bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What are the sources of capability dynamism? Reconceptualizing dynamic capabilities from the perspective of organizational change
Authors: Andreeva Tatiana , Ritala Paavo
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The concept of dynamic capabilities emerged from strategic management theory, the aim being to determine how organizations can achieve and sustain competitive advantage in a continuously changing environment. It is widely accepted in the literature that this concept, although extremely popular and potentially powerful, still needs clarification and elaboration. The main criticisms are centered on the lack of understanding of where these capabilities originate and how their dynamism can be sustained in the long run. The purpose of this paper is to bring some novel insights into these issues in bridging the theories of strategic management and change management.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is based on extensive literature review and bridges dynamic capabilities and change management literatures.

Findings

– The paper proposes a distinction between domain-specific and generic dynamic capabilities and puts forward the concept of “organizational change capability” as representing a generic dynamic capability. The nature of such capability is discussed using the insights from organizational change theory.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a novel way to examine the sources of capability dynamism both conceptually and empirically by integrating insights from organizational change and dynamic capabilities literatures.
A comparative framework for culturally differentiated digital game-based learning
Authors: Park Jae , Wen Run
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore culture as the unit of analysis in comparative education in the context of technology-mediated learning known as digital game-based learning (DGBL).

Design/methodology/approach

– Two digital games for Chinese language learning were purposefully designed and produced following existing studies in cross-cultural psychology, learning theories and second language acquisition. To corroborate the assumption that culture affects user’s preference of DGBL learning interface, the two newly developed instructional tools were evaluated with eastern and western learners to find out their perceptions and choices through direct observation, pre-/post-assessments and a group interview.

Findings

– The evaluation indicates the validity of the key assumptions in the theoretical framework: eastern learners were fond of the type of digital game that involves social cues and situational factors, whereas, western learners preferred a simple design and goal-oriented learning game in which they had the power of control.

Originality/value

– This paper suggests a theoretical and technical framework to design, and produce culturally sensitive DGBL learning tools. Extant studies on the relationship between culture and DGBL are usually on how digital games generate unique learning experiences and culture. Looking at the same phenomenon but in a reverse direction, this study reports on how learners’ culture determines their preferences in DGBL.
Influences of customer participation and customer brand engagement on brand loyalty
Authors: Apenes Solem Birgit Andrine
Published: July 2016

Purpose

Value co-creation assumes that customers take active roles and create value together with firms. This paper aims to investigate the short- and long-term effects of customer participation on brand loyalty, through brand satisfaction. Participation effects were also examined among social media-using customers with the additional explanatory factor of brand engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies were conducted among insurance customers: a cross-sectional study using a nationwide sample (N = 954) and a subsample of social media users (N = 145) to examine short-term effects, and a longitudinal study using data from three assessment timepoints (N = 376) to enable empirical long-term testing.

Findings

The cross-sectional study showed positive short-term effects of customer participation on brand loyalty, mediated by satisfaction. Among customers using social media, positive participation effects gained from brand engagement strengthened brand satisfaction. The longitudinal study did not show similar positive long-term effects of customer participation.

Practical implications

These findings help deepen service marketers’ understanding of the possible short-term effects of customer participation and customer brand engagement, and caution them to not expect that customer participation will have long-term positive satisfaction and loyalty effects.

Originality/value

This research provides interesting short- and long-term findings, due to the complementary cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs.
Money meanings among French and American adolescents
Authors: Rose Gregory M. , Bakir Aysen , Gentina Elodie
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper examines adolescent’ money attitudes in the USA and France. It introduces and validates an 18-item scale for assessing adolescent money attitudes, explores the symbolic values that American and French teens attach to money, identifies the major segments of teens based on their attitudes toward money and assesses the importance that these groups place on price, novelty and brand name.

Design/methodology/approach

Twenty-eight in-depth interviews were initially conducted to explore adolescent’ money attitudes, assist in the development of measures and provide a context for interpreting subsequent results. Exploratory factor analysis (among 90 French and 70 American adolescents), followed by confirmatory factor analysis (among 332 French and 273 American adolescents) indicated that six dimensions captured money meanings. These dimensions were used in a subsequent cluster analysis to group teens into segments.

Findings

Six dimensions (worry, achievement, status, security, budget and evil) captured teenage money attitudes among French and American adolescents. A cluster analysis based on these dimensions yielded three groups: no worries, success and security. These three groups varied in their attitudes toward money and the importance that they placed on price, brand and novelty in purchasing.

Practical implications

This study provides measures for assessing adolescent money meanings and presents a preliminary segmentation of USA and French adolescents based on their attitudes toward money.

Originality/value

The results explore the impact of money attitudes on adolescent consumption preferences, demonstrate the utility of measuring adolescent’ money attitudes and segmenting adolescents based on these attitudes and emphasize the importance of both cultural and individual differences.
Co-creation of brand identities: consumer and industry influence and motivations
Authors: Kennedy Eric , Guzmán Francisco
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to develop an understanding of the phenomena of co-creation and how this practice is used in shaping brand identities. This research provides answers to questions on both the consumer and industry sides of co-creation.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies are developed. First, a qualitative study is used to gain insight from key decision-makers with responsibility for a brand. Second, a study of millennial consumers is used to develop the antecedents of consumer motivations of co-creation of brand identities.

