bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Arabidopsis leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase MIK2 is a crucial component of pattern-triggered immunity responses to Fusarium fungi
Authors: Coleman A.D. , Raasch L. , Maroschek J. , Ranf S. , Hückelhoven R.
Published: July 2019

Fusarium is a genus of fungi causing severe economic damage in many crop species exemplified by Fusarium Head Blight of wheat or Panama Disease of banana. Plants sense immunogenic patterns (termed elicitors) at the cell surface contributing to disease resistance via the activation of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Knowledge of such elicitors or corresponding plant immunity components is largely lacking for Fusarium species. We describe a new peptide elicitor fraction present in several Fusarium spp. which elicits canonical PTI responses in Arabidopsis thaliana but depends on a currently unknown perception mechanism. We therefore employed a forward-genetics screen using Arabidopsis plants containing a cytosolic calcium reporter (apoaequorin) to isolate fere (Fusarium Elicitor Reduced Elicitation) mutants. The fere1 mutant showed impaired PTI marker responses to an enriched elicitor fraction derived from Fusarium oxysporum but normal responses to other fungal elicitors. We mapped the causal mutation to the receptor-like kinase MIK2 (MALE DISCOVERER1-INTERACTING RECEPTOR LIKE KINASE 2) with a hitherto undescribed role in PTI pathways but documented functions in other cell surface signalling pathways. The strength of the phenotype in fere1 and independent mik2 mutants supports that MIK2 is a new key component in sensing Fusarium. Fusarium elicitor responses also partially depend on PTI signalling components known for other cell surface elicitor responses such as BAK1, BIK1, PBL1, FERONIA, LLG1 and RBOHD. This shows that Arabidopsis senses Fusarium by a novel receptor complex at the cell surface that feeds into common PTI pathways and positions MIK2 as a central player that potentially integrates plant endogenous signals with biotic and abiotic stress responses.
Sterol flow between the plasma membrane and the endosome is regulated by the LAM family protein Ltc1
Authors: Marek Magdalena , Vincenzetti Vincent , Martin Sophie G.
Published: July 2019

Sterols are crucial components of biological membranes that help maintain membrane integrity and regulate various processes such as endocytosis, protein oligomerization and signaling. Although synthetized in the ER, sterols are at highest concentrations at the plasma membrane (PM) in all eukaryotic organisms. Here, by applying a genetically encoded sterol biosensor (D4H), we visualize a sterol flow between PM and endosomes in the fission yeastSchizosaccharomyces pombe. While D4H is detected at the PM during steady-state growth, inhibition of Arp2/3-dependent F-actin assembly unexpectedly promotes the reversible re-localization of the probe to internal sterol rich compartments (STRIC), as shown by correlative light-electron microscopy. Time-lapse imaging identifies STRIC as a late secretory, endosomal compartment labelled by the synaptobrevin Syb1. Retrograde sterol internalization to STRIC is independent of endocytosis or an intact Golgi. Instead, it depends on Ltc1, a LAM/StARkin-family protein that localizes to ER-PM contact sites. Inltc1Δ, sterols over-accumulate at the PM, which forms extended ER-interacting invaginations, indicating that sterol transfer by Ltc1 contributes to PM size homeostasis. Anterograde sterol movement from STRIC is independent of canonical vesicular trafficking components but requires Arp2/3 activity, suggesting a novel physiological role for this complex. Thus, transfer routes orthogonal to vesicular trafficking govern the retrograde and anterograde flow of sterols in the cell.
Skeletal Muscle mTORC1 Activation Increases Energy Expenditure and Reduces Longevity in Mice
Authors: Stephenson Erin J. , Redd JeAnna R. , Snyder Detrick , Tran Quynh T. , Lu Binbin , Peloquin Matthew J. , Mulcahy Molly C. , Harvey Innocence , Fisher Kaleigh , Han Joan C. , Qi Nathan , Saltiel Alan R. , Bridges Dave
Published: July 2019

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTORC1) is a nutrient responsive protein kinase complex that helps co-ordinate anabolic processes across all tissues. There is evidence that signaling through mTORC1 in skeletal muscle may be a determinant of energy expenditure and aging and therefore components downstream of mTORC1 signaling may be potential targets for treating obesity and age-associated metabolic disease. Here, we generated mice with Ckmm-Cre driven ablation of Tsc1, which confers constitutive activation of mTORC1 in skeletal muscle and performed unbiased transcriptional analyses to identify pathways and candidate genes that may explain how skeletal muscle mTORC1 activity regulates energy balance and aging. Activation of skeletal muscle mTORC1 produced a striking resistance to diet-and age-induced obesity without inducing systemic insulin resistance. We found that increases in energy expenditure following a high fat diet were mTORC1-dependent and that elevated energy expenditure caused by ablation of Tsc1 coincided with the upregulation of skeletal muscle-specific thermogenic mechanisms that involve sarcolipin-driven futile cycling of Ca2+ through SERCA2. Additionally, we report that constitutive activation of mTORC1 in skeletal muscle reduces lifespan. These findings support the hypothesis that activation of mTORC1 and its downstream targets, specifically in skeletal muscle, may play a role in nutrient-dependent thermogenesis and aging.
Potential Neurocognitive Biomarkers for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Severity in Recent Trauma Survivors
Authors: Ben-Zion Ziv , Zeevi Yoav , Keynan Nimrod Jackob , Admon Roee , Kozlovski Tal , Sharon Haggai , Halpern Pinchas , Liberzon Israel , Shalev Arieh Y. , Benjamini Yoav , Hendler Talma
Published: July 2019

