bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational framework for next-generation sequencing of heterogeneous viral populations using combinatorial pooling
Authors: Skums Pavel , Artyomenko Alexander , Glebova Olga , Ramachandran Sumathi , Mandoiu Ion , Campo David S. , Dimitrova Zoya , Zelikovsky Alex , Khudyakov Yury
Published: October 2014

Motivation: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows for analyzing a large number of viral sequences from infected patients, providing an opportunity to implement large-scale molecular surveillance of viral diseases. However, despite improvements in technology, traditional protocols for NGS of large numbers of samples are still highly cost and labor intensive. One of the possible cost-effective alternatives is combinatorial pooling. Although a number of pooling strategies for consensus sequencing of DNA samples and detection of SNPs have been proposed, these strategies cannot be applied to sequencing of highly heterogeneous viral populations.

Results: We developed a cost-effective and reliable protocol for sequencing of viral samples, that combines NGS using barcoding and combinatorial pooling and a computational framework including algorithms for optimal virus-specific pools design and deconvolution of individual samples from sequenced pools. Evaluation of the framework on experimental and simulated data for hepatitis C virus showed that it substantially reduces the sequencing costs and allows deconvolution of viral populations with a high accuracy.

Availability and implementation: The source code and experimental data sets are available at http://alan.cs.gsu.edu/NGS/?q=content/pooling

Contact:  kki8@cdc.gov, yek0@cdc.gov

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Neurology in medicine
Authors: Manji Hadi , Connolly Seán , Kitchen Neil , Lambery Christian , Mehta Amrish
Published: October 2014

Abstracts and keywords to be supplied.
Clinical neurophysiology
Authors: Manji Hadi , Connolly Seán , Kitchen Neil , Lambery Christian , Mehta Amrish
Published: October 2014

Abstracts and keywords to be supplied.
Lids
Authors: Denniston Alastair K.O. , Murray Philip I.
Published: October 2014

‘Lids’ provides the reader with a practical approach to the assessment and management of lid disease. After outlining the relevant anatomy and physiology of these structures, the chapter addresses the key clinical presentations arising from lid disease, notably eyelash disorders, blepharitis, lid lumps, entropion, ectropion, ptosis and other disorders of lid position. Using a patient-centred approach the key clinical features, investigations and treatment (medical and surgical) are described for each condition.
Lacrimal
Authors: Denniston Alastair K.O. , Murray Philip I.
Published: October 2014

‘Lacrimal’ provides the reader with a practical approach to the assessment and management of nasolacrimal disease. After outlining the relevant anatomy and physiology of these structures, the chapter addresses the key ophthalmic presentations arising from nasolacrimal disease, notably ‘the watery eye’ and dacryocystitis. Using a patient-centred approach the key clinical features, investigations and treatment are described for these conditions with a special extended discussion on the role of dacryocystorhinostomy.
Conjunctiva
Authors: Denniston Alastair K.O. , Murray Philip I.
Published: October 2014

‘Conjunctiva’ provides the reader with a practical approach to the assessment and management of conjunctival disease. After outlining the relevant anatomy and physiology of this structure, the chapter addresses the key clinical presentations arising from conjunctival disease, notably infective conjunctivitis (including bacterial, viral and chlamydial), allergic conjunctivitis, cicatricial conjunctivitis, dry eyes and conjunctival lesions. Using a patient-centred approach the key clinical features, investigations and treatment (medical and surgical) are described for each condition. There is also extended discussion around the role of amniotic membrane transplantation and corneal transplantation.
Sclera
Authors: Denniston Alastair K.O. , Murray Philip I.
Published: October 2014

‘Sclera’ provides the reader with a practical approach to the assessment and management of scleral disease. After outlining the relevant anatomy and physiology of this structure, the chapter addresses the key clinical presentations arising from scleral disease, notably episcleritis, anterior scleritis and posterior scleritis. Using a patient-centred approach the key clinical features, investigations and treatment (medical and surgical) are described for each condition. Emphasis is given to the possible association with systemic disease, and the need for appropriate investigation.
Lens
Authors: Denniston Alastair K.O. , Murray Philip I.
Published: October 2014

‘Lens’ provides the reader with a practical approach to the assessment and management of lens-related disease. After outlining the relevant anatomy and physiology of this structure, the chapter discusses the key clinical features, investigations and surgical options for cataract and other disorders of the lens. There is an extended discussion around phacoemulsification, intraocular lens options and the potential complications of cataract surgery.
Ophthalmic surgery: anaesthetics and perioperative care
Authors: Denniston Alastair K.O. , Murray Philip I.
Published: October 2014

