bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A survey of vaccine-induced measles IgG antibody titer and the verification of changes in temporal differences of measles vaccination in young adults
Authors: Sasaki Hiraku , Fukunaga Tomoko , Asano Ai , Suzuki Yoshio , Nakanishi Yuko , Kondo Junzi , Ishikawa Hiroki , Shibata Nobuto
Published: April 2019

In Japan, sporadic measles cases increased rapidly in 2019 compared to that in past 6 years. To clarify the persistence of immunity against measles in young adult, this study explored the prevalence of IgG antibody titer against measles virus in 18-to 24-year-old young adult participants. Measles-specific IgG antibody titers determined by enzyme immunoassay in serum samples collected from 506 participants between 18 to 24 years were assessed through statistical analyses. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the distribution of measles IgG antibody titers was significantly correlated with medical history (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference among the number of vaccinations related to measles IgG titers. Further, measles IgG titers were significantly different, which was determined by the temporal change that elapsed period after last vaccination (P < 0.05). These results indicate that periodic vaccination against measles is required for young and older adults to prevent even sporadic measles infection.
Induction via Functional Protein Stabilization of Hepatic Cytochromes P450 upon gp78/Autocrine Motility Factor Receptor (AMFR) Ubiquitin E3-ligase Genetic Ablation in Mice: Therapeutic and Toxicological Relevance
Authors: Kwon Doyoung , Kim Sung-Mi , Jacob Peyton , Liu Yi , Correia Maria Almira
Published: April 2019

3.

The hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-anchored monotopic proteins, cytochromes P450 (P450s) are enzymes that metabolize endobiotics (physiologically active steroids and fatty acids) as well as xenobiotics including therapeutic/chemotherapeutic drugs, nutrients, carcinogens and toxins. Alterations of hepatic P450 content through synthesis, inactivation or proteolytic turnover influence their metabolic function. P450 proteolytic turnover occurs via ER-associated degradation (ERAD) involving ubiquitin (Ub)-dependent proteasomal degradation (UPD) as a major pathway. UPD critically involves P450 protein ubiquitination by E2/E3 Ub-ligase complexes. We have previously identified the ER-polytopic gp78/AMFR (autocrine motility factor receptor) as a relevant E3 in CYP3A4, CYP3A23 and CYP2E1 UPD. We now document that liver-conditional genetic ablation of gp78/AMFR in mice disrupts P450 ERAD, resulting in significant stabilization of Cyp2a5 and Cyps 2c, in addition to that of Cyps 3a and Cyp2e1. More importantly, we establish that such stabilization is of the functionally active P450 proteins, leading to corresponding significant enhancement of their drug metabolizing capacities. Our findings with clinically relevant therapeutic drugs (nicotine, coumarin, chlorzoxazone, and acetaminophen) and the prodrug (tamoxifen) as P450 substrates, reveal that P450 ERAD disruption could influence therapeutic drug response and/or toxicity, warranting serious consideration as a potential source of clinically significant drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Because gp78/AMFR is not only an E3 Ub-ligase, but also a cell-surface prometastatic oncogene that is upregulated in various malignant cancers, our finding that hepatic gp78/AMFR-knockout can enhance P450-dependent bioactivation of relevant cancer chemotherapeutic prodrugs is of therapeutic relevance and noteworthy in prospective drug design and development.

4.

Significance Statement

The cell surface and ER transmembrane protein gp78/AMFR, a receptor for the prometastatic autocrine motility factor (AMF), as well as an E3 ubiquitin-ligase involved in the ERAD of not only the tumor metastatic suppressor KAI1, but also of hepatic cytochromes P450, is upregulated in various human cancers, enhancing their invasiveness, metastatic potential and poor prognosis. Liver specific gp78/AMFR genetic ablation results in functional protein stabilization of several hepatic P450s and consequently enhanced drug and prodrug metabolism, a feature that could be therapeutically exploited in the bioactivation of chemotherapeutic prodrugs, through design and development of novel short-term gp78/AMFR chemical inhibitors.
Highly diverse fungal communities in carbon-rich aquifers of two contrasting lakes in Northeast Germany
Authors: Perkins Anita , Ganzert Lars , Rojas-Jiménez Keilor , Fonvielle Jeremy , Hose Grant C. , Grossart Hans-Peter
Published: April 2019

