bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nodal Disease in Rectal Cancer Patients With Complete Tumor Response After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation: Danger Below Calm Waters
Authors: Baucom Rebeccah B. , Maguire Lillias H. , Kavalukas Sandra L. , Geiger Timothy M. , Ford Molly M. , Muldoon Roberta L. , Hopkins M. Benjamin , Hawkins Alexander T.
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND:

A subset of patients with rectal cancer who undergo neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy will develop a complete pathologic tumor response. Complete nodal response is not universal in these patients and is difficult to assess clinically. Quantifying the risk of nodal disease would allow for targeted therapy with either radical resection or “watchful waiting.”

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to identify risk factors for residual nodal disease in ypT0 rectal adenocarcinoma.

DESIGN:

This is a retrospective case control study.

SETTINGS:

The National Cancer Database 2006 to 2014 was used to identify patients for this study.

PATIENTS:

Patients with stage II/III rectal adenocarcinoma who completed chemoradiation therapy followed by resection and who had ypT0 tumors were included. Patients with metastatic disease and <2 lymph nodes evaluated were excluded. Patients were divided into 2 groups: node positive and node negative.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The main outcome was nodal disease. The secondary outcome was overall survival.

RESULTS:

A total of 42,257 patients with stage II/III rectal cancer underwent chemoradiation therapy and radical resection; 4170 (9.9%) patients had ypT0 tumors and 395 (9.5%) were node positive. Of patients with clinically node-negative disease (ie, pretreatment imaging), 6.2% were node positive after chemoradiation therapy and resection. In multivariable analysis, factors predictive of nodal disease included increasing (pretreatment) clinical N-stage, high tumor grade (3/4), perineural invasion, and lymphovascular invasion. Higher clinical T-stage was inversely associated with residual nodal disease. Overall 5-year survival was significantly different between patients with ypN0, ypN1, and ypN2 disease (87.4%, 82.2%, and 62.5%, p = 0.002).

LIMITATIONS:

This study was limited by the lack of clinical detail in the database and the inability to assess recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS:

Ten percent of patients with ypT0 tumors had positive nodes after chemoradiation therapy and resection. Factors associated with residual nodal disease included clinical nodal disease at diagnosis and poor histologic features. Patients with any of these features should consider radical resection regardless of tumor response. Others could be suitable for “watchful waiting” strategies. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A458.
Naples Prognostic Score, Based on Nutritional and Inflammatory Status, is an Independent Predictor of Long-term Outcome in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Galizia Gennaro , Lieto Eva , Auricchio Annamaria , Cardella Francesca , Mabilia Andrea , Podzemny Vlasta , Castellano Paolo , Orditura Michele , Napolitano Vincenzo
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND:

The existing scores reflecting the patient’s nutritional and inflammatory status do not include all biomarkers and have been poorly studied in colorectal cancers.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to assess a new prognostic tool, the Naples prognostic score, comparing it with the prognostic nutritional index, controlling nutritional status score, and systemic inflammation score.

DESIGN:

This was an analysis of patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

SETTINGS:

The study was conducted at a university hospital.

PATIENTS:

A total of 562 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer in July 2004 through June 2014 and 468 patients undergoing potentially curative surgery were included. MaxStat analysis dichotomized neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte:monocyte ratio, prognostic nutritional index, and the controlling nutritional status score. The Naples prognostic scores were divided into 3 groups (group 0, 1, and 2). The receiver operating characteristic curve for censored survival data compared the prognostic performance of the scoring systems.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Overall survival and complication rates in all patients, as well as recurrence and disease-free survival rates in radically resected patients, were measured.

RESULTS:

The Naples prognostic score correlated positively with the other scoring systems (p < 0.001) and worsened with advanced tumor stages (p < 0.001). Patients with the worst Naples prognostic score experienced more postoperative complications (all patients, p = 0.010; radically resected patients, p = 0.026). Compared with group 0, patients in groups 1 and 2 had worse overall (group 1, HR = 2.90; group 2, HR = 8.01; p < 0.001) and disease-free survival rates (group 1, HR = 2.57; group 2, HR = 6.95; p < 0.001). Only the Naples prognostic score was an independent significant predictor of overall (HR = 2.0; p = 0.03) and disease-free survival rates (HR = 2.6; p = 0.01). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the Naples prognostic score had the best prognostic performance and discriminatory power for overall (p = 0.02) and disease-free survival (p = 0.04).

LIMITATIONS:

This is a single-center study, and its validity needs additional external validation.