Findings

When combined, the outcomes of these studies create a comprehensive framework that encompasses two models of brand identity co-creation. The qualitative study leads to the emergence of two major constructs, which, combined with the consumer study, lead to the development of two models that represent the antecedents of co-creation from a managerial and consumer perspective.

Research limitations/implications

For Study one, a larger pool of respondents or different data collection method might have led to additional managerial insights. The study two sample was limited to millennials. Although this group of consumers is identified as highly engaged with brands, the study could have benefited from a more general consumer sample.

Practical implications

The organization framework could help managers gain a deeper understanding for effectively co-creating their brand identities with all stakeholders, in particular consumers.

Originality/value

This research contributes to theory and practice by analyzing the process of stakeholder brand identity co-creation.
Effects of the environment on illegal cartel activity
Authors: Kunsch David W. , Schnarr Karin , Rowe W. Glenn
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– Using resource dependency theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine what elements in the business environment may be associated with the formation and continuance of cartels.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors employ a unique data set of 148 cartel data points from the 1970s to 2008 which have at least one American company involved to quantitatively test causal relationships. The authors also interview key class action anti-trust attorneys for their views and opinions on the impact of these environmental factors on cartel formation and continuance.

Findings

– The authors find statistically significant relationships between the pursuit and maintenance of industry profits and the dynamism in the industry, and illegal behavior as represented through price fixing by business cartels. The authors find that in the attorneys’ opinion, it is also the pursuit of individual corporate profits and munificence that are associated with these cartels.

Practical implications

– This research furthers the understanding of organizational deviance which is critical given its impact on organizations, individuals, regulators, law enforcement, and the general public.

Originality/value

– This research is a first step in considering cartel activity in a way that encompasses external influences in a new and innovative manner and as a tool to help researchers and practitioners better understand how organizational deviance, as manifested through illegal corporate activity, can be anticipated, identified, and prevented.
Firm-specific risk, managerial certainty and optimism
Authors: Jancenelle Vivien E. , Storrud-Barnes Susan F. , Iaquinto Anthony L , Buccieri Dominic
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to focus on investor reactions to unanticipated changes in income, and whether those reactions can be mitigated by managerial discussion. The authors investigate how top-management team certainty and optimism during post-earnings announcement conference calls can serve as corrective actions and add back firm value in times of unexpected changes in firm-specific risk.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research question is tested empirically in the context of large, publicly traded, US firms’ quarterly earnings announcements, and their subsequent post-earnings announcement conference calls. The authors use the advanced content analysis software DICTION to measure the levels of managerial certainty and optimism displayed during post-earnings announcement conference calls, and event-study methodology to measure investors’ reactions.

Findings

– Results indicate that earnings surprises are negatively associated with firm value, but that this relationship is mitigated positively by displays of managerial certainty and optimism during post-earnings announcement conference calls.

Originality/value

– This work uses an innovative research design to study top-management team rhetoric in post-earnings announcement conference calls, and how specific discussions mitigate investors’ negative reactions to increases in firm-specific risk. The study highlights the importance of top-management team certainty and optimism for value creation in times of change in firm-specific risk, and the importance of rhetoric as a tool for corrective action.
On the minimal modules for exceptional Lie algebras: Jordan blocks and stabilizers
Authors: Stewart David I.
Published: July 2016

Let$G$be a simple simply connected exceptional algebraic group of type$G_{2}$,$F_{4}$,$E_{6}$or$E_{7}$over an algebraically closed field$k$of characteristic$p>0$with$\mathfrak{g}=\text{Lie}(G)$. For each nilpotent orbit$G\cdot e$of$\mathfrak{g}$, we list the Jordan blocks of the action of$e$on the minimal induced module$V_{\text{min}}$of$\mathfrak{g}$. We also establish when the centralizers$G_{v}$of vectors$v\in V_{\text{min}}$and stabilizers$\text{Stab}_{G}\langle v\rangle$of$1$-spaces$\langle v\rangle \subset V_{\text{min}}$are smooth; that is, when$\dim G_{v}=\dim \mathfrak{g}_{v}$or$\dim \text{Stab}_{G}\langle v\rangle =\dim \text{Stab}_{\mathfrak{g}}\langle v\rangle$.
The prediction of the wind speed at different heights by machine learning methods
Authors: Türkan Yusuf S. , Yumurtacı Aydoğmuş Hacer , Erdal Hamit
Published: July 2016