Contemporary symptom-based diagnosis of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) largely overlooks related neurobehavioral findings and rely entirely on subjective interpersonal reporting. Previous studies associating objective biomarkers with PTSD have mostly used the disorder’s symptom-based diagnosis as main outcome measure, overlooking the actual clustering and richness of phenotypical features associated with PTSD. Here, we aimed to computationally derive potential neurocognitive biomarkers that could efficiently differentiate PTSD subtypes, based on an observational cohort study of recent trauma survivors. A three-staged semi-unsupervised method (“3C”) was used to categorize trauma survivors based on current PTSD diagnostics, derive clusters of PTSD based on features related to symptom load, and to classify participants’ cluster membership using objective features. A total of 256 features were extracted from psychometrics, cognitive, structural and functional neuroimaging data, obtained from 101 adult civilians (age=34.80±11.95, 51 females) evaluated within a month of trauma exposure. Multi-domain features that best differentiated cluster membership were indicated by using importance analysis, classification trees, and ANOVA. Results revealed that entorhinal and rostral anterior cingulate cortices volumes (structural domain), in-task amygdala’s functional connectivity with the insula and thalamus (functional domain), executive function and cognitive flexibility (cognitive domain) best differentiated between two clusters related to PTSD severity. Cross-validation established the results’ robustness and consistency within this sample. Multi-domain biomarkers revealed by the 3C analytics offer objective classifiers of post-traumatic morbidity shortly following trauma. They also map onto previously documented neurobehavioral PTSD features, supporting the future use of standardized and objective measurements to more precisely identify psychopathology subgroups shortly after trauma.
Field evaluation of a quantitative, and rapid malaria diagnostic system using a fluorescent Blue-ray optical device
Authors: Yamamoto Takeki , Hashimoto Muneaki , Nagatomi Kenji , Nogami Takahiro , Sofue Yasuyuki , Hayashi Takuya , Ido Yusuke , Yatsushiro Shouki , Abe Kaori , Kajimoto Kazuaki , Tamari Noriko , Awuor Beatrice , Sonye George , Kongere James , Munga Stephen , Ohashi Jun , Oka Hiroaki , Minakawa Noboru , Kataoka Masatoshi , Mita Toshihiro
Published: July 2019

We improved a previously developed quantitative malaria diagnostic system based on fluorescent Blue-ray optical device. Here, we first improved the diagnostic system to enable fully automated operation and the field application was evaluated in Kenya. We detected Plasmodium falciparum in blood samples collected from 288 individuals aged 1-16 years using nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR), rapid diagnostic test (RDT), and automated system. Compared to RDT, the automated system exhibited a higher sensitivity (100%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 93.3–100%) and specificity (92.8%; 95%CI, 88.5–95.8%). The limit of detection was 0.0061%. Linear regression analysis revealed a correlation between the automated system and microscopic examination for detecting parasitemia (adjusted R2 value=0.63, P=1.13×10−12). The automated system exhibited a stable quantification of parasitemia and a higher diagnostic accuracy for parasitemia than RDT. This indicates the potential of this system as a valid alternative to conventional methods used at local health facilities, which lack basic infrastructure.
Faster 3D saturation-recovery based myocardial T1 mapping using a reduced number of saturation points and denoising
Authors: Nordio Giovanna , Bustin Aurélien , Odille Freddy , Schneider Torben , Henningsson Markus , Prieto Claudia , Botnar René M.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

To accelerate the acquisition of free-breathing 3D saturation-recovery-based (SASHA) myocardial T1 mapping by acquiring fewer saturation points in combination with a novel post-processing 3D denoising technique to maintain high accuracy and precision.

Methods

3D SASHA T1 mapping acquires nine T1-weighted images along the saturation recovery curve, resulting in long acquisition times. In this work, we propose to accelerate conventional cardiac T1 mapping by reducing the number of saturation points. High T1 accuracy and precision is maintained by applying a 3D denoising technique to the T1-weighted images prior to pixel-wise T1 fitting. The proposed approach was evaluated on a T1 phantom and 20 healthy subjects, by varying the number of T1-weighted images acquired between three and nine, both prospectively and retrospectively. Three patients with suspected cardiovascular disease were acquired using five T1-weighted images. T1 accuracy and precision was determined for all the acquisitions before and after denoising.