CONCLUSIONS:

The Naples prognostic score is a simple tool strongly associated with long-term outcome in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A469.
A Novel Window Technique Using CO2 Laser, and a Review of Methods for Nail Matrix Biopsy of Longitudinal Melanonychia
Authors: Ohn Jungyoon , Jo Gwanghyun , Chae Je Byeong , Mun Je-Ho
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Nail matrix histopathological examination is essential to diagnose longitudinal melanonychia (LM). Several methods for nail matrix biopsy have been introduced but are often difficult to perform because of their invasiveness and technical difficulty. Therefore, a less invasive and novel biopsy technique is needed.

OBJECTIVE

To introduce a window technique for nail matrix biopsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and histopathological specimens of patients with LM who underwent the window technique for nail matrix biopsy at our institution between September 2015 and December 2016.

RESULTS

Eleven cases from 10 patients with LM were subjected to our tailored window technique assisted by carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and dermoscopy. We performed nail plate dermoscopy to select the biopsy site and used CO2 laser to create the window in the proximal nail plate. Nail matrix pigmentation was carefully investigated using intraoperative dermoscopy. The technique established appropriate diagnosis in 11 LM cases, without significant complications, as follows: melanoma in situ (4 cases) and nail matrix activation (7 cases).

CONCLUSION

The window technique assisted by CO2 laser and dermoscopy can be a minimally invasive and effective method for nail matrix LM biopsy under local anesthesia.
The Science of Addiction and Criminal Law
Authors: Morse Stephen J.
Published: November 2017

Although there is debate in the scientific and clinical literature about how much choice addicts have concerning the use of drugs and related activities, this article demonstrates that Anglo-American criminal law is most consistent with the position that addicts have substantial choice about engaging in crimes involving their addiction. It suggests that the criminal law’s approach is consistent with plausible and reasonable current scientific and clinical understanding of addiction and is therefore defensible, but it also suggests that the law is unduly harsh and far from optimum.
Legal Evidence of Subjective States: A Brain-Based Model of Chronic Pain Increases Accuracy and Fairness in Law
Authors: Pustilnik Amanda C.
Published: November 2017

Advances in structural and functional neuroimaging offer new ways to conceptualize chronic pain disorders and to prevent, diagnose, and treat chronic pain. Advances in pain science, though, do not entail changes in the concepts of chronic pain in law and culture. Authoritative legal and cultural conceptions of chronic pain continue to promote abstruse theories, characterizing these disorders as arising out of everything from a person’s unmet need for love to resistance to “patriarchy.” These constructs have consequences, impeding treatment and affecting whether individuals with chronic pain can obtain legal redress. Legal systems themselves are disadvantaged, as adjudicators struggle to make sense of regulations and presumptions at odds with the medical evidence that they must evaluate. Law’s pain schema is so misdescriptive that, paradoxically, it can reward fraudulent claims and disadvantage legitimate ones. This review discusses advances in neuroimaging and related sciences that are contributing to an emerging neurological model of chronic pain. It then describes doctrines and cases in the United States and United Kingdom, demonstrating how law’s pre-neurological model of pain complicates the legal process for all participants. It concludes with suggestions for doctrinal revisions, which may have broader effects on law’s long-standing dualistic conception of body versus mind.
Development and Validation of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Mortality-Risk Models for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Guner Yigit S. , Nguyen Danh V. , Zhang Lishi , Chen Yanjun , Harting Matthew T. , Rycus Peter , Barbaro Ryan , Di Nardo Matteo , Brogan Thomas V. , Cleary John P. , Yu Peter T.
Published: November 2017

The purpose of our study was to develop and validate extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)–specific mortality risk models for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We utilized the data from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry (2000–2015). Prediction models were developed using multivariable logistic regression. We identified 4,374 neonates with CDH with an overall mortality of 52%. Predictive discrimination (C statistic) for pre-ECMO mortality model was C = 0.65 (95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.68). Within the highest risk group, based on the pre-ECMO risk score, mortality was 87% and 75% in the training and validation data sets, respectively. The pre-ECMO risk score included pre-ECMO ventilator settings, pH, prior diaphragmatic hernia repair, critical congenital heart disease, perinatal infection, and demographics. For the on-ECMO model, mortality prediction improved substantially: C = 0.73 (95% confidence interval, 0.71–0.76) with the addition of on-ECMO–associated complications. Within the highest risk group, defined by the on-ECMO risk score, mortality was 90% and 86% in the training and validation data sets, respectively. Mortality among neonates with CDH needing ECMO can be reliably predicted with validated clinical variables identified in this study. ECMO-specific mortality prediction tools can allow risk stratification to be used in research and quality improvement efforts, as well as with caution for individual case management.
Quantitative Characterization of Shear-Induced Platelet Receptor Shedding: Glycoprotein Ibα, Glycoprotein VI, and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa
Authors: Chen Zengsheng , Koenig Steven C. , Slaughter Mark S. , Griffith Bartley P. , Wu Zhongjun J.
Published: November 2017