In Turkey, many enterprisers started to make investment on renewable energy systems after new legal regulations and stimulus packages about production of renewable energy were introduced. Out of many alternatives, production of electricity via wind farms is one of the leading systems. For these systems, the wind speed values measured prior to the establishment of the farms are extremely important in both decision making and in the projection of the investment. However, the measurement of the wind speed at different heights is a time consuming and expensive process. For this reason, the success of the techniques predicting the wind speeds is fairly important in fast and reliable decision-making for investment in wind farms. In this study, the annual wind speed values of Kutahya, one of the regions in Turkey that has potential for wind energy at two different heights, were used and with the help of speed values at 10 m, wind speed values at 30 m of height were predicted by seven different machine learning methods. The results of the analysis were compared with each other. The results show that support vector machines is a successful technique in the prediction of the wind speed for different heights.
Analyses of Feedwater Trip With SBO Sequence of VVER1000 Reactor
Authors: Mazzini Guido , Kynčl Miloš , Ruščák Marek
Published: July 2016

In the Czech Republic, as a follow-up, a consortium of research organizations and universities has decided to simulate selected stress tests’ scenarios, in station blackout (SBO) and the loss of ultimate heat sink (LoUHS), with the aim to verify the national stress report and to analyze time response of respective source term releases. These activities are carried out in the frame of the project prevention, preparedness, and mitigation of consequences of severe accident (SA) at Czech NPPs in relation to lessons learned from stress tests after Fukushima, financed by the Ministry of Interior. The Research Centre Rez has been working on a methods for estimation of leakages and consequences of releases (MELCOR) model for VVER1000 nuclear power plant (NPP) starting with a plant systems nodalization. The aim was to benchmark the MELCOR model with the validated TRAC/RELAP advanced computational engine (TRACE) model, first comparing the steady state and continuing in a long-term SBO plus another event until the beginning of the SA. The presented work is based on the previous paper from the ICONE 23rd Conference hosted in Japan. It focuses mainly on the comparison of the thermohydraulics of the two models created in MELCOR and TRACE codes as outcome of the “Fukushima project.” After that, preliminary general results of the SA progression showing the hydrogen production and the relocation phenomena will be shortly discussed. This scenario is considered closed after some seconds to the break of the lower head. It is important to note that this paper is a substantial update of a previous one (Mazzini et al., 2015, “Analyses of SBO Sequence of VVER1000 Reactor Using TRACE and MELCOR Codes,” 23rd International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE23)) and although it contains the same descriptive sections, all the results are new.
Sum-of-harmonics method for improved narrowband and broadband signal quantification during passive monitoring of ultrasound therapies
Authors: Lyka Erasmia , Coviello Christian , Kozick Richard , Coussios Constantin-C.
Published: July 2016

Passive Acoustic Mapping (PAM) enables real-time monitoring of ultrasound therapies by beamforming acoustic emissions emanating from the ultrasound focus. Reconstruction of the narrowband or broadband acoustic emissions component enables mapping of different physical phenomena, with narrowband emissions arising from non-linear propagation and scattering, non-inertial cavitation or tissue boiling, and broadband (generally, of significantly lower amplitude) indicating inertial cavitation. Currently, accurate classification of the received signals based on pre-defined frequency-domain comb filters cannot be guaranteed because varying levels of leakage occur as a function of signal amplitude and the choice of windowing function. This work presents a time-domain parametric model aimed at enabling accurate estimation of the amplitude of time-varying narrowband components in the presence of broadband signals. Conversely, the method makes it possible to recover a weak broadband signal in the presence of a dominant harmonic or other narrowband component. Compared to conventional comb filtering, the proposed sum-of-harmonics method enables PAM of cavitation sources that better reflect their physical location and extent.
Div-Seq: Single-nucleus RNA-Seq reveals dynamics of rare adult newborn neurons
Authors: Habib Naomi , Li Yinqing , Heidenreich Matthias , Swiech Lukasz , Avraham-Davidi Inbal , Trombetta John J. , Hession Cynthia , Zhang Feng , Regev Aviv
Published: July 2016

Visualizing gene expression in nuclei

Gene expression can vary greatly within a single cell. Using techniques that they developed for sequencing single nuclei and labeling proliferating cells in vivo, Habibet al.performed RNA sequencing of 1402 single nuclei from the adult mouse hippocampus. Combining this approach with a clustering algorithm for single-cell and -nucleus RNA sequencing data delineated specific cell types during cell differentiation and development. By providing polyadenylated RNA from nuclei alone, as opposed to cytoplasmic RNA, these methods open the application of single-cell transcriptomics to tissues in which individual cells are difficult to isolate.