Fungi are an important component of microbial communities and are well known for their ability to degrade refractory, highly polymeric organic matter. In soils and aquatic systems, fungi play an important role in carbon processing, however, their diversity, community structure and function as well as ecological role, particularly in groundwater, are poorly studied. The aim of this study was to examine the fungal community composition, diversity and function of 16 groundwater boreholes located in the vicinity of two lakes in NE Germany that are characterized by contrasting trophic status. The analysis of 28S rRNA gene sequences amplified from the groundwater revealed high fungal diversity and clear differences in community structure between both aquifers. Most sequences were assigned toAscomycotaandBasidiomycota, but members ofChytridiomycota, Cryptomycota, Zygomycota, Blastocladiomycota, GlomeromycotaandNeocallmastigomycotawere also detected. In addition, 27 species of fungi were successfully isolated from the groundwater wells and tested for their ability to degrade complex organic polymers – the predominant carbon source in the wells. Most isolates showed positive activities for at least one of the tested polymer types, with three strains, belonging to the generaGibberella, IsariaandCadophora, being able to degrade all tested substrates. Our results highlight the high diversity of fungi in groundwater, and point to their important ecological role in breaking down highly polymeric organic matter in these isolated microbial habitats.
His bundle has shorter chronaxie than adjacent ventricular myocardium: Implications for pacemaker programming
Authors: Jastrzębski Marek , Moskal Paweł , Bednarek Agnieszka , Kiełbasa Grzegorz , Vijayaraman Pugazhendhi , Czarnecka Danuta
Published: April 2019

Background

Strength-duration curves for permanent His bundle (HB) pacing are potentially important for pacemaker programming.

Objective

We aimed to calculate strength-duration curve and chronaxie of the His bundle (HB) and of the adjacent right ventricular (RV) working myocardium and to analyze zones of selective HB capture and battery current drain when pacing at different pulse durations (PDs).

Methods

Consecutive patients with permanent HB pacing were studied. The RV and HB capture thresholds were assessed at several PDs. Battery current drain and zones of selective HB capture at PDs of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 1.0 ms were determined.

Results

In the whole group (n =127) the HB chronaxie was shorter than the RV chronaxie. This difference was driven by patients with selective HB pacing (HB chronaxie of 0.47 vs RV chronaxie of 0.79 ms). Strength-duration curve for HB had lower rheobase and its steep portion started at shorter PDs thus creating wider distance - zone of programmable selective HB pacing - between the HB and RV strength-duration curves at shorter PDs. The battery current drain was lower with pacing at PDs of 0.1 - 0.4 ms vs 1.0 ms. Chronaxie adjusted PDs offered lowest current drain.

Conclusion

For the first time the strength-duration curves for permanent selective and non-selective HB pacing were determined. Selective HB capture and battery longevity can be promoted by shorter PDs (0.2 ms). Longer PDs (1.0 ms) offer bigger safety margin for RV capture and may be preferable if simultaneous RV capture during HB pacing is desired.
Biofilm of Klebsiella pneumoniae minimize phagocytosis and cytokine expression by macrophage cell line
Authors: Rathore Sudarshan Singh , Cheepurupalli Lalitha , Gangwar Jaya , Raman Thiagarajan , Ramakrishnan Jayapradha
Published: April 2019

Infectious bacteria in biofilm mode are involved in many of persistent infections. Owing to its importance in clinical settings many in vitro and in vivo studies have analysed the structural and functional properties of biofilm, its resistance to antibiotic exposure etc. Currently the immune mechanism toward the clearance of biofilm infections is being investigated. K. pneumoniae is one of the major leading causes of biofilm infections on indwelling medical devices. There was no previous literature that demonstrates the interactions of macrophage cells lines and Klebsiella biofilm, as the first report, we investigated the in vitro response of Klebsiella biofilm to phagocytosis and cytokine expression. We developed an in vitro model to study the interactions of Kebsiella biofilm and macrophage. The phagocytosis assay was performed for heat inactivated and live biofilm. A similar phagocytic response against both biofilms were observed when these cells were exposed to RAW 264.7 macrophages. Also, the expressions of TLR2, iNOS, inflammatory cytokines such as IL-β1, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12, IL-4, TNF-α and anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-10 during phagocytosis were analysed. These results collectively demonstrated that the rate of phagocytosis was an average of 15% for both biofilms. Also, when activated macrophage was exposed to heat-inactivated or live biofilms, there was a significant increase in proinflammatory cytokine genes together with expected increase in TLR2 and iNOS. Thus, it is clear that macrophage response against biofilm producing K. pneumoniae results in increase in phagocytic rate and a corresponding increase in inflammatory cytokine gene expression which could be important for clearing K. pneumoniae cells.
Preparation and optimization of MEPEG-PLGA nanoparticles for gene delivery
Authors: Monash Leah , Smith John
Published: April 2019