The structural integrity of platelet receptors is essential for platelets to play the normal hemostatic function. The high non-physiologic shear stress (NPSS) commonly exists in blood-contacting medical devices and has been shown to cause platelet receptor shedding. The loss of platelet receptors may impair the normal hemostatic function of platelets. The aim of this study was to quantify NPSS-induced shedding of three key receptors on the platelet surface. Human blood was subjected to the matrix of well-defined shear stresses and exposure times, generated by using a custom-designed blood-shearing device. The expression of three key platelet receptors, glycoprotein (GP) Ibα, GPVI, and GPIIb/IIIa, in sheared blood was quantified using flow cytometry. The quantitative relationship between the loss of each of the three receptors on the platelet surface and shear condition (shear stress level and exposure time) was explored. It was found that these relationships followed well the power law functional form. The coefficients of the power law models for the shear-induced shedding of these platelet receptors were derived with coefficients of determination (R
2) of 0.77, 0.73, and 0.78, respectively. The power law models with these coefficients may be potentially used to predict the shear-induced platelet receptor shedding of human blood.
A Review of Best Practices for Intravenous Push Medication Administration
Authors: Lenz Janelle R. , Degnan Daniel D. , Hertig John B. , Stevenson James G.
Published: November 2017

In 2015, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) released safe practice guidelines for adult intravenous (IV) push medications. ISMP's most recent set of guidelines has added to a growing list of recommendations from professional groups on the safe use of IV medications. These recommendations and guidelines vary with regard to their audience, scope, and terminology. In some ways, these variations may contribute to confusion and delayed adoption of the standards. This report attempts to provide clarity about the rationale and background regarding the need for practice improvement, discussion of various guidelines, and practice mitigation strategies to improve patient safety.
Evaluation of the Predictive Validity of Thermography in Identifying Extravasation With Intravenous Chemotherapy Infusions
Authors: Matsui Yuko , Murayama Ryoko , Tanabe Hidenori , Oe Makoto , Motoo Yoshiharu , Wagatsuma Takanori , Michibuchi Michiko , Kinoshita Sachiko , Sakai Keiko , Konya Chizuko , Sugama Junko , Sanada Hiromi
Published: November 2017

Early detection of extravasation is important, but conventional methods of detection lack objectivity and reliability. This study evaluated the predictive validity of thermography for identifying extravasation during intravenous antineoplastic therapy. Of 257 patients who received chemotherapy through peripheral veins, extravasation was identified in 26. Thermography was performed every 15 to 30 minutes during the infusions. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value using thermography were 84.6%, 94.8%, 64.7%, and 98.2%, respectively. This study showed that thermography offers an accurate prediction of extravasation.
Prevalence and Detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in HIV-Infected Pregnant Women
Authors: Price Collin M. , Peters Remco P.H. , Steyn Janré , Mudau Maanda , Olivier Dawie , De Vos Lindsey , Morikawa Erika , Kock Marleen M. , Medina-Marino Andrew , Klausner Jeffrey D.
Published: November 2017

Background

Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted infection associated with increased transmission of HIV and significant adverse birth outcomes; culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are commonly used in diagnosis.

Methods

Consenting HIV-infected pregnant women were recruited from clinics in South Africa and screened for T. vaginalis using PCR. Polymerase chain reaction–positive women provided an additional sample for culture. We compared T. vaginalis detection between PCR and culture, and investigated how PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values differ among culture results.

Results

A total of 359 women were enrolled and 76 (20%) tested T. vaginalis PCR positive. Cultures were obtained from 61 of the PCR-positive women, and 38 (62%) were culture positive. The median baseline Ct of the PCR-positive/culture-positive group was 22.6 versus 38.0 among those who were PCR positive/culture negative (P < 0.001). Culture-positive cases had lower Ct values (higher DNA load); a Ct value less than 30 predicted positivity with a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 96%.

