bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Contact Lens Wear on Biometry Measurements for Intraocular Lens Calculations
Authors: Meyer Jay J. , Kim Michelle J. , Kim Terry
Published: September 2017

Objectives:

To determine the effects of contact lens (CL) wear on biometry measurements for cataract surgery and whether a CL hiatus can reduce the prediction error of intraocular lens (IOL) calculations.

Methods:

Retrospective, interventional case series of eyes that received repeat biometry measurements for IOL calculations after discontinuing hard or soft CLs for at least 14 days. Primary outcome measures: intersession change in axial length, average keratometry, astigmatism, and axis. Secondary outcome measures: change in recommended IOL power and toricity, postoperative refraction prediction error.

Results:

Thirty-two eyes of 16 patients had a mean duration of CL wear (12 hard and 20 soft) of 39.5 years (range, 29–55 years) and mean CL hiatus duration of 25 days (range, 14–56 days). Mean absolute intersession change in axial length was 0.016 mm (range, 0–0.05 mm), average keratometry 0.31 D (range, 0.02–1.01 D), astigmatism 0.41 D (range, 0.01–1.10 D), and axis 6.3° (range, 0–28°). The IOL power predicting the lowest postoperative spherical equivalent changed for 17 of 32 eyes (by 0.5 D for 12 eyes and 1.0 D for five eyes). Recommended IOL toricity changed for nine of 14 eyes (by 0.75 D for six eyes and 1.50 D for three eyes). The median absolute prediction error of IOL calculations was 0.69 D (range, 0.19–2.93 D) before and 0.57 D (range, 0.01–2.82 D) after the CL hiatus (P=0.16).

Conclusions:

Contact lens wear may affect biometry measurements and subsequent IOL power and toricity selection. For some eyes, repeating biometry measurements after a CL hiatus may improve the accuracy of IOL calculations.
Short-Term Comfort Responses Associated With the Use of Eyelid Cleansing Products to Manage Demodex folliculorum
Authors: Ngo William , Jones Lyndon , Bitton Etty
Published: September 2017

Purpose:

To quantify the discomfort over time of various eyelid cleansers against Demodex.

Methods:

This was a prospective, randomized, controlled, crossover, open-label study that enrolled 26 participants. The cleansers used in this study were Biotissue Cliradex (CD), OCuSOFT Lid Scrubs Plus (OP), OCuSOFT OUST Demodex Swabstix (ODS), TheraTears Theralid (TT), NovaBay Avenova (NA). Bausch+Lomb Sensitive Eyes Plus saline was used as a control. Participants were asked to close their eyes as the product was gently rubbed (10 cycles of gentle lateral motion) into the eyelashes. Participants verbally rated their discomfort (0 = no discomfort, 10 = maximum tolerable discomfort) every 15 sec for the first 5 min, and every 30 sec for 5 min after, for a total of 10 min. The order of products used was randomized, and washout period between cleansing was 48 hr.

Results:

Twenty-five participants completed the study (mean age=26±6). There was no significant difference in discomfort scores at pre-application. The discomfort levels of saline, OP, and NA over the 10-min period were not significantly different than their pre-application discomfort at all time points (all P≥0.99). The discomfort of CD was significantly higher than pre-application levels between t=15 sec and t=180 sec (all P≤0.01), with maximum median (interquartile range [IQR]) discomfort of 3.0 (5.0) occurring at t=45 sec. The discomfort of TT was significantly higher than pre-application levels between t=45 and t=90 (all P<0.02), with maximum median (IQR) discomfort of 1.0 (1.5) occurring at t=75 sec. The discomfort of ODS was significantly higher than pre-application levels starting from t=60 sec and onward, with maximum median (IQR) discomfort of 6.0 (5.0) occurring at t=300 sec.

Conclusion:

Of the cleansers used in this study, the ones that induced significant discomfort were CD, TT, and ODS. The results from this study may help clinicians educate patients about what to expect when approaching the topic of eyelid Demodex treatment.
Investigation of Ocular Tear Ferning in Controlled and Uncontrolled Diabetic Subjects
Authors: Masmali Ali M. , Maeni Yahya A. , El-Hiti Gamal A. , Murphy Paul J. , Almubrad Turki
Published: September 2017

Objectives:

To investigate the ocular tear film in controlled and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) subjects and the relationship between dry eye and diabetes.

Methods:

One hundred twenty-four diabetes adults (65 male and 59 female, with 62 controlled and 62 uncontrolled DM) were assessed by McMonnies dry eye questionnaire, tear break-up time (TBUT), phenol red thread (PRT) test. In addition, tear samples were collected from the lower tear meniscus of right eyes and dried onto glass slides under controlled room temperature (25°C) and humidity (40%). The glass slides were observed using a digital microscopy and the tear ferning (TF) patterns observed were graded based on Masmali TF grading scale. Patients with a HbA1c value below 6.5% were defined as “controlled DM” and those with a HbA1c value above 6.5% were defined as “uncontrolled DM.” The Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between various tests.

