bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Sciatic Nerve Defects
Authors: Mathieu Laurent , Addas Bassam M. J. , Irimura Sanae C. , Oberlin Christophe , Belkheyar Zoubir
Published: December 2019

Management of sciatic nerve injuries can be difficult for surgeons without a special interest in nerve surgery as they would only treat a handful of such cases for many years. Sciatic nerve defects pose the greatest repair challenges, with nerve grafting producing mixed results because of the large size of the nerve in both diameter and length. This article first presents the peculiarities of sciatic nerve defects management, based on the authors experience and a literature review. Various issues are dealt with: When to operate depending on the injury mechanism? What are the results of nerve autografting and allografting? On which component should the repair focus in very large defects? Subsequently, alternatives to conventional nerve grafting are proposed. The authors stress the usefulness of direct nerve suture with knee flexion at 90 degrees, which permits bridging of gaps as much as 8 cm in length. For larger defects, other procedures should be considered: long vascularized nerve grafting in complete lesions, short grafting with knee flexed, or tendon transfers in partial lesions.
Evaluation of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Mandibular Condyle Fracture by Intraoperative Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in a Hybrid Operating Room
Authors: Sukegawa Shintaro , Masui Masanori , Kanno Takahiro , Miki Masayuki , Nakamoto Hitoshi , Furuki Yoshihiko
Published: December 2019

Condylar fractures are the most common fractures of the mandible, and treatment of mandibular condylar fractures by maxillofacial surgeons is a very important procedure. However, the surgical approaches have anatomical limitations. Therefore, it is difficult to evaluate the reduction achieved in open reduction and internal fixation because of the uncertainty in securing a sufficient operative field. As a potential solution, the authors evaluated the benefits of intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) with high image quality performed in a hybrid operating room. Intraoperative CBCT is easy to perform in a hybrid operating room, and it is possible to quickly evaluate high-quality CT images, including 3D images. Because the state of reduction of mandibular condylar fractures also affects the prognosis of treatment, more precise reduction and fixation should improve prognoses. The use of CBCT in a hybrid operating room also avoids re-operation, and patients benefit from minimum invasive surgery. Intraoperative CBCT is a very useful strategy for evaluation of mandibular condylar fracture surgical treatment.
Laparoscopic Lavage Versus Aspiration Alone in Perforated Acute Appendicitis: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Gemici Eyüp , Bozkurt Mehmet Abdussamet , Sürek Ahmet , Seyhun Cemal , Güneş Mehmet Emin
Published: December 2019

The optimal method for preventing abscesses in perforated appendicitis is unclear. We compared the efficacy of lavage versus aspiration for periappendicular collections/abscesses in perforated appendicitis. Our study included 286 patients. After the removal of the appendectomy material, those who underwent aspiration without prior lavage were assigned to Group I, whereas those who underwent aspiration after lavage with 500 mL physiological saline were assigned to Group II. The primary outcome measure was postoperative complications. Secondary outcome measures were intraoperative complications, morbidity, and mortality. Group I comprised 174 patients (60 female and 114 male; mean age 34.47±17.40 y), whereas Group II comprised 112 patients (39 female and 73 male; mean age 36.22±18.60 y). The 2 groups were not significantly different in age, hospitalization duration, sex, abscess formation, morbidity, or mortality. Our results demonstrate that aspiration of the surgery area without prior lavage is sufficient and can be safely applied in perforated appendicitis.
Reliability and Educational Features of YouTube Videos About Hernia Operations Performed Using Laparoscopic TEP Method
Authors: Kanlioz Murat , Ekici Ugur
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability, educational features, and popularity of YouTube videos on inguinal hernia operations using the laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) method on the basis of objective scoring criteria.

Materials and Methods:

We reviewed the first 50 videos on TEP. To assess the reliability and educational features of the videos, we used the DISCERN questionnaire score (DISCERN), Journal of the American Medical Association Benchmark criteria (JAMAS), and Global Quality Scores (GQS). We then used Video Power Index (VPI) to assess the videos’ power on YouTube, and total extraperitoneal scoring (TEPS) to assess their conformity with the medical technique and also the accuracy, quantity, and quality of the information contained therein.

Results:

In the analysis of the source and contents of videos, the VPI, DISCERN, JAMAS, GQS, and TEPS values of all videos were found to be low. A positive correlation—at a level of 0.988—was found to exist between their number of views and VPI values (r: 0.988, P<0.001). Furthermore, we also observed a positive correlation—at a level of 0.811—between the video’s likes and DISCERN scores (r: 0.811, P: 0.004). There was no other statistically significant relationship between other scores and the quantitative features of videos. A positive correlation—at a level of 0.709—was found between the videos’ GQS and TEPS (r: 0.709, P: 0.022). No correlation was found among other scores.