‘Ophthalmic surgery: anaesthetics and perioperative care’ includes those critical areas of surgical care that occur before the first incision and after wound closure. Key subjects include: preoperative assessment including the management of special patient groups, such as patients with diabetes, valvular heart disease, on renal dialysis; ocular anaesthesia; and the management of medical emergencies such as anaphylaxis, hypoglycaemia, and cardiorespiratory collapse.
Therapeutics
Authors: Denniston Alastair K.O. , Murray Philip I.
Published: October 2014

‘Therapeutics’ introduces the principles and delivery of ocular drugs, practical advice about safe injection techniques, before moving on to the core of the chapter that comprises tabular summaries of topical and systemic medication commonly used in ophthalmology. Key areas include advice on the safe use of corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and biologics.
The Prick of Conscience
Authors: Morey James H.
Published: October 2014

The Prick of Conscience (PC) is a mid-14th-century poem of over 9,600 lines in octosyllabic couplets that survives in more manuscripts than any other Middle English poem. Its readership was incontestably wide, and it served as a compendium of religious knowledge, natural history, and penitential practice in late medieval England. The author is anonymous, though early in its critical history it was attributed to the famous 14th-century mystic and psalm translator Richard Rolle. Notably, John Lydgate and John Bale attributed the poem to Rolle, five manuscripts name him as the author, and the poem sometimes appears with Rolle’s genuine works. The original dialect was northern, probably that spoken in Yorkshire, and a southern (sometimes called “East Midland”) recension exists. The PC inspires humility and dread, but more optimistically it provides readers with the information necessary to understand the relationship between the human and the divine and thereby to achieve salvation. The regular four-stress rhythm generates a strong sense of movement, and the poet transitions from book to book with summaries of the previous book’s contents and anticipations of the next. Overall, the poem progresses from man debased to man glorified, from earth to heaven, and from death to the afterlife. The prologue (the “entre” ≈ 350 lines) repeats the headings to its seven books. Book 1, Of Man and his Wretchedness (≈ 550 lines) and book 2, Of the World’s Unstableness (≈ 700 lines), rely on Pope Innocent III’s influential De Miseria Condicionis Humane (Lewis 1978, cited under Sources and Analogues). Book 3, Of Death and of the Pain that with Him Goes (≈ 950 lines) and book 4, Of Purgatory where Souls are Cleansed of their Folly (≈ 1,100 lines), move from the contemptus mundi tradition to the difficult work of healing the soul and derive principally from the Anglo-Norman Les Peines de Purgatorie (Relihan 1978, cited under Sources and Analogues). The last three books progress from Earth (book 5, Of the Day of Doom and of the Tokens That Before Shall Come [≈ 2,300 lines]) to Hell (book 6, The Pains of Hell [≈ 1,050 lines]) and finally to Heaven (book 7, The Joys of Heaven [≈ 1,950 lines]). The length of book 5 has been taken to reflect an inartful and gloomy obsession with judgment, but it should be noted that book 7, on a more positive subject, is comparably long, and that the trajectory of the work rises.
Francesco Barbaro
Authors: Parry Seth
Published: October 2014

Francesco Barbaro (b. 1390–d. 1454) was the preeminent Venetian humanist of the early 15th century. He was a senator and a scholar, a politician and an intellectual, an aristocrat and a humanist. He received a first-rate education from humanist tutors before attending the university at Padua, and he was guided by prominent mentors. Barbaro is best remembered today for De re uxoria (“On Marriage”), a treatise he wrote when only twenty-five to his friend Lorenzo de’ Medici the Elder as a wedding gift. This work is still studied on its own merits, and as a lens revealing 15th-century Italian attitudes toward marriage and family life. Nearly as significant, Barbaro corresponded with dozens of the leading intellectual and political figures of his day, and his collected epistles are a treasure trove of information for 15th-century society and culture. Considering his literary significance, it is remarkable that Barbaro also had a successful and fulfilling political career. Barbaro was elected by the Senate or the Maggior Consilio to posts including ambassador, military governor, member of the Council of Ten, and ducal councilor, before being made one of the nine procurators of St. Mark—the second-highest positions in the Republic, after Doge. Later in his life, he also became a significant patron of humanist learning, particularly emphasizing the revival of Greek scholarship that was to become a trademark of Venetian humanism. Many of the Greek scholars who flourished in quattrocento Venice owed their standing to Barbaro’s largesse. Barbaro was certainly a Renaissance man, in that he was equally at ease—and successful—in the political and intellectual arenas.
Riparian Zone
Authors: Nakamura Futoshi
Published: October 2014

