bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current State of Pediatric Intensive Care and High Dependency Care in Nepal*
Authors: Khanal Aayush , Sharma Arun , Basnet Sangita
Published: September 2016

Objectives:

To describe the state of pediatric intensive care and high dependency care in Nepal. Pediatric intensive care is now a recognized specialty in high-income nations, but there are few reports from low-income countries. With the large number of critically ill children in Nepal, the importance of pediatric intensive care is increasingly recognized but little is known about its current state.

Design:

Survey.

Setting:

All hospitals in Nepal that have separate physical facilities for PICU and high dependency care.

Patients:

All children admitted to these facilities.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

A questionnaire survey was sent to the chief of each facility. Eighteen hospitals were eligible and 16 responded. Two thirds of the 16 units were established in the last 5 years; they had a total of 93 beds, with median of 5 (range, 2–10) beds per unit. All 16 units had a monitor for each bed but only 75% could manage central venous catheters and only 75% had a blood gas analyzer. Thirty two percent had only one functioning mechanical ventilator and another 38% had two ventilators, the other units had 3–6 ventilators. Six PICUs (38%) had a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:2 and the others had 1:3 to 1:6. Only one institution had a pediatric intensive care specialist. The majority of patients (88%) came from families with an income of just over a dollar per day. All patients were self funded with a median cost of PICU bed being $25 U.S. dollars (interquartile range, 15–31) per day. The median stay was 6 (interquartile range, 4.8–7) days. The most common age group was 1–5. Sixty percent of units reported respiratory distress/failure as their primary cause for admission. Mortality was 25% (interquartile range, 20–35%) with mechanical ventilation and 1% (interquartile range, 0–5%) without mechanical ventilation.

Conclusions:

Pediatric intensive care in Nepal is still in its infancy, and there is a need for improved organization, services, and training.
Acetazolamide Therapy for Metabolic Alkalosis in Pediatric Intensive Care Patients*
Authors: López Carolina , Alcaraz Andrés José , Toledo Blanca , Cortejoso Lucía , Gil-Ruiz Maite Augusta
Published: September 2016

Objective:

Patients in PICUs frequently present hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis secondary to loop diuretic treatment, especially those undergoing cardiac surgery. This study evaluates the effectiveness of acetazolamide therapy for metabolic alkalosis in PICU patients.

Design:

Retrospective, observational study.

Setting:

A tertiary care children’s hospital PICU.

Patients:

Children receiving at least a 2-day course of enteral acetazolamide.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Demographic variables, diuretic treatment and doses of acetazolamide, urine output, serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine, acid-base excess, pH, and use of mechanical ventilation during treatment were collected. Patients were studied according to their pathology (postoperative cardiac surgery, decompensated heart failure, or respiratory disease). A total of 78 episodes in 58 patients were identified: 48 were carried out in cardiac postoperative patients, 22 in decompensated heart failure, and eight in respiratory patients. All patients received loop diuretics. A decrease in pH and Pco
2 in the first 72 hours, a decrease in serum Hco
3
– (mean, 4.65 ± 4.83; p < 0.001), and an increase in anion gap values were observed. Urine output increased in cardiac postoperative patients (4.5 ± 2.2 vs 5.1 ± 2.0; p = 0.020), whereas diuretic treatment was reduced in cardiac patients. There was no significant difference in serum electrolytes, blood urea, creatinine, nor chloride after the administration of acetazolamide from baseline. Acetazolamide treatment was well tolerated in all patients.

Conclusions:

Acetazolamide decreases serum Hco
3
– and Pco
2 in PICU cardiac patients with metabolic alkalosis secondary to diuretic therapy. Cardiac postoperative patients present a significant increase in urine output after acetazolamide treatment.
Crowdsourcing as a Novel Method to Evaluate Aesthetic Outcomes of Treatment for Unilateral Cleft Lip
Authors: Tse Raymond W. , Oh Eugene , Gruss Joseph S. , Hopper Richard A. , Birgfeld Craig B.
Published: September 2016

Background:

Lack of convenient and reliable methods to grade aesthetic outcomes limits the ability to study results and optimize treatment of unilateral cleft lip. Crowdsourcing methods solicit contributions from a large group to achieve a greater task. The authors hypothesized that crowdsourcing could be used to reliably grade aesthetic outcomes of unilateral cleft lip.

Methods:

Fifty deidentified photographs of 8- to 10-year-old subjects (46 with unilateral cleft lip and four controls) were assembled. Outcomes were assessed using multiple pairwise comparisons that produced a rank order (Elo rank) of nasal appearance and, on a separate survey, by Asher-McDade ratings. Both surveys were repeated to assess reliability. A group of expert surgeons repeated the same tasks on a smaller subset of photographs.