Results:

Several subjects having dry eye varied depending on the test used. McMonnies questionnaire scores suggested that 28 subjects (23%) showed dry eye (score >14.5), of whom 23 subjects (82%) showed uncontrolled diabetes. The TF patterns showed that 44 subjects (35.5%) showed dry eyes (Grade ≥2), of whom 32 subjects (72.7%) showed uncontrolled diabetes. Phenol red thread test found that 46 subjects (37%) showed dry eye (wetting <10 mm), of whom 38 subjects (82.6%) showed uncontrolled diabetes. Tear break-up time found that 57 subjects (46%) showed dry eye (time <10 sec), of whom 45 subjects (78.9%) showed uncontrolled diabetes. In controlled diabetic subjects, TF grades showed medium negative correlations with both TBUT and PRT (−0.374 and −0.349, respectively). In uncontrolled subjects, TF grades have a strong negative correlation with TBUT (−0.539) and a medium negative correlation with PRT (−0.410).

Conclusions:

Dry eye disease is common in diabetic subjects, particularly in people with poor diabetic control. Uncontrolled blood glucose level seemed to be a risk factor for dry eye syndrome. Tear ferning test showed a correlation between diabetes and dry eye in diabetic subjects and can be used as a reliable test to evaluate the quality of the ocular tear film.
Clinical Study of Mitomycin C in Reducing Haze Formation After Ultraviolet A/Riboflavin Crosslinking for Keratoconus
Authors: Xu Linlin , Tao Xiangchen , Li Zhiwei , Xu Yanyun , Zhu Wei , Xu Huijuan , Pu Wei , Xie Yi , Mu Guoying
Published: September 2017

Objectives:

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of mitomycin C (MMC) in haze formation after ultraviolet A/riboflavin corneal crosslinking (CXL) for progressive keratoconus.

Methods:

A total of 60 keratoconic eyes of 48 patients were enrolled in this prospective comparative study after obtaining informed consent. In the CXL group, standard corneal CXL was performed, whereas in the CXL+MMC group, 0.02% MMC was used for 30 s soon after CXL. Comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations were performed on all patients before surgery and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.

Results:

The epithelium recovered within 3 to 4 days after CXL, and the healing time was comparable in the two groups. There was no significant endothelial cell density loss after CXL in both groups. Eyes in both groups showed improvement of uncorrected distance visual acuity (Snellen) and best-corrected visual acuity (Snellen; P<0.05), and there was a decrease in K-max, cylinder degree, and central corneal thickness (CCT) (P<0.05). There was no significant statistical difference between the groups regarding postoperative K-max reduction, refraction, and CCT (P>0.05). Corneal haze scores were significantly higher in the CXL group at 1 and 3 months after CXL (P=0.012 and P=0.028, respectively), but were similar to the MMC group at 6 and 12 months after surgery (P=0.329 and P=0.543, respectively).

Conclusions:

Prophylactic intraoperative use of 0.02% MMC can significantly reduce CXL-associated haze formation, especially in the early postoperative period, and no signs of weakening CXL efficacy were observed.
A Mixed-Methods Study of Unmet Supportive Care Needs Among Head and Neck Cancer Survivors
Authors: So Winnie K.W. , Wong Cho-Lee , Choi Kai-Chow , Chan Carmen W.H. , Chan Joanne C.Y. , Law Bernard M.H. , Wan Rayman W.M. , Mak Suzanne S.S. , Ling Wai-Man , Ng Wai-Tong , Yu Bernice W.L.
Published: September 2017

Background

Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors face increasing challenges to adjust to the diagnosis and late effects of treatment. Identifying unmet needs among HNC survivors is therefore important to provide a comprehensive supportive care service for them.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the unmet supportive care needs (SCNs) of HNC survivors in the first year after treatment.

Methods

An explanatory sequential mixed-method design with 2 phases was used. In the quantitative phase, standardized questionnaires were administered to 285 Chinese HNC survivors to solicit their demographic and clinical characteristics, unmet SCNs, and access to various support services. In the qualitative phase, individual semistructured interviews were conducted with 53 participants to explore their unmet needs in more detail.

Results

The most prevalent unmet SCNs among the survivors were in the health system and information domain. Five categories of unmet needs emerged from the interview data: physical, psychological, health system and information, patient care and support, and sexuality. The findings reflect the inadequacy of the healthcare services for these survivors.

Conclusion

Chinese HNC survivors experienced a variety of unmet SCNs, particularly in the areas of symptom management and healthcare system and information provision.

Implications for Practice

The study provides insights that can (1) inform future service development, including regular symptom identification and management, improvements in communication, and counseling services and (2) identify the specific needs of these survivors as the basis for tailoring care to meet their needs.
Photon-Counting CT
Authors: Mannil Manoj , Hickethier Tilman , von Spiczak Jochen , Baer Matthias , Henning André , Hertel Madeleine , Schmidt Bernhard , Flohr Thomas , Maintz David , Alkadhi Hatem
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate computed tomography (CT) imaging characteristics of coronary stents using a novel photon-counting detector (PCD) in comparison with a conventional energy-integrating detector (EID).