Conclusion:

Depending on the scoring criteria, the lower scores obtained by those videos show that they do not provide a sufficient level of reliability and quality information.
Selective accumulation of adiponectin in the cerebral cortex under chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in the rat
Authors: Takahashi Yu , Wakita Hideaki , Mizutani Kenmei , Watanabe Atsushi , Sonoda Shigeru , Tomimoto Hidekazu
Published: December 2019

Adiponectin is a plasma protein predominantly derived from adipocytes. Adiponectin has beneficial properties against diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. In experimental acute cerebral ischemia, adiponectin accumulates on vessels in ischemic lesions and has anti-inflammatory protective effects. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion is associated with white matter lesions and risk of dementia. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induced by permanent occlusion of the bilateral common carotid artery can experimentally produce cerebrovascular white matter lesions in the rat brain. Microglia are activated shortly after ischemia and correlate with the severity of white matter and hippocampal tissue damage. These data suggest that the inflammatory response selectively increases white matter and hippocampal damage during chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. However, factors protecting the cerebral cortex have not been elucidated. To clarify the role of adiponectin, we investigated possible changes in adiponectin and adiponectin receptor 1 (ADR1) in the brains of rats under chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Adiponectin accumulated on the vessels predominantly in the cerebral cortex under chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Adiponectin accumulation was not detected in the white matter or hippocampus. In the cerebral cortex, the number of ADR1-immunopositive vessels was increased, and adiponectin was colocalized with ADR1. It is plausible that accumulation of adiponectin may be mediated by the binding of adiponectin to ADR1, and its accumulation in the cerebral cortex may protect tissue injury by inhibiting inflammation under chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.
Blood pressure and cognitive function across the eighth decade: a prospective study of the Lothian Birth Cohort of 1936
Authors: Altschul Drew M , Starr John M , Deary Ian J
Published: December 2019

Objectives

We investigated the associations among blood pressure and cognitive functions across the eighth decade, while accounting for anti-hypertensive medication and lifetime stability in cognitive function.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

This study used data from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (LBC1936) study, which recruited participants living in the Lothian region of Scotland when aged 70 years, most of whom had completed an intelligence test at age 11 years.

Participants

1091 members of the LBC1936 with assessments of cognitive ability in childhood and older adulthood, and blood pressure measurements in older adulthood.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Participants were followed up at ages 70, 73, 76, and 79, and latent growth curve models and linear mixed models were used to analyse both cognitive functions and blood pressure as primary outcomes.

Results

Blood pressure followed a quadratic trajectory in the eighth decade: on average blood pressure rose in the first waves and subsequently fell. Intercepts and trajectories were not associated between blood pressure and cognitive functions. Women with higher early-life cognitive function generally had lower blood pressure during the eighth decade. Being prescribed anti-hypertensive medication was associated with lower blood pressure, but not with better cognitive function.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate an association between early-life cognitive function and later-life blood pressure, specifically among women. However, we did not find support for the hypothesis that rises in blood pressure and worse cognitive decline are associated with one another in the eighth decade.

Strengths and limitations of this study

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This study used direct blood pressure measurements to model a continuous blood pressure score, as well as anti-hypertensive medication data, which were used to adjust blood pressure measurements.

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This study had comprehensive tests of cognitive ability measured in both childhood and old age which allowed us to investigate whether childhood and old age cognitive ability are distinctly related to blood pressure.

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Latent growth curve modelling allowed us to evaluate whether changes in either blood pressure or cognitive functions have downstream associations with one another.

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Larger samples and longer follow-up times, both from earlier and later in life, are needed to understand the long-term relationships among blood pressure, anti- hypertensive treatment, and cognitive functions.
Extensive Mammalian Germline Genome Engineering
Authors: Yue Yanan , Kan Yinan , Xu Weihong , Zhao Hong-Ye , Zhou Yixuan , Song Xiaobin , Wu Jiajia , Xiong Juan , Goswami Dharmendra , Yang Meng , Lamriben Lydia , Xu Mengyuan , Zhang Qi , Luo Yu , Guo Jianxiong , Mao Shengyi , Jiao Deling , Nguyen Tien Dat , Li Zhuo , Layer Jacob V. , Li Malin , Paragas Violette , Youd Michele E. , Sun Zhongquan , Ding Yuan , Wang Weilin , Dou Hongwei , Song Lingling , Wang Xueqiong , Le Lei , Fang Xin , George Haydy , Anand Ranjith , Wang Shi Yun , Westlin William F. , Güell Marc , Markmann James , Qin Wenning , Gao Yangbin , Wei Hong-jiang , Church George M. , Yang Luhan
Published: December 2019