This paper demonstrates a method to prepare a cationic methoxy-terminated polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid polyglycolic acid block polymer (MePEG-PLGA) nanoparticle by a nanoparticle precipitation method was established. This study used single factor design and orthogonal experiment to select the optimal experimental scheme and examined the physical properties of the nanoparticles such as surface morphology, particle size distribution, zeta potential, DNA binding rate, and DNA protection ability. Results indicate that the optimal size of the prepared nanoparticles was 89.7 nm and the surface potential was 28.3 mV. The nanoparticles were scattered under transmission electron microscope, the size was uniform, the surface was smooth, and the distribution was spherical. The DNA binding rate was 80.2 %, and can well protect the contained genes from nuclease degradation. Conclusion The cationic nanoparticles prepared by nanoparticle precipitation method are expected to be highly efficient gene carriers. The preparation of cationic methoxy-terminated polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid polyglycolic acid block polymer (MePEG-PLGA) by nanoparticle precipitation method. Nanoparticle method. Method This study used single factor design and orthogonal experiment to select the optimal experimental scheme, and examined the physical properties of the nanoparticles such as surface morphology, particle size distribution, Zeta potential, DNA binding rate, and DNA protection ability. Results The optimal size of the prepared nanoparticles was 89.7 nm and the surface potential was 28.3 mV. The nanoparticles were scattered under transmission electron microscope, the size was uniform, the surface was smooth, and the distribution was spherical. The DNA binding rate was 80.2 %, and can well protect the contained genes from nuclease degradation. Conclusion The cationic nanoparticles prepared by nanoparticle precipitation are expected to be efficient gene carriers.
Structure and magnetic properties of W-type hexaferrites
Authors: Mørch Mathias I. , Ahlburg Jakob V. , Saura-Múzquiz Matilde , Eikeland Anna Z. , Christensen Mogens
Published: April 2019

W-type hexaferrites (WHFs) (SrMe2Fe16O27,Me= Mg, Co, Ni and Zn) are hard magnetic materials with high potential for permanent magnet applications owing to their large crystalline anisotropy and high cation tunability. However, little is known with regards to their complex structural and magnetic characteristics. Here, the substitution of metals (Me= Mg, Co, Ni and Zn) in WHFs is described and their crystal and magnetic structures investigated. From joined refinements of X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data, the atomic positions of theMeatoms were extracted along with the magnetic dipolar moment of the individual sites. The four types of WHFs exhibit ferrimagnetic ordering. For Mg, Ni and Zn the magnetic moments are found to be ordered colinearly and with the magnetic easy axis along the crystallographiccaxis. In SrCo2Fe16O27, however, the spontaneous magnetization changes from uniaxial to planar, with the moments aligning in the crystallographicabplane. Macromagnetic properties were measured using a vibration sample magnetometer. The measured saturation magnetization (Ms) between the different samples follows the same trend as the calculatedMsextracted from the refined magnetic moments of the neutron powder diffraction data. Given the correlation between the calculatedMsand the refined substitution degree of the differentMein specific crystallographic sites, the agreement between the measured and calculatedMsvalues consolidates the robustness of the structural and magnetic Rietveld model.
Visualizing membrane trafficking through the electron microscope: cryo-tomography of coat complexes
Authors: Markova Evgenia A. , Zanetti Giulia
Published: April 2019

Coat proteins mediate vesicular transport between intracellular compartments, which is essential for the distribution of molecules within the eukaryotic cell. The global arrangement of coat proteins on the membrane is key to their function, and cryo-electron tomography and subtomogram averaging have been used to study membrane-bound coat proteins, providing crucial structural insight. This review outlines a workflow for the structural elucidation of coat proteins, incorporating recent developments in the collection and processing of cryo-electron tomography data. Recent work on coat protein I, coat protein II and retromer performed on in vitro reconstitutions or in situ is summarized. These studies have answered long-standing questions regarding the mechanisms of membrane binding, polymerization and assembly regulation of coat proteins.
N-(4-Chlorophenyl)-9H-fluoren-9-imine
Authors: Crundwell Guy , Glagovich Neil M. , Reed Heinrich Elizabeth M. , Ouellette Paul
Published: April 2019

The title compound, C19H12ClN, was synthesizedviareaction of 9-fluorenone and 4-chloroaniline usingp-toluenesulfonic acid in toluene. The dihedral angle between the fluorene moiety (r.m.s. deviation = 0.027 Å) and the chlorophenyl ring is 64.59 (6)° and a possible weak intramolecular C—H...π interaction occurs.
Big data analysis on the business process and management for the store layout and bundling sales
Authors: Liao Shu-hsien , Tasi Yi-Shan
Published: April 2019

Purpose

In the retailing industry, database is the time and place where a retail transaction is completed. E-business processes are increasingly adopting databases that can obtain in-depth customers and sales knowledge with the big data analysis. The specific big data analysis on a database system allows a retailer designing and implementing business process management (BPM) to maximize profits, minimize costs and satisfy customers on a business model. Thus, the research of big data analysis on the BPM in the retailing is a critical issue. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a database, ER model, and uses cluster analysis, C&R tree and the a priori algorithm as approaches to illustrate big data analysis/data mining results for generating business intelligence and process management, which then obtain customer knowledge from the case firm’s database system.

Findings

Big data analysis/data mining results such as customer profiles, product/brand display classifications and product/brand sales associations can be used to propose alternatives to the case firm for store layout and bundling sales business process and management development.