Materials and Methods

In this in vitro study, 18 different coronary stents were expanded in plastic tubes of 3 mm diameter, were filled with contrast agent (diluted to an attenuation of 250 Hounsfield units [HU] at 120 kVp), and were sealed. Stents were placed in an oil-filled custom phantom calibrated to an attenuation of −100 HU at 120 kVp for resembling pericardial fat. The phantom was positioned in the gantry at 2 different angles at 0 degree and 90 degrees relative to the z axis, and was imaged in a research dual-source PCD-CT scanner. Detector subsystem “A” used a standard 64-row EID, while detector subsystem “B” used a PCD, allowing high-resolution scanning (detector pixel-size 0.250 × 0.250 mm in the isocenter). Images were obtained from both detector systems at identical tube voltage (100 kVp) and tube current-time product (100 mA), and were both reconstructed using a typical convolution kernel for stent imaging (B46f) and using the same reconstruction parameters. Two independent, blinded readers evaluated in-stent visibility and measured noise, intraluminal stent diameter, and in-stent attenuation for each detector subsystem. Differences in noise, intraluminal stent diameter, and in-stent attenuation where tested using a paired t test; differences in subjective in-stent visibility were evaluated using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results

Best results for in-stent visibility, noise, intraluminal stent diameter, and in-stent attenuation in EID and PCD were observed at 0-degree phantom position along the z axis, suggesting higher in-plane compared with through-plane resolution. Subjective in-stent visibility was superior in coronary stent images obtained from PCD compared with EID (P < 0.001). Mean in-stent diameter was 28.8% and 8.4% greater in PCD (0.85 ± 0.24 mm; 0.83 ± 0.14 mm) as compared with EID acquisitions (0.66 ± 0.21 mm; 0.76 ± 0.13 mm) for both 0-degree and 90-degree phantom positions, respectively. Average noise was significantly lower (P < 0.001) for PCD (5 ± 0.2 HU) compared with EID (8.3 ± 0.2 HU). The increase in in-stent attenuation (0 degree: Δ 245 ± 163 HU vs Δ 156.5 ± 126 HU; P = 0.006; 90 degrees: Δ 194 ± 141 HU vs Δ 126 ± 78 HU; P = 0.001) was significantly lower for PCD compared with EID acquisitions.

Conclusions

At matched CT scan protocol settings and identical image reconstruction parameters, the PCD yields superior in-stent lumen delineation of coronary artery stents as compared with conventional EID arrays.
The Visual Agnosias and Related Disorders
Authors: Haque Sameen , Vaphiades Michael S. , Lueck Christian J.
Published: September 2017

Background:

There are many disorders of higher visual processing that result from damage to specific areas of the cerebral cortex that have a specific role in processing certain aspects (modalities) of vision. These can be grouped into those that affect the ventral, or “what?”, pathway (e.g., object agnosia, cerebral achromatopsia, prosopagnosia, topographagnosia, and pure alexia), and those that affect the dorsal, or “where?”, pathway (e.g., akinetopsia, simultanagnosia, and optic ataxia).

Evidence Acquisition:

This article reviews pertinent literature, concentrating on recent developments in basic science research and studies of individual patients.

Results:

An overview of the current understanding of higher cerebral visual processing is followed by a discussion of the various disorders listed above.

Conclusions:

There has been considerable progress in the understanding of how the extrastriate visual cortex is organized, specifically in relation to functionally specialized visual areas. This permits a better understanding of the individual visual agnosias resulting from damage to these areas.
Lactococcus petauri sp. nov., isolated from an abscess of a sugar glider
Authors: Goodman Laura B. , Lawton Marie R. , Franklin-Guild Rebecca J. , Anderson Renee R. , Schaan Lynn , Thachil Anil J. , Wiedmann Martin , Miller Claire B. , Alcaine Samuel D. , Kovac Jasna
Published: September 2017

A strain of lactic acid bacteria, designated 159469T, isolated from a facial abscess in a sugar glider, was characterized genetically and phenotypically. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-positive, coccoid and catalase-negative. Morphological, physiological and phylogenetic data indicated that the isolate belongs to the genus

Lactococcus

. Strain 159469T was closely related to

Lactococcus garvieae

ATCC 43921T, showing 95.86 and 98.08 % sequence similarity in 16S rRNA gene and rpoB gene sequences, respectively. Furthermore, a pairwise average nucleotide identity blast (ANIb) value of 93.54 % and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization value of 50.7  % were determined for the genome of strain 159469T, when compared with the genome of the type strain of

Lactococcus garvieae

. Based on the data presented here, the isolate represents a novel species of the genus

Lactococcus

, for which the name

Lactococcus
petauri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 159469T (=LMG 30040T=DSM 104842T).
Clonality, virulence and antimicrobial resistance of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli from Mirzapur, Bangladesh
Authors: Chattaway Marie Anne , Day Michaela , Mtwale Julia , White Emma , Rogers James , Day Martin , Powell David , Ahmad Marwa , Harris Ross , Talukder Kaisar Ali , Wain John , Jenkins Claire , Cravioto Alejandro
Published: September 2017

Purpose. This study investigates the virulence and antimicrobial resistance in association with common clonal complexes (CCs) of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) isolated from Bangladesh. The aim was to determine whether specific CCs were more likely to be associated with putative virulence genes and/or antimicrobial resistance.