Science, this issue p.925
Genome Sequence of a
Proteus mirabilis
Strain Isolated from the Salivary Glands of Larval
Lucilia sericata
Authors: Yuan Ye , Zhang Yu , Fu Shuhua , Crippen Tawni L. , Visi David K. , Benbow M. Eric , Allen Michael S. , Tomberlin Jeffery K. , Sze Sing-Hoi , Tarone Aaron M.
Published: July 2016

We announce a draft genome sequence of a
Proteus mirabilis
strain derived from
Lucilia sericata
salivary glands. This strain is demonstrated to attract and induce oviposition by
L. sericata
, a common blow fly important to medicine, agriculture, and forensics. The genome sequence will help dissect interkingdom communication between the species.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Plant Growth-PromotingCupriavidus gilardiiStrain JZ4 Isolated from the Desert PlantTribulus terrestris
Authors: Lafi Feras F. , Bokhari Ameerah , Alam Intikhab , Bajic Vladimir B. , Hirt Heribert , Saad Maged M.
Published: July 2016

We isolated the plant endophytic bacteriumCupriavidus gilardiistrain JZ4 from the roots of the desert plantTribulus terrestris, collected from the Jizan region, Saudi Arabia. We report here the draft genome sequence of JZ4, together with several enzymes related to plant growth-promoting activity, environmental adaption, and antifungal activity.
A
Narnavirus
in the Trypanosomatid Protist Plant Pathogen
Phytomonas serpens
Authors: Akopyants Natalia S. , Lye Lon-Fye , Dobson Deborah E. , Lukeš Julius , Beverley Stephen M.
Published: July 2016

We describe here a new RNA virus (PserNV1) from the plant protist parasite
Phytomonas serpens
(family
Trypanosomatidae
,
Kinetoplastida
, supergroup
Excavata
). The properties of PserNV1 permit assignment to the genus
Narnavirus
(
Narnaviridae
), the first reported from a host other than fungi or oomycetes.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Methicillin-Sensitive
Staphylococcus aureus
Isolates Representing a Population Subset Highly Prevalent in Human Colonization
Authors: Weber Robert E. , Layer Franziska , Fuchs Stephan , Bender Jennifer K. , Fiedler Stefan , Werner Guido , Strommenger Birgit
Published: July 2016

Here, we report the high-quality draft genome sequences of two methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
isolates, 08-02119 and 08-02300. Belonging to sequence type 582 (ST582) and ST7, both isolates are representatives of clonal lineages often associated with asymptomatic colonization of humans.
First Complete Genome Sequence of
Suakwa aphid-borne yellows virus
from East Timor
Authors: Maina Solomon , Edwards Owain R. , de Almeida Luis , Ximenes Abel , Jones Roger A. C.
Published: July 2016

We present here the first complete genomic RNA sequence of the polerovirus
Suakwa aphid-borne yellows virus
(SABYV), from East Timor. The isolate sequenced came from a virus-infected pumpkin plant. The East Timorese genome had a nucleotide identity of 86.5% with the only other SABYV genome available, which is from Taiwan.
Draft Genome Sequence of Toxigenic
Corynebacterium ulcerans
Strain 03-8664 Isolated from a Human Throat
Authors: Guimarães Luis C. , Viana Marcus V. C. , Benevides Leandro J. , Mariano Diego C. B. , Veras Adonney A. O. , Sá Pablo H. C. , Rocha Flávia S. , Vilas Boas Priscilla C. B. , Soares Siomar C. , Barbosa Maria S. , Guiso Nicole , Badell Edgar , Azevedo Vasco , Ramos Rommel T. J. , Silva Artur
Published: July 2016

Corynebacterium ulcerans
is an emergent pathogen infecting wild and domesticated animals worldwide that may serve as reservoirs for zoonotic infections. In this study, we present the draft genome of
C. ulcerans
strain 03-8664. The draft genome has 2,428,683 bp, 2,262 coding sequences, and 12 rRNA genes.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Virulent Newcastle Disease Virus Strain Isolated from a Clinically Healthy Duck (
Anas platyrhynchos domesticus
) in Pakistan
Authors: Wajid Abdul , Rehmani Shafqat F. , Wasim Muhammad , Basharat Asma , Bibi Tasra , Arif Saima , Dimitrov Kiril M. , Afonso Claudio L.
Published: July 2016

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a virulent Newcastle disease virus (vNDV) strain, duck/Pakistan/Lahore/AW-123/2015, isolated from apparently healthy laying ducks (
Anas platyrhynchos domesticus
) from the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The virus has a genome length of 15,192 nucleotides and is classified as member of subgenotype VIIi, class II.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Fonsecaea monophora
Strain CBS 269.37, an Agent of Human Chromoblastomycosis
Authors: Bombassaro Amanda , de Hoog Sybren , Weiss Vinicius A. , Souza Emanuel M. , Leão Aniele C. R. , Costa Flávia F. , Baura Valter , Tadra-Sfeir Michele Z. , Balsanelli Eduardo , Moreno Leandro F. , Raittz Roberto T. , Steffens Maria Berenice R. , Pedrosa Fabio O. , Sun Jiufeng , Xi Liyan , Bocca Anamélia L. , Felipe Maria S. , Teixeira Marcus , Santos Germana D. , Telles Filho Flávio Q. , Azevedo Conceição M. P. S. , Gomes Renata R. , Vicente Vânia A.
Published: July 2016