Results:

The authors obtained 2500 and 1900 anonymous, layperson evaluations by means of crowdsourcing on each Elo rank and Asher-McDade survey, respectively. Elo rank and Asher-McDade scores were highly reproducible (correlation coefficients, 0.87 and 0.98), and crowd evaluations agreed with those by expert surgeons (0.980 and 0.96 for Elo rank and Asher-McDade score, respectively). Crowdsourcing surveys were completed within 9 hours, whereas the expert surgeons required 3 months. On further analysis of their cleft subject sample set, the authors found that greater initial cleft severity was associated with worse aesthetic outcome.

Conclusions:

Outcomes assessed by crowds were reliable and correlated well with expert assessments. Crowdsourcing allows acquisition of massive numbers of layperson assessments on an unprecedented scale, and is a convenient, rapid, and reliable means of assessing aesthetic outcome of treatment for unilateral cleft lip.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Diagnostic, IV.
Systematic Review of Liposomal Bupivacaine (Exparel) for Postoperative Analgesia
Authors: Vyas Krishna S. , Rajendran Sibi , Morrison Shane D. , Shakir Afaaf , Mardini Samir , Lemaine Valerie , Nahabedian Maurice Y. , Baker Stephen B. , Rinker Brian D. , Vasconez Henry C.
Published: September 2016

Background:

Management of postoperative pain often requires multimodal approaches. Suboptimal dosages of current therapies can leave patients experiencing periods of insufficient analgesia, often requiring rescue therapy. With absence of a validated and standardized approach to pain management, further refinement of treatment protocols and targeted therapeutics is needed. Liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel) is a longer acting form of traditional bupivacaine that delivers the drug by means of a multivesicular liposomal system. The effectiveness of liposomal bupivacaine has not been systematically analyzed relative to conventional treatments in plastic surgery.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search of the MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases was conducted for studies published through October of 2015 with search terms related to liposomal bupivacaine and filtered for relevance to postoperative pain control in plastic surgery. Data on techniques, outcomes, complications, and patient satisfaction were collected.

Results:

A total of eight articles were selected and reviewed from 160 identified. Articles covered a variety of techniques using liposomal bupivacaine for postoperative pain management. Four hundred five patients underwent procedures (including breast reconstruction, augmentation mammaplasty, abdominal wall reconstruction, mastectomy, and abdominoplasty) where pain was managed with liposomal bupivacaine and compared with those receiving traditional pain management. Liposomal bupivacaine use showed adequate safety and tolerability and, compared to traditional protocols, was equivalent or more effective in postoperative pain management.

Conclusion:

Liposomal bupivacaine is a safe method for postoperative pain control in the setting of plastic surgery and may represent an alternative to more invasive pain management systems such as patient-controlled analgesia, epidurals, peripheral nerve catheters, or intravenous narcotics.
“No-Touch” Technique for Lip Enhancement
Authors: Surek Christopher C. , Guisantes Eva , Schnarr Kenna , Jelks Glenn , Beut Javier
Published: September 2016

Background:

The purpose of this study was to examine the anatomical principles of lip structure as they relate to individualized lip enhancement procedures and to describe a technique that does not violate lip mucosa during injection.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing lip enhancement procedures between 2001 and 2014 was performed. Preprocedural and postprocedural photographs were analyzed for lip subunit changes. A stepwise treatment algorithm targeting specific anatomical subunits of lip is described.

Results:

Four hundred ten patients were treated with a “no-touch” technique for lip enhancement. Lip profile is determined by the position of the white roll. The white roll is accessed by a 30-gauge needle at a point 5 mm lateral to the oral commissure and at the base of the philtral columns. Lip projection is established by vermilion formation contributing to the arc of the Cupid’s bow. To improve projection, the labial commissure is entered with a 25-gauge cannula and tunneled into the submucosal space between the white and red rolls. Lip augmentation is a direct reflection of the prominence of the red line and can be approached in a perpendicular fashion with a needle or cannula descending to the level of the wet-dry junction.

Conclusions:

Accurate assessment of the white and red rolls, arc of Cupid’s bow, philtrum, and gingival show can guide the injector on the proper enhancement that individual patients require. The no-touch technique minimizes mucosal trauma. Tailoring treatment toward lip profile, projection, and/or augmentation can yield predictable and reproducible outcomes in this commonly performed cosmetic procedure.
Prediction and validation of protein–protein interactors from genome-wide DNA-binding data using a knowledge-based machine-learning approach
Authors: Waardenberg Ashley J. , Homan Bernou , Mohamed Stephanie , Harvey Richard P. , Bouveret Romaric
Published: September 2016