Results

In the T1 phantom, no statistical difference was found in terms of accuracy and precision for the different number of T1-weighted images before or after denoising (P=0.99 and P=0.99 for accuracy, P=0.64 and P=0.42 for precision, respectively). In vivo, both prospectively and retrospectively, the precision improved considerably with the number of T1-weighted images employed before denoising (P<0.05) but was independent on the number of T1-weighted images after denoising.

Conclusion

We demonstrate the feasibility of accelerating 3D SASHA T1 mapping by reducing the number of acquired T1-weighted images in combination with an efficient 3D denoising, without affecting accuracy and precision of T1 values.
Structure change of monoclinic ZrO2 baddeleyite involving softenings of bulk modulus and atom vibrations
Authors: Fukui Hiroshi , Fujimoto Manato , Akahama Yuichi , Sano-Furukawa Asami , Hattori Takanori
Published: July 2019

Monoclinic ZrO2 baddeleyite exhibits anomalous softenings of the bulk modulus and atom vibrations with compression. The pressure evolution of the structure is investigated using neutron powder diffraction combined with ab initio calculations. The results show that the anomalous pressure response of the bulk modulus is related not to the change in the bonding characters but to the deformation of an oxygen sublattice, especially one of the layers made of oxygen atoms in the crystallographic a* plane. The layer consists of two parallelograms; one is rotated with little distortion and the other is distorted with increasing pressure. The deformation of this layer lengthens one of the Zr—O distances, resulting in the softening of some atom vibrational modes.
Topotactic, pressure-driven, diffusion-less phase transition of layered CsCoO2 to a stuffed cristobalite-type configuration
Authors: Ali Naveed Zafar , Campbell Branton J. , Jansen Martin
Published: July 2019

CsCoO2, featuring a two-dimensional layered architecture of edge- and vertex-linked CoO4 tetrahedra, is subjected to a temperature-driven reversible second-order phase transformation (α → β) at 100 K, which corresponds to a structural relaxation with concurrent tilting and breathing modes of edge-sharing CoO4 tetrahedra. In the present investigation, it was found that pressure induces a phase transition, which encompasses a dramatic change in the connectivity of the tetrahedra. At 923 K and 2 GPa, β-CsCoO2 undergoes a first-order phase transition to a new quenchable high-pressure polymorph, γ-CsCoO2. It is built up of a three-dimensional cristobalite-type network of vertex-sharing CoO4 tetrahedra. According to a Rietveld refinement of high-resolution powder diffraction data, the new high-pressure polymorph γ-CsCoO2 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I41/amd:2 (Z = 4) with the lattice constants a = 5.8711 (1) and c = 8.3214 (2) Å, corresponding to a shrinkage in volume by 5.7% compared with the ambient-temperature and atmospheric pressure β-CsCoO2 polymorph. The pressure-induced transition (β → γ) is reversible; γ-CsCoO2 stays metastable under ambient conditions, but transforms back to the β-CsCoO2 structure upon heating to 573 K. The transformation pathway revealed is remarkable in that it is topotactic, as is demonstrated through a clean displacive transformation track between the two phases that employs the symmetry of their common subgroup Pb21
a (alternative setting of space group No. 29 that matches the conventional β-phase cell).
Work as a recovery factor after earthquake: a mixed-method study on female workers
Authors: Galanti Teresa , Cortini Michela
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reaction of female workers to the earthquake event that shocked the city of L’Aquila in April 2009, with a specific focus on work as a recovery factor.

Design/methodology/approach

The selected sample consists of current or former resident women in the affected province of L’Aquila, who participated in a series of focus group discussions on the ability to reconstruct their own professional identity after the earthquake. The focus group seemed to be the perfect instrument for this research, because of its ability to generate a true discussion among a group of people on the research topic of this study. The collected data were analyzed both in terms of metaphors, as well as linguistic agentivity and by automatic content analysis.

Findings

From the analysis of the data, emerges the value that adds to the sense of identity continuity for the women in the sample, together with interesting differences between employed and self-employed workers that are characterized by distinct challenges and assurances. In regards to the effects of gender in response to disaster events, the results make a peculiar echo to the studies on public-private space dichotomy developed by Fordham, according to which, during a disaster, women are not allowed to develop work-related desires. For the group of women that the authors interviewed, the challenge to have family focused or work focused desires was clearly evident; they seem predetermined to the above-mentioned dichotomy, valid in both directions: the women who invested in work and have become entrepreneurs seem to have no chance of a private life and, on the contrary, the women who were focused on more traditional family roles seem to have no chance in terms of job opportunities.