Conclusions

Culture was positive in roughly half of PCR-positive cases. The culture-negative cases had significantly higher Ct values, indicating a lower concentration of T. vaginalis DNA. A Ct value of 30 provides a reliable threshold for predicting culture positivity. The clinical significance of culture-negative infections detected by PCR is still unclear.
Evaluation of Mast Cell Density in the Tumor Microenvironment in Oral Epithelial Dysplasia and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Dantas Rebeca C.M. , de Souza Renata O. , Valverde Ludmila de F. , Vidal Manuela T.A. , Sales Caroline B.S. , Sousa Letícia P. , dos Santos Jean N. , Ramos Eduardo A.G. , Gurgel Rocha Clarissa A.
Published: November 2017

The objective of this study was to compare mast cell density (MCD) in oral epithelial dysplasias (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and determine its correlation with clinical and histopathologic parameters and the degree of tumor differentiation. Thirty OSCC samples, 14 OED samples, and 4 non-neoplastic oral mucosa samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry to determine MCD based on the expression of MC tryptase. In addition, MCs were categorized morphologically into degranulated and granulated cells. MCD was significantly higher in OSCC lesions with a greater degree of differentiation (P=0.04). No significant difference in MCD was detected between mild and moderate OED samples (P=0.09). Our findings indicate that MCs are present in the tumor microenvironment and may be associated with a better prognosis.
Cognitive Development One Year After Infantile Critical Pertussis*
Authors: Berger John T. , Villalobos Michele E. , Clark Amy E. , Holubkov Richard , Pollack Murray M. , Berg Robert A. , Carcillo Joseph A. , Dalton Heidi , Harrison Rick , Meert Kathleen L. , Newth Christopher J. L. , Shanley Thomas P. , Wessel David L. , Anand Kanwaljeet J. S. , Zimmerman Jerry J. , Sanders Ronald C. , Liu Teresa , Burr Jeri S. , Willson Douglas F. , Doctor Allan , Dean J. Michael , Jenkins Tammara L. , Nicholson Carol E.
Published: November 2017

Objectives:

Pertussis can cause life-threatening illness in infants. Data regarding neurodevelopment after pertussis remain scant. The aim of this study was to assess cognitive development of infants with critical pertussis 1 year after PICU discharge.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

Eight hospitals comprising the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network and 18 additional sites across the United States.

Patients:

Eligible patients had laboratory confirmation of pertussis infection, were less than 1 year old, and were admitted to the PICU for at least 24 hours.

Interventions:

The Mullen Scales of Early Learning was administered at a 1-year follow-up visit. Functional status was determined by examination and parental interview.

Measurements and Main Results:

Of 196 eligible patients, 111 (57%) completed the Mullen Scales of Early Learning. The mean scores for visual reception, receptive language, and expressive language domains were significantly lower than the norms (p < 0.001), but not fine and gross motor domains. Forty-one patients (37%) had abnormal scores in at least one domain and 10 (9%) had an Early Learning Composite score 2 or more sds below the population norms. Older age (p < 0.003) and Hispanic ethnicity (p < 0.008) were associated with lower mean Early Learning Composite score, but presenting symptoms and PICU course were not.

Conclusions:

Infants who survive critical pertussis often have neurodevelopmental deficits. These infants may benefit from routine neurodevelopmental screening.
Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Analysis of Abdominal Organs
Authors: Phi Van Valerie Doan , Becker Anton S. , Ciritsis Alexander , Reiner Caecilia S. , Boss Andreas
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the accuracy of quantitative intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) analysis of the upper abdomen applying simultaneous multislice (SMS) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to reduce acquisition time.

Materials and Methods

Diffusion-weighted imaging of parenchymal abdominal organs was performed in 8 healthy volunteers at 3 T using a standard DWI sequence (acceleration factor 1 [AF1]) and an SMS-accelerated echo planar imaging sequence with acceleration factors 2 and 3 (AF2/AF3). Intravoxel incoherent motion analysis was performed with a multistep algorithm for true diffusion coefficient (D

t
), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and fraction of perfusion (F

p
) measured for the liver, kidney cortex and medulla, pancreas, spleen, and erector spinae muscle. Qualitative and quantitative parameters were compared using a repeated measurement 1-way analysis of variance test and the Bonferroni post hoc method.

Results

Simultaneous multislice DWI provided diagnostic image quality in all volunteers with a reduction of scan time of 50% for AF2 (67% for AF3) compared with the standard sequence. Decent IVIM analysis for D

t
, D*, and F

p
can be calculated on the images of both the SMS sequences AF2 and AF3 with typical organ characteristics of IVIM; however, systematical deviations from AF1 were observed: D

t
values increased and F

p
decreased significantly with higher acceleration factor for liver, kidney, pancreas, and muscle (P < 0.05). Fitting curves of higher acceleration factors tend to be more monoexponentially shaped.

Conclusions

Simultaneous multislice acceleration provides considerable scan time reduction for upper abdomen DWI with equivalent quality of IVIM analysis compared with the standard nonaccelerated technique. Systematic discrepancies of the true D

t
, D*, and F

p
for SMS acquisitions need to be considered when comparing to standard DWI sequences.
Improving Ultrasound Detection of Uterine Adenomyosis Through Computational Texture Analysis
Authors: Konrad Joseph , Merck Derek , Wu Jie Ying , Tuomi Adam , Beland Michael
Published: November 2017

The purpose of our study was to determine if a textural analysis metric can be implemented to improve diagnosis of adenomyosis by ultrasound.