The word “riparian” is derived from the Latin word “riparius,” meaning of or belonging to the bank of a river. “Riparian zone” refers to a broader zone spanning from the riverbank to the floodplains; it occasionally includes hill slopes that may influence the stream ecosystem. The term can also be used to describe wetlands and lakeshores. In this article, however, the discussion is confined to areas associated with stream/river courses, although some principles are applicable to other riparian ecosystems and their management. A riparian zone extends from headwater streams to lowland rivers (longitudinally), from surface waters to groundwater (vertically), and from stream banks to hillside slopes (transversely). A riparian zone consists of diverse, dynamic, and complex biophysical landscape elements that provide essential habitats for various terrestrial and aquatic organisms in all or specific stages of their life cycles. Thus, biodiversity in a riparian zone is generally higher than in upland ecosystems, and riparian habitat specialists increase the entire regional biodiversity (gamma diversity) at the watershed scale. Ecological functions (or ecosystem services) of the riparian zone have been studied since the early 1970s. Appropriate riparian buffer width has also been discussed with respect to creating guidelines for stream conservation. Currently, a riparian zone is defined as an aquatic and terrestrial interface or ecotone, emphasizing its ecological functions. Productive riparian forests have been harvested for timber production in headwater basins and deforested by farmland development and cattle grazing in alluvial floodplains. Additionally, riparian forests have been removed for channelization and road construction, which decreases buffering and shading effects. As a result, sediment, fertilizers, pesticides, and other contaminants pollute streams and rivers, which also experience increases in water temperature. These abiotic changes collectively exert detrimental effects on fish and other aquatic organisms. Today, the riparian zone is recognized as a key ecotone for watershed management; therefore, the conservation and restoration of these zones are discussed in the context of ecosystem management at the landscape level.
French Emancipation
Authors: Peabody Sue
Published: October 2014

France incorporated slavery in all of its early modern overseas colonies, including Canada, and was the first nation-state in the world to issue a general emancipation act (see the separate Oxford Bibliographies articles on French Atlantic World, the Haitian Revolution, Emancipation, and Abolition of Slavery). In fact, France abolished slavery twice, in 1794 and in 1848, each time in the midst of revolutionary turmoil. Yet the historical forces that prompted these two legislative acts were distinct. The 1794 decree (16 Pluviôse, Year 2) by the Constituent Assembly in Paris—which succeeded two decades of antislavery activism in the British and American contexts, but tepid antislavery activism in France itself—was prompted by the unfolding colonial slave revolt, weak colonial control, and incursions by Britain and Spain in Saint-Domingue. However, the resultant 1794 decree was implemented in only Saint Domingue, Guadeloupe, and Guyana; it remained a dead letter in Martinique, Senegal, Réunion, Ile de France (Mauritius), and French India. Slavery was restored throughout the French empire in 1802, with the exception of Saint-Domingue, which claimed its independence as Haiti, the world’s first black republic, founded by former slaves and their descendants. Antislavery sentiment slowly returned under the Restoration and the early, liberal phase of the July Monarchy, but ran up against the organized colonial lobby, which countered most abolitionist initiatives led by a small, relatively weak coterie in Paris. The 1848 emancipation, organized by the fervent antislavery activist Victor Schoelcher in Paris, was one of the first, decisive steps of a new republican government after decades of procrastination by the July Monarchy; but unlike Britain and America, it was not sustained by a large, populist antislavery movement. In contrast to the robust historiography of antislavery and emancipation in the Anglo-Atlantic over the past three quarters of a century, the abolition of slavery and the lingering legacies of slave emancipation in the French-speaking world have attracted significant attention only relatively recently. However, the recent anniversaries of France’s two emancipations—in 1793–1794 and, following Napoleonic restoration of slavery in 1802, in 1848—have recently prompted more sustained attention, as has the bicentennial of the Haitian Revolution, now understood as the first decolonization movement to successfully expel a major European power and replace it with local rule by formerly colonized people. This article is organized chronologically, from the emergence of antislavery ideology in the 18th century, through the Revolution and the first emancipation, to the second and definitive abolition of 1848. A final section on Emancipation and Memory examines the contested representation of France’s history of slavery and emancipation in the recent past.
First Report of Bacterial Pustule on Soybeans in North Dakota
Authors: Heitkamp Erik C. , Lamppa Robin S. , Lambrecht Patricia A. , Harveson Robert M. , Mathew Febina M. , Markell Samuel G.
Published: October 2014

Bacterial pustule has not been previously reported on soybeans in North Dakota, and is unlikely to pose a direct yield threat to soybeans in North Dakota. However, the disease can be mistaken for Asian soybean rust, leading to unnecessary fungicide application and economic loss to the grower.

Accepted 3 September 2014. Published 13 October 2014.
Molecular Identification of a Tobacco mosaic virus Isolate from Imported Petunias
Authors: Kim Bong-Suk , Ruhl Gail , Creswell Tom , Loesch-Fries L. Sue
Published: October 2014

The study illustrates the necessity of molecular diagnostics in the screening of asymptomatic breeding stock and progeny plants, in addition to symptomatic plants, to avoid the unintentional spread of virus in plant material. Early diagnosis of virus infection is critical to avoid global spread of infected plants.