Originality/value

Based on the authors’ knowledge this is the first time that focus groups are used to assess the value that work had in supporting individual recovery for women in the aftermath of the L’Aquila earthquake.
A study on performance of MHDA in training MLPs
Authors: K.S. Sree Ranjini
Published: July 2019

Purpose

In recent years, the application of metaheuristics in training neural network models has gained significance due to the drawbacks of deterministic algorithms. This paper aims to propose the use of a recently developed “memory based hybrid dragonfly algorithm” (MHDA) for training multi-layer perceptron (MLP) model by finding the optimal set of weight and biases.

Design/methodology/approach

The efficiency of MHDA in training MLPs is evaluated by applying it to classification and approximation benchmark data sets. Performance comparison between MHDA and other training algorithms is carried out and the significance of results is proved by statistical methods. The computational complexity of MHDA trained MLP is estimated.

Findings

Simulation result shows that MHDA can effectively find the near optimum set of weight and biases at a higher convergence rate when compared to other training algorithms.

Originality/value

This paper presents MHDA as an alternative optimization algorithm for training MLP. MHDA can effectively optimize set of weight and biases and can be a potential trainer for MLPs.
Multi-objective optimization in face milling process with cryogenic cooling using grey fuzzy analysis and BPNN-GA methods
Authors: Soepangkat Bobby Oedy Pramoedyo , Norcahyo Rachmadi , Pramujati Bambang , Wahid M. Abdul
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prediction and optimization of multiple performance characteristics in the face milling process of tool steel ASSAB XW-42.

Design/methodology/approach

The face milling parameters (cutting speed, feed rate and axial depth of cut) and flow rate (FR) of cryogenic cooling were optimized with consideration of multiple performance characteristics, i.e. surface roughness (SR), cutting force (Fc) and metal removal rate (MRR). FR of cryogenic cooling has two levels, whereas the three face milling parameters each have three levels. Using Taguchi method, an L18 mixed-orthogonal array was selected as the design of experiments. The rough estimation of the optimum face milling parameters was determined by using grey fuzzy analysis. The global optimum face milling parameters were searched by applying the backpropagation neural network-based genetic algorithm (BPNN-GA) method.

Findings

The optimum SR, cutting force (Fc) and MRR could be obtained by setting FR, cutting speed, feed rate and axial depth of cut at 0.5 l/min, 280 m/min, 90 mm/min and 0.2 mm, respectively. The experimental confirmation results showed that BPNN-based GA optimization method could accurately predict and significantly improve all of the multiple performance characteristics.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there were no publications available regarding multi-response optimization using the combination of grey fuzzy analysis and BPNN-based GA methods during cryogenically face milling process.
A novel technique based on Bernoulli wavelets for numerical solutions of two-dimensional Fredholm integral equation of second kind
Authors: Saha Ray S. , Behera S.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

A novel technique based on Bernoulli wavelets has been proposed to solve two-dimensional Fredholm integral equation of second kind. Bernoulli wavelets have been created by dilation and translation of Bernoulli polynomials. This paper aims to introduce properties of Bernoulli wavelets and Bernoulli polynomials.

Design/methodology/approach

To solve the two-dimensional Fredholm integral equation of second kind, the proposed method has been used to transform the integral equation into a system of algebraic equations.

Findings

Numerical experiments shows that the proposed two-dimensional wavelets technique can give high-accurate solutions and good convergence rate.

Originality/value

The efficiency of newly developed two-dimensional wavelets technique has been validated by different illustrative numerical examples to solve two-dimensional Fredholm integral equations.
Experimental and numerical investigations of choked air flow and heat transfer in a ball valve for optimization the cross-sectional area
Authors: Toghraie Davood , Khouzani Hojjatollah Heidari
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the functional properties of ball valve in a compressible flow and simulation of experimental data collection of ball valve, was completely simulated.

Design/methodology/approach

Equations are solved according to finite volume and simplified algorithms. By measuring the flow parameters, including pressure and temperature at different points in the simulation circuit, flow coefficients and localized drop in the valve were determined in different openness cases of test valve and compared with experimental results. Determining a graph for flow coefficient variations in terms of the percentage of openness of the valve is very effective on the flow control as well as on optimizing its cross-section.

Findings

In the supersonic flow, flow coefficients and local drops of the valve are dependent on several parameters, including fluid flow rate. Flow coefficient graphs at different angles of the test valve show that by increasing the valve opening angle, the flow coefficient increases so that it reaches from 1.72 m3/h at a 30° angle to 46.29 m3/h at a 80° angle. It should be noted that these values in the experimental test were obtained 1.53 m3/h and 49.68 m3/h, respectively, and the percentage difference of these values by simulation was obtained for the angle of 30 degrees 11.7% and for the angle of 80°, about 7% per hour at an angle of 80°. Also, the coefficients of localized loss at different angles of test valve show that by increasing the angle of opening of the valve, the amount of localized loss decreases, so that the average value of 1515.2 in the angle of 30° reaches 1.9 at an angle of 80°. The percentage difference of these values by simulation, for the angle of 30° and 3.5% for the angle of 80°, was about 11.1%.