The black yeast
Fonsecaea monophora
is one of the main etiologic agents of chromoblastomycosis in humans. Its pathogenicity profile is more invasive than that of related
Fonsecaea
species, causing brain infection in addition to (sub)cutaneous infections.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Cyanobium
sp. NIES-981, a Marine Strain Potentially Useful for Ecotoxicological Bioassays
Authors: Yamaguchi Haruyo , Shimura Yohei , Suzuki Shigekatsu , Yamagishi Takahiro , Tatarazako Norihisa , Kawachi Masanobu
Published: July 2016

Cyanobium
sp. NIES-981 is a marine cyanobacterium isolated from tidal flat sands in Okinawa, Japan. Here, we report the complete 3.0-Mbp genome sequence of NIES-981, which is composed of a single chromosome, and its annotation. This sequence information may provide a basis for developing an ecotoxicological bioassay using this strain.
Full-Genome Sequence of a Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Strain from a Fatal Horse Infection in South Africa
Authors: Mentoor Juliet L. D. , Lubisi Alison B. , Gerdes Truuska , Human Stacey , Williams June H. , Venter Marietjie
Published: July 2016

We report here the complete genome sequence of a lineage 2 West Nile virus (WNV) strain that resulted in fatal neurological disease in a horse in South Africa. Several recent reports exist of neurological disease associated with lineage 2 WNV in humans and horses in South Africa and Europe; however, there are a lack of sequencing data from recent fatal cases in Southern Africa, where these strains likely originate. A better understanding of the genetic composition of highly neuroinvasive lineage 2 strains may facilitate the identification of putative genetic factors associated with increased virulence.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Photorhabdus luminescens
Strain DSPV002N Isolated from Santa Fe, Argentina
Authors: Palma Leopoldo , Del Valle Eleodoro E. , Frizzo Laureano , Berry Colin , Caballero Primitivo
Published: July 2016

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Photorhabdus luminescens
strain DSPV002N, which consists of 177 contig sequences accounting for 5,518,143 bp, with a G+C content of 42.3% and 4,701 predicted protein-coding genes (CDSs). From these, 27 CDSs exhibited significant similarity with insecticidal toxin proteins from
Photorhabdus luminescens
subsp.
laumondii
TT01.
Genome Sequence of
Bacillus anthracis
Strain Tangail-1 from Bangladesh
Authors: Rume Farzana Islam , Antwerpen Markus , Braun Peter , Biswas Paritosh Kumar , Yasmin Mahmuda , Grass Gregor , Ahsan Chowdhury Rafiqul , Hanczaruk Matthias
Published: July 2016

Soil was collected in July 2013 at a site where a cow infected with anthrax had been the month before. Selective culturing yielded
Bacillus anthracis
strain Tangail-1. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of this
Bacillus anthracis
isolate that belongs to the canonical A.Br.001/002 clade.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Lewinella
sp. Strain 4G2 Isolated from the Coastal Sea Surface Microlayer
Authors: Wong Shu-Kuan , Yoshizawa Susumu , Nakajima Yu , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Hayashi Tetsuya , Hamasaki Koji
Published: July 2016

We report here the draft genome of
Lewinella
sp. strain 4G2, isolated from the sea surface microlayer (SML) of a coastal marine inlet. The genome sequence of strain 4G2 should contribute to understanding the lifestyles of bacteria living in the SML.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Bacillus subtilis
subsp.
subtilis
Strain ∆6
Authors: Reuß Daniel R. , Thürmer Andrea , Daniel Rolf , Quax Wim J. , Stülke Jörg
Published: July 2016

Bacillus subtilis
∆6 is a genome-reduced strain that was cured from six prophages and AT-rich islands. This strain is of great interest for biotechnological applications. Here, we announce the full-genome sequence of this strain. Interestingly, the conjugative element ICE
Bs
1 has most likely undergone self-excision in
B. subtilis
∆6.
Calcific tendinitis of biceps femoris: an unusual site and cause for lateral knee pain
Authors: Chan Warwick , Chase Helen Emily , Cahir John G , Walton Neil Patrick
Published: July 2016

A 37-year-old man presented to the acute knee and sports medicine clinic with atraumatic lateral knee pain. He had point tenderness over the lateral aspect of his knee which had not settled with anti-inflammatory medications. Imaging revealed a large opaque lesion lateral to the knee and although there was no clear mechanism, injury to the posterolateral corner was considered. An MRI subsequently revealed a rare case of calcific tendinitis to the biceps femoris tendon insertion. This condition was self-limiting and did not require interventions such as steroid injections. This is the first reported case of calcific tendinitis of biceps femoris as a cause of acute knee pain.
Socioeconomic status influences the toll paediatric hospitalisations take on families: a qualitative study
Authors: Beck Andrew Finkel , Solan Lauren G , Brunswick Stephanie A , Sauers-Ford Hadley , Simmons Jeffrey M , Shah Samir , Gold Jennifer , Sherman Susan N ,   H2O Study Group
Published: July 2016

Background

Stress caused by hospitalisations and transition periods can place patients at a heightened risk for adverse health outcomes. Additionally, hospitalisations and transitions to home may be experienced in different ways by families with different resources and support systems. Such differences may perpetuate postdischarge disparities.

