bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Swiftian Voyage from Brobdingnag to Lilliput: Freshwater Planctomycetes drifting towards the poles of the genome size spectrum
Authors: Andrei Adrian-Ştefan , Salcher Michaela M. , Mehrshad Maliheh , Rychtecký Pavel , Znachor Petr , Ghai Rohit
Published: August 2018

Freshwater environments teem with microbes. Currently, our apprehension of evolutionary ecology of freshwater bacteria is hampered by the difficulty to establish organism models for the most representative clades. To circumvent the bottlenecks inherent to the cultivation-based techniques, we applied ecogenomics approaches in order to unravel the evolutionary history and the processes that drive genome architecture in hallmark freshwater lineages from Planctomycetes phylum. The evolutionary history inferences showed that sediment/soil Planctomycetes transitioned to aquatic environments were, through processes mostly associated with reductive genome evolution, gave rise to new freshwater-specific clades. The most successful lineage was found to simultaneously have the most specialized lifestyle (increased regulatory genetic circuits; metabolism tuned for mineralization of proteinaceous sinking aggregates; psychrotrophic behavior) and to harbor the smallest genomes, highlighting a genomic architecture shaped by niche-directed evolution.
Defining the toxicity limits on microbial range in a metal-contaminated aquifer Running Title: Inorganic ion toxicity limits on microbial range
Authors: Carlson Hans K. , Price Morgan N. , Callaghan Mark , Aaring Alex , Chakraborty Romy , Liu Hualan , Arkin Adam P. , Deutschbauer Adam M.
Published: August 2018

In extreme environments, toxic compounds restrict which microorganisms persist. However, in complex mixtures of inhibitory compounds, it is challenging to determine which specific compounds cause changes in abundance and prevent some microorganisms from growing. We focused on a contaminated aquifer in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A. that has low pH and high concentrations of uranium, nitrate and many other inorganic ions. In the most contaminated wells, the microbial community is enriched in theRhodanobactergenus.Rhodanobacterrelative abundance is positively correlated with low pH and high concentrations of U, Mn, Al, Cd, Zn, Ni, Co, Ca, NO3−, Mg, Cl, SO42−, Sr, K and Ba and we sought to determine which of these correlated parameters are selective pressures that favor the growth ofRhodanobacterover other taxa. Using high-throughput cultivation, we determined that of the ions correlated highRhodanobacterabundance, only low pH and high U, Mn, Al, Cd, Zn, Co and Ni (a) are selectively inhibitory of a sensitivePseudomonasisolate from a background well versus a representative resistantRhodanobacterisolate from a contaminated well, and (b) reach toxic concentrations in the most contaminated wells that can inhibit the sensitivePseudomonasisolate. We prepared mixtures of inorganic ions representative of the most contaminated wells and verified that few other isolates aside fromRhodanobactercan tolerate these 8 parameters. These results clarify which toxic inorganic ions are causal factors that impact the microbial community at this field site and are not merely correlated with taxonomic shifts.
Three-dimensional nanostructure of an intact microglia cell
Authors: Bolasco Giulia , Weinhard Laetitia , Boissonnet Tom , Neujahr Ralph , Gross Cornelius T.
Published: August 2018

Microglia are non-neuronal cells of the myeloid lineage that invade and take up long-term residence in the brain during development (Ginhoux et al. 2010) and are increasingly implicated in neuronal maturation, homeostasis, and pathology (Bessis et al. 2007; Paolicelli et al. 2011; Li et al. 2012; Aguzzi et al. 2013, Cunningham 2013, Cunningham et al. 2013). Since the early twentieth century several methods for staining and visualizing microglia have been developed. Scientists in Ramón y Cajal’s group (Achúcarro 1913, Río-Hortega 1919) pioneered these methods and their work led to the christening of microglia as the third element of the nervous system, distinct from astrocytes and neurons. More recently, a combination of imaging, genetic, and immunological tools has been used to visualize microglia in living brain (Davalos et al. 2005; Nimmerjahn et al. 2005). It was found that microglia are highly motile under resting conditions and rapidly respond to injuries (Kettenmann et al. 2011) suggesting a role for microglia in both brain homeostasis and pathology. Transmission Electron microscopy (TEM) has provided crucial complementary information on microglia morphology and physiology but until recently EM analyses have been limited to single or limited serial section studies (Tremblay et al. 2010; Paolicelli et al. 2011; Schafer et al. 2012; Tremblay et al. 2012; Sipe et al. 2016). TEM studies were successful in defining a set of morphological criteria for microglia: a polygonal nucleus with peripheral condensed chromatin, a relatively small cytoplasm with abundant presence of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), and a large volume of lysosomes and inclusions in the perikaryon. Recent advances in volumetric electron microscopy techniques allow for 3D reconstruction of large samples at nanometer-resolution, thus opening up new avenues for the understanding of cell biology and architecture in intact tissues. At the same time, correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) techniques have been extended to 3D brain samples to help navigate and identify critical molecular landmarks within large EM volumes (Briggman and Denk 2006; Maco et al. 2013; Blazquez-Llorca et al. 2015, Bosch et al. 2015). Here we present the first volumetric ultrastructural reconstruction of an entire mouse hippocampal microglia using serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBEM). Using CLEM we have ensured the inclusion of both large, small, and filopodial microglia processes. Segmentation of the dataset allowed us to carry out a comprehensive inventory of microglia cell structures, including vesicles, organelles, membrane protrusions, and processes. This study provides a reference that can serve as a data mining resource for investigating microglia cell biology.
Adaptation of proteins to the cold in Antarctic fish: A role for Methionine?
Authors: Berthelot Camille , Clarke Jane , Desvignes Thomas , Detrich H. William , Flicek Paul , Peck Lloyd S. , Peters Michael , Postlethwait John H. , Clark Melody S.
Published: August 2018