Originality/value

Determining a graph for flow coefficient variations versus the percentage of openness of the valve is very effective on the flow control as well as on optimizing its cross-section. In the supersonic flow, flow coefficients and local drop coefficients of the valve are dependent on several parameters, including fluid flow rate.
Strong fluid–solid interactions with segregated CFD solvers
Authors: Olivier Mathieu , Paré-Lambert Olivier
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present a fluid-structure coupling partitioned scheme involving rigid bodies supported by spring-damper systems. This scheme can be used with already existing fluid flow solvers without the need to modify them.

Design/methodology/approach

The scheme is based on a modified Broyden method. It solves the equations of solid body motion in which the external forces coming from the flow are provided by a segregated flow solver used as a black box. The whole scheme is implicit.

Findings

The proposed partitioned method is stable even in the ultimate case of very strong fluid–solid interactions involving a massless cylinder oscillating with no structural damping. The overhead associated with the coupling scheme represents an execution time increase by a factor of about 2 to 5, depending on the context. The scheme also has the advantage of being able to incorporate turbulence modeling directly through the flow solver. It has been tested successfully with URANS simulations without wall law, thus involving thin high aspect-ratio cells near the wall.

Originality/value

Such problems are known to be very difficult to solve and previous studies usually rely on monolithic approaches. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time a partitioned scheme is used to solve fluid–solid interactions involving massless components.
Disclosing facial images to create a consumer’s profile
Authors: Morosan Cristian
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Facial recognition systems represent a viable solution to today’s hotels’ security and service challenges. The purpose of this study was to build and empirically validate a conceptual model that examined consumers’ willingness to create a profile based on biometric information disclosed via facial recognition systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 421 US general population consumers who stayed in hotels. The study used a confirmatory factor analysis to test the measurement model and a structural equation modeling approach to empirically validate the structural model.

Findings

It was found that the benefit of information disclosure was the strongest predictor of value of disclosure and that value of disclosure and privacy concerns influenced consumers’ willingness to disclose biometric information. In turn, consumers’ willingness to disclose biometric information and their desire to be loyal to hotels influenced consumers’ willingness to create a profile.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to examine profile creation and biometric information disclosure via facial recognition systems in hotels, a technology that is likely to disrupt the current authentication and service quality models in hotels. This study also advances the literature by expanding the scope of the privacy calculus by adding social rewards, and by elucidating the role of desires in service contexts.
Domestic violence against women in west of Iran: the prevalence and related factors
Authors: Afkhamzadeh Abdorrahim , Azadi Namam-Ali , Ziaeei Shirin , Mohamadi-Bolbanabad Amjad
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the prevalence of domestic violence against women and its related factors in Sanandaj, west of Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2016. The sample consisted of 360 women who referred to two educational hospitals in Sanandaj. The data collection tool was a self-report questionnaire. A multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors of domestic violence against women.

Findings

The prevalence of “any form of violence” in the past year was 71 percent (n=245). The prevalence of emotional, sexual and physical violence was 62.2 percent (n=225), 48.7 percent (n=168) and 49.9 percent (n=172), respectively. Multivariate logistic regressions revealed that the “any form of violence” has significant association with occupation of women, economic status of family and the status of sexual satisfaction of couples.

Originality/value

The prevalence of domestic violence against women is high and alarming in Sanandaj, Iran. Given the relationship between experience of violence and sexual dissatisfaction, sexual education before and after marriage is recommended for couples. Also, the experience of exposure to violence in women can be included in health centers as screening programs. In this way, couples who have risk factors will receive the educational programs.
Transactional learning and sustainability co-creation in a university – business collaboration
Authors: Soini Katriina , Korhonen-Kurki Kaisa , Asikainen Henna
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the learning outcomes of the project-based learning in a Master Class programme on sustainability carried out in collaboration by the University of Helsinki and a private company operating in global mining technology. The following two questions were addressed: Q1. What kind of sustainability competences do participants acquire in the Master Class? Q2. What is the role of PBL in the learning outcomes?

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on an ex ante open-ended survey and post-ante interviews addressed to the participants. The data were analysed using the qualitative content analysis.

Findings

The findings show that the Master Class contributed to most of the competences under study. However, unlike in previous studies, systemic thinking is highlighted as a fundamental rather than a parallel core competence. Furthermore, the results also emphasise the role of emotions, which is insufficiently acknowledged and accounted for in sustainability education.

Research limitations/implications

The study focussed only on the learning outcomes of the participants (students) and not the other parties (such as company and researchers).

Practical implications

Future research should focus on affective dimension as a stepping stone to the transformational learning. In addition, the role of the systemic understanding in sustainability education should be highlighted as a core competence.