Accepted 15 August 2014. Published 30 September 2014.
Fungicide Sensitivity Assessed in Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi Isolates from Lowbush Blueberry Fields in Maine
Authors: Thompson Ashley A. , Annis Seanna L.
Published: October 2014

The fungicide sensitivity in populations of Monilinia vacciniicorymbosi (Reade) Honey, the fungus that causes mummy berry, may be affected by the use of fungicides for control of this fungus. The sensitivity of M. vaccinii-corymbosi isolates from conventionally and organically managed fields and an unmanaged, wild area was determined for the fungicides propiconazole and fenbuconazole. Propiconazole has been used for more than 14 years to control mummy berry, and fenbuconazole has become more widely used in the last 4 years than previously. The baseline EC50 for isolates from the unmanaged area was significantly higher for propiconazole (0.016 μg/ml) than fenbuconazole (0.006 μg/ml). The propiconazole EC50 for isolates from conventionally managed fields (0.020 μg/ml) was significantly higher than for isolates from the unmanaged area (0.016 μg/ml), but not from the organically managed fields (0.018 μg/ml). No significant differences in the fenbuconazole EC50 were found among management types. The biennial long-term use of the fungicide propiconazole on populations of M. vaccinii-corymbosi may contribute to the development of fungicide insensitivity over time.

Accepted 15 August 2014. Published 24 September 2014.
Left Ventricular Mechanics Assessed by 2-dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Children and Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Li Shujuan , Yang Junlin , Zhu Ling , Li Yunquan , Peng Huimin , Lin Yuese , Li Xuandi , Huang Zifang , Wang Huishen
Published: October 2014

Study Design:

A retrospective review of data collected prospectively.

Objective:

The study aimed to assess the possible effects of idiopathic scoliosis on left ventricular (LV) myocardial performance in children and adolescent patients.

Summary of Background Data:

Spine anomaly may impair cardiorespiratory function. It has been confirmed that respiratory function decreased in patients with scoliosis. However, limited study of the effect of scoliosis on heart function has been published, and no assessment of myocardial deformation of these patients has been reported to our knowledge.

Methods:

Forty-one patients with a median age of 16 years and a median Cobb’s angle of 75 degrees were studied. LV myocardial deformation was evaluated using 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. The results were compared with those of 33 controls. The correlations between Cobb’s angle and echocardiographic parameters in patients were also explored.

Results:

Compared with controls, patients had significantly lower global LV longitudinal systolic strain in all 3 views (4 chamber, 2 chamber, and 3 chamber views), lower global radial and circumferential strains in mitral valve (MV) level and papillary muscle (PM) level; reduced LV longitudinal early diastolic strain rate (SRe) in all 3 longitudinal views and reduced radial SRe in MV level and reduced circumferential SRe in apical (AP) level; decreased LV longitudinal late diastolic strain rate in 4-chamber view and decreased radial ones in all 3 short-axis levels. Among patients, Cobb’s angle correlated negatively with LV global radial strain of MV level (r=−0.37, P=0.02), global circumferential strain of MV level (r=−0.35, P=0.03), and global circumferential strain of PM level (r=−0.49, P=0.001), whereas positively with LV longitudinal SRa of 4-chamber view (r=0.46, P=0.003), longitudinal SRa of 2-chamber view (r=0.49, P=0.001), and circumferential SRa of AP level (r=0.35, P=0.02).

Conclusions:

LV mechanics are impaired in patients with idiopathic scoliosis, which correlate with the severity of scoliosis. Our findings suggest the need and provide a mechanical basis for further studies in these patients.
Enhanced Transcriptome Maps from Multiple Mouse Tissues Reveal Evolutionary Constraint in Gene Expression for Thousands of Genes
Authors: Pervouchine Dmitri , Djebali Sarah , Breschi Alessandra , Davis Carrie A , Prieto Barja Pablo , Dobin Alex , Tanzer Andrea , Lagarde Julien , Zaleski Chris , See Lei-Hoon , Fastuca Meagan , Drenkow Jorg , Wang Huaien , Bussotti Giovanni , Pei Baikang , Balasubramanian Suganthi , Monlong Jean , Harmanci Arif , Gerstein Mark , Beer Michael A , Notredame Cedric , Guigo Roderic , Gingeras Thomas R
Published: October 2014

We characterized by RNA-seq the transcriptional profiles of a large and heterogeneous collection of mouse tissues, augmenting the mouse transcriptome with thousands of novel transcript candidates. Comparison with transcriptome profiles obtained in human cell lines reveals substantial conservation of transcriptional programs, and uncovers a distinct class of genes with levels of expression across cell types and species, that have been constrained early in vertebrate evolution. This core set of genes capture a substantial and constant fraction of the transcriptional output of mammalian cells, and participates in basic functional and structural housekeeping processes common to all cell types. Perturbation of these constrained genes is associated with significant phenotypes including embryonic lethality and cancer. Evolutionary constraint in gene expression levels is not reflected in the conservation of the genomic sequences, but it is associated with strong and conserved epigenetic marking, as well as to a characteristic post-transcriptional regulatory program in which sub-cellular localization and alternative splicing play comparatively large roles.
When is selection effective?
Authors: Gravel Simon
Published: October 2014