The evolution of antifreeze glycoproteins has enabled notothenioid fish to flourish in the freezing waters of the Southern Ocean. Whilst successful at the biodiversity level to life in the cold, paradoxically at the cellular level these stenothermal animals have problems producing, folding and degrading proteins at their ambient temperatures of down to −1.86°C. In this first multi-species transcriptome comparison of the amino acid composition of notothenioid proteins with temperate teleost proteins, we show that, unlike psychrophilic bacteria, Antarctic fish provide little evidence for the mass alteration of protein amino acid composition to enhance protein folding and reduce protein denaturation in the cold. The exception was the significant over-representation of positions where leucine in temperate fish proteins was replaced by methionine in the notothenioid orthologues. Although methionine may increase stability in critical proteins, we hypothesise that a more likely explanation for the extra methionines is that they have been preferentially assimilated into the genome because they act as redox sensors. This redox hypothesis is supported by the enrichment of duplicated genes within the notothenioid transcriptomes which centre around Mapk signalling, a major pathway in the cellular cascades associated with responses to environmental stress. Whilst notothenioid fish show cold-associated problems with protein homeostasis, they may have modified only a selected number of biochemical pathways to work efficiently below 0°C. Even a slight warming of the Southern Ocean might disrupt the critical functions of this handful of key pathways with considerable impacts for the functioning of this ecosystem in the future.
A validation of the diathesis-stress model for depression in Generation Scotland
Authors: Arnau-Soler Aleix , Adams Mark J. , Clarke Toni-Kim , MacIntyre Donald J. , Milburn Keith , Navrady Lauren , Scotland Generation ,   Major Depressive Disorder Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, Hayward Caroline , McIntosh Andrew , Thomson Pippa A.
Published: August 2018

Depression has well-established influences from genetic and environmental risk factors. This has led to thediathesis-stresstheory, which assumes a multiplicative gene-by-environment interaction (GxE) effect on risk. Recently,Colodro-Conde et al. empirically tested this theory, using the polygenic risk score for major depressive disorder (PRS, genes) and stressful life events (SLE, environment) effects on depressive symptoms, identifying significant GxE effects with an additive contribution to liability. We have tested thediathesis-stresstheory on an independent sample of 4 919 individuals.

We identified nominally significant positive GxE effects in the full cohort (R2= 0.08%,p= 0.049) and in women (R2= 0.19%,p= 0.017), but not in men (R2= 0.15%,p= 0.07). GxE effects were nominally significant, but only in women, when SLE were split into those in which the respondent plays an active or passive role (R2= 0.15%,p= 0.038; R2= 0.16%,p= 0.033, respectively). High PRS increased the risk of depression in participants reporting high numbers of SLE (p= 2.86 × 10−4). However, in those participants who reported no recent SLE, a higher PRS appeared to increase the risk of depressive symptoms in men (β = 0.082,p= 0.016) but had a protective effect in women (β = −0.061,p= 0.037). This difference was nominally significant (p= 0.017). Our study reinforces the evidence of additional risk in the aetiology of depression due to GxE effects. However, larger sample sizes are required to robustly validate these findings.
Parental attitudes toward weaning practices and weaning foods for health in Malaysia
Authors: Mohamad Hajar , Mirosa Miranda , Bremer Phil , Oey Indrawati
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain insight on parental attitudes towards weaning practices and weaning foods for health in Malaysia using Q-methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

The study population was parents that had a child aged three years or less. A total of 47 parents were recruited to partake in a one-on-one activity which involved sorting 69 statements about weaning practices and weaning food products into a grid that was normally distributed ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”. Sorting was immediately followed by a short interview to understand the reasons behind the placement of particular statements.