We retrospectively identified 38 patients with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosis of uterine adenomyosis that also had a pelvic ultrasound within 6 months. We also identified 50 normal pelvic ultrasound examinations confirmed by a normal pelvic MRI within 6 months as a control group. A region of interest (ROI) was subsequently placed on the study population ultrasound image corresponding to the area of adenomyosis on MRI. An ROI was placed in the area of the junctional zone in the normal controls. The abnormal and normal ROIs were then compared against trained normal and abnormal distributions to determine the success rate, sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values of our computer metric. The ultrasound reports performed before MRI were also reviewed to determine the radiologist correct/incorrect interpretation rate for comparison with our textural analysis metric.

Using a training population of 50 normal ultrasound examinations (confirmed with a normal MRI) and 38 abnormal ultrasound examinations (MRI confirmed adenomyosis), we had an overall 75% (66/88 accurately diagnosed) success rate with a sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values of 70%, 79%, 73%, and 76%, respectively (P < .0001). The sensitivity and false-negative rate of the initial ultrasound interpretation were 26% (10/38) and 74% (28/38), respectively.
Causal Analysis of World Health Organization's Surgical Safety Checklist Implementation Quality and Impact on Care Processes and Patient Outcomes
Authors: Haugen Arvid Steinar , Wæhle Hilde Valen , Almeland Stian Kreken , Harthug Stig , Sevdalis Nick , Eide Geir Egil , Nortvedt Monica Wammen , Smith Ingrid , Søfteland Eirik
Published: November 2017

Objective:

We hypothesize that high-quality implementation of the World Health Organization's Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) will lead to improved care processes and subsequently reduction of peri- and postoperative complications.

Background:

Implementation of the SSC was associated with robust reduction in morbidity and length of in-hospital stay in a stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial conducted in 2 Norwegian hospitals. Further investigation of precisely how the SSC improves care processes and subsequently patient outcomes is needed to understand the causal mechanisms of improvement.

Methods:

Care process metrics are reported from one of our earlier trial hospitals. Primary outcomes were in-hospital complications and care process metrics, e.g., patient warming and antibiotics. Secondary outcome was quality of SSC implementation. Analyses include Pearson's exact χ
2 test and binary logistic regression.

Results:

A total of 3702 procedures (1398 control vs. 2304 intervention procedures) were analyzed. High-quality SSC implementation (all 3 checklist parts) improved processes and outcomes of care. Use of forced air warming blankets increased from 35.3% to 42.4% (P < 0.001). Antibiotic administration postincision decreased from 12.5% to 9.8%, antibiotic administration preincision increased from 54.5% to 63.1%, and nonadministration of antibiotics decreased from 33.0% to 27.1%. Surgical infections decreased from 7.4% (104/1398) to 3.6% (P < 0.001). Adjusted SSC effect on surgical infections resulted in an odds ratio (OR) of 0.52 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.38–0.72) for intervention procedures, 0.54 (95% CI: 0.37–0.79) for antibiotics provided before incision, and 0.24 (95% CI: 0.11–0.52) when using forced air warming blankets. Blood transfusion costs were reduced by 40% with the use of the SSC.

Conclusions:

When implemented well, the SSC improved operating room care processes; subsequently, high-quality SSC implementation and improved care processes led to better patient outcomes.
Electrophysiological Study of the Frontal Branch of the Facial Nerve in Normal Subjects
Authors: Cappellari Alberto M.
Published: November 2017

Introduction:

The authors compared the electrophysiological results of the frontal branch over the main trunk stimulation of the facial nerve in normal subjects.

Methods:

Nerve conduction studies of the main trunk and frontal branch of the facial nerve were performed on both sides of 31 healthy subjects, recording the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) from the frontalis muscle.

Results:

A good quality CMAP was obtained in all subjects after stimulation of the frontal branch, but only in 64.5% of nerves after stimulation of the main trunk of the facial nerve. Furthermore, nerve conduction studies of the frontal branch required less intense stimuli and were better tolerated.