Deleterious alleles can reach high frequency in small populations because of random fluctuations in allele frequency. This may lead, over time, to reduced average fitness. In that sense, selection is more ‘effective’ in larger populations. Recent studies have considered whether the different demographic histories across human populations have resulted in differences in the number, distribution, and severity of deleterious variants, leading to an animated debate. This article first seeks to clarify some terms of the debate by identifying differences in definitions and assumptions used in recent studies. We argue that variants of Morton, Crow and Muller’s ‘total mutational damage’ provide the soundest and most practical basis for such comparisons. Using simulations, analytical calculations, and 1000 Genomes data, we provide an intuitive and quantitative explanation for the observed similarity in genetic load across populations. We show that recent demography has likely modulated the effect of selection, and still affects it, but the net result of the accumulated differences is small. Direct observation of differential efficacy of selection for specific allele classes is nevertheless possible with contemporary datasets. By contrast, identifying average genome-wide differences in the efficacy of selection across populations will require many modelling assumptions, and is unlikely to provide much biological insight about human populations.
Experience of entrepreneurial training for female farmers to stimulate entrepreneurship in Uganda
Authors: Lourenço Fernando , Sappleton Natalie , Dardaine-Edwards Akosua , McElwee Gerard , Cheng Ranis , W. Taylor David , G. Taylor Anthony
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to evaluate the success of a scheme, supported by the Ugandan Agribusiness Initiative Trust, to fund gender and entrepreneurship training for women farmers in the north of Uganda (Gulu District and Lira District). Moreover, this paper reflects upon our experience of delivering training for women farmers and highlights key observations related to women’s entrepreneurship in Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

– A practitioner-based reflection which shares the experiences of the process of developing and delivering gender and entrepreneurship training for women in Uganda.

Findings

– Through the experience of running gender and entrepreneurship training for women farmers in Uganda, a series of barriers to female rural entrepreneurs are highlighted: lack of access to credit, gender inequality, poor infrastructure, lack of access to knowledge and education, negative attitudes towards women and few initiatives to facilitate economic and business success.

Originality/value

– This paper provides reflection of the experience gained from the delivery of training and interaction with women farmers and entrepreneurs in Uganda.
EEO/AA and “doing good”: an exploratory study
Authors: Gillespie Finney Treena , Zachary Finney R. , O. Parry Richard
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relationship between students’ perceptions of equal employment opportunity/affirmative action (EEO/AA) ideals and their perceptions of companies’ ability to meet goals using their corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. The paper also examined the extent to which students’ support of EEO/AA relates to their community mindedness and attitudes toward volunteerism.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper obtained data by surveying 895 students from a medium-sized university in the southern USA.

Findings

– Individuals generally supported EEO/AA, but differentiated between the two, with AA receiving less support. Those supporting EEO/AA were less likely to view a company’s CSR as instrumental in achieving the firm’s goals or its customers’ goals. EEO supporters reported more positive attitudes toward volunteering and tended to see more constraints to volunteering; however, EEO/AA attitudes mostly were unrelated to community mindedness or volunteering behavior.

Practical implications

– Potential applicants perceived EEO and AA statements differently. Rather than perceiving EEO/AA as instrumental in achieving outcomes via CSR, individuals viewed EEO/AA as compliance activities, distinct from CSR. We suggest that companies consider using broader diversity initiatives (e.g. recruitment, promotion and training) as part of CSR, rather than focusing on compliance issues.

Originality/value

– Research has not explored the relationship among EEO/AA perceptions and “doing good” as a company (CSR), as well as “doing good” individually (volunteerism). This study provides the basis for additional research to better understand these relationships.
Global governance, health systems and oil and gas exploration
Authors: M. Arruda Gisele
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The aim of the article is to explore the central risks, benefits and impacts of oil and gas exploration on human communities’ health and environment worldwide. It suggests a new model of governance to a more effective and coherent environmental management framework.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article uses a case-based approach, utilizing a review of past literature as a vehicle to discuss possible new approaches and paths for the development of an innovative model of environmental governance relating to oil and gas industry.

Findings

– The article demonstrates the necessity of improving the current governance patterns, economic theory and current models of development trying to align them with innovative effective mechanisms of risk management on sectoral industry dealing with highly risky resources exploration at a global platform.

Practical implications

– The article provides a fresh illustration of the challenges of the oil and gas industry and environmental management by trying to point out the health impacts at the same time that suggests a profound reflection on new patterns of integrative and realigned governance.

Social implications

– The examine of the balance of risks and benefits associated with unarticulated and unaligned models of development, or sometimes the absolute lack of these models.