Objective

We sought to determine, qualitatively, how the hospitalisation and transition experiences differed among families of varying socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods

Focus groups and individual interviews were held with caregivers of children recently discharged from a children's hospital. Sessions were stratified based on SES, determined by the percentage of individuals living below the federal poverty level in the census tract or neighbourhood in which the family lived. An open-ended, semistructured question guide was developed to assess the family's experience. Responses were systematically compared across two SES strata (tract poverty rate of <15% or ≥15%).

Results

A total of 61 caregivers who were 87% female and 46% non-white participated; 56% resided in census tracts with ≥15% of residents living in poverty (ie, low SES). Interrelated logistical (eg, disruption in-home life, ability to adhere to discharge instructions), emotional (eg, overwhelming and exhausting nature of the experience) and financial (eg, cost of transportation and meals, missed work) themes were identified. These themes, which were seen as key to the hospitalisation and transition experiences, were emphasised and described in qualitatively different ways across SES strata.

Conclusions

Families of lower SES may experience challenges and stress from hospitalisations and transitions in different ways than those of higher SES. Care delivery models and discharge planning that account for such challenges could facilitate smoother transitions that prevent adverse events and reduce disparities in the postdischarge period.

Trial registration number

NCT02081846; Pre-results.
Armband activity monitor data do not correlate with reported pain scores in patients receiving vertebroplasty
Authors: Peacock Justin G , Vine Roanna L , McDonald Jennifer S , Novotny Paul J , Kallmes David F
Published: July 2016

Background

Prior research on the efficacy of vertebroplasty has focused primarily on subjective, patient-reported outcomes.

Objective

To apply an armband activity monitor (SenseWear by BodyMedia Inc, USA) to patients presenting for consideration for vertebroplasty and to determine the correlation between patient-reported outcomes and quantitative activity metrics at baseline and 30 days after presentation.

Materials and methods

Nineteen patients were enrolled (15 receiving vertebroplasty, 4 not receiving vertebroplasty). Patients reported their average pain over the past 24 hours and completed the Roland–Morris disability questionnaire at baseline and 30 days. Patients wore the SenseWear Armband activity monitor for a median of 4 days at baseline and at the 30-day time period to assess steps, metabolic equivalents expended, sedentary activity time, moderate activity time, sleep efficiency, and total sleep time. Pain and disability scores were correlated with activity monitor metrics using linear regression analysis.

Results

Changes in reported average pain in the past 24 hours and disability scores were not significantly different between vertebroplasty and non-vertebroplasty groups (p>0.05). Changes in activity monitor data were not significantly different between the vertebroplasty and non-vertebroplasty groups (p>0.05). None of the correlations between the reported pain or disability scores and the activity monitor data were significant.

Conclusions

Activity monitors can be used to objectively record changes in activity following vertebroplasty procedures. Patient-reported pain or disability scores do not correlate with activity monitor-measured activity or sleep metrics.
Jumping into equine practice
Authors: Barwise‐Munro Lesley
Published: July 2016

Lesley Barwise‐Munro is an equine practitioner in Northumberland and the senior vet at Newcastle Racecourse. She is currently in Rio de Janeiro for the Olympic Games
Transtensional origin of multi-order cross-folds in a high-grade gneiss complex, southwestern Grenville Province: formation during post-peak gravitational collapse
Authors: Schwerdtner W.M. , Rivers Toby , Tsolas Jason , Waddington Dennis H. , Page Sydney , Yang Jack
Published: July 2016

The well-mapped western part of the Ottawa River Gneiss Complex (ORGC; new name), a large metamorphic core complex, hosts a system of gently plunging cross-folds of outcrop to regional scale situated in the ductile detachment zone between the lower grade cover and high-grade core of the complex. The cross-folds are buckle structures that deform the attenuated gneissic layering, plunge parallel to the regional elongation lineation, range from upright to recumbent, and exhibit distinctive hinge-parallel elongation lineations, all features of extension-dominated ductile transtension. Our L–S fabric data are consistent both with kinematic modelling that predicts progressive constrictional strain in the hinge zones of transtensional folds, and with dynamic modelling that predicts rotation of flattened fold limbs into moderately dipping attitudes. On the basis of petrologic data, we show that cross-folding postdated the peak Ottawan metamorphism and took place during retrogression and exhumation of the thrust-sheet stack. The cross-folds form an inclined system that is principally developed in retrograde melt-weakened amphibolite-facies rocks, with the transtensional origin implying that exhumation and retrogression of the high-grade core of the complex took place in an oblique extensional setting. A transtensional origin for the cross-folds removes the need to appeal to orogen-parallel regional shortening, an implausible requirement of previous interpretations, and is compatible with data indicating that much of the visible fabric and structure of amphibolite-facies domains of the ORGC developed during post-peak exhumation, retrogression, and gravitational collapse of the thrust-sheet stack.
On a possibility of a consistent interpretation of diboson excesses at LHC
Authors: Arbuzov Boris A. , Zaitsev Ivan V.
Published: July 2016