The ability to accurately predict the DNA targets and interacting cofactors of transcriptional regulators from genome-wide data can significantly advance our understanding of gene regulatory networks. NKX2-5 is a homeodomain transcription factor that sits high in the cardiac gene regulatory network and is essential for normal heart development. We previously identified genomic targets for NKX2-5 in mouse HL-1 atrial cardiomyocytes using DNA-adenine methyltransferase identification (DamID). Here, we apply machine learning algorithms and propose a knowledge-based feature selection method for predicting NKX2-5 protein : protein interactions based on motif grammar in genome-wide DNA-binding data. We assessed model performance using leave-one-out cross-validation and a completely independent DamID experiment performed with replicates. In addition to identifying previously described NKX2-5-interacting proteins, including GATA, HAND and TBX family members, a number of novel interactors were identified, with direct protein : protein interactions between NKX2-5 and retinoid X receptor (RXR), paired-related homeobox (PRRX) and Ikaros zinc fingers (IKZF) validated using the yeast two-hybrid assay. We also found that the interaction of RXRα with NKX2-5 mutations found in congenital heart disease (Q187H, R189G and R190H) was altered. These findings highlight an intuitive approach to accessing protein–protein interaction information of transcription factors in DNA-binding experiments.
Challenging perspectives on the cellular origins of lymphoma
Authors: Malcolm Tim I. M. , Hodson Daniel J. , Macintyre Elizabeth A. , Turner Suzanne D.
Published: September 2016

Both B and T lymphocytes have signature traits that set them apart from other cell types. They actively and repeatedly rearrange their DNA in order to produce a unique and functional antigen receptor, they have potential for massive clonal expansion upon encountering antigen via this receptor or its precursor, and they have the capacity to be extremely long lived as ‘memory’ cells. All three of these traits are fundamental to their ability to function as the adaptive immune response to infectious agents, but concurrently render these cells vulnerable to transformation. Thus, it is classically considered that lymphomas arise at a relatively late stage in a lymphocyte's development during the process of modifying diversity within antigen receptors, and when the cell is capable of responding to stimulus via its receptor. Attempts to understand the aetiology of lymphoma have reinforced this notion, as the most notable advances to date have shown chronic stimulation of the antigen receptor by infectious agents or self-antigens to be key drivers of these diseases. Despite this, there is still uncertainty about the cell of origin in some lymphomas, and increasing evidence that a subset arises in a more immature cell. Specifically, a recent study indicates that T-cell lymphoma, in particular nucleophosmin-anaplastic lymphoma kinase-driven anaplastic large cell lymphoma, may originate in T-cell progenitors in the thymus.
Atypical residency of short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) to a shallow, urbanized embayment in south-eastern Australia
Authors: Mason Suzanne , Salgado Kent Chandra , Donnelly David , Weir Jeffrey , Bilgmann Kerstin
Published: September 2016

Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) are typically considered highly mobile, offshore delphinids. This study assessed the residency of a small community of short-beaked common dolphins in the shallow, urbanized Port Phillip Bay, south-eastern Australia. The ability to identify common dolphins by their dorsal fin markings and coloration using photo-identification was also investigated. Systematic and non-systematic boat surveys were undertaken between 2007 and 2014. Results showed that 13 adult common dolphins and their offspring inhabit Port Phillip Bay, of which 10 adults exhibit residency to the bay. The majority of these adults are reproductively active females, suggesting that female philopatry may occur in the community. Systematic surveys conducted between 2012 and 2014 revealed that the dolphins were found in a median water depth of 16 m and median distance of 2.2 km from the coast. The shallow, urbanized habitat of this resident common dolphin community is atypical for this species. As a result, these common dolphins face threats usually associated with inshore bottlenose dolphin communities. We suggest that the Port Phillip Bay common dolphin community is considered and managed separate to those outside the embayment and offshore to ensure the community's long-term viability and residency in the bay.
Reconstructing the emergence of a lethal infectious disease of wildlife supports a key role for spread through translocations by humans
Authors: Price Stephen J. , Garner Trenton W. J. , Cunningham Andrew A. , Langton Tom E. S. , Nichols Richard A.
Published: September 2016

There have been few reconstructions of wildlife disease emergences, despite their extensive impact on biodiversity and human health. This is in large part attributable to the lack of structured and robust spatio-temporal datasets. We overcame logistical problems of obtaining suitable information by using data from a citizen science project and formulating spatio-temporal models of the spread of a wildlife pathogen (genusRanavirus, infecting amphibians). We evaluated three main hypotheses for the rapid increase in disease reports in the UK: that outbreaks were being reported more frequently, that climate change had altered the interaction between hosts and a previously widespread pathogen, and that disease was emerging due to spatial spread of a novel pathogen. Our analysis characterized localized spread from nearby ponds, consistent with amphibian dispersal, but also revealed a highly significant trend for elevated rates of additional outbreaks in localities with higher human population density—pointing to human activities in also spreading the virus. Phylogenetic analyses of pathogen genomes support the inference of at least two independent introductions into the UK. Together these results point strongly to humans repeatedly translocating ranaviruses into the UK from other countries and between UK ponds, and therefore suggest potential control measures.
Convergent evolution of ramified antennae in insect lineages from the Early Cretaceous of Northeastern China
Authors: Gao Taiping , Shih Chungkun , Labandeira Conrad C. , Santiago-Blay Jorge A. , Yao Yunzhi , Ren Dong
Published: September 2016