Conclusions:

The authors suggest that stimulation of the frontal branch is a simple, reliable and well-tolerated technique to evaluate the facial nerve.
Variation in recombination frequency and distribution across eukaryotes: patterns and processes
Authors: Stapley Jessica , Feulner Philine G. D. , Johnston Susan E. , Santure Anna W. , Smadja Carole M.
Published: November 2017

Recombination, the exchange of DNA between maternal and paternal chromosomes during meiosis, is an essential feature of sexual reproduction in nearly all multicellular organisms. While the role of recombination in the evolution of sex has received theoretical and empirical attention, less is known about how recombination rateitselfevolves and what influence this has on evolutionary processes within sexually reproducing organisms. Here, we explore the patterns of, and processes governing recombination in eukaryotes. We summarize patterns of variation, integrating current knowledge with an analysis of linkage map data in 353 organisms. We then discuss proximate and ultimate processes governing recombination rate variation and consider how these influence evolutionary processes. Genome-wide recombination rates (cM/Mb) can vary more than tenfold across eukaryotes, and there is large variation in the distribution of recombination events across closely related taxa, populations and individuals. We discuss how variation in rate and distribution relates to genome architecture, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, sex, environmental perturbations and variable selective pressures. There has been great progress in determining the molecular mechanisms governing recombination, and with the continued development of new modelling and empirical approaches, there is now also great opportunity to further our understanding of how and why recombination rate varies.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Evolutionary causes and consequences of recombination rate variation in sexual organisms’.
Evolution of recombination rates between sex chromosomes
Authors: Charlesworth Deborah
Published: November 2017

In species with genetic sex-determination, the chromosomes carrying the sex-determining genes have often evolved non-recombining regions and subsequently evolved the full set of characteristics denoted by the term ‘sex chromosomes’. These include size differences, creating chromosomal heteromorphism, and loss of gene functions from one member of the chromosome pair. Such characteristics and changes have been widely reviewed, and underlie molecular genetic approaches that can detect sex chromosome regions. This review deals mainly with the evolution of new non-recombining regions, focusing on how certain evolutionary situations select for suppressed recombination (rather than the proximate mechanisms causing suppressed recombination between sex chromosomes). Particularly important is the likely involvement of sexually antagonistic polymorphisms in genome regions closely linked to sex-determining loci. These may be responsible for the evolutionary strata of sex chromosomes that have repeatedly formed by recombination suppression evolving across large genome regions. More studies of recently evolved non-recombining sex-determining regions should help to test this hypothesis empirically, and may provide evidence about whether other situations can sometimes lead to sex-linked regions evolving. Similarities with other non-recombining genome regions are discussed briefly, to illustrate common features of the different cases, though no general properties apply to all of them.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Evolutionary causes and consequences of recombination rate variation in sexual organisms’.
2-(3-Bromo-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-nitropyridine
Authors: Limbach Daniel , Detert Heiner , Schollmeyer Dieter
Published: November 2017

The title compound, C12H9BrN2O3, was prepared in two steps from 2-chloro-3-nitropyridine. The nitrobiaryl unit is twisted, with dihedral angles of 35.4 (5)° between the nitro substituent and the pyridine ring to which it is bound, and 51.0 (5)° between the nitro group and the benzene ring. In the crystal, the molecules are connectedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming strands along theb-axis direction.
2-[(Prop-2-yn-1-yl)amino]anilinium chloride
Authors: Essaghouani Abdelhanine , Boulhaoua Mohammed , El Hafi Mohamed , Essassi El Mokhtar , Mague Joel T.
Published: November 2017

The title compound, C9H11N2+·Cl−, is an anilinium chloride salt, in which the Car—N—C—C (ar = aromatic) torsion angle is −84.95 (18)°. In the crystal, a bilayer of cation–anion sheets runs parallel to (100), primarily through an extensive range of N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds. Weak offset π-stacking interactions between the benzene rings stack molecules alongc.
6-Bromo-2-(1,4-dibromo-4-methylcyclohexyl)-6-methylheptan-4-one
Authors: Benharref Ahmed , Mazoir Noureddine , Ait Elhad Mustapha , Daran Jean-Claude , Berraho Moha
Published: November 2017

The title compound, C15H25Br3O, was synthesized in one step from a mixture of α-atlantone [2-methyl-6-(4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl)hepta-2,5-dien-4-one] and γ-atlantone [2-methyl-6-(4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-ylidene)hept-2-en-4-one], which were isolated from an essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus Atlantica). The molecule is built up from the bromo ethyl cyclohexane ring, which has a substituent bromomethylhexanone group. The cyclohexane ring adopts a chair conformation. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming zigzag chains parallel to [100].
Promoting employees’ learning from errors by inclusive leadership
Authors: Ye Qingyan , Wang Duanxu , Li Xi
Published: November 2017

Purpose

In today’s complex and challenging work environment, employees’ learning from errors has become critical to organizations’ survival and success. While the literature has highlighted the importance of inclusive leadership for learning behavior in organizations, research on how inclusive leadership promotes employees’ learning from errors has been limited. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by developing and testing a moderated mediation model that emphasizes the key roles of positive mood and gender in the relationship between inclusive leadership and employees’ learning from errors.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-time survey method was used in this study to collect data from 202 full-time employees working in China.