Originality/value

– The article is original in its development of a new framework of governance aligned to revisited management systems, processes and infrastructure needed for a more efficient exploration of resources base of our economic system.
Coordinated movement of biomimetic dual PTZ visual system and wheeled mobile robot
Authors: Xu He , Xu Yan , Fu Hu , Xu Yixian , Gao X.Z. , Alipour Khalil
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore a novel control approach for swift and accurate positioning and tracking of a mobile robot. Coordinated movement of the mobile robot-body and chameleon-inspired binocular “negative correlation” visual system (CIBNCVS) with neck has rarely been considered in conventional mobile robot design. However, it is vital in swift and accurate positioning and tracking of the target. Consequently, it is valuable to find an optimized method where the robot-body, the biomimetic eyes and neck could achieve optimal coordinated movement.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a wheeled mobile robot, a biomimetic dual Pan–Tilt–Zoom visual system with neck is constructed. The cameras can rely on the unique “negative correlation” mode of chameleon vision, and cooperate with neck, achieving swift search of the 160° scope in front of the robot. Genetic algorithm is used to obtain optimal rotation of the neck and robot-body. Variable resolution targeting is also applied for accurate aiming. Using these two approaches, we can achieve efficient targeting with low energy consumption. Particle filter algorithm is further utilized for real-time tracking.

Findings

– In the proposed approach, swift and accurate positioning and tracking of the target can be obtained. The rationality of the approach is verified by experiments on flat and sandy terrains with satisfactory results.

Originality/value

– This paper proposes a novel control approach for wheeled mobile robots, which achieves coordinated movement of the robot-body and CIBNCVS with neck concerning time and energy saving in the process of swift and accurate tracking.
The future of robotics in Europe
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide details of a major new European robotic research programme and of a recent survey concerning the attitudes of Europeans to robotic technology.

Design/methodology/approach

– Following an introduction, this paper briefly summarises Europe’s position within the global robotics industry and then discusses the SPARC project. It then examines the finding of a European survey of public attitudes towards robots and concludes with a short discussion.

Findings

– This shows that the European Union (EU) is a significant force within the global robotics business, and that it is about to embark on its largest ever robotics R&D programme. An EU-wide survey of public attitudes towards robots showed generally positive views but great resistance to the use of robots to care for children, the elderly and the disabled. There was also widespread concern that growing numbers of robots will take jobs.

Originality/value

– This paper summarises Europe’s position within the global robotics industry, provides details of the SPARC project and analyses the finding of a European survey into public attitudes towards robots.
Driving forces for implementation of public private partnerships (PPP) in Malaysia and a comparison with the United Kingdom
Authors: Ismail Suhaiza
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it aims to investigate the factors forcing the implementation of public private partnerships (PPP) in Malaysia. Second, the study intends to compare the driving forces for PPP implementation in Malaysia to the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a questionnaire survey, 122 responses were received from respondents in Malaysia and the responses were analysed using descriptive analysis, which included the mean and mean score ranking. In comparing to the driving factors in the UK, evidence from prior studies that adopted a similar questionnaire instrument was obtained and analysed.

Findings

– The results show that the top three driving forces for PPP implementation in Malaysia are “economic development pressure of demanding more facilities”, “private incentive” and “shortage of government funding”. Although comparison of the results between the two countries found that both countries regarded all the factors, to some extent, as important, different countries have a different priority for each of the driving forces. The findings imply that the unique nature of PPP in different countries is reflected in the different motivation factors of each country to implement PPP.

Originality/value

– The present study not only offers insights on the key driving forces for PPP implementation in Malaysia but also useful information on the comparison of motivation factors to the pioneer of PPP implementation (i.e. the UK).
How European business schools can find their way
Authors: Sionneau Bernard , Rabasso Carlos , Rabasso Javier
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims at explaining why “Globally Responsible Humanism (GRH)” is presented here as the pivot for a re-foundation of European Business Schools’ culture. Explaining the concept and its difference with traditional European Humanism, the related argumentation is organized around two main parts: the first one explains why the European Union and its business schools do not make sense in a globalization process driven by the financialized economy; the second one shows how a sustainable exposition of European management students to a transcultural approach, a postcolonial perspective, and critical thinking, can lead to their training as future globally responsible leaders inNew Business Schools for Societal Studies.

Design/methodology/approach

– An international political sociology perspective, applied to the interpretation of globalization trends, and a critical thinking approach to education allow for a questioning of the values and contents of mainstream business learning.

Findings

– The new proposed transversal, postcolonial and interdisciplinary pedagogical approach regarding business education is conducive to closely related operational tracks: on the one hand, how to improve the skills and systemic understanding of students’ global environment; on the other hand, how to lead, organize and manage the coherent “GRH”-driven business school.