Methodology. The presence of 15 virulence genes (by PCR) and susceptibility to 18 antibiotics were determined for 151 EAEC isolated from cases and controls during an intestinal infectious disease study carried out between 2007–2011 in the rural setting of Mirzapur, Bangladesh (Kotloff KL, Blackwelder WC, Nasrin D, Nataro JP, Farag TH et al.
Clin Infect Dis 2012;55:S232–S245). These data were then analysed in the context of previously determined serotypes and clonal complexes defined by multi-locus sequence typing.

Results. Overall there was no association between the presence of virulence or antimicrobial resistance genes in isolates of EAEC from cases versus controls. However, when stratified by clonal complex (CC) one CC associated with cases harboured more virulence factors (CC40) and one CC harboured more resistance genes (CC38) than the average. There was no direct link between the virulence gene content and antibiotic resistance. Strains within a single CC had variable virulence and resistance gene content indicating independent and multiple gene acquisitions over time.

Conclusion. In Bangladesh, there are multiple clonal complexes of EAEC harbouring a variety of virulence and resistance genes. The emergence of two of the most successful clones appeared to be linked to either increased virulence (CC40) or antimicrobial resistance (CC38), but increased resistance and virulence were not found in the same clonal complexes.
Systematic identification of cancer-specific MHC-binding peptides with RAVEN
Authors: Baldauf Michaela C. , Gerke Julia S. , Kirschner Andreas , Blaeschke Franziska , Effenberger Manuel , Schober Kilian , Rubio Rebeca Alba , Kanaseki Takayuki , Kiran Merve M. , Dallmayer Marlene , Musa Julian , Akpolat Nurset , Akatli Ayse N. , Rosman Fernando C. , Özen Özlem , Sugita Shintaro , Hasegawa Tadashi , Sugimura Haruhiko , Baumhoer Daniel , Knott Maximilian M. L. , Sannino Giuseppina , Marchetto Aruna , Li Jing , Busch Dirk H. , Feuchtinger Tobias , Ohmura Shunya , Orth Martin F. , Thiel Uwe , Kirchner Thomas , Grünewald Thomas G. P.
Published: September 2017

Immunotherapy can revolutionize anti-cancer therapy if specific targets are available. Recurrent somatic mutations in the exome can create highly specific neo-antigens. However, especially pediatric cancers are oligo-mutated and hardly exhibit recurrent neo-antigens. Yet, immunogenic peptides encoded by cancer-specific genes (CSGs), which are virtually not expressed in normal tissues, may enable a targeted immunotherapy of such cancers. Here, we describe an algorithm and provide a user-friendly software named RAVEN (Rich Analysis of Variable gene Expressions in Numerous tissues), which automatizes the systematic and fast identification of CSG-encoded peptides highly affine to Major Histocompatibility Complexes (MHC) starting from publicly available gene expression data. We applied RAVEN to a dataset assembled from more than 2,700 simultaneously normalized gene expression microarrays comprising 50 tumor entities, with a focus on sarcomas and pediatric cancers, and 71 normal tissue types. RAVEN performed a transcriptome-wide scan in each cancer entity for gender-specific CSGs. As a proof-of-concept we identified several established CSGs, but also many novel candidates potentially suitable for targeting multiple cancer types. The specific expression of the most promising CSGs was validated by qRT-PCR in cancer cell lines and by immunohistochemistry in a comprehensive tissue-microarray comprising 412 samples. Subsequently, RAVEN identified likely immunogenic peptides encoded by these CSGs by predicting the affinity to MHCs. Putative highly affine peptides were automatically crosschecked with the UniProt protein-database to exclude sequence identity with abundantly expressed proteins. The predicted affinity of selected peptides was validated in T2-cell peptide-binding assays in which many showed similar kinetics to a very immunogenic influenza control peptide.

Collectively, we provide a comprehensive, exquisitely curated and validated catalogue of cancer-specific and highly MHC-affine peptides across 50 cancer entities. In addition, we developed an intuitive and freely available software to easily apply our algorithm to any gene expression dataset (https://github.com/JSGerke/RAVENsoftware). We anticipate that our peptide libraries and software constitute a rich resource to accelerate the development of novel immunotherapies.
Human Ageing Genomic Resources: 2018 Update
Authors: Tacutu Robi , Thornton Daniel , Johnson Emily , Budovsky Arie , Barardo Diogo , Craig Thomas , Lehmann Gilad , Toren Dmitri , Fraifeld Vadim E. , de Magalhães João Pedro
Published: September 2017

In spite of a growing body of research and data, human ageing remains a poorly understood process. To facilitate studies of ageing, over 10 years ago we developed the Human Ageing Genomic Resources (HAGR), which are now the leading online resource for biogerontologists. In this update, we present HAGR’s main functionalities, including new additions and improvements to HAGR. HAGR consists of five databases: 1) the GenAge database of ageing-related genes, in turn composed of a dataset of >300 human ageing-related genes and a dataset with >2000 genes associated with ageing or longevity in model organisms; 2) the AnAge database of animal ageing and longevity, featuring >4000 species; 3) the GenDR database with >200 genes associated with the life-extending effects of dietary restriction; 4) the LongevityMap database of human genetic association studies of longevity with >500 entries; 5) the DrugAge database with >400 ageing or longevity-associated drugs or compounds; 6) the CellAge database with >200 genes associated with cell senescence. All our databases are manually curated by experts to ensure a high quality data and presented in an intuitive and clear interface that includes cross-links across our databases and to external resources. HAGR is freely available online (http://genomics.senescence.info/).
Expanding Lorentz and spectrum corrections to large volumes of reciprocal space for single-crystal time-of-flight neutron diffraction. Corrigendum
Authors: Michels-Clark Tara M. , Savici Andrei T. , Lynch Vickie E. , Wang Xiaoping , Chodkiewicz Michal , Weber Thomas , Bürgi Hans-Beat , Hoffmann Christina M.
Published: September 2017