Findings

The hypothesized moderated mediation model in this study was supported. Inclusive leadership facilitated employees’ learning from errors through employees’ positive mood, and employees’ gender moderated both the direct relationship between inclusive leadership and employees’ positive mood and the indirect relationship between inclusive leadership and employees’ learning from errors through employees’ positive mood: the relationships were stronger for female employees than for male employees.

Originality/value

By incorporating the social role theory into the affective events theory framework, this study may help to open the “black box” of the relationship between inclusive leadership and employees’ learning from errors by explicating the importance of positive mood and gender, thereby shedding light on the timely issues of inclusive leadership, mood, and learning from errors in the workplace.
System dynamics modelling for BIM adoption in Thai architectural and engineering design industry
Authors: Ngowtanasuwan Grit , Hadikusumo Bonaventura H.W.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The causal relationships between factors related to building information modelling (BIM) adoption in the Thai architectural and engineering design industry are presented. A model is proposed to explain and forecast the adoption behaviours in the industry. This paper aims to define and compare policies for the adoption of BIM using a company case study.

Design/methodology/approach

The system dynamics (SD) approach was used. Four companies were selected as case studies for formulating a causal loop diagram. One of the companies was chosen for collecting the quantitative data for the SD model simulation during a ten-month study period. Tests of model validation were conducted for confirmation of, and confidence in, the model.

Findings

An SD model was formulated for studying BIM adoption. Four policies of BIM adoption were defined to compare with the normal operating business for the company and used as the case study. The quantitative outputs of the SD model revealed that BIM training was the best choice to optimise company performance.

Research limitations/implications

The case studies comprised architectural and engineering design companies in Thailand; therefore, the findings may not be generalisable to other Thai construction organisations or to other countries.

Practical implications

The methodology and findings can be used as guidelines for other organisations or countries that are considering BIM adoption to improve their operations.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the optimum policy for BIM adoption to achieve efficient and effective implementation.
Analysis of basic building performance data for identification of performance issues
Authors: Gerrish Tristan , Ruikar Kirti , Cook Malcolm , Johnson Mark , Phillip Mark
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the use of historical building performance data to identify potential issues with the build quality and operation of a building, as a means of narrowing the scope of in-depth further review.

Design/methodology/approach

The response of a room to the difference between internal and external temperatures is used to demonstrate patterns in thermal response across monitored rooms in a single building, to clearly show where rooms are under-performing in terms of their ability to retain heat during unconditioned hours. This procedure is applied to three buildings of different types, identifying the scope and limitation of this method and indicating areas of building performance deficiency.

Findings

The response of a single space to changing internal and external temperatures can be used to determine whether it responds differently to other monitored buildings. Spaces where thermal bridging and changes in use from design were encountered exhibit noticeably different responses.

Research limitations/implications

Application of this methodology is limited to buildings where temperature monitoring is undertaken both internally for a variety of spaces, and externally, and where knowledge of the uses of monitored spaces is available. Naturally ventilated buildings would be more suitable for analysis using this method.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the understanding of building energy performance from a data-driven perspective, to the knowledge on the disparity between building design intent and reality, and to the use of basic commonly recorded performance metrics for analysis of potentially detrimental building performance issues.
A literature review of lesson study in initial teacher education
Authors: Larssen Deborah Lynn Sorton , Cajkler Wasyl , Mosvold Reidar , Bjuland Raymond , Helgevold Nina , Fauskanger Janne , Wood Phil , Baldry Fay , Jakobsen Arne , Bugge Hans Erik , Næsheim-Bjørkvik Gro , Norton Julie
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a structured review of literature on lesson study (LS) in initial teacher education (ITE). The focus was on how learning and observation were discussed in studies of LS in ITE.

Design/methodology/approach

Each national team (in Norway and Britain) undertook independent searches of published peer-reviewed articles. The resulting articles were then combined, screened and collaboratively reviewed, the focus being on two areas of enquiry: how learning is represented and discussed; and the extent to which observation is described and used to capture evidence of learning.

Findings

The literature review indicated that there was no universally held understanding of, or explanation for, the process of observation, how it should be conducted, and who or what should be the principal focus of attention. There was also a lack of clarity in the definition of learning and the use of learning theory to support these observations.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited to a review of a selection of peer-reviewed journal articles, published in English. It arrives at some tentative conclusions, but its scope could have been broadened to include more articles and other types of published material, e.g. theses and book chapters.

Practical implications

Research that investigates the use of LS in ITE needs to be more explicit about how learning is defined and observed. Furthermore, LS research papers need to assure greater clarity and transparency about how observations are conducted in their studies.