Findings

Data analysis identified three statistically distinct participant attitudes towards weaning practices and foods for health that were then interpreted using the rich qualitative data from the post-sort interviews. The attitudes identified were “All Homemade and Natural”, “Commercial Convenience and Trust” and “Balance and Variety”.

Originality/value

This study identified the dominant sets of attitudes held by Malaysian parents towards weaning practices and weaning foods for health using Q-methodology. To authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper focussing on weaning foods for health, specifically on functional weaning food. This new understanding of shared attitudes will allow product developers, marketers and health communicators to more effectively design their products and their marketing mix to ensure that these messages resonate well with the target audience who want to provide the best weaning foods possible for their children.
Market or government: who plays a decisive role in R&D resource allocation?
Authors: Xu Shoufu , He Xuehui , Xu Longbing
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of equity market valuation and government intervention on the research and development (R&D) investments of listed companies in China and their relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a manually collected R&D database in the period 2007–2015, this paper constructs a sample of 6,595 firm–year observations and applies the methods of pooled OLS regressions to examine the effects of market valuation and government intervention on corporate R&D expenditures.

Findings

This paper finds that market valuation enhances corporate R&D investments, but there is no evidence that government intervention may significantly affect the R&D investments. Government intervention also decreases the sensitivity of corporate R&D investment to stock price, which implies that government intervention weakens the promotion of market mechanism to corporate R&D investment. Furthermore, these effects are stronger in the non-state-owned firms and the non-regulated industries.

Practical implications

This study suggests that the functional borders of markets and government should be reasonably defined and markets play a decisive role in resource allocation to improve corporate innovation and national innovation.

Originality/value

This paper provides a micro view of the relationship between market and government at the stage of transitional economy in China as well as directions for further research on the relationship between stock prices and corporate investments.
Fast copper loss calculation in coil winding of motor by zooming method
Authors: Katagiri Hirokatsu , Kazuki Semba , Sano Hiroyuki , Yamada Takashi
Published: August 2018

Purpose

It takes long time for estimating a copper loss in the coil winding of the motor by using the finite element method (FEM). The purpose of this paper is to calculate fast the copper loss by zooming method.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt the “zooming method” to FEM. The authors compare the accuracy and the calculation time with zooming method and normal FEM.

Findings

The zooming method contributes to speeding up and the high accuracy of calculation. In the results, the 43-fold speed increase is achieved in the calculation of synchronous motor compared to usual FEM.

Practical implications

The AC copper loss calculation of 3D motor analysis can be calculated in practical computation time.

Originality/value

The main advantage of employment of zooming method is significantly reduction of the computation time in the loss calculation of the coil winding.
Bridging the digital divide gap in BIM technology adoption
Authors: Ayinla Kudirat Olabisi , Adamu Zulfikar
Published: August 2018

Purpose

In the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, a “digital divide” exists in technology adoption because SMEs (who often form the bulk of AEC organisations in most countries) are thought to be “Late Majority” and “Laggards” in the adoption of Building information modelling (BIM) technology. Larger organisations not saddled with financial and socio-technical constraints might be considered as being among the “Early Majority” or “Innovators”. It is crucial to understand how these organisations differ in their speed of BIM technology adoption and the rationale for this difference. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential causes of the digital divide and suggest solutions for bridging the gap.

Design/methodology/approach

Using mixed research method, data were collected through online questionnaire survey of over 240 global respondents as well as a semi-structured interview with nine experts for which statistical and thematic analyses were used, respectively.

Findings

Organisations can be zoned into “layers” and “levels” of BIM technology adoption and their size is not always significant in terms of the speed at which they adopt BIM. The digital divide is unequal across layers/levels and large organisations utilise technologies across the BIM maturity levels depending on project circumstances. A conceptual model for BIM technology was developed to aid identification of the “Laggards” and “Late Majority” from the “Innovators” through which change agents can customise adoption strategies for each group.