The author list of the article by Michels-Clarket al.[J. Appl. Cryst.(2016),49, 497–506] is amended with the addition of Michal Chodkiewicz, Thomas Weber and Hans-Beat Bürgi. The complete list of authors is Tara Michels-Clark, Andrei Savici, Vickie Lynch, Xiaoping Wang, Michal Chodkiewicz, Thomas Weber, Hans-Beat Bürgi and Christina Hoffmann.
X-ray diffraction microscopy based on refractive optics
Authors: Poulsen H. F. , Jakobsen A. C. , Simons H. , Ahl S. R. , Cook P. K. , Detlefs C.
Published: September 2017

A formalism is presented for dark-field X-ray microscopy using refractive optics. The new technique can produce three-dimensional maps of lattice orientation and axial strain within millimetre-sized sampling volumes and is particularly suited toin situstudies of materials at hard X-ray energies. An objective lens in the diffracted beam magnifies the image and acts as a very efficient filter in reciprocal space, enabling the imaging of individual domains of interest with a resolution of 100 nm. Analytical expressions for optical parameters such as numerical aperture, vignetting, and the resolution in both direct and reciprocal spaces are provided. It is shown that the resolution function in reciprocal space can be highly anisotropic and varies as a function of position in the field of view. Inserting a square aperture in front of the objective lens facilitates disjunct and space-filling sampling, which is key for three-dimensional reconstruction and analysis procedures based on the conservation of integrated intensity. A procedure for strain scanning is presented. Finally the formalism is validated experimentally at an X-ray energy of 17 keV.
Improved performance of crystal structure solution from powder diffraction data through parameter tuning of a simulated annealing algorithm
Authors: Kabova Elena A. , Cole Jason C. , Korb Oliver , López-Ibáñez Manuel , Williams Adrian C. , Shankland Kenneth
Published: September 2017

Significant gains in the performance of the simulated annealing algorithm in theDASHsoftware package have been realized by using theiraceautomatic configuration tool to optimize the values of three key simulated annealing parameters. Specifically, the success rate in finding the global minimum in intensity χ2space is improved by up to an order of magnitude. The general applicability of these revised simulated annealing parameters is demonstrated using the crystal structure determinations of over 100 powder diffraction datasets.
Planarity of benzoylthiocarbazate tuberculostatics. IV. Polymorphs of N′-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-4-nitrobenzohydrazide
Authors: Szczesio Małgorzata , Olczak Andrzej , Gobis Katarzyna , Główka Marek L.
Published: September 2017

The search for new tuberculostatics is important considering the occurrence of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Three polymorphs of N′-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-4-nitrobenzohydrazide (a potentially tuberculostatic agent), C10H9N3O3S2, denoted (I1), (I2) and (I3), and the monohydrate of this compound, C10H9N3O3S2·H2O, (I4), have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The conformations of the molecules in all these structures are very similar. Structures (I1), (I2) and (I3) provide an example of packing polymorphism resulting from different intermolecular interactions.
N—H...X (X = Cl and Br) hydrogen bonds in three isomorphous 3,5-dichloropyridinium salts
Authors: Wang Ai , Englert Ulli
Published: September 2017

Specific short contacts are important in crystal engineering. Hydrogen bonds have been particularly successful and together with halogen bonds can be useful for assembling small molecules or ions into crystals. The ionic constituents in the isomorphous 3,5-dichloropyridinium (3,5-diClPy) tetrahalometallates 3,5-dichloropyridinium tetrachloridozincate(II), (C5H4Cl2N)2[ZnCl4] or (3,5-diClPy)2ZnCl4, 3,5-dichloropyridinium tetrabromidozincate(II), (C5H4Cl2N)2[ZnBr4] or (3,5-diClPy)2ZnBr4, and 3,5-dichloropyridinium tetrabromidocobaltate(II), (C5H4Cl2N)2[CoBr4] or (3,5-diClPy)2CoBr4, arrange according to favourable electrostatic interactions. Cations are preferably surrounded by anions and vice versa; rare cation–cation contacts are associated with an antiparallel dipole orientation. N—H...X (X = Cl and Br) hydrogen bonds and X...X halogen bonds compete as closest contacts between neighbouring residues. The former dominate in the title compounds; the four symmetrically independent pyridinium N—H groups in each compound act as donors in charge-assisted hydrogen bonds, with halogen ligands and the tetrahedral metallate anions as acceptors. The M—X coordinative bonds in the latter are significantly longer if the halide ligand is engaged in a classical X...H—N hydrogen bond. In all three solids, triangular halogen-bond interactions are observed. They might contribute to the stabilization of the structures, but even the shortest interhalogen contacts are only slightly shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii.
Structural characterization, gelation ability, and energy-framework analysis of two bis(long-chain ester)-substituted 4,4′-biphenyl compounds
Authors: Geiger David K. , Geiger H. Cristina , Moore Shawn M. , Roberts William R.
Published: September 2017