Antennae are important, insect sensory organs that are used principally for communication with other insects and the detection of environmental cues. Some insects independently evolved ramified (branched) antennae, which house several types of sensilla for motion detection, sensing olfactory and chemical cues, and determining humidity and temperature levels. Though ramified antennae are common in living insects, occasionally they are present in the Mesozoic fossil record. Here, we present the first caddisflies with ramified antennae, the earliest known fossil sawfly, and a scorpionfly also with ramified antennae from the mid-Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Northeastern China, dated at 125 million years ago (Ma). These three insect taxa with ramified antennae consist of three unrelated lineages and provide evidence for broad structural convergence that historically has been best demonstrated by features such as convergent mouthparts. In addition, ramified antennae in these Mid-Mesozoic lineages likely do not constitute a key innovation, as they are not associated with significantly increased diversification compared with closely related lineages lacking this trait, and nor are they ecologically isolated from numerous, co-occurring insect species with unmodified antennae.
Host coevolution alters the adaptive landscape of a virus
Authors: Burmeister Alita R. , Lenski Richard E. , Meyer Justin R.
Published: September 2016

The origin of new and complex structures and functions is fundamental for shaping the diversity of life. Such key innovations are rare because they require multiple interacting changes. We sought to understand how the adaptive landscape led to an innovation whereby bacteriophage λ evolved the new ability to exploit a receptor, OmpF, onEscherichia colicells. Previous work showed that this ability evolved repeatedly, despite requiring four mutations in one virus gene. Here, we examine how this innovation evolved by studying six intermediate genotypes of λ isolated during independent transitions to exploit OmpF and comparing them to their ancestor. All six intermediates showed large increases in their adsorption rates on the ancestral host. Improvements in adsorption were offset, in large part, by the evolution of host resistance, which occurred by reduced expression of LamB, the usual receptor for λ. As a consequence of host coevolution, the adaptive landscape of the virus changed such that selection favouring four of the six virus intermediates became stronger after the host evolved resistance, thereby accelerating virus populations along the path to using the new OmpF receptor. This dependency of viral fitness on host genotype thus shows an important role for coevolution in the origin of the new viral function.
Evolution of a butterfly dispersal syndrome
Authors: Legrand Delphine , Larranaga Nicolas , Bertrand Romain , Ducatez Simon , Calvez Olivier , Stevens Virginie M. , Baguette Michel
Published: September 2016

The existence of dispersal syndromes contrasting disperser from resident phenotypes within populations has been intensively documented across taxa. However, how such suites of phenotypic traits emerge and are maintained is largely unknown, although deciphering the processes shaping the evolution of dispersal phenotypes is a key in ecology and evolution. In this study, we created artificial populations of a butterfly, in which we controlled for individual phenotypes and measured experimentally the roles of selection and genetic constraints on the correlations between dispersal-related traits: flight performance and wing morphology. We demonstrate that (i) trait covariations are not due to genetic correlations, (ii) the effects of selection are sex-specific, and (iii) both divergent and stabilizing selection maintain specific flight performance phenotypes and wing morphologies. Interestingly, some trait combinations are also favoured, depending on sex and fitness components. Moreover, we provide evidence for the role of (dis)assortative mating in the evolution of these dispersal-related traits. Our results suggest that dispersal syndromes may have high evolutionary potential, but also that they may be easily disrupted under particular environmental conditions.
Modeling of axonal endoplasmic reticulum network by spastic paraplegia proteins
Authors: Yalçın Belgin , Zhao Lu , Stofanko Martin , O’Sullivan Niamh C , Kang Zi Han , Roost Annika , Thomas Matthew R. , Zaessinger Sophie , Blard Olivier , Patto Alex L. , Baena Valentina , Terasaki Mark , O’Kane Cahir J
Published: September 2016

Axons contain an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network that is largely smooth and tubular, thought to be continuous with ER throughout the neuron, and distinct in form and function from rough ER; the mechanisms that form this continuous network in axons are not well understood. Mutations affecting proteins of the reticulon or REEP families, which contain intramembrane hairpin domains that can model ER membranes, cause an axon degenerative disease, hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). Here, we show that these proteins are required for modeling the axonal ER network inDrosophila. Loss of reticulon or REEP proteins can lead to expansion of ER sheets, and to partial loss of ER from distal motor axons. Ultrastructural analysis reveals an extensive ER network in every axon of peripheral nerves, which is reduced in larvae that lack reticulon and REEP proteins, with defects including larger and fewer tubules, and occasional gaps in the ER network, consistent with loss of membrane curvature. Therefore HSP hairpin-containing proteins are required for shaping and continuity of the axonal ER network, suggesting an important role for ER modeling in axon maintenance and function.
Demystifying excessively volatile human learning: A Bayesian persistent prior and a neural approximation
Authors: Ryali Chaitanya K. , Reddy Gautam , Yu Angela J.
Published: September 2016