Originality/value

The developed model could serve as a tool for engagement and policy making and it contributes to the body of knowledge in the field of BIM technology adoption.
The dilemma of inter-organizational relationships
Authors: Huo Baofeng , Tian Min , Tian Yu , Zhang Qiyuan
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Power is central to inter-organizational relationships. The literature distinguishes between structural power (i.e. dependence) and behavioral power (i.e. use of power), yet few studies considered them simultaneously. Opportunism is generally linked to use of power, but it remains unclear whether use of power deters or invites opportunism. In this study, the authors treat dependence as a driver of use of power and opportunism as its outcome, and empirically test relationships among dependence, power, and opportunism from both buyer and supplier perspectives. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines how buyer and supplier dependence influence the other’s and their own use of coercive and non-coercive power, which lead to opportunism of two parties, based on data from 240 companies in China on their perceived relationships with major suppliers.

Findings

Results show that buyer/supplier dependence is positively related to supplier’s/buyer’s use of coercive and non-coercive power. Buyer’s and supplier’s use of coercive power also positively influences their opportunism. Buyer’s use of non-coercive power is negatively related to both partners’ opportunism, whereas supplier’s use of non-coercive power is not significantly related to either partner’s opportunism.

Originality/value

This study contributes to literature in two ways. First, the authors distinguish the structural aspect of power from its behavioral aspect and demonstrate that dependence, which represents structural power, generates different patterns of influence on use of coercive and non-coercive power when considered from buyer’s and supplier’s perspectives. Second, the authors reexamine relationships between use of power and opportunism and show that buyers and suppliers react differently to use of different types of power.
Parametric analysis of the drag torque model of wet multi-plate friction clutch with groove consideration
Authors: Wu Peng-hui , Zhou Xiaojun , Yang Chenlong , Lv Haoliang , Lin Tianhao , Wu Xuelei
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reduce the drag loss and study the effects of operating conditions and groove parameters such as flow rate and temperature of automatic transmission fluid, clearance between plates, groove depth and groove ratio on the drag torque of a wet clutch for vehicles, parametric analysis of the drag torque model of wet multi-plate friction clutch with groove consideration.

Design/methodology/approach

Both experimental and numerical research was carried out in this work. Parametric groove models, full film lubrication flow model and pressure distribution model are established to investigate the effects of the grooves on drag torque of a wet clutch. Multigrid method is used to simplify the solution.

Findings

In this paper, a drag torque model of a wet multi-plate friction clutch based on the basic theory of viscous fluid dynamics is examined through experimental and numerical methods that take grooves into account, and the change trend of drag torque with operating conditions and groove parameters is analyzed.

Originality/value

Multigrid method is used to solve the governing equations, which simplifies the solution process because of the restrictions and interpolation operations between the adjacent layers of coarser and fine grids. These works provide insight into the effect regularity of operating conditions and groove parameters on drag torque of a wet multi-plate friction clutch. Furthermore, variable test conditions and sufficient experimental data are the main functions in the experimental research.
Design and performance analysis on heat pipe hydrostatic thrust bearings based on rectangular oil pad
Authors: Li Xibing , Li Weixiang , Chen Xueyong , Li Ming , Chen Huayun , Yue Xin
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of application of a heat pipe in an aspect of hydrostatic thrust bearings on thermal balance and deformation and the role of this application in increasing the rotating speed of a workbench.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical simulations of oil film temperature field, the temperature field and thermal deformation of the bearing’s workbench and base were performed by finite element analysis (FEA) software for both the traditional hydrostatic thrust bearings and the heat pipe ones.

Findings

Oil pad and workbench of the hydrostatic thrust bearings are fabricated with a heat pipe cooling structure, which can take away most of the heat generated by shearing of the oil film, control the temperature rise and thermal deformation of the hydrostatic thrust bearing effectively, avoid the dry friction phenomenon and finally improve the processing quality of equipment.

Originality/value

The heat pipe hydrostatic thrust bearings could control the temperature rise and thermal deformation of the hydrostatic thrust bearing effectively, avoid the dry friction phenomenon and improve the processing quality of equipment.
Do firms still need to be social? Firm generated content in social media
Authors: Poulis Athanasios , Rizomyliotis Ioannis , Konstantoulaki Kleopatra
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how firm-generated content (FGC) impacts consumer brand awareness, brand loyalty and electronic word of mouth (eWOM), and how this, in turn, influences consumer purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to test this conceptual framework, statistical analysis was carried out employing structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings indicate that FGC has a positive impact on brand awareness, brand loyalty, eWOM and purchase intention. Furthermore, the results reveal that a link exists between consumer eWOM behaviour and brand awareness and loyalty. This study also demonstrates that company communication through Facebook and Instagram has a positive effect on consumer purchase intention. Finally, it has been shown that, regarding eWOM and purchase intention, FGC posted on Instagram has a greater impact on its users than that posted on Facebook.