Originality/value

– The originality of this paper stems from the combination of critical works issued from the social and human sciences realms to revisit business education.
William Lazer: reflections on my American Marketing Association presidency
Authors: Lazer William
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is intended to record the author’s personal reflections on his term of office as President of the American Marketing Association (AMA).

Design/methodology/approach

– Personal reflections are provided in an autobiographical approach.

Findings

– The article discusses the AMA situation during the 1970s, membership and conferences, the Office of the President and the author’s goals and objectives as President of the AMA. Other issues discussed include certification, Canadian affiliates, the New York Chapter and how the AMA handled the Journal of Consumer Research and the Journal of Marketing during this period in time. International issues during the author’s Presidency included the International Marketing Federation, AMA’s International Activities and Strategic Plans and the Global Division. Political issues included dealing with the Doctoral Consortium, Bureau of the Census, the White House Department of Consumer Affairs, AMA Advocacy and a definition of Marketing.

Originality/value

– This article records events and memories that might otherwise be forgotten. No other such account has been published of William Lazer’s term as President of the AMA.
Trade fairs and propaganda
Authors: Große-Börger Julia
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to show how the National Socialist regime participated in popular commercial events such as trade fairs to posture their propaganda. I demonstrate how the inter-trade organization and one particular company – Daimler-Benz AG – tailored their advertising to the communication strategies used by the Nazi regime.

Design/methodology/approach

– This case study is based on the archival records of Daimler AG. The way in which the 50th anniversary of the automobile was staged at the Berlin Motor Shows of 1935 and 1936 is understood as part of the communication strategies of the German automotive industry, as well as of the Nazi regime.

Findings

– This paper shows how intimately connected the 50th anniversary of the automobile was to the themes of racing and motorization. The automobile as a German invention had the potential to reconcile the motorization of the German people – a sign of modernity – with the blood and soil ideology of the Nazis. The Berlin Auto Show became an important platform for this project. The paper also shows how Daimler-Benz’s approach should be read differently.

Originality/value

– The article sheds new light on the interaction between and inter-dependence of one particular company’s – Daimler-Benz AG’s – communication strategies and those of the Nazi regime. Furthermore, the 50th anniversary of the automobile, celebrated at the auto show in Berlin, provides a good opportunity to add exhibitions to of advertising history of the 1930 Germany.
Electric lamp renewal systems: a strategy to dominate lighting
Authors: D. Wrege Charles , J. Gordon Peter , A. Greenwood Regina
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of electric lamp renewal systems, an early, successful program to encourage the adoption of new technology, electric lighting.

Design/methodology/approach

– Much material for the research comes from a variety of archival sources and publications of the early part of the twentieth century.

Findings

– The free lamp renewal system was brilliant and effective: its high level of customer service and human contact dispelled fear raised by the new energy source, increasing the acceptance and use of electric lighting and thereby electricity. Lighting, in the absence of electrical appliances, was one of the few users of electricity. Thus, the electric companies created a marketing strategy that encouraged adoption of the new technology.

Research limitations/implications

– We examined the electric lighting industry at the turn of the twentieth century. Other examples of technology adoption could generalize our findings.

Practical implications

– Our research suggests that supportive programs, which are high in customer contact and customized service, can aid in the adoption of new technology and unfamiliar products. By encouraging the use of such free or cheap products, customers are induced to higher usage of related products that increase the revenue stream to the provider.

Originality/value

– The lamp renewal system is forgotten today, yet was a crucial factor in winning consumer acceptance of electric lighting and an early example of how companies can encourage adoption of new technology. Although the concept of uniformed men in trucks coming to customer homes once a month to clean and replace light bulbs is quaint – it worked!
CleanServs: clean services for a more sustainable world
Authors: Wolfson Adi , Tavor Dorith , Mark Shlomo
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to describe a novel framework for service design to achieve the overall goal of sustainability and to characterize it while exploring the benefit of doing so for both sustainability and service. This novel framework also proposes new opportunities for sustainability-oriented innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper presents a novel approach to design and implement services that will lead to a reduction in the production of goods and will offer alternatives that will reduce whatever production process is involved in its creation, i.e. clean service – CleanServ.

Findings

– The authors’ findings suggest that a CleanServ is a service that is competitive with, if not superior to, its conventional tangible or intangible counterparts and one that reduces the use of natural resources and cuts or eliminates emissions and wastes. CleanServs can be categorized into five different groups based on their fundamental contribution to sustainability: prevention, reduction, replacement, efficiency and offset. While the service sector continuous to grow in size and importance, CleanServs will play a key role in improving the sustainability of our society and in preserving the environment.

Practical implications

– The CleanServ concept offers a new framework and novel opportunities for sustainability-oriented innovation in the service sector. Implementing CleanServs will enable services to be imbued with sustainability and will promote the exchange of the production of goods with the delivery of services that will supply the same solution more sustainably.