There are few examples of single-crystal structure determinations of gelators, as gel formation requires that the dissolved gelator self-assemble into a three-dimensional network structure incorporating solvent via noncovalent interactions rather than self-assembly followed by crystallization. In the solid-state structures of the isostructural compounds 4,4′-bis[5-(methoxycarbonyl)pentyloxy]biphenyl (BBO6-Me), C26H34O6, and 4,4′-bis[5-(ethoxycarbonyl)pentyloxy]biphenyl (BBO6-Et), C28H38O6, the molecules sit on a crystallographically imposed center of symmetry, resulting in strictly coplanar phenyl rings. BBO6-Me behaves as an organogelator in various alcohol solvents, whereas BBO6-Et does not. The extended structure reveals bundles of molecules that form a columnar superstructure. Framework-energy calculations reveal much stronger interaction energies within the columns (−52 to −78 kJ mol−1) than between columns (−2 to −16 kJ mol−1). The intracolumnar interactions are dominated by a dispersion component, whereas the intercolumnar interactions have a substantial electrostatic component.
Crystal structure of {[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl]methyl}dimethylammonium chloride monohydrate
Authors: Zábranský Martin , Štěpnička Petr
Published: September 2017

Individual ions and the solvating water molecule constituting the structure of the title compound, [Fe(C8H13N)(C17H14P)]Cl·H2O, assemble into dimeric units located around crystallographic inversion centersviaN—H...Cl and O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds. These discrete fragments are further interconnected into chains by C—H...O interactions. The disubstituted ferrocene core in the {[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenyl]methyl}dimethylammonium cation has an approximate synclinal eclipsed conformation and is tilted by 3.40 (11)°.
Crystal structure of sodium dihydrogen arsenate
Authors: Ring Joseph , Lindenthal Lorenz , Weil Matthias , Stöger Berthold
Published: September 2017

Single crystals of the title compound, Na(H2AsO4), were obtained by partial neutralization of arsenic acid with sodium hydroxide in aqueous solution. The crystal structure of Na(H2AsO4) is isotypic with the phosphate analogue and the asymmetric unit consists of two sodium cations and two tetrahedral H2AsO4−anions. Each of the sodium cations is surrounded by six O atoms of five H2AsO4−groups, defining distorted octahedral coordination spheres. In the extended structure, the sodium cations and dihydrogen arsenate anions are arranged in the form of layers lying parallel to (010). Strong hydrogen bonds [range of O...O distances 2.500 (3)–2.643 (3) Å] between adjacent H2AsO4−anions are observed within and perpendicular to the layers. The isotypic structure of Na(H2PO4) is comparatively discussed.
Phage therapy of corrosion-producing bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia using isolated lytic bacteriophages
Authors: Pedramfar Arezoo , Beheshti Maal Keivan , Mirdamadian Sayed Hossein
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Corrosion-producing microorganisms have different physiology and include sulfate-reducing bacteria, iron oxidizers and magnesium oxidizers. Biocorrosion has been seen in various industries, especially the petrochemicals and oil industries. One proposal to solve this problem is the use of bacteriophages to treat the bacteria-caused corrosion. The aims of this study were isolation and identification of corrosion-producing bacteria from petroleum pipeline corrosion as well as finding their specific bacteriophages for phage therapy purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample pipes with the corrosion were obtained from the Gandomkar petroleum pipeline station, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Iran. For screening the corrosion-producing bacteria, the rusted pipe samples were cultured in a selective culture medium, manganese agar. The purified individual colonies were subjected to molecular examinations. For isolating bacteriophages from silversmithing workshops wastewater in Isfahan, whole plate titration methods and transmission electron microscopy were used to isolate and detect phages.

Findings

The cultivation of corrosion-based material on manganese agar after 18 hours incubation at 30°C resulted in the isolation of cream-colored colonies. The microscopic examinations showed Gram-negative coccobacilli. Based on molecular examinations, the isolated bacteria were identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain PBM-IAUF-2 with Genebank accession number of KU145278.1. The found bacteriophage was related to the Siphoviridae family of phages.

Originality/value

This paper is the first report of isolation and identification of corrosion-producing bacteria and its specific lytic phages from Gandomkar petroleum pipeline station, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Iran. The biological procedures for preventing the microbial corrosion could be an asset and considered as a potential in the petroleum and industrial microbiology. Phage therapy is considered as one of the economical methods for reducing the biocorrosion.
Unconventional fluoride conversion coating preparation and characterization
Authors: Drábiková Juliána , Fintová Stanislava , Tkacz Jakub , Doležal Pavel , Wasserbauer Jaromír
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare electrochemical corrosion characteristics of conventional and unconventional fluoride conversion coating prepared on magnesium alloy.