Originality/value

Consumer purchase intention is increasingly impacted by the growing use of social media by companies and marketers. This changing environment has opened up new challenges. However, there is still much work to be done in understanding the full effects of FGC communication, and how this influences consumer brand perception and purchase intention.
Targeted state economic development incentives and entrepreneurship
Authors: Tuszynski Meg Patrick , Stansel Dean
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between state economic development incentives programs and entrepreneurial activity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use panel data and a fixed-effects model to examine the determinants of five measures of entrepreneurial activity. To measure state economic development incentives programs, they use a new and substantially improved data set from Bartik (2017). They also include a measure for economic freedom, the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of North America index.

Findings

The authors find a robustly negative relationship between development incentives and patent activity. They find some evidence that incentives are negatively associated with small business establishments (<10 employees) as a percentage of total establishments but positively associated with the large business establishment (>500 employees) share. They also find evidence of a positive relationship between economic freedom and both patent activity and net business formation.

Research limitations/implications

The results imply that economic development incentive programs are unlikely to increase entrepreneurial activity and may decrease it. They also imply increased economic freedom (lower taxes, lower spending, and lower governmental restrictions on labor markets) may increase entrepreneurial activity.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this paper provides the first examination of the relationship between development incentives and entrepreneurial activity that utilizes Bartik (2017), a new vastly improved data set of state economic development incentive programs. The paper also contributes to the literature on the relationship between economic freedom and entrepreneurial activity.
Corporate social performance in family firms: a meta-analysis
Authors: Canavati Sergio
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Empirical studies provide conflicting conclusions regarding the corporate social performance (CSP) of family firms. The purpose of this paper is to synthesize the existing empirical evidence and examine the potential role of research design and contextual factors.

Design/methodology/approach

A meta-analysis of existing empirical studies was performed to examine the role of sampling, measurement and contextual factors in explaining the different and often conflicting results of empirical studies in the family business literature.

Findings

The overall relationship between family firms and CSP is positive. The relationship between family firms and CSP is positive for private family firms but is negative for public family firms. The relationship between family firms and CSP is positive when family involvement includes both family ownership and management as opposed to only family ownership or family management. Private family firms care more and public family firms care less about the community, environment, and employees than private and public nonfamily firms. The relationship between family firms and CSP is stronger in institutional environments with weak labor and corporate governance regulatory frameworks.

Research limitations/implications

The operationalization of both the family firm and CSP constructs significantly predicts the magnitude and direction of the relationship between family firms and CSP.

Practical implications

Family firms should become more skilled at measuring and disseminating information about the firm’s CSP. Family firms should work to improve public perceptions about the CSP of family firms.

Social implications

Policy should encourage family firms to remain privately owned by the family. Policy should also incentivize the involvement of family owners in the management of family firms.

Originality/value

Although several literature reviews address the relationship between family firms and CSP, this is the first review to use the meta-analysis method. The authors contribute to the family business literature by analyzing how differences in study-, firm- and country-level factors can explain some of the variance in the results of the studies in the literature.
Structural aspects of corporate governance and family firm performance: a systematic review
Authors: Azila-Gbettor Edem M. , Honyenuga Ben Q. , Berent-Braun Marta M. , Kil Ad
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to systematically review and examine extant knowledge on corporate governance structures (CGS) and performance relation within family firm and set the agenda for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyses the content of 159 empirical articles retrieved mainly from Google Scholar and published between 2000 and 2016 in 61 highly ranked journals across different disciplines.

Findings

The review reveals fixation on quantitative approach and its associated techniques in examining CGS and performance nexus. The results from the review demonstrate heterogeneous relation between measures of CGS and performance. Suggestions for further studies include: measurement of non-economic performance of the family firm and incorporation of moderators and mediators from the organizations’ environment through the adoption of multilevel research.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this review include: first, issues relating to key/search terms and journals used for the study; this may not be exhaustive and hence likely to lead to omission of key publications. Second, scholarly attention in terms of empirical studies on family governance, including family council, family assembly and family constitution, has been scarce (Suess, 2014; Klein, 2008; Witt, 2008); hence family governance is outside the scope of this review. In sum, future work may explore other keywords and publications not used in this review and consider review of family governance.

Originality/value

The authors offer a multidisciplinary conceptual framework that synthesizes and integrates the existing literature on CGS across different disciplines within family firms. This provides researchers across different disciplines a common platform for interdisciplinary discourse.
Application of a semantic product matching mechanism in open tendering e-marketplaces
Authors: Mehrbod Ahmad , Zutshi Aneesh , Grilo António , Jardim-Gonsalves Ricardo
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Searching the tender notices that publish every day in open tendering websites is a common way for finding business opportunity in public procurement. The heterogeneity of tender notices from various tendering marketplaces is a challenge for exploiting semantic technologies in the tender search.