Understanding how humans and animals learn about statistical regularities in stable and volatile environments, and utilize these regularities to make predictions and decisions, is an important problem in neuroscience and psychology. Using a Bayesian modeling framework, specifically the Dynamic Belief Model (DBM), it has previously been shown that humans tend to make thedefaultassumption that environmental statistics undergo abrupt, unsignaled changes, even when environmental statistics are actually stable. Because exact Bayesian inference in this setting, an example of switching state space models, is computationally intensive, a number of approximately Bayesian and heuristic algorithms have been proposed to account for learning/prediction in the brain. Here, we examine a neurally plausible algorithm, a special case of leaky integration dynamics we denote as EXP (for exponential filtering), that is significantly simpler than all previously suggested algorithms except for the delta-learning rule, and which far outperforms the delta rule in approximating Bayesian prediction performance. We derive the theoretical relationship between DBM and EXP, and show that EXP gains computational efficiency by foregoing the representation of inferential uncertainty (as does the delta rule), but that it nevertheless achieves near-Bayesian performance due to its ability to incorporate a “persistent prior” influence unique to DBM and absent from the other algorithms. Furthermore, we show that EXP is comparable to DBM but better than all other models in reproducing human behavior in a visual search task, suggesting that human learning and prediction also incorporates an element of persistent prior. More broadly, our work demonstrates that when observations are information-poor, detecting changes or modulating the learning rate is bothdifficultand (thus)unnecessaryfor making Bayes-optimal predictions.
When the Good Guy Becomes the Bad Boy: Social Information Modulates the Neural, Physiological and Subjective Responses to Emotional Facial Expressions
Authors: Mermillod Martial , Grynberg Delphine , Rychlowska Magdalena , Vermeulen Nicolas , Niedenthal Paula M. , Beffara Brice , Lopez Léo , Droit-Volet Sylvie
Published: September 2016

In the past decade, different studies have suggested that high-order factors could influence the perceptual processing of emotional stimuli. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of congruent vs. incongruent social information (positive, negative or no information related to the character of the target) on subjective (perceived and felt valence and arousal), physiological (facial mimicry) as well as on neural (P100 and N170) responses to dynamic emotoional facial expressions (EFE) that varied from neutral to one of the six basic emotions. Across three studies, the results showed (1) reduced valence and arousal evaluation of EFE when associated with incongruent social information (Study 1), (2) increased electromyographical responses (Study 2) and significant modulation of P100 and N170 components (Study 3) when EFE were associated with social (positive and negative) information (vs. no information). These studies revealed that positive or negative social information reduced subjective responses to incongruent EFE and produces a similar neural and physiological boost of the early perceptual processing of EFE irrespective of their congruency. In conclusion, this study suggested that social context (positive or negative) enhances the necessity to be alert to any subsequent cues.
Myosin II controls junction fluctuations to guide epithelial tissue ordering
Authors: Curran Scott , Strandkvist Charlotte , Bathmann Jasper , Gennes Marc de , Kabla Alexandre , Salbreux Guillaume , Baum Buzz
Published: September 2016

Homophilic interactions between E-Cadherin molecules generate adhesive interfaces or junctions (AJs) that connect neighbouring cells in epithelial monolayers. These are highly dynamic structures. Under conditions of homeostasis, changes in the length of individual interfaces provide epithelia with the fluidity required to maintain tissue integrity in the face of cell division, delamination and extrinsic forces. Furthermore, when acted upon by polarized actomyosin-based forces, changes in AJ length can also drive neighbour exchange to reshape an entire tissue. Whilst the contribution of AJ remodelling to developmental morphogenesis has been subjected to intensive study, less is known about AJ dynamics in other circumstances. Here, using a combination of experiment and computational modelling, we study AJ dynamics in an epithelium that undergoes a gradual increase in packing order without concomitant large-scale changes in tissue shape or size. Under these conditions, we find that neighbour exchange events are driven by stochastic fluctuations in junction length, which are regulated at least in part by the level of junctional actomyosin. As a result of this behaviour, the steady increase in junctional actomyosin and consequent tension that accompanies development steadily reduces the rate of neighbour exchange and orders the tissue. This leads us to propose a model in which topological transitions, that underpin tissue fluidity, are either inhibited or biased by actomyosin-based forces, to drive, respectively, tissue ordering or deformation.
E2F coregulates an essential HSF developmental program that is distinct from the heat-shock response
Authors: Li Jian , Chauve Laetitia , Phelps Grace , Brielmann Renée M. , Morimoto Richard I.
Published: September 2016