Design/methodology/approach

The chemical reaction of AZ61 with 38 wt.% hydrofluoric acid (HF) for 24 h was used as a conventional way of fluoride conversion coating preparation. The unconventionally prepared coating was created in Na[BF4] salt melt at 450°C for 2 h. Morphology and chemical composition of prepared fluoride conversion coatings were studied with scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Electrochemical corrosion characteristics of the coatings were analyzed in Hank’s solution using potentiodynamic tests.

Findings

Both the coating preparation ways resulted in the creation of uniform conversion coatings with the same thickness (1.3 ± 0.1 μm). Some defects were observed on the coatings surface; however, the defects did not reach the AZ61 surface. Electrochemical tests performed in Hank’s solution at 37°C showed an improvement of corrosion resistance of AZ61 treated with fluoride conversion coatings when compared to the untreated material. Unconventionally prepared coating reached better electrochemical corrosion characteristics when compared to the conventionally prepared coating.

Originality/value

Electrochemical corrosion characteristics of AZ61 magnesium alloy can be improved with fluoride conversion coatings. Two methods are used in the literature for the coatings preparation. The conventional method is based on dipping of the coated material to the HF, and the unconventional method lies in dipping of the sample to the Na[BF4] salt melt. The main purpose of the present study is to analyze the conventionally and unconventionally prepared coatings in terms of chemical analysis, morphology and material corrosion protection (electrochemical corrosion characteristics), while the data are not provided in the literature, according to the authors’ knowledge. Very similar coatings were prepared using both the methods from the morphological and chemical composition point of view. However, unconventionally prepared coating created in Na[BF4] salt melt reached better electrochemical corrosion characteristics compared to the coating prepared in HF.
The combined erosion and corrosion resistance of WC-Ni vacuum brazed coating
Authors: Joo Hyung Goun , Lee Kang Yong , Luo Guo Ming , Zhang Da Quan
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the combined erosion and corrosion behavior of WC-Ni vacuum brazed coating.

Design/methodology/approach

Al2O3 particles and 10 wt% NaCl solution are used to evaluate erosion and corrosion resistance of WC-Ni vacuum brazed coating. Combined test of erosion and corrosion is also conducted. The microstructure of each specimen is characterized by the scanning electron microscopy. The chemical composition was determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Findings

WC-Ni vacuum brazed coating layer is effective protective coating under combined erosion and corrosion environment. The weight loss of coating layer is more reduced as the cumulative test time.

Originality/value

WC-Ni vacuum brazed coatings are investigated to check characteristic of the combined erosion and corrosion environment. WC-Ni vacuum brazed coatings are kind of diffusion coating that attract attention because of the resistance of superb impact and corrosion in comparison with other coatings. Some previous researches reported the properties of vacuum brazed WC material. Erosion and corrosion behaviors of WC-Ni vacuum brazed coatings were studied in our previous research, respectively. Hence, in this research, the principal objective is to examine the combined erosion and corrosion behavior of WC-Ni vacuum brazed coating.
Why leadership style matters: a closer look at transformational leadership and internal marketing
Authors: Akbari Morteza , Seyyed Amiri Nader , Imani Saheb , Rezaeei Niloofar , Foroudi Pantea
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between transformational leadership (TL) and internal marketing which is underscored by the centrality of human resources in satisfying employee’s needs and how internal marketing, as a moderator and mediator, can facilitate the effects of transformational leadership on social capital and employee loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a model and a number of propositions based on preceding literature on transformational leadership and internal marketing on social capital and employee loyalty.

Findings

The model proposes that transformational leadership can play a vital role in codification of human resources variables such as internal marketing, which is founded upon the principle of paying greater attention to employees. Moreover, despite the research gap on the relationship between social capital and employee loyalty, it can be concluded that social capital can increase the level of employee loyalty to organization.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model has a number of academic and managerial contributions. This study contributes the knowledge by examining the relationship between transformational leadership and internal marketing. Managerially, this study helps managers to emphasize the centrality of human resources in satisfying employees and increase their loyalty toward the company. In addition, guarantees management effectiveness and organizational success in reaching their intended goals.

Originality/value

Despite the growing acknowledgment the importance of transformational leadership as a process in which leaders and followers upgrade each other’s level of ethic and motivation. However, there are few studies on the role and importance of transformational leadership on developing and reinforcing the internal marketing.
Relevant factors of innovation contests for SMEs
Authors: Rodriguez Ferradas Maria Isabel , Alfaro Tanco José A. , Sandulli Francesco
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relevant factors that influence the implementation of innovation contests, an open innovation (OI) practice that has been extensively reported in the literature as a managerial tool for external knowledge search. The authors focus the study on the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is a retrospective case study. This methodology allows an in-depth view into a Spanish SME that successfully undertook two new product development processes thanks to the deployment of innovation contests.

Findings

The main context factors influencing innovation contests as managerial tool are ambidexterity, technological and marketing turbulence and intermediaries, among others. Regarding design factors, this work highlights the role of attraction and facilitation. Additionally, the repetitive implementation of innovation contests creates a corporate culture that promotes OI activities.

Practical implications

Managers will understand that they can use innovation contests as a managerial tool, and knowing the factors that need to be taken into account when implementing an innovation contest will help SMEs managers to make better use of this practice.