Social implications

The study revealed the overall positive impacts of the co-creation in university – business collaboration to the participants’ sustainability competences.

Originality/value

The study presents an empirical case study where the various competence frameworks were applied with a result of confirming the validity of the existing key competences, in particular the systemic understanding and showing the role of the affective dimension in the transactional learning.
Live maintenance robot for high-voltage transmission lines
Authors: Jiang Wei , Yan Yu , Zhang An , Yu Lianqing , Zuo Gan , Li Hong Jun , Chen Wei
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the operation and maintenance intelligence of power systems, and summarize the transmission line robots and their key technologies. High-voltage power cables are important channels for power transmission systems. Their special geographical environment and harsh natural environment can lead to many different faults. At present, such special operations in dangerous and harsh environments are performed manually, which have not only high labor intensity and low work efficiency but also great personal safety risks.

Design/methodology/approach

For maintenance works that are far away from the tower, power outages are required. With the increasing evaluation of transmission quality and operational safety, and the urgent need for automation and operation of modern power systems, the contradiction between this manual operation and modern high-quality power transmission has become increasingly prominent. An effective method to replace the manual maintenance work is to use the mobile robot to carry the operation manipulator and its end tool, that is, the live maintenance robot.

Findings

Some achievements have been made in the key technologies of live maintenance robots, the work to be done to meet the basic requirements of complex and changeable line environment and practical application. Based on the existing research results of live overhaul robot, the follow-up research will focus on the practical application needs and the frontier of scientific and technological development, and truly realize the human–machine integration between live overhaul robot–human working environment. Only in this way can the robot better serve the operation and maintenance of the power system.

Originality/value

This paper reviews the system platform, operation function, structural characteristics and key technologies involved in the power cable robot, and the combination of live maintenance robots and modern high-tech such as big data and cloud computing is also given, and finally, the future development direction of the special operation robot is pointed out.
English instructors’ motivation levels in Islamic higher education
Authors: Ansyari Muhammad Fauzan , Coelho Fabio Oliveira , Hasibuan Kalayo , Settiawan Dodi , Kamallia Masni
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the motivation levels of non-permanent English instructors (lecturers) in a university language centre (LC) and the factors with regard to what elements sustain their motivation to teach English and to remain in the Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) profession at an Islamic higher education institution.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory case study with a purposive sampling technique was employed in this study. Ten instructors (seven females and three males) aged between 26 and 40 years old participated (M = 29.6 year olds). The selected participants in the sample were instructors who had taught between three to nine years at the LC (M = 3.9 years), and interviews were the tools used to collect data.

Findings

Overall, LC instructors’ motivation is not internalised or less internalised into their self-concept. This can be seen from the results that show, respectively, instructors’ levels of no internalisation (42 per cent), less internalisation (40.5 per cent), more internalisation (11 per cent) and full internalisation (6.5 per cent). In total, 11 factors were identified: the influence of others, financial benefits, professional development opportunities, schedule flexibility, supportive working environment, social status and acceptance, a stepping stone for career advancement, networking, dedication, challenge and teaching as a calling. In general, it has been found that instructors are more externally than internally regulated or motivated.

Research limitations/implications

This study only employed interview to collect data and had only ten respondents.

Originality/value

Data were collected at the LC of an Islamic institution of higher education institution where instructors are non-permanently employed. The LC is a TEFL environment serving about 12,000 students a year. This study, therefore, allows for an understanding of instructors’ motivation in such context.
The role of storytelling in navigating through the storm of change
Authors: Wilson Antoinette Ophelia
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the perception of the role of storytelling in organizational change in this study involving eight principals and administrators in three of Central Florida’s counties. The study concerns the change from the “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB) legislation to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, December 10, 2015) Even though the ESSA includes major changes from the NCLB legislation, schools that consistently perform below standard continue to face having to turn over operations to a charter or outside entity (Florida Department of Education, 2018).

Design/methodology/approach

This study engaged the phenomenological research design of qualitative methodology in this small case study. Eight principals and/or administrators employed in Orange, Seminole and Volusia County public schools participated in this study. SurveyMonkeyTM, an online survey tool, was the instrument used to collect the data.

Findings

Two themes emerged from the perceptions of the participants. They expressed storytelling is effective in engaging the school’s culture and strengthening commitment to the change. They also expressed that even though storytelling is recommended as a tool to use in organizational change, it is only one of the necessary elements.

Practical implications

Like in other industries where dynamic changes arise from external factors, ESSA, the new standardized assessment, under-performing students and insufficient financial and academic resources have created the perfect storm for principals and administrators to navigate if their schools are to survive. Storytelling can be a helpful part of the change management toolkit.