Design/methodology/approach

Most of the semantic matching approaches require the data to be structured and integrated according to a data model. But the integration process can be expensive and time-consuming especially for multi-source data integration.

Findings

In this paper, a product search mechanism that had been developed in an e-procurement platform for matching product e-catalogues is applied to the tender search problem. The search performance has been compared using two procurement vocabularies on searching tender notices from two major tender resources.

Originality/value

The test results show that the matching mechanism is able to find tender notices from heterogeneous resources and different classification systems without transforming the tenders to a uniform data model.
Acknowledging knowledge
Authors: Williams Adam M. , Lau Fion , McCue Clifford P.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the knowledge public procurement professionals perceive as important for performing their duties.

Design/methodology/approach

Using secondary data generated from a job analysis study commissioned by the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council [UPPCC], this paper examined the knowledge sets that procurement officials recognize as necessary and sufficient for daily operations and professional development.

Findings

Principal Component Analysis is used to validate the six domains of knowledge covered on the survey. This paper identifies sets of core knowledge domains that are essential for procurement administration, including sourcing, negotiation process, contract administration, supply management and strategic procurement planning.

Originality/value

Furthermore, the authors incorporated anecdotal commentary information from the same survey to determine what additional professional development and continuing education opportunities procurement officials are seeking to improve performance in their current and future work roles.
Using a structured model to promote mental health
Authors: Keeling Joanne L. , McQuarrie Catherine
Published: August 2018

Purpose

A Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being Working Model (subsequently “the model”) was developed in response to recognition through teaching undergraduate nursing students that interventions aimed at enhancing mental health and well-being are often hidden or cloaked in traditional professional specific working interventions. The model was developed with the purpose of making the elements of mental health and well-being promotion visible and structuring them into a framework to aid working practice and personal development. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness from the participant perspective of using the model to enhance clients’ mental health and well-being in community settings (Keeling and McQuarrie, 2014).

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 14 participants were interviewed within two focus groups. Five questions were posed to the participants structured around their experiences of using the model when working with clients in the community. The responses were recorded and transcribed and then categorised using a thematic analysis approach.

Findings

Three key themes were derived from the analysis in equal measure: “Reconciling a Non-traditional approach”, “Promoting a holistic approach” and “Developing creativity and sense of empowerment to promote mental health and well-being”. The findings suggest that using the model enabled participants to engage with clients in meaningful ways that in turn developed their self-confidence in helping clients develop creative strategies to promote their own mental health and well-being.

Originality/value

This paper shows that using a structured model to promote well-being and mental health has benefits in enhancing creativity, therapeutic relationships and knowledge base. Further research is needed in terms of the utility of the model from the client’s perspective.
E-leadership: an empirical study of organizational leaders’ virtual communication adoption
Authors: Liu Cheol , Ready David , Roman Alexandru , Van Wart Montgomery , Wang XiaoHu , McCarthy Alma , Kim Soonhee
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Even though e-leadership was broadly defined in 2001 (Avolioet al.), there has been surprisingly little progress (Avolioet al., 2014). In order to make a better progress, the authors recommend dividing the field into four quadrants to facilitate the research focus. It can be divided by e-leadership phases (the adoption of technology phase vs the quality of use of technology phase), as well as the purposes (e-leadership as virtual communication vs e-leadership as management of organizational structures). The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This study provides a model of e-leadership as communication adoption at the individual level (ECAMi). Structural equation modeling was used to test a previously published model by Van Wartet al.(2017a). The model included select traits and skills (as antecedent conditions), awareness of ICTs, evaluation of ICTs, willingness to expend effort in learning about ICTs, intention to use ICTs, and facilitating conditions.

Findings

The overall model demonstrates a good fit. It can be concluded that the ECAMirepresents a valid model for understanding e-leaders’ technological adoption. It is also found that while all select skills and traits are significant – energy, responsibility and analytical skills stand above the others.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first effort to operationalize e-leadership.
Multidisciplinary team functioning and decision making within forensic mental health
Authors: Haines Alina , Perkins Elizabeth , Evans Elizabeth A. , McCabe Rhiannah
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the operation of multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings within a forensic hospital in England, UK.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed methods, including qualitative face to face interviews with professionals and service users, video observations of MDT meetings and documentary analysis. Data were collected from 142 staff and 30 service users who consented to take part in the research and analysed using the constant comparison technique of grounded theory and ethnography.