Originality/value

This research paper is an example to develop the BPM of database model and big data/data mining based on insights from big data analysis applications for store layout and bundling sales in the retailing industry.
Analytical calculation of magnetic field in surface-mounted permanent-magnet machines with air-gap eccentricity
Authors: Faiz Jawad , Hassanzadeh Mohammadreza , Kiyoumarsi Arash
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present an analytical method, which combines the complex permeance (CP) and the superposition concept, to predict the air-gap magnetic field distribution in surface-mounted permanent-magnet (SMPM) machines with eccentric air-gap.

Design/methodology/approach

The superposition concept is used twice; first, to predict the magnetic field distribution in slot-less machine with eccentric air-gap, the machine is divided into a number of sections. Then, for each section, an equivalent air-gap length is determined, and the magnetic field distribution is predicted as a concentric machine model. The air-gap field in the slot-less machine with eccentricity can be combined from these concentric models. Second, the superposition concept is used to find the CP under eccentricity fault. At this end, the original machine is divided into a number of sections which may be different from the one for slot-less magnetic field prediction, and for each section, the CP is obtained by equivalent air-gap length of that section. Finally, the air-gap magnetic field distribution is predicted by multiplying the slot-less magnetic field distribution and the obtained CP.

Findings

The radial and tangential components of the air-gap magnetic flux density are obtained using the proposed method analytically. The finite element analysis is used to validate the proposed method results, showing good agreements with the analytical results.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the eccentricity fault impact upon the air-gap magnetic field distribution of SMPM machines. This is done by a combined analysis of the complex permeance (CP) method and the superposition concept. This contrasts to previous studies which have instead focused on the subdomain method.
FE analysis of coupled electromagnetic-thermal phenomena in the squirrel cage motor working at high ambient temperature
Authors: Baranski Mariusz
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to elaborate the method and algorithm for the analysis of the influence of high temperature on electric and thermal properties of the materials, as well as thermal phenomena process.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents specially author’s software for the transient finite element analysis of coupled electromagnetic-thermal problems in a squirrel cage induction motor. The numerical implementation is based on finite element method and step-by-step algorithm. The nonlinearity of a magnetic circuit, the dependence of electric and thermal parameters on temperature, the movement of a rotor and skewed rotor bars have been taken into account. To verify the developed algorithm and software, the influence of high ambient temperature on selected electromagnetic and thermal parameters of the induction motor was examined.

Findings

The results of simulations compared with measurements confirm the adequacy of this approach to the analysis of coupled electromagnetic-thermal problems.

Research limitations/implications

3D effects have only been taken into account when using quasi-3D techniques (e.g. the multi-slice for skewed rotor slots).

Practical implications

The author’s software developed can be useful in the analysis and design of squirrel cage motors, especially motors working in high ambient temperature.

Originality/value

The paper offers appropriate author’s software for the transient and steady-state analysis of coupled electromagnetic and thermal problems in squirrel cage motors with skewed slots.
Understanding real estate investments through big data goggles
Authors: Cajias Marcelo
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a conceptual understanding and a methodological approach for calculating residential net initial yields for both a buy-to-hold and rental investment strategy from hedonic models.

Design/methodology/approach

The markets modelled comprehend of dwellings for rent and sell in Germany. For each of them, two regression models are estimated to extract implicit prices and rents for an artificial identical dwelling and estimate the willingness to pay for the same asset from both a buy-to-hold and rental investment strategy.

Findings

The 3,381 estimated net initial yields in the 161 German markets showed a spatial pattern with the biggest and most attractive cities showing the lowest yields and a self-adjusting process in the markets surrounding the top cities. The net initial yields over time show that prices have increased stronger than rents, leading to rock bottom yields for residential assets and a significant premium in comparison to government bond yields. The approach responds to the spatial hierarchy of markets in Germany, meaning that the level of the estimated yields is accurate and achievable from an investment perspective.

Practical implications

The investment case in residential markets is certainly unique as net initial yields are scarce, especially due to the relatively low number of investment comparables. The paper sheds light on this problem from a conceptual and methodological perspective and confirms that investment yields are deducible by making usage of hedonic models and big data.

Originality/value

In the era of digitalization and big data, residential assets are mostly brought to the market via digital multiple listing systems. Transparency is an essential barrier when assessing the pricing conditions of markets and deriving investment decisions. Although international brokers do provide detailed investment comparables on – mostly commercial – real estate markets, the residential sector remains a puzzle when it comes to investment yields. The paper sheds light on this problem.
Bank earnings management using commission and fee income
Authors: Ozili Peterson K. , Outa Erick
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether banks use commission and fee (CF) income to manage reported earnings as an income-increasing or income smoothing strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ the regression methodology to detect real earnings management.

Findings

The authors find that banks use CF income for income smoothing purposes and this behaviour persists during recessionary periods and in environments with stronger investor protection. The implication of the findings is that bank non-interest income which achieves diversification gains to banks is also used to manipulate reported earnings.