Originality/value

In this case study, storytelling has proven to be an effective measure for principals and administrators to include as one of their change tools to engage in productive communication as they tackle the many negative side effects of the new act.
Speech and language therapy for primary progressive aphasia across the UK: A survey of current practice
Authors: Volkmer Anna , Spector Aimee , Warren Jason D. , Beeke Suzanne
Published: July 2019

Background

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) describes a heterogeneous group of language‐led dementias. People with this type of dementia are increasingly being referred to speech and language therapy (SLT) services. Yet, there is a paucity of research evidence focusing on PPA interventions and little is known about SLT practice in terms of assessment and provision of intervention.

Aims

To survey the practices of SLTs in the areas of assessment and intervention for people with PPA.

Methods & Procedures

A 37‐item, pilot‐tested survey was distributed electronically through the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), Clinical Excellence Networks (CENs) and social media networks. Survey items included questions on care pathways, assessment and intervention approaches, and future planning. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

Outcomes & Results

A total of 105 SLTs completed the survey. Respondents reported more frequently using formal assessment tools designed for stroke‐related aphasia than for dementia. Informal interviews were reportedly always used during assessment by almost 80% of respondents. Respondents were significantly more likely to use communication partner training than impairment‐focused interventions. Goal attainment was the most commonly used outcome measure. Respondents provided 88 goal examples, which fell into six themes: communication aid; conversation; functional communication; impairment focused; specific strategy; and communication partner. Additionally, respondents reported addressing areas such as future deterioration in communication and cognition, decision‐making and mental capacity, and driving. Ten (9.4%) respondents reported the existence of a care pathway for people with PPA within their service.

Conclusions & Implications

This survey highlights the range of current PPA assessment and intervention practices in use by the respondents. Communication partner training is commonly used by the surveyed SLTs, despite the lack of research evidence examining its effectiveness for PPA. There is a need to develop evidence‐based care pathways for people with PPA in order to advocate for further commissioning of clinical services.
Reduction in stiffness of proximal leg muscles during the first 6 months of glucocorticoid therapy for giant cell arteritis: A pilot study using shear wave elastography
Authors: Alfuraih Abdulrahman M. , Tan Ai Lyn , O’Connor Philip , Emery Paul , Mackie Sarah , Wakefield Richard J.
Published: July 2019

Aim

To investigate muscle stiffness changes in patients treated for giant cell arteritis (GCA) with high‐dose oral glucocorticoids.

Methods

Using ultrasound elastography, shear wave velocity (SWV) was measured in the quadriceps, hamstrings and biceps brachii muscles of 14 patients with GCA (4 male, mean age ± SD, 68.2 ± 4.3 years) within the first 2 weeks of initiating glucocorticoid treatment (baseline) and repeated after 3 and 6 months treatment. Muscle strength and performance tests were performed at each visit. Baseline measures were compared with those from 14 healthy controls. Linear mixed models were used to test for change in patient measures over time.

Results

At baseline, muscle SWV in patients was not significantly different from controls. With glucocorticoid treatment, there was a reduction in SWV in the leg but not the arm muscles. SWV decreased by a mean of 14% (range 8.3%‐17.3%; P = .001) after 3 months and 18% (range 10.2%‐25.3%; P < .001) after 6‐months in the quadriceps and hamstrings during the resting position. The baseline, 3 and 6 months mean SWV (±SD) for the vastus lateralis were 1.62 ± 0.16 m/s, 1.40 ± 0.10 m/s and 1.31 ± 0.06 m/s, respectively (P < .001). In the patient group as a whole, there was no significant change in muscle strength. However, there were moderate correlations (r = .54‐.69) between exhibiting weaker muscle strength at follow‐up visits and a greater reduction in SWV.

Conclusion

Glucocorticoid therapy in patients with GCA was associated with a significant reduction in proximal leg muscle stiffness during the first 6 months. Future research should study a larger sample of patients for a longer duration to investigate if diminished muscle stiffness precedes signs of glucocorticoid‐induced myopathy.
Can ultrasound differentiate acute erosive arthritis associated with osteomyelitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gouty arthritis?
Authors: Lu Cheng‐Hsun , Hsiao Yu‐Fen , Hsu Hui‐Ching , Ko Ya‐lin , Lin Ting‐Syuan , Chen Lung‐Fang , Hsieh Song‐Chou , Li Ko‐Jen
Published: July 2019

Aim

The study intended to determine the specific ultrasonographic features of acute arthritis with periarticular bone erosions caused by acute osteomyelitis (OM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gouty arthritis (GA).

Method

We included 33 patients (seven with acute OM, 18 with RA flares, and eight with GA attacks) having acute monoarthritis or oligoarthritis, and receiving ultrasound (US) examinations in the acute stage. The US images were rated by three rheumatologists blinded to the diagnosis. The median scores of their evaluation of the subcutaneous tissue, periosteum, and synovium were compared. Interrater reliability was calculated using Cronbach's alpha.