Findings

Decisions taken within MDT meetings are unequally shaped by the professional and personal values and assumptions of those involved, as well as by the power dynamics linked to the knowledge and responsibility of each member of the team. Service users’ involvement is marginalised. This is linked to a longstanding tradition of psychiatric paternalism in mental health care.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should explore the nuances of interactions between MDT professionals and service users during the meetings, the language used and the approach taken by professionals to enable/empower service user to be actively involved.

Practical implications

Clear aims, responsibilities and implementation actions are a pre-requisite to effective MDT working. There is a need to give service users greater responsibility and power regarding their care.

Originality/value

While direct (video) observations were very difficult to achieve in secure settings, they enabled unmediated access to how people conducted themselves rather than having to rely only on their subjective accounts (from the interviews).
Municipalization for privatization’s sake
Authors: Luthra Aman
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Rapid economic growth and urbanization in India have increased demand for municipal services. In response, privatization has emerged as a policy solution to a growing deficit in urban infrastructure and service provision. But, privatization assumes prior state ownership of those services. Certain waste management services, specifically doorstep waste collection, have never been truly public in the sense that private informal actors have historically provided them. The purpose of this paper is to examine the tensions and contradictions between two related policy imperatives – universal service provision and privatization – that appear to be guiding the municipalization of solid waste collection services in urban India.

Design/methodology/approach

Research for this paper relies on detailed analysis of key government documents (reports of various committees, regulations and laws) that have been important in defining municipal responsibilities for waste management in India from 1990 to 2016. In addition, where appropriate, research materials from the author’s doctoral dissertation fieldwork in Delhi from October 2012 to December 2013 have also been used.

Findings

An analysis of key policy documents revealed that the government’s efforts to document deficits in service provision ignored, and thus rendered invisible, the work of the informal sector. While a consensus on the need for universal waste collection service had emerged as early as the late 1990s, it was not until 2016 that municipal responsibility for service provision was codified into law. The rules issued in 2016 municipalized this responsibility while simultaneously opening up spaces for the inclusion of the informal sector in waste collection service provision.

Originality/value

This paper fills a gap in the existing literature on how policy interventions have brought the space of the doorstep into the ambit of the state such that it allows for the opening up of those spaces for the entry of private capital. Under the guise of universal service provision, the shift to municipalization and outsourcing to private corporations is not in fact privatization – service provision is already private – but involves the dispossession of informal workers and the transfer of their resource to the formal, corporate sector.
Evaluation of resource burden for bladder adaptive strategies: A timing study
Authors: Kong Vickie , Taylor Amy , Chung Peter , Rosewall Tara
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Interfraction bladder motion is substantial and therefore many different adaptive radiotherapy approaches have been developed to accommodate that motion. Previous studies comparing the efficacy of those adaptive strategies have demonstrated that reoptimization (ReOpt) was dosimetrically superior when compared to Plan of the Day (POD) and Patient‐specific PTV (PS‐PTV). However, the feasibility of clinical implementation is dependent upon assessment of the resource burden. This study assessed and compared the resource burden of three adaptive strategies.

Methods

Using the planning CT and all daily CBCTs of 10 bladder patients, the following adaptive strategies were simulated offline to deliver 46 Gy in 23 fractions: POD, PS‐PTV and ReOpt. Additional activities required to execute these strategies compared to a nonadaptive approach were identified and categorized. Time consumed for the execution of each strategy was measured for a single, experienced observer.

Results

The time (minutes) consumed to execute the additional activities for PS‐PTV, POD and ReOpt was 14.4, 49.1 and 248.5, respectively. In addition to a significantly shorter time spent, all activities associated with PS‐PTV were categorized as those that could be performed without the presence of the patient or a treatment room. On the other hand, ReOpt was the most time intensive and all activities were categorized as those that could lead to increasing patient's time in the treatment room and decreasing capacity.