Heat-shock factor (HSF) is the master transcriptional regulator of the heat-shock response (HSR) and is essential for stress resilience. HSF is also required for metazoan development; however, its function and regulation in this process are poorly understood. Here, we characterize the genomic distribution and transcriptional activity of Caenorhabditis elegans HSF-1 during larval development and show that the developmental HSF-1 transcriptional program is distinct from the HSR. HSF-1 developmental activation requires binding of E2F/DP to a GC-rich motif that facilitates HSF-1 binding to a heat-shock element (HSE) that is degenerate from the consensus HSE sequence and adjacent to the E2F-binding site at promoters. In contrast, induction of the HSR is independent of these promoter elements or E2F/DP and instead requires a distinct set of tandem canonical HSEs. Together, E2F and HSF-1 directly regulate a gene network, including a specific subset of chaperones, to promote protein biogenesis and anabolic metabolism, which are essential in development.
Crystal structures of diaquadi-μ-hydroxido-tris[trimethyltin(IV)] diformatotrimethylstannate(IV) and di-μ-hydroxido-tris[trimethyltin(IV)] chloride monohydrate
Authors: Otte Felix , Koller Stephan G. , Golz Christopher , Strohmann Carsten
Published: September 2016

The title compounds, [Sn3(CH3)9(OH)2(H2O)2][Sn(CH3)3(CHO2)2] (1) and [Sn3(CH3)9(OH)2]Cl·H2O (2), are partially condensed products of hydrolysed trimethyltin chloride. In the structures of 1 and 2, short cationic tristannatoxanes (C9H29O2Sn3) are bridged by a diformatotrimethyltin anion or a chloride anion, respectively. Hydrogen bridges are present and supposedly stabilize these structures against further polymerization to the known polymeric trimethyltin hydroxide. Especially noteworthy is that the formate present in this structure was formed from atmospheric CO2.
Crystal structure of N,N′-bis[2-((benzyl){[5-(dimethylamino)naphthalen-1-yl]sulfonyl}amino)ethyl]naphthalene-1,8:4,5-tetracarboximide 1,2-dichlorobenzene trisolvate
Authors: Claudio-Catalán Miguel Ángel , Medrano Felipe , Tlahuext Hugo , Godoy-Alcántar Carolina
Published: September 2016

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C56H50N6O8S2·3C6H4Cl2, contains two half-molecules of the parent, A and B, which both have crystallographic inversion symmetry, together with three 2,3-dichlorobenzene molecules of solvation. Molecules A and B are conformationally similar, with dihedral angles between the central naphthalenediimide ring and the peripheral naphthalene and benzyl rings of 2.43 (7), 81.87 (7)° (A) and 3.95 (7), 84.88 (7)° (B), respectively. The conformations are stabilized by the presence of intramolecular π–π interactions between the naphthalene ring and the six-membered diimide ring of the central naphthalenediimide moiety, with ring centroid-to-centroid distances of 3.5795 (8) Å (A) and 3.5640 (8) Å (B). In the crystal, C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into infinite supramolecular chains along the c axis. These chains are interconnected through C—H...π and offset π–π interactions, generating supramolecular nanotubes which are filled by 1,2-dichlorobenzene molecules.
(E)-2-[(2-Butyl-4-chloro-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methylidene]-N-methylhydrazine-1-carbothioamide monohydrate
Authors: Aabaka Sreenath Reddy , Yaaratha Sarala , Krishna L. Sivarama , Das Samar K. , Ammireddy Varada Reddy
Published: September 2016

The title thiosemicarbazide derivative, C10H16ClN5S·H2O, crystallized as a monohydrate. The molecule has anEconformation about the azomethine C=N bond that links the methylhydrazine-1-carbothioamide moiety to the imidazole ring. The butyl chain substituent on the imdazole ring is disordered over two sets of sites, with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.509 (9):0.491 (9). In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H...N and N—H...O hydrogen bonds involving the solvent water molecule, forming chains along thec-axis direction. The chains are linked by O—H...S and N—H...S hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional framework.
Consuming the Korean: memetic kitschization of unorthodox aesthetics in Gangnam Style
Authors: Hong Soonkwan , Kim Chang-Ho
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to unpack an Asian-born celebrity culture in which celebrities become everyday necessities for global consumers’ identity struggle, prototypes for global branding strategy, contents for the media industry, and agents for sociocultural transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to better elucidate such a significant phenomenon, the authors also introduce two mostly palpable and more relevant domains of celebrity culture to global consumer culture literature − politics of aesthetics and memetics − as analytical tools. Observations and publicly available narratives are also incorporated to enhance the review and critique of the global celebrification process. Psy’s Gangnam Style (GS) is chosen as an archetype, due to its exceptionally vulgar but highly replicable nature.