Social implications

– CleanServs are expected to change how we consume both products and services and will, therefore, promote a more rational use of natural resources and will reduce the discharge of pollution to the environment. Implementation of the CleanServ concept will, thus, advance the current state of the art in sustainable development and improve quality of life on a global scale.

Originality/value

– This paper presents a novel approach and a framework that conceptualizes clean services, which we term CleanServs, while exploring the benefit of doing so, both for sustainability and for service science.
In pursuit of control: involving suppliers of critical technologies in new product development
Authors: Melander Lisa , Rosell David , Lakemond Nicolette
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamics of management and control in collaborations with suppliers of critical technology.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three collaborative product development projects at a system integrator in the telecom industry were studied. The data was collected through 22 semi-structured interviews and a workshop at the studied company and its suppliers.

Findings

– The paper shows that in situations of high dependence on suppliers of critical technologies, control may be pursued by complementing black-box development with appropriate checks and balances in the collaboration, i.e. using combinations of control mechanisms, disconnected development and joint problem solving, contracts and trust, and alignment efforts on project and strategic levels. Further, the paper demonstrates that this involves several trade-offs related to the advantages of increased monitoring and disadvantages of decreased levels of freedom for the supplier and consequently decreased prerequisites for supplier creativity.

Research limitations/implications

– The qualitative approach of the research limits generalizability. Our study is limited to three projects at one firm.

Practical implications

– Technological roadmaps can be used as an important tool to facilitate alignment with suppliers of critical technologies. Limited influence on project level can be supported by influencing the supplier on a strategic level. By collaborating on a strategic level, firms can gain alignment for future projects and diminish the need for direct project control within the projects. Long-term collaborations facilitate control in projects with powerful suppliers of critical technologies.

Originality/value

– While many studies suggest simplified responses to complex situations of supplier involvement in product development, this study provides insight into the complex responses to control suppliers of critical technologies.
The role of demand management in achieving supply chain agility
Authors: M. Gligor David
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of demand management in achieving supply chain agility (SCA) through a multi-disciplinary review of the relevant research. The systematic literature review provides the basis for formulating a conceptual framework of the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– A systematic, comprehensive review of the literature on manufacturing, marketing organizational and SCA from 1991 through 2013 was conducted. The literature on demand management is also examined to identify the various elements that contribute to SCA.

Findings

– Most agility frameworks take a supply-side perspective and assume that demand is known. Those that do acknowledge the role of demand fall short of offering a holistic framework that acknowledges the role of both. This paper suggests that it is simply not enough to have flexible manufacturing, distribution and procurement systems to achieve SCA. Flexibility in managing demand is also needed. Furthermore, it is the premise of this paper that demand and supply integration (DSI) inside the firm is critical to achieving SCA.

Research limitations/implications

– This research is a systematic, integrative review of the existing literature on the concept of agility. As such, the next phase of research needed for theory building will be the operationalization of constructs and testing of the hypothesized relationships proposed by the conceptual framework.

Practical implications

– The paper has several managerial implications as well. It illustrates how firms can create and sustain competitive advantages in turbulent environments. Managers can use the framework developed here to assess what structures and decision-making processes they can use to increase the firm’s SCA. Practitioners can use this model as a checklist to identify candidate areas for improving agility. The section illustrating the use of knowledge management to increase DSI should be of particular interest to managers, considering that a great deal of firms experience a disconnect between demand creation and supply fulfillment.

Originality/value

– Through a systematic, comprehensive review of multi-disciplinary literature, the paper explores the role of demand management in achieving SCA.
Grading criteria for disease severity by pemphigus disease area index
Authors: Shimizu Tomoko , Takebayashi Toru , Sato Yuji , Niizeki Hironori , Aoyama Yumi , Kitajima Yasuo , Iwatsuki Keiji , Hashimoto Takashi , Yamagami Jun , Werth Victoria P. , Amagai Masayuki , Tanikawa Akiko
Published: October 2014

Pemphigus is a group of autoimmune blistering diseases that affect the skin and mucous membranes. A reliable and accurate disease severity tool to assess pemphigus severity is crucial for managing pemphigus and for clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to compare the pemphigus disease area index activity score (PDAI), the Japanese pemphigus disease severity score (JPDSS) and the physician's subjective impression, and also to find appropriate severity grading cut‐offs for the PDAI. We also evaluated the correlation between PDAI activity score and the JPDSS. Thirty‐seven pemphigus patients and 110 assessments were analyzed in this study. The optimal points of pemphigus disease severity score in PDAI were: mild (0–8), moderate (9–24) and severe (≥25). In mild or moderate cases, the JPDSS was well correlated with the PDAI, but in severe cases the JPDSS reached a plateau at a PDAI score of approximately 30. The PDAI evaluates disease severity more accurately than the JPDSS, particularly in severe cases. The PDAI is not only a useful tool to measure the extent of cutaneous lesions, but also an excellent scoring system for evaluating pemphigus disease severity.