Xenotransplantation, specifically the use of porcine organs for human transplantation, has long been sought after as an alternative for patients suffering from organ failure. However, clinical application of this approach has been impeded by two main hurdles: 1) risk of transmission of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) and 2) molecular incompatibilities between donor pigs and humans which culminate in rejection of the graft. We previously demonstrated that all 25 copies of the PERV elements in the pig genome could be inactivated and live pigs successfully generated. In this study, we improved the scale of porcine germline editing from targeting a single repetitive locus with CRISPR to engineering 13 different genes using multiple genome engineering methods. we engineered the pig genome at 42 alleles using CRISPR-Cas9 and transposon and produced PERVKO·3KO·9TG pigs which carry PERV inactivation, xeno-antigen KO and 9 effective human transgenes. The engineered pigs exhibit normal physiology, fertility, and germline transmission of the edited alleles.In vitroassays demonstrated that these pigs gain significant resistance to human humoral and cell mediated damage, and coagulation dysregulations, similar to that of allotransplantation. Successful creation of PERVKO·3KO·9TG pigs represents a significant step forward towards safe and effective porcine xenotransplantation, which also represents a synthetic biology accomplishment of engineering novel functions in a living organism.

One Sentence Summary

Extensive genome engineering is applied to modify pigs for safe and immune compatible organs for human transplantation
Microscopic and mesoscopic effects of reward uncertainty in monkey fronto-parietal areas
Authors: Taghizadeh Bahareh , Foley Nicholas C. , Karimimehr Saeed , Cohanpour Michael , Semework Mulugeta , Sheth Sameer A. , Lashgari Reza , Gottlieb Jacqueline
Published: December 2019

Theories of executive function propose that controlled information processing is costly and is allocated according to the behavioral benefits it brings. Computational theories predict that the benefits of new information depend on prior uncertainty, but the cellular effects of uncertainty on the executive network are incompletely understood. Using simultaneous recordings in monkeys, we reveal several mechanisms by which the fronto-parietal network reacts to uncertainty independently of average reward gains. We show that the variance of expected rewards, independently of the value of the rewards, was represented in single neuron and population spiking activity and local field potential (LFP) oscillations. Moreover, uncertainty asymmetrically affected the coherence between spikes and LFPs, selectively suppressing information transmission from the frontal to the parietal lobe but enhancing transmission from the parietal to the frontal lobe, consistent with Bayesian principles of optimal inference under uncertainty.
Method for identification of heme-binding proteins and quantification of their interactions
Authors: Bozinovic Nina , Noé Rémi , Kanyavuz Alexia , Lecerf Maxime , Dimitrov Jordan D.
Published: December 2019

The standard assay for characterization of interaction of heme with proteins is absorbance spectroscopy. However, this approach demands relatively large quantities of proteins and it is difficult to perform in high-throughput manner. Here, we describe an immunosorbent assay based on the covalentin situconjugation of heme to a pre-coated carrier. Advantage of this assay is that it allows both identification of heme-binding proteins and quantification of their binding avidity, using only minimal amounts of protein (1-10 μg). Importantly, the same approach can be used for covalent linkage of other natural or synthetic compounds and analyzing their interactions with proteins.
Idioblasts as pathways for distributing water absorbed by leaf surfaces to the mesophyll inCapparis odoratissima
Authors: Losada Juan M. , Díaz Miriam , Holbrook N. Michele
Published: December 2019

Capparis odoratissimais a tree species native to semi-arid environments of the northern coast of South America where low soil water availability coexists with frequent nighttime fog. Previous work with this species demonstrated thatC. odoratissimais able to use water absorbed through its leaves at night to enhance leaf hydration, photosynthesis, and growth.

Here, we combine detailed anatomical evaluations of the leaves ofC. odoratissima,with water and dye uptake experiments in the laboratory. We used immunolocalization of pectin and arabinogalactan protein epitopes to characterize the chemistry of foliar water uptake pathways.

The abaxial surfaces ofC. odoratissimaleaves are covered with overlapping, multicellular peltate hairs, while the adaxial surfaces are glabrous but with star-shaped “structures” at regular intervals. Despite these differences in anatomy, both surfaces are able to absorb condensed water, but this ability is most significant on the upper surface. Rates of evaporative water loss from the upper surface, however, are coincident with cuticle conductance. Numerous idioblasts connect the adaxial leaf surface and the adaxial peltate hairs, which contain hygroscopic substances such as arabinogalactan proteins and pectins.