Originality/value

This literature review suggests that discussion of both learning and observation in ITE LS research papers should be strengthened. The review highlights three principal challenges that ITE LS researchers should consider: how to prepare student-teachers to observe (professional noticing being a promising option), the wide variation in the focus of classroom observation in ITE lesson studies, and discussion of what is understood by learning needs to stand at the heart of preparation for lesson studies in ITE.
Spiritual group training for adolescences
Authors: Wirawan Hillman , Jufri Muhammad , Anto Patak Andi
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of spiritual group training on improving the spiritual well-being (SWB) among adolescences. The SWB is one of the factors that determines adolescences’ positive behavior. A number of previous studies have supported that spirituality and juvenile delinquency were negatively correlated. The level of SWB is mostly influenced by the peers’ group interaction and the role of others in the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a Spiritual Group Training by utilizing a number of relevant literature. The authors constructed the training using the meaning of life, values of life, life goals, life connections, and relation to God. In order to yield empirical evidence, the authors performed a pre- and post-test experimental design. The study recruited 26 randomly selected students from five high schools. The authors adapted a 13-item SWB scale to measure the participants’ SWB.

Findings

The results showed that Spiritual Group Training significantly improved participants’ SWB (t=9.71, p<0.001). The results confirmed the study hypothesis that spiritual group training enhanced adolescences’ SWB.

Research limitations/implications

Designing a proper intervention and evaluation was a challenging task for the authors. In this study, the authors evaluated the training by utilizing a simple pre- and post-test design. Future investigations should employ a different evaluation design.

Originality/value

Most studies support the notion that spirituality is negatively correlated with adolescence’s negative behavior. However, only a few, if any, investigations have focused on developing certain training focusing on SWB. This study contributed an important idea on the use of SWB to develop adolescence SWB.
Task variety and counterproductive work behavior
Authors: Morf Manuela , Feierabend Anja , Staffelbach Bruno
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between task variety and counterproductive work behavior (CWB) and the relationship between change in task variety and change in CWB. CWB is proposed as being a behavior that serves as an outlet by which employees can express displeasure and acts as a substitute for a lack of interest when task variety is low.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzed survey data that were collected at two points in time (T1 and T2) from 515 employees with different occupations working in Switzerland.

Findings

Task variety at T1 negatively related to organizational CWB (CWB-O) at T2 and interpersonal CWB (CWB-I) at T2. Task variety at T1 was also related to a change in CWB-O and a change in CWB-I. However, change in task variety showed a non-significant relationship to change in CWB-O and change in CWB-I.

Research limitations/implications

Results indicated that employees tend to respond with CWB when task variety is permanently low and that CWB may even increase over time. Further studies that examine the dynamics between task variety and CWB are therefore recommended.

Practical implications

Findings inform the practice on the potentially harmful effects of unstimulating work designs and therefore have implications for how to better prevent CWB.

Originality/value

The two-wave data collection allowed for differentiation between the effect of the baseline level of task variety at T1 on CWB at T2 and the effect of a change in task variety on a change in CWB.
A chief HR officer’s perspective on talent management
Authors: Alziari Lucien
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The HR function has been through a palette of names and identities, with talent management or human capital management being one more. There is a lack of consistency in the way that HR practitioners think about talent management and this is often the cause of credibility issues with business colleagues. The purpose of this paper is to identify core beliefs that underpin the practice of talent management if the function is to build credibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper identifies five core beliefs that should structure a discussion around, and underpin, the practice of talent management: notions of human capital management; questions about whether talent is generic or not; distinctions between talent management and HRM; decisions about who makes decisions about talent management; and moments of truth. It uses the case setting of Maersk to illustrate these beliefs and position the preferred conduct of talent management against them.

Findings

Organizations make distinctions between where good (not average) is “good enough” and where they need world-class talent to drive true competitive advantage. This capability perspective results in three different clusters of effort in terms of talent management. They manage investments so that they do not over-invest in less critical capabilities but can marshal scarce resources in areas where they need to be world class.

Practical implications

What is defined as talent in one setting might not be so in others. Strategies define capabilities and capabilities define talent. Attention must be given to all the other processes that support the deployment of talent to build specific organizational capabilities. As talent decisions are made by business leaders there needs to be a common mindset and decision-making logic for them to use. The 9 Box model is one such logic. Adopting any decision logic does not denote the outcome, rather it is how companies use the tool that determines the output.

Originality/value

The paper positions talent management within the strategic management discipline of business models and analysis of how organizations need to compete. It uses an industrial setting and professional experience base to link talent management to the wider management of organizational capabilities.