Originality/value

This case study enriches the literature of both innovation contests and topics relevant to SMEs. Based on a theoretical framework of the design factors that influence the implementation of innovation contests, the authors propose a research framework that incorporates those context factors in association with an SME.
Open innovation scorecard: a managerial tool
Authors: Lamberti Emilia , Michelino Francesca , Cammarano Antonello , Caputo Mauro
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to devise a scorecard providing a suite of indicators that give innovation managers a value-oriented, fast but holistic view of open innovation (OI) adoption in their organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical framework is built after a thorough review of OI literature. The managerial tool is developed from the theoretical framework, constructing indicators that can be easily generated by processing data within information systems of companies.

Findings

The scorecard provides a multi-dimensional conceptualisation of OI adoption in organisations, investigating environment, collaboration and importing/exporting mechanisms. Six indicators are defined: innovation funds, OI employees, collaboration costs, collaboration revenues, importing costs and exporting revenues.

Research limitations/implications

The devised tool enables the assessment of openness through objective and available data, systematically updated within the information systems of companies and, hence, easily exploitable by innovation managers. In order to meet such conditions, several aspects emerged from the literature review, although relevant, were left out.

Practical implications

Three dashboards can be derived by exploiting the information available in the scorecard. With the use of such tools innovation managers can both assess the open behaviours of their companies – identifying the trajectories to follow in order to improve performance – and benchmark different OI practices either inside or outside the organisation.

Originality/value

The scorecard allows innovation managers both to carry out a cost-benefit analysis, evaluating if their organisations are effectively and efficiently generating outputs from OI with the committed resources, and to identify a virtuous circle between the company’s commitment and reputation, joint development, and innovation market opportunities.
Opening up innovation processes through contests in the food sector
Authors: Massa Silvia , Testa Stefania
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how an adequate mix of technological, organisational and managerial tools might support Open Innovation (OI) processes achieved by contests in the food sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this paper is exploratory in nature. Data have been gathered about the 140 innovation contests launched by the best global food brands (2013 BusinessWeek/Interbrand Best Global Brands) over the last decade.

Findings

The research highlights the main changes that have occurred over the last decade, showing that the choice of platform type for contest launches is often neglected or considered as an ancillary element. Indeed, it is a choice that embeds another set of technological, organisational and managerial tools that strongly influence the collaborative behaviour (and the participation itself) of partners throughout the innovation process.

Research limitations/implications

Companies investigated in this paper consist exclusively of top brands in the sector. Future research should strive to obtain larger samples, develop a set of fine-grained hypotheses, and test them by using appropriate statistical techniques.

Originality/value

This paper fills an inexplicable gap in academic literature due to the fact that food companies are those that mainly use contests in order to implement OI but they are scarcely researched regarding this issue.
Practising open innovation: a framework of reference
Authors: Battistella Cinzia , De Toni Alberto Felice , Pessot Elena
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This work provides new insights into possible managerial choices and development directions for practising open innovation (OI) in companies. The purpose of this paper is to explore the different practices, actors and tools adopted for opening up the innovation process, in particular, by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are still facing difficulties in its implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a literature review and an exploratory survey of a sample of 85 European SMEs.

Findings

The study identifies a total of 23 practices, 20 actors and 11 tools involved in the OI processes of companies. It highlights, through literature and empirical evidence, how different combinations of practices, actors and tools are put into practice.

Research limitations/implications

The developed framework offers new insights both from OI literature and from practitioners’ point of view into the supporting decision-making processes regarding which practices to implement, tools to adopt and actors to collaborate with. A wider investigation is recommended to include more variables to define the differences among the combinations of practices, actors and tools in terms of types of innovation (e.g. product, process, etc.), the openness degree and other contextual factors.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is based on the fact that it focusses on a practical perspective of OI implementation, building a framework of reference from previous literature and empirical investigation.
An investigation of fit perceptions and promotability in sexual minority candidates
Authors: Pichler Shaun , Holmes IV Oscar
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether sexual minority candidates are viewed as less likely to fit-in in their work environments than heterosexual candidates and, hence, to their being evaluated as less promotable.

Design/methodology/approach

Consistent with previous research, the authors used a hiring scenario where evaluators saw one of four different resumes, which varied based on candidate sexual orientation and gender, yet were equal on all factors, including candidate qualifications. The research included a pre-test and manipulation check to ensure the validity of the authors’ research design.

Findings

As the authors expected based on stigma theory, gay and lesbian candidates were more likely to be perceived as unable to fit-in than heterosexual candidates. Perceptions of a lack of fitting-in were negatively related to promotability ratings, as were beliefs about the controllability of sexual orientation. However, counter to the authors’ expectations, gay and lesbian candidates were rated more promotable than heterosexual candidates. This presents a more nuanced picture of sexual orientation discrimination than has been offered heretofore.

Originality/value

Previous research has suggested that gay men and lesbians may be trapped in “gay ghettos,” yet there is little if any research on evaluations of sexual minority candidates in employment decisions beyond hiring. The present study extends research on sexual orientation discrimination by investigating whether decision makers are biased against gay and lesbian candidates in promotion decisions, and the factors that are related to promotability ratings.