The highly specialized anatomy of the leaves ofC odoratissimafulfills the dual function of avoiding excessive water loss due to evaporation, while maintaining the ability to absorb liquid water. Cell-wall related hygroscopic compounds present in the peltate hairs and idioblasts create a network of microchannels that maintain leaf hydration and promote the uptake of aerial water.
Structural features recapitulate collective dynamics of inhibitory networks
Authors: Garg Shivik , Singh Divye
Published: December 2019

Inhibitory interneurons are ubiquitous through-out the central nervous system (CNS) and play an important role in organizing the excitatory neuronal populations into spatiotemporal patterns. These spatiotemporal patterns are believed to play a vital role in encoding sensory information. The olfactory system is a wellknown example where odor information is encoded in temporally evolving activity of the principal neurons and inhibitory interneurons play an important role in generating these patterns. In this work we study how inhibitory interactions generate such patterns in the con-text of odor encoding by simulating random biophysical models of mitral cells. Using the Newman community clustering algorithm we identify synchronously firing groups of neurons that switch in their activity. Our study presents a new method of inferring the dynamics of inhibitory networks from their structure.
Inferring the immune response from repertoire sequencing
Authors: Touzel Maximilian Puelma , Walczak Aleksandra M. , Mora Thierry
Published: December 2019

High-throughput sequencing of B- and T-cell receptors makes it possible to track immune repertoires across time, in different tissues, and in acute and chronic diseases or in healthy individuals. However, quantitative comparison between repertoires is confounded by variability in the read count of each receptor clonotype due to sampling, library preparation, and expression noise. Here, we present a general Bayesian approach to disentangle repertoire variations from these stochastic effects. Using replicate experiments, we first show how to learn the natural variability of read counts by inferring the distributions of clone sizes as well as an explicit noise model relating true frequencies of clones to their read count. We then use that null model as a baseline to infer a model of clonal expansion from two repertoire time points taken before and after an immune challenge. Applying our approach to yellow fever vaccination as a model of acute infection in humans, we identify candidate clones participating in the response.
A model of flexible motor sequencing through thalamic control of cortical dynamics
Authors: Logiaco Laureline , Abbott L.F. , Escola Sean
Published: December 2019

The mechanisms by which neural circuits generate an extensible library of motor motifs and flexibly string them into arbitrary sequences are unclear. We developed a model in which inhibitory basal ganglia output neurons project to thalamic units that are themselves bidirectionally connected to a recurrent cortical network. During movement sequences, electrophysiological recordings of basal ganglia output neurons show sustained activity patterns that switch at the boundaries between motifs. Thus, we model these inhibitory patterns as silencing some thalamic neurons while leaving others disinhibited and free to interact with cortex during specific motifs. We show that a small number of disinhibited thalamic neurons can control cortical dynamics to generate specific motor output in a noise robust way. If the thalamic units associated with each motif are segregated, many motor outputs can be learned without interference and then combined in arbitrary orders for the flexible production of long and complex motor sequences.
Deformed Wing Virus spillover from honey bees to bumble bees: a reverse genetic study
Authors: Gusachenko Olesya N , Woodford Luke , Balbirnie-Cumming Katharin , Ryabov Ryabov Eugene V , Evans David J
Published: December 2019

Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a persistent pathogen of European honey bees and the major contributor to overwintering colony losses. The prevalence of DWV in honey bees has led to significant concerns about spillover of the virus to other pollinating species. Bumble bees are both a major group of wild and commercially-reared pollinators. Several studies have reported pathogen spillover of DWV from honey bees to bumble bees, but evidence of a true sustained viral infection has yet to be demonstrated. Here we investigate the infectivity and transmission of DWV in bumble bees using the buff-tailed bumble beeBombus terrestrisas a model. We apply a reverse genetics approach combined with controlled laboratory conditions to detect and monitor DWV infection. A novel reverse genetics system for three representative DWV variants, including the two master variants of DWV - type A and B - was used. Our results directly confirm DWV replication in bumble bees but also demonstrate striking resistance to infection by certain routes. Bumble bees may support DWV replication but it is not clear how infection could occur under natural environmental conditions.
CDE-1 suppresses the production of risiRNA by coupling polyuridylation and degradation of 26S rRNA
Authors: Wang Yun , Weng Chenchun , Chen Xiangyang , Zhou Xufei , Huang Xinya , Dong Meng-Qiu , Zhu Chengming , Guang Shouhong
Published: December 2019

Antisense ribosomal siRNAs (risiRNAs) downregulate pre-rRNAs through the nuclear RNAi pathway inCaenorhabditis elegans. However, the biogenesis and regulation of risiRNAs remain obscure. Previously, we showed that 26S rRNAs are uridylated at the 3’-ends by an unknown terminal polyuridylation polymerase before the rRNAs are degraded by a 3’ to 5’ exoribonuclease SUSI-1(ceDIS3L2). There are three polyuridylation polymerases, CDE-1, PUP-2, and PUP-3, inC. elegans. Here, we found that CDE-1 is specifically involved in suppressing risiRNA production. CDE-1 localizes to perinuclear granules in the germline and uridylates both Argonaute-associated 22G-RNAs and 26S rRNAs at the 3’-ends. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry (IP-MS) revealed that CDE-1 interacts with SUSI-1(ceDIS3L2). Consistent with those results, both CDE-1 and SUSI-1(ceDIS3L2) are required for the inheritance of RNAi. Therefore, this work identified a rRNA surveillance machinery of rRNAs that couples terminal polyuridylation and degradation.
When does diet matter? The roles of larval and adult nutrition in regulating adult size traits
Authors: Poças Gonçalo M. , Crosbie Alexander E. , Mirth Christen K.
Published: December 2019