Findings

The specific case of GS exposes three unique qualities of kitsch − exaggeration, disconcertment, and subversive sensibility − that are substantially commensurate with prototypical characteristics of globalized online memes − ordinariness, flawed masculinity, theatricality, and ludic agency. Polysemy and optimism also facilitate the celebrification process in global participatory culture.

Research limitations/implications

The “radical intertextuality” of online memes sustains the participatory culture in which kitsch becomes a global icon through a reproductive process. Korean popular culture cultivates reverse cosmopolitanism through a nationalistic self-orientalization strategy that paradoxically indigenizes western pop-culture and transforms power relations in global pop culture.

Originality/value

This paper presents further elaboration of current discourses on global-celebrity culture by incorporating popular concepts and practices, such as kitsch, meme, parody, and sharing, which synergistically advance aesthetic liberation on a global scale.
Application of TODIM (Tomada de Decisión Inerativa Multicritero) for industrial robot selection
Authors: Sen Dilip Kumar , Datta Saurav , Mahapatra S.S.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Robot selection is a critical decision-making task frequently experienced in almost every industries. It has become increasingly complex due to availability of large variety of robotic system in the present market with varying configuration, specification and flexibility. Improper selection may yield loss for the company in terms of potential profit as well as productivity. Hence, selection of an appropriate robot to suit a particular industrial application is definitely a challenging task. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

During robot selection, different criteria-attributes need to be taken under consideration. Criteria may be subjective or objective or a combination of both, depending on the situation. Criteria many be conflicting, in the sense that some criteria may require to be of higher value (higher-is-better), i.e. beneficial; while, others should correspond to lower values (lower-is-better), i.e. adverse or non-beneficial. Hence, the situation can be articulated as a multi-criteria decision-making problem. The specialty of Tomada de Decisión Inerativa Multicritero (TODIM) method is that it explores a global measurement of value calculable by the application of the paradigm of non-linear cumulative prospect theory. The method is based on a description, proved by empirical evidence, of how decision makers’ effectively make decisions in the face of risk.

Findings

Hence, the present work has aimed to explore the TODIM approach for industrial robot selection. Assuming all criteria have been quantitative in nature; the paper utilizes two different numeric data sets from available literature resource in perspectives of robot selection. Procedural hierarchy and application potential of the TODIM approach has been illustrated in detail in this reporting.

Originality/value

Variety of tools and techniques have already been documented in literature to solve different kinds of industrial decision-making problems; however, it seems that application of TODIM has got limited usage. Hence, application potential of TODIM has been demonstrated here in light of a robot selection problem.
ANN based investigations of reliabilities of the models for concrete under triaxial compression
Authors: Öztekin Ertekin
Published: September 2016

Purpose

A lot of triaxial compressive models for different concrete types and different concrete strength classes were proposed to be used in structural analyses. The existence of so many models creates conflicts and confusions during the selection of the models. In this study, reliability analyses were carried out to prevent such conflicts and confusions and to determine the most reliable model for normal- and high-strength concrete (NSC and HSC) under combined triaxial compressions. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

An analytical model was proposed to estimate the strength of NSC and HSC under different triaxial loadings. After verifying the validity of the model by making comparisons with the models in the literature, reliabilities of all models were investigated. The Monte Carlo simulation method was used in the reliability studies. Artificial experimental data required for the Monte Carlo simulation method were generated by using artificial neural networks.

Findings

The validity of the proposed model was verified. Reliability indexes of triaxial compressive models were obtained for the limit states, different concrete strengths and different lateral compressions. Finally, the reliability indexes were tabulated to be able to choose the best model for NSC and HSC under different triaxial compressions.

Research limitations/implications

Concrete compressive strength and lateral compression were taken as variables in the model.

Practical implications

The reliability indexes were tabulated to be able to choose the best model for NSC and HSC under different triaxial compressions.

Originality/value

A new analytical model was proposed to estimate the strength of NSC and HSC under different triaxial loadings. Reliability indexes of triaxial compressive models were obtained for the limit states, different concrete strengths and different lateral compressions. Artificial experimental data were obtained by using artificial neural networks. Four different artificial neural networks were developed to generate artificial experimental data. They can also be used in the estimations of the strength of NSC and HSC under different triaxial loadings.
Tangential inlet cyclone separators with low solid loading
Authors: Amirante Riccardo , Tamburrano Paolo
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an effective methodology for the industrial design of tangential inlet cyclone separators that is based on the fully three-dimensional (3D) simulation of the flow field within the cyclone coupled with an effective genetic algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed fully 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model makes use of the Reynold stress model for the accurate prediction of turbulence, while the particle trajectories are simulated using the one-way coupling discrete phase, which is a model particularly effective in case of low concentration of dust. To validate the CFD model, the numerical predictions are compared with experimental data available in the scientific literature. Eight design parameters were chosen, with the two objectives being the minimization of the pressure drop and the maximization of the collection efficiency.