Research limitations/implications

The findings show that real earnings management is prevalent among banks in Africa. Further research into earnings management should examine real earnings management among non-financial firms in developing regions.

Practical implications

From an accounting standard setting perspective, the evidence suggests the need for national/international standard setters to adopt strict revenue recognition rules that ensure that banks or firms report the actual fees they make, and to discourage banks from delaying (or deferring) the collection of fee income to manage or smooth reported earnings opportunistically.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the positive accounting theory (PAT) literature which examines the accounting and non-accounting decisions that influence managers’ choice of accounting methods in financial reporting. Extending the PAT, the authors show that certain conditions can incentivize managers to engage in earning management such as during recessions and weak institutional quality or weak investor protection.
Analyst coverage and future stock price crash risk
Authors: He Guanming , Bai Lu , Ren Helen Mengbing
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Whether financial analysts play an effective role as information intermediaries and monitors has triggered a wide spread of debate among academics and practitioners to date. The purpose of this paper is to complement this debate by investigating the association between analyst coverage and firm-specific future stock price crash risk.

Design/methodology/approach

Regression analysis is based on a large sample of US public firms and the crash risk measure of Huttonet al.(2009). Potential endogeneity concerns are alleviated by restricting the sample period to the post-Regulation-FD period and conducting an analysis of the impact threshold for a confounding variable method per Larcker and Rusticus (2010).

Findings

Evidence reveals that a high level of analyst coverage is associated with lower future stock price crash risk. Furthermore, the negative association between analyst coverage and stock price crash risk is stronger for firms that have high financial opacity. Additionally, analyst forecast pessimism is negatively associated with future crash risk.

Research limitations/implications

Our research provides evidence in support for the view that financial analysts play an active information intermediary role in a way that increases information transparency of a firm and reduces its crash risk. Also, our study offers support for the view that analysts perform an effective monitoring role in a way that constraints management’s bad news hoarding activities and reduces future crash risk.

Practical implications

This study is of interest to investors who seek analyst reports for their investment decision making and for information providers who demand external financing. The findings of this study also have some other important implications for practitioners, given the economic and welfare consequences of stock price crashes.

Originality/value

This study offers support for the view that analysts serve positive roles as information intermediaries and monitors in the US stock market.
A data envelopment analysis (DEA) model for building energy benchmarking
Authors: Ashuri Baabak , Wang Jun , Shahandashti Mohsen , Baek Minsoo
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Building energy benchmarking is required for adopting an energy certification scheme, promoting energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption. It demonstrates the current level of energy consumption, the value of potential energy improvement and the prospects for additional savings. This paper aims to create a new data envelopment analysis (DEA) model that overcomes the limitations of existing models for building energy benchmarking.

Design/methodology/approach

Data preparation: the findings of the literature search and subject matter experts’ inputs are used to construct the DEA model. Particularly, it is ensured that the included variables would not violate the fundamental assumption of DEA modeling, DEA convexity axiom. New DEA formulation: controllable and non-controllable variables, e.g. weather conditions, are differentiated in the new formulation. A new approach is used to identify outliers to avoid skewing the efficiency scores for the rest of the buildings under consideration. Efficiency analysis: three distinct efficiencies are computed and analyzed in benchmarking building energy: overall, pure technical, and scale efficiency.

Findings

The proposed DEA approach is successfully applied to a data set provided by a utility management and energy services company that is active in the multifamily housing industry. Building characteristics and energy consumption of 124 multifamily properties in 15 different states in the USA are found in the data set. Buildings in this data set are benchmarked using the new DEA energy benchmarking formulation. Building energy benchmarking is also conducted in a time series manner showing how a particular building performs across the period of 12 months compared with its peers.

Originality/value

The proposed research contributes to the body of knowledge in building energy benchmarking through developing a new outlier detection method to mitigate the impact of super-efficient and super-inefficient buildings on skewing the efficiency scores of the other buildings; avoiding ratio variables in the DEA formulation to adhere to the convexity assumption that existing DEA methods do not follow; and distinguishing between controllable and non-controllable variables in the DEA formulation. This research contributes to the state of practice through providing a new energy benchmarking tool for facility managers and building owners that strive to relatively rank the energy-efficiency of their properties and identify low-performing properties as investment targets to enhance energy efficiency.
Realism and rhetoric in the evaluation of a new care model
Authors: Grimwood Tom
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the methodological challenges to evaluating one of the 50 vanguard sites of the new care model (NCM) programme for integrated care in England, and make the case for a modified realist approach to this kind of evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers three challenges to evaluating the NCM in this particular vanguard: complexity, strategy and rhetoric. It reflects on how the realist approach negotiates these philosophical challenges to delivering integrated care, in order to provide contextualised accounts of who a programme works for, in what context, and why.