Adult body size is determined by the quality and quantity of nutrients available to animals. In insects, nutrition affects adult size primarily during the nymphal or larval stages. However, measures of adult size like body weight are likely to also change with adult nutrition. In this study, we sought to the roles of nutrition throughout the life cycle on adult body weight and the size of two appendages, the wing and the femur, in the fruit flyDrosophila melanogaster. We manipulated nutrition in two ways: by varying the protein to carbohydrate content of the diet, called macronutrient restriction, and by changing the caloric density of the diet, termed caloric restriction. We employed a fully factorial design to manipulate both the larval and adult diets for both diet types. We found that manipulating the larval diet had greater impacts on all measures of adult size. Further, macronutrient restriction was more detrimental to adult size than caloric restriction. For adult body weight, a rich adult diet mitigated the negative effects of poor larval nutrition for both types of diets. In contrast, small wing and femur size caused by poor larval diet could not be increased with the adult diet. Taken together, these results suggest that appendage size is fixed by the larval diet, while those related to body composition remain sensitive to adult diet. Further, our studies provide a foundation for understanding how the nutritional environment of juveniles affects how adults respond to diet.
Pinging the Brain with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reveals Cortical Reactivity in Time and Space
Authors: Ahn Sangtae , Fröhlich Flavio
Published: December 2019

Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) elicits an evoked electroencephalography (EEG) potential (TMS-evoked potential, TEP), which is interpreted as direct evidence of cortical reactivity to TMS. Thus, combining TMS with EEG may enable the mechanistic investigation of how TMS treatment paradigms engage network targets in the brain. However, there remains a central controversy about whether the TEP is a genuine marker of cortical reactivity to TMS or the TEP is contaminated by responses to peripheral somatosensory and auditory inputs. Resolving this controversy is of great significance for the field and will validate TMS as a tool to probe networks of interest in cognitive and clinical neuroscience. Here, we delineated the TEP’s cortical origins by localizing successive TEP components in time and space and modulating them subsequently with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). We collected both motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and TEPs elicited by suprathreshold single-pulse TMS to the left primary motor cortex (M1). We found that the earliest TEP component (P25) was localized on the TMS target location (left M1) and the following TEP components (N45 and P60) largely were localized on the primary somatosensory cortex, which may reflect afferent input by hand-muscle twitches. The later TEP components (N100, P180, and N280) largely were localized to the auditory cortex. To casually test that these components reflect cortical and corticospinal excitability, we applied tDCS to the left M1. As hypothesized, we found that tDCS modulated cortical and corticospinal excitability selectively by modulating the pre-stimulus mu-rhythm oscillatory power. Together, our findings provide causal evidence that the early TEP components reflect cortical reactivity to TMS.
Knowledge of mental capacity assessment in staff working with people with learning disabilities
Authors: Chapman Ashley , Dodd Karen , Rogers Laurence
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate staff knowledge of Mental Capacity Act (MCA) capacity assessments within the Learning Disabilities division of a Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Trust. The limited research available suggests staff knowledge tends to be poor, particularly concerning who is the decision maker.

Design/methodology/approach

A 12-item multiple choice questionnaire, which reflects the five core principles of MCA (2005), was developed. Questionnaires were completed by 262 health and social staff members who support people with LD.

Findings

Results show high variability of MCA capacity assessment knowledge within the LD division. However, qualified staff and those from health services scored significantly higher across all categories on the questionnaire compared to non-qualified and social care staff, respectively. On average, all staff scored poorly when asked to identify “who is the decision maker?” in a case scenario question.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is that we did not collect data on how many previous capacity assessments and discussions each person had been involved with. The findings clearly suggest current methods of training lack efficacy in helping staff apply MCA knowledge to their clinical work.

Originality/value

Compared to past literature, this study utilised a novel and more comprehensive questionnaire. This focused on case scenario questions to assess staff situational judgement. In addition, the findings add to a sparse evidence base that provides a foundation for future research.
The added value of college radio: student self development, fulfillment, and confidence
Authors: Laor Tal
Published: December 2019

Purpose

College radio stations provide tools, skills and experience to students and graduates, facilitating their integration into the media industry. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the college radio station gives students, beyond practical tools, a sense of self-fulfillment and self-confidence.

Design/methodology/approach

Research was carried out through semi-structured in-depth interviews with about 70 interviewees: senior directors of the college radio project, students and graduates.