Recently reported diboson and diphoton excesses at LHC are interpreted to be connected with heavy WW zero spin resonances. The resonances appears due to the would-be anomalous triple interaction of the weak bosons, which is defined by well-known coupling constant [Formula: see text]. The 2 TeV anomaly, tentatively corresponds to weak isotopic spin-2 scalar state and the [Formula: see text] 750 GeV anomaly corresponds to weak isotopic spin-0 pseudoscalar state. We obtain estimates for the effect, which qualitatively agree with ATLAS data. Effects are predicted in a production of W[Formula: see text] W[Formula: see text], (Z, [Formula: see text])(Z, [Formula: see text]) via resonance [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] 750 GeV, which could be reliably checked at the upgraded LHC at [Formula: see text] 13 TeV. In the framework of an approach to the spontaneous generation of the triple anomalous interaction its coupling constant is estimated to be [Formula: see text] in an agreement with existing restrictions. Specific predictions of the hypothesis are significant effects in decay channels [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text].
Alternative self-dual gravity in eight dimensions
Authors: Nieto J. A.
Published: July 2016

We develop an alternative Ashtekar formalism in eight dimensions. In fact, using a MacDowell–Mansouri physical framework and a self-dual curvature symmetry, we propose an action in eight dimensions in which the Levi-Civita tenor with eight indices plays a key role. We explicitly show that such an action contains number of linear, quadratic and cubic terms in the Riemann tensor, Ricci tensor and scalar curvature. In particular, the linear term is reduced to the Einstein–Hilbert action with cosmological constant in eight dimensions. We prove that such a reduced action is equivalent to the Lovelock action in eight dimensions.
1/n-expansion of resonant states
Authors: Aglietti U. G.
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we present a general analytic expansion in powers of 1/n of the resonant states of quantum mechanical systems, where n = 1, 2, 3, [Formula: see text] is the excitation number. Explicit formulas are obtained for some potential barrier models.
Spectroscopy of ground and excited states of pseudoscalar and vector charmonium and bottomonium
Authors: Negash Hluf , Bhatnagar Shashank
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we calculate the mass spectrum, weak decay constants, two photon decay widths, and two-gluon decay widths of ground ([Formula: see text]) and radially excited ([Formula: see text]) states of pseudoscalar charmoniuum and bottomonium such as [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], as well as the mass spectrum and leptonic decay constants of ground state ([Formula: see text]), excited ([Formula: see text]) states of vector charmonium and bottomonium such as [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], using the formulation of Bethe–Salpeter equation under covariant instantaneous ansatz (CIA). Our results are in good agreement with data (where ever available) and other models. In this framework, from the beginning, we employ a [Formula: see text] representation for two-body ([Formula: see text]) BS amplitude for calculating both the mass spectra as well as the transition amplitudes. However, the price we have to pay is to solve a coupled set of equations for both pseudoscalar and vector quarkonia, which we have explicitly shown get decoupled in the heavy-quark approximation, leading to mass spectral equation with analytical solutions for both masses, as well as eigenfunctions for all the above states, in an approximate harmonic oscillator basis. The analytical forms of eigenfunctions for ground and excited states so obtained are used to evaluate the decay constants and decay widths for different processes.
Green Route for Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis by Raphanus Sativus Extract in a Continuous Flow Tubular Microreactor
Authors: Jolhe P. D. , Bhanvase B. A. , Patil V. S. , Sonawane S. H.
Published: July 2016

The present work deals with the investigation of the greener route for the production of silver nanoparticles using Raphanus sativus (R. sativus) bioextract in a continuous flow tubular microreactor. The parameters affecting the particle size and distribution were investigated. From the results obtained it can be inferred that the ascorbic acid (reducing agent) present in the R. sativus bioextract is responsible for the reduction of silver ions. At optimum condition, the particle size distribution of nanoparticles is found between 18[Formula: see text]nm and 39[Formula: see text]nm. The absorbance value was found to be decreased with an increase in the diameter of the microreactor. It indicates that a number of nuclei are formed in the micrometer sized (diameter) reactor because of the better solute transfer rate leading to the formation of large number of silver nanoparticles. The study of antibacterial activity of green synthesized silver nanoparticles shows effective inhibitory activity against waterborne pathogens, Shegella and Listeria bacteria.
Fetoprotein Derived Short Peptide Coated Nanostructured Amphiphilic Surfaces for Targeting Mouse Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Brown Alexandra M. , Miranda-Alarćon Yoliem S. , Knoll Grant A. , Santora Anthony M. , Banerjee Ipsita A.
Published: July 2016