Findings

The paper argues that, in the case of this particular vanguard site, the tangible benefit of the realist approach was not in providing a firm epistemological basis for evaluation, but rather in drawing out and articulating the ontological rhetoric of such large-scale transformation programmes. By understanding the work of the NCM less as an objective “system”, and more as a dynamic form of persuasion, aimed at securing the “adherence of minds” (Perelman and Olbrechts-Tyteca, 2008, p. 8) in multiple audiences, the paper suggests that realist evaluation can be used to address both the systematic issues and localised successes the NCMs encountered.

Originality/value

The paper identifies a number of aspects of new models of integrated care for evaluators to consider. It offers ways of negotiating the challenges to conventional outcome-focused evaluation, by drawing attention to the need for contextualised, time-situated and audience-sensitive value of NCMs.
Evaluating the dimensionality of an instrument for measuring the factors affecting academic performance of international business students in project management modules
Authors: Yousef Darwish Abdulrahamn
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the dimensionality of an instrument developed by Lebcir et al. to measure the impact of teaching style, English language and communication skills and assessment methods on the academic performance of international business students in project management modules.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from two independent samples drawn from the United Arab Emirates (UAE); the first sample consisted of 581 undergraduate business students from a public higher education institution, while the second sample consisted of 188 undergraduate business students from a private higher education institution. Confirmatory factor and principal component analyses were employed; additionally, Cronbach’s alpha was used to test the internal consistency of the instrument.

Findings

The results showed that for both samples, the validity of measurement of all three factors by Lebcir and colleagues instrument was not confirmed. Therefore, caution should be taken when using this instrument, at least in Arab settings.

Research limitations/implications

The present study has a number of limitations. The statistical techniques used in the present study might not be sufficient to judge the validity of Lebcir et al.’s (2008) instrument. For example, test-retest technique could be used to test the reliability of this instrument. This study has a number of implications, one of which is that those administrators who intend to use the recommendations of research works based on the three factors of Lebcir et al.’s (2008) instrument in Arab settings should be cautious, as such recommendations might be misleading in such settings.

Originality/value

The present study is the first attempt to validate Lebcir et al.’s instrument in an Arab setting.
Leadership and the significance of formalized organizational structures
Authors: Langhof Jan Gunter , Güldenberg Stefan
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Management literature commonly suggests authoritarian leadership (AL) as the ideal leadership style during crises and extreme situations. This study aims to question this view, exploring servant leadership (SL) as an alternative.

Design/methodology/approach

In the field of leadership research, surveys and interviews are the most dominant research methods. In light of this dominance, this paper draws on a rather unorthodox research approach: a historical examination.

Findings

The elaborations in this paper suggest that SL exerts a higher influence on followers than AL, when organizational structures are absent or disregarded. Consequently, the higher influence of SL implies a lower need for regulations and directives within organizations.

Practical implications

Bureaucracy and red tape can be reduced. Particularly in situations of crises, SL’s relatively reduced reliance on formalized organizational structures can be advantageous to leaders.

Originality/value

The relationship among leadership (SL and AL) and formalized organizational structures is elaborated and illustrated in a historical examination.
Antidiabetic effect of milk fermented using intestinal probiotics
Authors: Widodo Widodo , Harsita Pradiptya Ayu , Sukarno Ari Surya , Nurrochmad Arief
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that accounted for 6 per cent of total Indonesian deaths in 2016. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of milk fermented using intestinal origin Lactobacillus casei strains to alleviate hyperglycemia in rats.

Design/methodology/approach

L. casei strains AP and AG were previously isolated and identified from feces of breastfed Indonesian infants (<1 month-old) and confirmed to be probiotics in vitro. These strains were used as bacterial starters to ferment milk, and the fermented product was fed to 25 diabetic rats for 15 days; metformin was used as a positive control. Blood glucose concentration, lipid profiles and total lactic acid bacteria counts were analyzed before and after treatment.

Findings

The results showed that feeding rats with milk fermented using L. casei strain AP decreased blood glucose concentration from 172.4 ± 2.1 to 147.2 ± 6.0 mg/dL (p < 0.05), whereas metformin reduced blood glucose concentration from 173.5 ± 6.5 to 124.2 ± 16.9 mg/dL (p < 0.05). Feeding milk fermented either L. casei AP or AG decreased low density lipoprotein but increased high density lipoprotein levels (p < 0.05).

Research limitations/implications

This research finding is expected to increase the development of fermented dairy products as functional food, solutions for the prevention of hyperglycemia diseases which have a higher risk to occur on humans.

Practical implications

Further study is needed to examine the effect of L. casei AP-fermented milk on humans with hyperglycemia.

Social implications

This research finding is expected to increase the development of fermented dairy products as functional food.