Conclusions

Although ReOpt was preferred with respect to improving dosimetry, the heavy resource burden it incurred could be a deterrent for clinical implementation. PS‐PTV was the least resource‐intensive strategy.
The circadian gene, Per2, influences methamphetamine sensitization and reward through the dopaminergic system in the striatum of mice
Authors: Kim Mikyung , Custodio Raly James , Botanas Chrislean Jun , de la Peña June Bryan , Sayson Leandro Val , Abiero Arvie , Ryoo Zae Young , Cheong Jae Hoon , Kim Hee Jin
Published: August 2018

Drug addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain disorder, influenced by complex interactions between endogenous and exogenous factors. Per2, a circadian gene, plays a role in drug addiction. Previous studies using Per2‐knockout mice have shown a role for Per2 in cocaine, morphine and alcohol addiction. In the present study, we investigated the role of Per2 in methamphetamine (METH) addiction using Per2‐overexpression and knockout mice. We observed locomotor sensitization responses to METH administration, and rewarding effects using a conditioned place preference test. In addition, we measured expression levels of dopamine and dopamine‐related genes (monoamine oxidase A, DA receptor 1, DA receptor 2, DA active transporter, tyrosine hydroxylase and cAMP response element‐binding protein 1) in the striatum of the mice after repeated METH treatments, using qRT‐PCR. Per2‐overexpressed mice showed decreased locomotor sensitization and rewarding effects of METH compared to the wildtype mice, whereas the opposite was observed in Per2 knockout mice. Both types of transgenic mice showed altered expression levels of dopamine‐related genes after repeated METH administration. Specifically, we observed lower dopamine levels in Per2‐overexpressed mice and higher levels in Per2‐knockout mice. Taken together, Per2 expression levels may influence the addictive effects of METH through the dopaminergic system in the striatum of mice.
Sperm cryopreservation of transgender individuals: trends and findings in the past decade
Authors: Li K. , Rodriguez D. , Gabrielsen J. S. , Centola G. M. , Tanrikut C.
Published: August 2018

Objectives

Awareness and acceptance of transgenderism have increased in the last two decades. There is limited literature regarding the incidence and semen characteristics of transwomen banking spermatozoa. We sought to assess the incidence of sperm cryopreservation of transgender individuals compared with the cisgender population in the last 10 years. Semen parameters were also compared between the two groups.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of sperm cryopreservation performed at a single center from 2006 through 2016. Using available data on indications for banking and prior hormonal therapy status, we isolated healthy transgender and cisgender cohorts for semen parameter comparison. Linear regression was used to compare the incidence trends. Semen parameters were compared using the generalized estimating equations method. The rates of semen parameter abnormality of each group were compared using chi‐square test. Semen parameter abnormalities were defined using WHO 2010 reference values.

Results

We analyzed 194 transgender samples and 2327 cisgender samples for a total of 84 unique transgender sperm bankers and 1398 unique cisgender sperm bankers. The number of transgender sperm bankers increased relative to cisgender sperm bankers from 2006 to 2016. Following exclusion of cisgender sperm bankers with health issues that might impact semen quality and transgender sperm bankers with known prior hormonal therapy, we compared the semen parameters of 141 healthy cisgender sperm bankers and 78 healthy transgender sperm bankers. The transgender sperm bankers demonstrated lower sperm concentration, total motile sperm count, and post‐thaw sperm parameters. The transgender sperm bankers also demonstrated a higher incidence of oligozoospermia.

Conclusions

This is the largest report to date on the incidence of transgender sperm cryopreservation and comparison of semen characteristics with cisgender sperm bankers. The data reveal an increased incidence of transgender sperm banking as well as poorer semen parameters of transgender individuals compared with cisgender controls.
Sex differences in fetal heart rate and variability assessed by antenatal computerized cardiotocography
Authors: Bhide Amar , Acharya Ganesh
Published: August 2018

Introduction

The aim of the current study is to explore the effect of fetal sex on the fetal heart rate and variability.

Material and methods

This is a retrospective cross‐sectional study. We analyzed fetal heart rate (FHR) traces of pregnant women that were recorded antenatally using a commercially available computerized cardiotocograph (cCTG; Oxford system). Fetal sex was ascertained after birth. Baseline FHR and short‐term heart rate variation (STV) were compared between male and female fetuses. Expected mean values for baseline FHR and STV were computed and multiples of the mean (MOMean) of males and females were compared.

Results

Information on 9259 cases is reported in this study. Baseline FHR of female fetuses was significantly higher (P < 0.001) and STV lower (P < 0.001) than that of male fetuses. This difference remained even after the effects of gestational age and diurnal variation were eliminated by computation of MOMean, but the absolute differences in the baseline FHR (0.9 beats/min [bpm]) and STV (0.246 ms) between male and female fetuses were small. A significant negative correlation was found between baseline FHR and STV (r = −0.518, P < 0.001). Similarly, a significant negative correlation was found between the MoMean of baseline FHR and MoMean STV (r = −0.481, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Using the Oxford cCTG, male fetuses show a significantly lower baseline FHR and greater variability as compared with female fetuses. However, the absolute differences are small and may not be of major clinical significance.