Results

The highest mean grade of subcutaneous edema appeared in patients with acute OM, and grade 2 edema was more frequent than patients with RA and GA (P = .003 and P = .026, respectively; α = .869). The prevalence of subcutaneous power Doppler signal was also higher in patients with acute OM than in those with RA and GA (P < .001 and P = .041, respectively; α = .756). Periosteal vascularity presented more frequently in acute OM (P = .003 compared with RA; P = .041 compared with GA), but the interrater reliability was poor (α = .518). The tophaceous material in GA was distinctive from OM and RA (P = .010 and P < .001, respectively; α = .774).

Conclusion

The most discriminative US features in this study were the subcutaneous tissue changes in addition to the periosteal findings. US could contribute to the differential diagnosis of acute erosive arthritis.
Role of BRD4 phosphorylation in the nucleus accumbens in relapse to cocaine‐seeking behavior in mice
Authors: Guo Wei , Long Hailei , Bu Qian , Zhao Yinglan , Wang Hongbo , Tian Jingwei , Cen Xiaobo
Published: July 2019

Cocaine addiction is a chronic relapsing brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking. Preliminary study suggested that bromodomain‐containing protein 4 (BRD4), an epigenetic reader protein, participates in cocaine‐induced reward and neuroplasticity. However, the exact role of BRD4 in cocaine addiction, particularly cocaine relapse, remains elusive. In this study, we found that BRD4 phosphorylation in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) was closely related to the maintenance of cocaine reinforcement and relapse in different cocaine exposure paradigms. Cocaine significantly increased the binding of phosphorylated BRD4 (pBRD4) at the promoter of Gria2 and Bdnf genes in the NAc. (+)JQ1, a selective BRD4 inhibitor, markedly reduced the reinforcement and reinstatement of cocaine‐seeking behaviors, which was accompanied by the decreased expressions of GRIA2 and BDNF. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that (+)JQ1 clearly attenuated cocaine‐enhanced binding of pBRD4 at the promotor of Gria2 and Bdnf genes. Blockade of casein kinase II significantly attenuated BRD4 phosphorylation and cocaine relapse‐like behaviors, suggesting the important role of pBRD4 in modulating cocaine effect. Together, our findings suggest that BRD4 phosphorylation in the NAc modulates multiple addiction‐related behaviors of cocaine and particularly relapse to cocaine‐seeking behaviors. Inhibition of BRD4 activity may be a novel target against cocaine addiction and relapse.
Implementation of electronic health records systems in surgical units and its impact on performance
Authors: Liu Zhen Yu , Edye Michael
Published: July 2019

Background

Electronic health records (EHR) systems have been utilized in New South Wales for more than a decade; however, there is no agreement as to what clinical benefits they provide. This study aims at determining whether the introduction of EHR systems resulted in changes in documentation quality and other markers of clinical performance such as post‐operative length of stay (PO LOS), use of imaging modality, rates of readmission and morbidity.

Methods

A before and after study was conducted utilizing both written and electronic patient documentation in a single surgical ward. Patients who underwent appendicectomy at Blacktown Hospital had inpatient documentation collated at three distinct time‐points. Documentation was then assessed against the QNOTE assessment criteria. Other markers of clinical performance assessed included PO LOS, ultrasound use, computed tomography use, rate of readmission, rate of morbidity and rate of positive histological findings.

Results

There was a significant (P = 0.001) improvement in QNOTE score between group 1 (6 months prior to the implementation of EHR) and group 3 (12 months after the implementation of EHR) of 9 points. PO LOS was reduced following the implementation of EHR from 1.94 to 1.37 days (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that following the implementation of EHR system in an inpatient surgical ward, notation quality improved. It was also found that the implementation of EHR was associated with a decrease in PO LOS.
Distal intestinal obstruction syndrome: an important differential diagnosis for abdominal pain in patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Hort Amy , Hameed Ahmer , Middleton Peter G. , Pleass Henry C.
Published: July 2019

As life expectancy for those with cystic fibrosis (CF) now exceeds 40 years of age, adult hospitals away from specialized CF services are being exposed more frequently to people with acute complications of CF. Well‐known manifestations of CF include pulmonary disease and pancreatic insufficiency with malabsorption. However, a less well‐known entity is distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS), which is an important cause of obstructive symptoms in people with CF that must be differentiated from other causes of bowel obstruction. However, one confounding factor is that adults with CF may have elements of both DIOS and mechanical bowel obstruction due to adhesions from previous operations. A recent tragic outcome in a young adult with CF highlights the need for all doctors, both junior and senior, especially those who are not directly involved in day‐to‐day CF care, to understand the features of DIOS and the appropriate management, which differs from that of a mechanical bowel obstruction. This review aims to highlight the clinical and pathophysiological features of DIOS, differentiate it from other causes of bowel obstruction and contrast management strategies. Improved knowledge of DIOS will help to facilitate appropriate recognition and permit optimal, multidisciplinary management of this CF complication.