Originality/value

Oral administration of L. casei AP-fermented milk reduced hyperglycemia in rats similar to metformin. Further study is needed to examine the effect of L. casei AP-fermented milk on humans with hyperglycemia.
Energy drinks: health effects and consumer safety
Authors: Kaur Jaspreet , Kumar Vikas , Goyal Ankit , Tanwar Beenu , Gat Yogesh , Prasad Rasane , Suri Sheenam
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the health effects and safety aspects regarding the consumption of energy drink (ED).

Design/methodology/approach

A wide variety of publications was identified through electronic databases (ScienceDirect, PubMed, SciELO, Google Scholar, Link springer and ResearchGate) on the basis of different keyword such as composition, market status, consumption pattern, health effects, consequences and policies related to ED consumption.

Findings

Owing to its popularity, various brands of EDs have been introduced in the market along with a wide variety of modifications to attract the consumers of all age groups. EDs comprise majorly active ingredients such as caffeine, taurine, guarana, L-carnitine and glucoronolactone, ginseng and sweeteners. EDs are well known to have good taste, enhance energy levels, physical alertness and performance, but they also pose risk of certain health hazards, i.e. caffeine intoxication. Because of this, different policies have been formulated by various regulatory bodies of respective countries regarding the composition, labelling, distribution and sale of EDs.

Originality/value

This review will provide a brief overview of composition, market status, consumption pattern, health effects, consequences and policies related to ED consumption.
Effect of hybridization on properties of hemp-carbon fibre-reinforced hybrid polymer composites using experimental and finite element analysis
Authors: Ramesh M. , Deepa C. , Arpitha G.R. , Gopinath V.
Published: April 2019

Purpose

In the recent years, the industries show interest in natural and synthetic fibre-reinforced hybrid composites due to weight reduction and environmental reasons. The purpose of this experimental study is to investigate the properties of the hybrid composites fabricated by using carbon, untreated and alkaline-treated hemp fibres.

Design/methodology/approach

The composites were tested for strengths under tensile, flexural, impact and shear loadings, and the water absorption characteristics were also observed. The finite element analysis (FEA) was carried out to analyse the elastic behaviour of the composites and predict the strength by using ANSYS 15.0.

Findings

From the experimental results, it is observed that the hybrid composites can withstand the maximum tensile strength of 61.4 MPa, flexural strength of 122.4 MPa, impact strength of 4.2 J/mm2 and shear strength of 25.5 MPa. From the FEA results, it is found that the maximum stress during tensile, flexural and impact loading is 47.5, 2.1 and 1.03 MPa, respectively.

Originality/value

The results of the untreated and alkaline-treated hemp-carbon fibre composites were compared and found that the alkaline-treated composites perform better in terms of mechanical properties. Then, the ANSYS-predicted values were compared with the experimental results, and it was found that there is a high correlation occurs between the untreated and alkali-treated hemp-carbon fibre composites. The internal structure of the broken surfaces of the composite samples was analysed using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis.
Performance comparison of coated carbide tool under different cooling/lubrication environments during face milling of Inconel-625 and Stainless Steel 304
Authors: Singh Pragat , Dureja J.S. , Singh Harwinder , Bhatti Manpreet S.
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This study aims to use nanofluid-based minimum quantity lubrication (NMQL) technique to minimize the use of cutting fluids in machining of Inconel-625 and Stainless Steel 304 (SS-304) (Ni-Cr alloys).

Design/methodology/approach

Machining of Ni-Cr-based alloys is very challenging as these exhibit lower thermal conductivity and rapid work hardening. So, these cannot be machined dry, and a suitable cutting fluid has to be used. To improve the thermal conductivity of cutting fluid, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were added to the soybean oil and used with MQL. This study attempts to compare tool wear of coated carbide inserts during face milling of Inconel-625 and SS-304 under dry, flooded and NMQL conditions. The machining performance of both materials, i.e. Inconel-625 and SS-304, has been compared on the basis of tool wear behavior evaluated using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy.

Findings

The results indicate higher tool wear and lower tool life during machining of Inconel-625 as compared to SS-304. Machining of Inconel-625 exhibited non-consistent tool wear behavior. The tool failure modes experienced during dry machining are discrete fracture, cracks, etc., which are completely eliminated with the use of NMQL machining. In addition, less adhesion wear and abrasion marks are noticed as compared to dry and flooded machining, thereby enhancing the tool life.

Research limitations/implications

Inconel-625 and SS-304 have specific applications in aircraft and aerospace industry, where sculptured surfaces of the turbine blades are machined. The results of current investigation will provide a rich data base for effective machining of both materials under variety of machining conditions.