Findings

The optimization procedure allows the determination of the Pareto Front, which represents the set of the best geometries and can be instrumental in taking an optimal decision in the presence of such a trade-off between the two conflicting objectives. The comparison among the individuals belonging to the Pareto Front with a more standard cyclone geometry shows that such a CFD global search is very effective.

Practical implications

The proposed procedure is tested for specific values of the operating conditions; however, it has general validity and can be used in place of typical procedures based on empirical models or engineers’ experience for the industrial design of tangential inlet cyclone separators with low solid loading.

Originality/value

Such an optimization process has never been proposed before for the design of cyclone separators; it has been developed with the aim of being both highly accurate and compatible with the industrial design time.
Royal India food retail: struggling to stay fresh
Authors: Jhaveri Aman , Anantharaman A.
Published: September 2016

Subject area

Strategic management.

Study level/applicability

Entry-level post-graduate management students at an MBA program; middle-level professionals in an executive management program.

Case overview

Royal India Food Retail (RIFR) is an organized food retailer, head-quartered in Delhi, India. The firm has established 180 outlets across the three Indian states of Delhi, Chandigarh and Punjab, selling fruits and vegetables, full-range of staples, grocery items and essential non-food items and fast-moving consumer good products. Since its inception, RIFR has been making losses, owing to both unfavourable external conditions and poor strategic management. In 2014-2015, RIFR reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) loss of Rs 46m as against Rs 276m in 2013-2014 and Rs 346m in 2012-2013. This case examines the problems of RIFR, against the backdrop of an unfavourable industry structure and the need for astute decision making, and poses the question of what the next step for RIFR should be.

Expected learning outcomes

Developing a clear understanding of the business environment; understanding the challenges faced by businesses in emerging markets; highlighting the dynamics of a volume-driven vis-à-vis a margin-driven approach to business strategy; and the importance of resources as critical elements of strategy development.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Formative assessment in teacher talk during lesson studies
Authors: van Halem Nicolette , Goei Sui Lin , Akkerman Sanne F.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the extent of systematic examination of students’ educational (support) needs by teachers participating in lesson study (LS) meetings within a framework of formative assessment (FA).

Design/methodology/approach

The study took place in the context of upper preparatory vocational education in the Netherlands. The learning trajectory of two LS teams was examined qualitatively, using the framework of FA to analyze teachers’ explorative talk during LS-meetings. The sample included Dutch language teachers and mathematics teachers.

Findings

Findings revealed how the process of FA was intertwined with the LS process. Systematic examination of teaching practice was partly identified, however, FA was frequently inadequately applied. Teachers tended to rush into talk about pedagogics, instead of identification of goals and students’ educational (support) needs. In total, 12 characteristics of teacher talk were related to the extent to which FA was applied.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study suggest that guidance and support during LS-meetings is desirable for systematic practices during LS-meetings and this guidance and support should adapt to specific weaknesses and strengths of a LS team.

Originality/value

This study builds on previous findings suggesting that a systematic approach is important for teachers during LS-meetings. The findings provide a starting point for realizing the potential of LS in preparatory vocational education, by revealing potential pitfalls of systematic practice during LS-meetings. Moreover, this study presents a framework of FA as a potential tool in facilitating a systematic practice of LS.
Leanness assessment: a literature review
Authors: Narayanamurthy Gopalakrishnan , Gurumurthy Anand
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Assessing the outcome of lean transformation journey has been of interest to both researchers and practitioners. Various qualitative and quantitative assessment methodologies have been proposed in literature to track and measure the degree of leanness attained. The purpose of this paper is to understand the evolution of this leanness assessment literature over different attributes and identify gaps for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

A detailed literature review of peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers addressing leanness assessment was performed. Content analysis methodology involving a four-step process suggested by Mayring (2004) was adopted for this study.

Findings

The number of studies in literature on leanness assessment is low when compared to that in the area of lean implementation. Assessment methodologies developed are of wide range, varying from simple qualitative checklist to complex quantitative mathematical models. Following the trend of lean implementation literature, lean thinking assessment literature is also getting transformed from process-level monitoring to enterprise-level monitoring. Finally, based on this review, a simplified leanness assessment framework is proposed for future validation.

Research limitations/implications

Only peer-reviewed journals and conference papers were analyzed, while excluding the manuals, reports, and white papers from practice. Clustering of leanness assessment literature revealed that future studies in this domain would fall into two major categories, namely manufacturing leanness assessment and service leanness assessment.

Practical implications

Practitioners can use this review study to choose a suitable methodology for assessing the leanness attained in their organization by controlling for the structural attributes identified.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to review the topic “leanness assessment.” The review analyzes the entire literature available on leanness assessment to summarize its current status and identify potential future directions.