of the designed approach and to report achieved results.

Research limitations/implications

Place brand development based on translating socio-cultural meanings into touchpoint experiences to materialise and align place constituents is opening up new avenues to initiate and govern place development. At present, the approach is based on case studies in the western region of Austria and South Tyrol.

Practical implications

The three-phase model represents a practical tool for place brand managers, who want to renew and to develop their place format in a structured way. The BIDP model can be applied for all forms of places.

Social implications

Foremost, the described place branding collaborations reassure the proposition of Olins (2002) and Schmidt (2007) that place branding is a crucial internal project that unites groups of people around a common strategic vision providing sense and direction besides reaching out to the traditional customer–stakeholder audience.

Originality/value

A structured model for brand-driven place development, which evolved during 20 years of longitudinal collaborative action research with executives and representatives of commercial, touristy, urban and rural places, BIDP locks into anthropological research findings where cultural meanings are considered as the main source for the construction of brand identities.
Practicing Lean strategy: Hoshin Kanri and X-Matrix in a healthcare-centered simulation
Authors: Barnabè Federico , Giorgino Maria Cleofe
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This paper builds on the debate regarding the application of Lean strategy principles and tools in modern organizations, specifically focusing on the healthcare (HC) sector. The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to highlight the potential role played by Lean strategy tools for strategic planning and management, particularly in reference to the Hoshin Kanri policy deployment system and the “focus, alignment, integration, and review” (FAIR) method; second, to discuss how Lean strategy can be operationalized, specifically relying on the X-Matrix reporting tool; and third, to explore how simulation techniques, in the form of role-playing (RP), may support the aforementioned operationalization of Lean strategy while at the same time promoting policymaking and knowledge sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a case study approach. Specifically, the paper relies on the use of a RP Lean strategy project developed in a HC setting.

Findings

The paper highlights the potential for the Hoshin Kanri policy deployment process in HC, also emphasizing the main strengths of X-Matrix reporting and the usefulness of the RP technique to support learning acquisition and decision making.

Practical implications

The paper demonstrates how a Lean strategy simulation project may be effectively used for strategic planning/management and to train professionals in HC. To achieve these aims, a methodology to design and implement simulation-based Lean strategy projects in HC is presented and discussed.

Originality/value

A review of the academic literature indicates that Lean strategy is still an emerging research topic addressed by only a limited number of articles. The paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of Lean strategy (particularly Hoshin Kanri and X-Matrix) with particular reference to the HC sector.
The Finnish Citizens’ Initiative: Towards Inclusive Agenda‐setting?
Authors: Christensen Henrik Serup , Jäske Maija , Setälä Maija , Laitinen Elias
Published: June 2017

This article examines whether the Citizens' Initiative (CI) in Finland has enhanced inclusion in processes of political agenda‐setting. Democratic innovations such as CIs have been proposed as a solution to the challenges facing Western democracies. CIs are expected to increase political inclusion by allowing citizens to set the political agenda and by mobilising otherwise marginalised or passive citizens. However, the empirical evidence on this proposition remains scarce. This study examines the impact of the CI in Finland on political inclusion. It relies on the Civic Voluntarism Model (CVM) to determine whether the CI mobilises citizens who otherwise tend to be less involved in political matters and thereby enhances inclusiveness. The data come from the Finnish National Election Study 2015 (FNES2015), which is a cross‐sectional representative survey conducted in the wake of the national parliamentary elections in April 2015. Logistic regression models are used in the article to examine the relative importance of socioeconomic resources and civic skills, psychological political engagement and recruitment networks. The results show that while users have many of the familiar traits of political activists, the CI also activates marginalised groups. Most importantly, young citizens are likely to support CIs and the Internet constitutes a central recruitment network. In this sense, the CI has helped increase democratic inclusiveness.
Gamson's Law and voters’ perceptions of portfolio allocation
Authors: LIN NICK C. N. , STEVENSON RANDOLPH , WESSEL TROMBORG MATHIAS , FORTUNATO DAVID
Published: June 2017

The assignment of ministerial portfolios to parties is one of the most contested and consequential processes in coalition politics. Accordingly, a great deal of scholarship has investigated how many portfolios different parties obtain in coalition negotiations as well as which parties are assigned which portfolios. However, to our knowledge, no one has ever examined how voters perceive the outcomes of this process – perceptions which must be fundamental to any assessment of policy responsibility in systems with coalition government. This article uses original survey data from four Western European countries to examine voter perceptions of the distribution of cabinet portfolios across parties. In addition to describing the extent to which voters know this distribution, the article also examines whether their perceptions are consistent with a number of different heuristics that voters might use to infer characteristics of the cabinet portfolio distribution. The results suggest that many voters use party role and size heuristics to infer the number of portfolios allocated to different parties as well as an ‘importance rule’, a ‘topical affinity rule’ and a ‘historical regularity rule’ to infer which parties hold which portfolios, but also that a significant number of voters have direct knowledge (not inferred using heuristics) of which parties hold which ministries.
Genome‐wide‐analyses of Listeria monocytogenes from food‐processing plants reveal clonal diversity and date the emergence of persisting sequence types
Authors: Knudsen Gitte M. , Nielsen Jesper Boye , Marvig Rasmus L. , Ng Yin , Worning Peder , Westh Henrik , Gram Lone
Published: June 2017

Whole genome sequencing is increasing used in epidemiology, e.g. for tracing outbreaks of food‐borne diseases. This requires in‐depth understanding of pathogen emergence, persistence and genomic diversity along the food production chain including in food processing plants. We sequenced the genomes of 80 isolates of Listeria monocytogenes sampled from Danish food processing plants over a time‐period of 20 years, and analysed the sequences together with 10 public available reference genomes to advance our understanding of interplant and intraplant genomic diversity of L. monocytogenes. Except for three persisting sequence types (ST) based on Multi Locus Sequence Typing being ST7, ST8 and ST121, long‐term persistence of clonal groups was limited, and new clones were introduced continuously, potentially from raw materials. No particular gene could be linked to the persistence phenotype. Using time‐based phylogenetic analyses of the persistent STs, we estimate the L. monocytogenes evolutionary rate to be 0.18–0.35 single nucleotide polymorphisms/year, suggesting that the persistent STs emerged approximately 100 years ago, which correlates with the onset of industrialization and globalization of the food market.