Findings

It was found that students gained self-fulfillment and developed considerable self-confidence through intrinsic motivation, in accordance with Deci’s self-determination model. In addition, it was found that activities in college radio stations match the components of the Project Based Learning model, based on learning in small groups and producing a real product, which is then presented to an audience.

Social implications

This will impact students to develop their high intrinsic motivation to study. As a result, they will become more creative and satisfied employees, producing higher quality and added value work. Ultimately, the outcome will be one of more positive social welfare and individual well-being.

Originality/value

This research emphasizes the importance of integrating practical workshops in academic studies as a way to empower students in all fields: theoretical study, practical experience and personal development.
Scenario based approach to re-imagining future of higher education which prepares students for the future of work
Authors: Ahmad Tashfeen
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The world of work and education is changing at a rapid pace, driven by continued technological disruption and automation. The future is uncertain and difficult to envisage. A futures thinking scenario planning approach is used in exploring and guiding education policy makers on how best to respond to the range of possible futures. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilizes elements of prior scenario planning methodologies to devise a practical model of preferred and plausible likely scenarios in the context of rapid and continuing technology disruption. Based on the notion of “impact and uncertainty,” two possible future alternatives of work and learning were developed. Incorporating elements of the possibility space scenario framework and a vignette approach of current emergent technologies, this paper assessed the usefulness of the preferred and likely outcomes.

Findings

While preferred future scenarios entailing collaborative styles such as human–machine cooperation, smart virtual active learning campuses and living knowledge learning environments may produce more desirable benefits for education stakeholders, the more likely plausible scenario is one based on continued disruptive technologies. Automation, artificial intelligence and the advent of 5G network technologies will drive customization and personalization in higher education delivery and revolutionize the work landscape in the immediate future. Universities will need to embrace and respond to these changes.

Originality/value

The paper gives insights into how universities can prepare their students for future of work and improve their employability. In addition, this author recommends ways in which HEIs can leverage these newer technologies to drive educational services and commercial value.
To share or withhold? Contract negotiation in buyer–supplier–supplier triads
Authors: Chen Xu , Wang Xiaojun , Zhu Xiaoqiang , Amankwah-Amoah Joseph
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper seeks to fill the literature gap that lacks of exploring negotiation strategy with competing partners under asymmetric production-cost information. The purpose of this paper is to examine firms’ optimal contract negotiation strategies in buyer–supplier–supplier triads where there are concurrent negotiations between the retailer and two competing manufacturers.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors consider a two-echelon supply chain, in which the retailer has the option of segmented or unified negotiation policy, whereas the two competing manufacturers can withhold or share production cost information in the negotiation. Based on game theory, the authors derive the manufacturers’ optimal wholesale prices and the retailer’s optimal retail prices with eight possible scenarios. Optimal strategic choices and operational decisions are then explored through the comparative analysis of equilibriums of eight possible scenarios.

Findings

The authors find that the retailer will adopt different negotiation strategies depending on manufacturers’ decisions on sharing or withholding their production-cost information. When both manufacturers share their production-cost information, the retailer will adopt a unified negotiation policy. The high-efficiency manufacturer should adopt the same information-sharing strategy as the low-efficiency manufacturer in order to gain more profit.

Originality/value

The modelling helps to bring further clarity in supply chain contract negotiation by offering a conceptual framework to enhance our understanding of the effects of information-sharing strategy and negotiation policy in the negotiation process form the perspectives of all engaging parties. Managerial insights derived from the research will enable retailers and manufacturers to make informed and better strategic and operational decisions to improve market competitiveness.
How ethical leadership cultivates radical and incremental innovation: the mediating role of tacit and explicit knowledge sharing
Authors: Lei Hui , Ha Anh Thi Lan , Le Phong Ba
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of ethical leadership on radical and incremental innovation through the mediating roles of tacit and explicit knowledge sharing (KS).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used a quantitative research method and structural equation modeling to test the research hypotheses based on a sample of 365 participants from 115 Vietnamese firms.

Findings

The results indicated that ethical leadership is positively related to radical and incremental innovation. In addition, tacit and explicit KS significantly mediate the relationship between ethical leadership and the two types of innovation.

Research limitations/implications

This study is cross-sectional, which limits its ability to control the specific features of the correlations among the factors in the long term.

Practical implications

The findings of this study suggest that leaders should invest in practicing and applying a moral lens to motivate positive KS behaviors of employees and organizational capabilities for innovation.

Originality/value

This study significantly fills gaps in the literature and advances the understanding of how ethical leadership fosters employees’ KS to improve radical and incremental innovation.
A multi-layer framework for semantic modeling
Authors: Silva Sergio Evangelista , Reis Luciana Paula , Fernandes June Marques , Pereira Alana Deusilan Sester
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a multi-level framework for semantic modeling (MFSM) based on four signification levels: objects, classes of entities, instances and domains. In addition, four fundamental propositions of the signification process underpin these levels, namely, classification, decomposition, instantiation and contextualization.