Originality/value

The literature review indicated that majority of research work on MQL machining has been carried out to explore machining of Ni-Cr alloys such as Inconel 718, Inconel 800, AISI4340, AISI316, AISI1040, AISI430, titanium alloys, hardened steel alloys and Al alloys. Few researchers have explored the suitability of nanofluids and vegetable oil-based cutting fluids in metal cutting operation. However, no literature is available on face milling using nanoparticle-based MQL during machining Inconel-625 and SS-304. Therefore, experimental investigation was conducted to examine the machining performance of NMQL during face milling of Inconel-625 and SS-304 by using soybean oil (vegetable oil) with MWCNTs to achieve ecofriendly machining.
Downregulation of PTPN18 can inhibit proliferation and metastasis and promote apoptosis of endometrial cancer
Authors: Cai Junhong , Huang Sizhe , Yi Yuping , Bao Shan
Published: April 2019

Endometrial cancer is one of the chief culprits threatening women's lives. Although numerous epidemiological experiments have been carried out into the aetiology of endometrial cancer, the cause of the disease has been unclear up to now. In recent years, PTPN18, a member of the protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) family predicted to be tumour suppressors or oncogenes, has been confirmed to participate in the occurrence and progression of many cancers. Few studies, however, have explained the role in the endometrial cancer. So, it caught our attention to explore if PTPN18 participates in and plays a regulatory role in the proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis of endometrial cancer. In our results, we found that PTPN18 was overexpressed in endometrial cancer tissue compared to paracancerous tissue by immunohistochemistry. Not only that, silencing of PTPN18 in endometrial cancer cell lines (HEC‐1‐A and HEC‐1‐B) can significantly impair proliferation detected by CCK8 assay and flow cytometry (FCM) analyses and inhibit the metastasis of endometrial cancer cells shown by the scratch test and the Transwell experiment. PTPN18 knockdown can promote the apoptosis of endometrial cancer. In addition, nude mice tumour formation assay confirmed the results in vivo. Although the exact function of PTPN18 in endometrial cancer is unclear, the targeted therapy drugs enhancing PTPN18 may be considered in the future treatment of endometrial carcinoma.
‘Come together?’ Citizens and civil servants dialogue and trust
Authors: Güemes Cecilia , Resina Jorge
Published: April 2019

Trust is a key element in the co‐creation of solution for public problems. Working together is a gradual learning exercise that helps to shape emotions and attitudes and to create the foundations of trust. However, little is known about how institutions can promote trust. With the intention of going deeper into the subject, this paper focuses on a local experience in Spain: Madrid Escucha, a City Council initiative aimed at stimulating dialogue between officials and citizens around projects to improve city life. Three are our questions: who participate in these spaces, how the interactions are, and what advances are achieved. Based on qualitative research, empirical findings confirm a biased participation in this kind of scenarios as well as the presence of prejudices on both sides, an interaction characterised by initial idealism followed by discouragement and a possible readjustment, and a final satisfaction with the process even when results are not successful.
Monitoring and targeting the sanitation poor: A multidimensional approach
Authors: Giné‐Garriga Ricard , Pérez‐Foguet Agustí
Published: April 2019

Water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) are at the core of sustainable development. As we embark on a new round of global goals, namely the Sustainable Development Goals, a top priority is to address a coherent framework for monitoring these services. In the coming years, the sector will witness the development of a variety of multidimensional monitoring measures, albeit from different perspectives. This paper reviews the relevant literature and discusses the adequacy and applicability of one approach that is increasingly adopted for multidimensional poverty measurement at the household level, the Alkire‐Foster methodology. Drawing on this method, we identify and combine a set of direct household‐related water and sanitation deprivations that batter a person at the same time. This new multidimensional measure is useful for gaining a better understanding of the context in which WaSH services are delivered. It captures both the incidence and intensity of WaSH poverty, and provides a new tool to support monitoring and reporting. For illustrative purposes, one small town in Mozambique is selected as the initial case study.
Effects of simulated sample sizes on mortality estimates—Protocol for a study in 3 randomised ICU trials
Authors: Kofoed A. , Perner A. , Marker S. , Haase N. , Holst L. B. , Møller M. H.
Published: April 2019

Background

An increasing number of trials are stopped earlier than originally planned. It has been suggested that trials stopped pre‐maturely overestimate the treatment effect. With the outlined observational study, we aim to simulate the results of stopping trials before they reach their planned sample size to assess the effects on mortality estimates.

Methods and statistics

Based on 3 international, randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in critical care: Scandinavian Starch for Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock (6S) trial, the Transfusion Requirements in Septic Shock (TRISS) trial and the Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in the Intensive Care Unit (SUP‐ICU) trial, we will estimate relative risks with 95% confidence intervals for the primary outcome 90‐day mortality after the inclusion of each individual patient in each RCT. This will be presented graphically with the primary outcome as a function of the number of included patients.

Discussion

The outlined study will provide important knowledge about the effects of stopping critical care trials early. This may have important implications for patients, relatives, clinicians, researchers, guideline committee members and policy makers.

Ethics and dissemination

We will use data from consenting patients enrolled in RCTs approved by the relevant ethical committees; this study requires no further permissions. We will report the results in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement and submit the final approved manuscript to a peer‐reviewed journal.