In this work, self-assembled tumor targeting nanostructured surfaces were developed from a newly designed amphiphile by conjugating boc protected isoleucine with 2,[Formula: see text] ethylenedioxy bis ethylamine (IED). To target mouse mammary tumor cells, a short peptide sequence derived from the human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), LSEDKLLACGEG was attached to the self-assembled nanostructures. Tumor targeting and cell proliferation were examined in the presence of nanoscale assemblies. To further obliterate mouse breast tumor cells, the chemotherapeutic drug tamoxifen was then entrapped into the nanoassemblies. Our studies indicated that the targeting systems were able to efficiently encapsulate and release tamoxifen. Cell proliferation studies showed that IED-AFP peptide loaded with tamoxifen decreased the proliferation of breast cancer cells while in the presence of the IED-AFP peptide nanoassemblies alone, the growth was relatively slower. In the presence of human dermal fibroblasts however cell proliferation continued similar to controls. Furthermore, the nanoscale assemblies were found to induce apoptosis in mouse breast cancer cells. To examine live binding interactions, SPR analysis revealed that tamoxifen encapsulated IED-AFP peptide nanoassemblies bound to the breast cancer cells more efficiently compared to unencapsulated assemblies. Thus, we have developed nanoscale assemblies that can specifically bind to and target tumor cells, with increased toxicity in the presence of a chemotherapeutic drug.
Culture and Creative Industry in China: Critical Review on the Current Research Trends and Future Development
Authors: Xu Yue-Hong , Lu Lucy , Yao Zhi-Xiang
Published: July 2016

Developing culture and creative industry has become an important agenda for the Chinese government in terms of building an innovation-oriented economy that is supported by culture and creativity. Research on culture and creative industry in China also appeared in various policy documents as well as academic journals and publications in recent years, although there is no uniform classification on what “culture and creative industry” should encompass. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive and critical review on the current status of culture and creative research in China and identify the extent to which the current research reflect and support on China’s new economic development strategy underpinned by culture and creativity. By selecting and reviewing literatures from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, it has been identified that current research on culture and creativity tends to focus on developed cities/regions using descriptive approach and issues are discussed at conceptual and macro-level. On one hand, our findings support the general trends of growth and significance of culture and creative industry in China. On the other hand, we also identify the lack of systemic review and comprehensive research in this area hinders the process of strategic decision-making by the government and organizational performance in the industry. We recommend that more critical review and in-depth research through multi-disciplinary approach should be supported in order to provide comprehensive understanding on the development and trends of culture and creative industry in China and inform government policies.
Understanding the Limitations of Particle Swarm Algorithm for Dynamic Optimization Tasks
Authors: Gbenga Dada Emmanuel , Ramlan Effirul Ikhwan
Published: July 2016

One of the most widely used biomimicry algorithms is the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Since its introduction in 1995, it has caught the attention of both researchers and academicians as a way of solving various optimization problems, such as in the fields of engineering and medicine, to computer image processing and mission critical operations. PSO has been widely applied in the field of swarm robotics, however, the trend of creating a new variant PSO for each swarm robotic project is alarming. We investigate the basic properties of PSO algorithms relevant to the implementation of swarm robotics and characterize the limitations that promote this trend to manifest. Experiments were conducted to investigate the convergence properties of three PSO variants (original PSO, SPSO and APSO) and the global optimum and local optimal of these PSO algorithms were determined. We were able to validate the existence of premature convergence in these PSO variants by comparing 16 functions implemented alongside the PSO variant. This highlighted the fundamental flaws in most variant PSOs, and signifies the importance of developing a more generalized PSO algorithm to support the implementation of swarm robotics. This is critical in curbing the influx of custom PSO and theoretically addresses the fundamental flaws of the existing PSO algorithm.
A Probabilistic Model for Exteriors of Residential Buildings
Authors: Fan Lubin , Wonka Peter
Published: July 2016

We propose a new framework to model the exterior of residential buildings. The main goal of our work is to design a model that can be learned from data that is observable from the outside of a building and that can be trained with widely available data such as aerial images and street-view images. First, we propose a parametric model to describe the exterior of a building (with a varying number of parameters) and propose a set of attributes as a building representation with fixed dimensionality. Second, we propose a hierarchical graphical model with hidden variables to encode the relationships between building attributes and learn both the structure and parameters of the model from the database. Third, we propose optimization algorithms to generate three-dimensional models based on building attributes sampled from the graphical model. Finally, we demonstrate our framework by synthesizing new building models and completing partially observed building models from photographs.
Is the Motion of a Child Perceivably Different from the Motion of an Adult?
Authors: Jain Eakta , Anthony Lisa , Aloba Aishat , Castonguay Amanda , Cuba Isabella , Shaw Alex , Woodward Julia
Published: July 2016

Artists and animators have observed that children’s movements are quite different from adults performing the same action. Previous computer graphics research on human motion has primarily focused on adult motion. There are open questions as to how different child motion actually is, and whether the differences will actually impact animation and interaction. We report the first explicit study of the perception of child motion (ages 5 to 9 years old), compared to analogous adult motion. We used markerless motion capture to collect an exploratory corpus of child and adult motion, and conducted a perceptual study with point light displays to discover whether naive viewers could identify a motion as belonging to a child or an adult. We find that people are generally successful at this task. This work has implications for creating more engaging and realistic avatars for games, online social media, and animated videos and movies.