Design/methodology/approach

The deductive approach guided the design of this modeling framework. The authors empirically validated the MFSM in two ways. First, the authors identified the signification processes used in articles that deal with semantic modeling. The authors then applied the MFSM to model the semantic context of the literature about lean manufacturing, a field of management science.

Findings

The MFSM presents a highly consistent approach about the signification process, integrates the semantic modeling literature in a new and comprehensive view; and permits the modeling of any semantic context, thus facilitating the development of knowledge organization systems based on semantic search.

Research limitations/implications

The use of MFSM is manual and, thus, requires a considerable effort of the team that decides to model a semantic context. In this paper, the modeling was generated by specialists, and in the future should be applicated to lay users.

Practical implications

The MFSM opens up avenues to a new form of classification of documents, as well as for the development of tools based on the semantic search, and to investigate how users do their searches.

Social implications

The MFSM can be used to model archives semantically in public or private settings. In future, it can be incorporated to search engines for more efficient searches of users.

Originality/value

The MFSM provides a new and comprehensive approach about the elementary levels and activities in the process of signification. In addition, this new framework presents a new form to model semantically any context classifying its objects.
Networking as an information behaviour during job search
Authors: Mowbray John , Hall Hazel
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Although social networks are considered influential to employment outcomes, little is known about the behavioural manifestation of networking during job search. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of networking amongst 16–24 year old active jobseekers living in Scotland.

Design/methodology/approach

A sequential, mixed methods approach was applied to gather data, including interviews (no. of participants=7), a focus group (no. of participants=6) and a survey questionnaire (no. of participants=558). The study design was underpinned by a prominent model from the field of Information Science. As such, job search networking has been treated as an information behaviour.

Findings

The findings show that young people acquire different types of information from network contacts throughout job search, and that frequent networking is associated with positive outcomes. This is especially true of engaging with family members, acquaintances and employers. However, barriers such as a lack of confidence or awareness mean that few young people make the most of their social contacts when seeking work.

Practical implications

Careers professionals can use this knowledge to advise clients on maximising the potential of social networks as sources of job search information.

Originality/value

A key contribution of this work is that it provides a detailed insight into a topic that has been neglected in previous studies: that of the process of job search networking as an information behaviour.
“Tourism for all?” Considering social tourism: a perspective paper
Authors: McCabe Scott
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to outline the context for social tourism as an approach that can help deliver societal goals, such as reducing inequalities, as well as benefits for deserving beneficiaries and the tourism industry. The paper highlights how social tourism can develop in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes a conceptual approach to discuss these issues.

Findings

This paper finds that there is a great deal of potential for social tourism to contribute to the future sustainability in the tourism industry.

Originality/value

This paper provides a concise overview of the topic of social tourism and a model that can help researchers and other readers to understand the ways that social tourism can contribute towards a more sustainable and equitable tourism future.
An efficiency‐improved genetic algorithm and its application on multimodal functions and a 2D common reflection surface stacking problem
Authors: Villa Acuna Yenni Paloma , Sun Yimin
Published: December 2019

Although Genetic Algorithms have found many successful applications in the field of exploration geophysics, the convergence speed remains a big challenge as Genetic Algorithms usually require a huge amount of fitness function evaluations. In this paper, we propose an efficiency‐improved Genetic Algorithm, which has both a good global search capability and a good local search capability, and is also capable of robustly handling the premature convergence challenge commonly seen in linear and directed non‐linear optimization methods. In our new genetic algorithm, the global search capability is performed via a modified island model, while the local search capability is provided by a novel self‐adaptive differential evolution fine tuning scheme. Premature convergence is dealt with via a local exhaustive search method. We first demonstrate the much improved convergence speed of this efficiency‐improved Genetic Algorithm over that of our previously proposed advanced Genetic Algorithm on several multimodal functions. We further demonstrate the effectiveness of our efficiency‐improved Genetic Algorithm by applying it to a two‐dimensional common reflection surface stacking problem, which is a highly nonlinear geophysical optimization problem, to obtain very encouraging results.
Disturbance‐mediated consumer assemblages determine fish community structure and moderate top‐down influences through bottom‐up constraints
Authors: Jellyman Phillip G. , McIntosh Angus R.
Published: December 2019

Disturbance is a strong structuring force that can influence the strength of species interactions at all trophic levels, but controls on the contributions to community structure of top‐down and bottom‐up processes across such gradients remain poorly understood. Changes in the composition of predator and consumer assemblages, and their associated traits, across gradients of environmental harshness (e.g. flooding), are likely to be a particularly important influence on the strength of top‐down control and may drive bottom‐up constraints.

We examined how consumers with particular traits, and the predators that consumed them, varied across a gradient of stream flooding disturbance and used experiments to assess the predation impact on those contrasting consumer communities (ultimately quantifying how flood disturbance altered the strength of top‐down control).

Consumer community composition and mobility were strongly related to flood disturbance; the biomass and drift of protected primary consumers (i.e. those with morphological defences) decreased with increasing flood disturbance. Predatory fish species had different disturbance niches, and path analysis identified that both direct flood disturbance effects and indirect bottom‐up constraints of flood disturbance on consumers influenced predatory fish composition and biomass. Fish generally fed most effectively on consumer types associated with their particular niche, but all fish were strongly size‐selective when feeding on protected consumers. Although protected consumers did not grow large enough to escape predation, an in situ experiment showed protected consumers were at a reduced risk of predation as disturbance increased compared to unprotected consumers.

Overall, top‐down control declined with flood disturbance, but the effect depended on consumer traits. Predatory fish were only capable of exerting top‐down control on protected consumers in benign habitats but impacted unprotected consumers across a larger range of the disturbance gradient. Collectively our findings suggest that a shift towards a more disturbed state will probably result in reduced predator impacts and a weakening of top‐down control. Moreover, predicted increases in the frequency and intensity of climatic events causing disturbance, such as flooding, are likely to result in a community shift that disproportionately impacts protected consumers and the predators that utilize them as prey through the subsequent bottom‐up constraints.
Emergency department presentations with a mental health diagnosis in Australia, by jurisdiction and by sex, 2004–05 to 2016–17
Authors: Tran Quang Nhat , Lambeth Leonard G , Sanderson Kristy , de Graaff Barbara , Breslin Monique , Tran Viet , Huckerby Emma J , Neil Amanda L
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To examine trends in ED presentations with a mental health diagnosis (MHdx) in Australia by jurisdiction and by sex, between 2004–05 and 2016–17.

Methods

Data were captured in the National Non‐Admitted Patient Emergency Department Care Database. Outcomes were the proportion of ED presentations with a principal diagnosis of ICD‐10‐AM F00‐F99 (MHdx), and the rate of all ED and MHdx presentations per 10 000 population.

Results

Between 2004–05 and 2016–17, MHdx presentations experienced compounding annual growth of 5.9% nationally, and increased from 3.3% to 3.7% of all ED presentations with a diagnosis. Most growth occurred between 2010–11 and 2015–16. Northern Territory (NT) had the highest level of MHdx presentations per 10 000 population, more than double the Australian average. The proportion of MHdx presentations was highest in South Australia (SA) in most years, and the average annual proportion of MHdx presentations was statistically significantly higher than the national average in SA, Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WA). The proportion of MHdx presentations increased in each jurisdiction, with significant increases for Victoria, QLD, WA, Australian Capital Territory and NT. Males experienced greater numbers and rates of all ED and MHdx presentations, while the proportion of MHdx presentations was 8% higher for females.

Conclusions

The proportion of ED presentations for MH conditions, narrowly defined, has increased in all Australian jurisdictions between 2004–05 and 2016–17, but particularly since 2010–11. Differences between jurisdictions indicate jurisdictional specific issues. However, significant or upward trend of MHdx presentations across all jurisdictions indicates generic issues necessitating concern and policy development at a national level.
Influence of Dietary Sources of Melatonin on Sleep Quality: A Review
Authors: Pereira Nádia , Naufel Maria Fernanda , Ribeiro Eliane Beraldi , Tufik Sergio , Hachul Helena
Published: December 2019

Sleep is an essential biological phenomenon, being a physiological and behavioral process necessary for quality of life. Melatonin is a circadian hormone produced at night by the pineal gland, regulated by the light/dark cycle, under the control of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Melatonin is an indoleamine, synthesized from the essential amino acid tryptophan via serotonin. Melatonin is also found in plants, where it helps fight oxidative stress. To present a systematic review on the ability of food sources of melatonin to promote healthy sleep. A literature search was performed on the PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases, including only randomized, placebo‐controlled trials published in English between 2005 and 2019. The methodological quality of the trials was assessed by the Jadad scale. Of the 25 eligible articles, eight met the inclusion criteria. They addressed the intake of milk or cherry juice in children, adults, and elderly subjects and evaluated sleep quality by questionnaires, sleep diary, actigraphy, or polysomnography. The analysis of the studies presented limitations, including lack of homogeneity of treatment dosage and duration. Nonetheless, the results indicated that the consumption of milk and sour cherries, sources of melatonin, may improve sleep quality in humans. These results pointed out to the potential suitability of food sources of melatonin as adjuvants in the prevention and treatment of sleep disorders. Further studies are necessary to better ascertain the aspects relevant to their use.