bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of RHO Kinase by Fasudil Attenuates Ischemic Lung Injury After Cardiac Arrest in Rats
Authors: Wei Jian , Wang Peng , Li Yi , Dou Qingli , Lin Jiali , Tao Wuyuan , Lin Jinle , Fu Xuan , Huang Zitong , Zhang Wenwu 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT
Lung injury is a common complication after cardiac arrest (CA) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and Rho kinase (ROCK) may be involved in the process of this injury. In this study, we aimed to study the effects of ROCK inhibition by fasudil on lung injury induced by asphyxial CA and CPR in rats. A total of 130 rats were randomized into three groups: Sham, Control, and Fasudil intervention group. Animals in the Fasudil intervention group were intraperitoneally administered with 10 mg/kg of the drug, 1 h before inducing CA. Rats in the Control group received equivalent volume of saline and were subjected to the same experimental procedures with as the Fasudil group. Blood was collected and lungs were harvested at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) for blood gas and biochemical analysis. Fasudil significantly increased the partial pressure of oxygen and pH in arterial blood, as well as attenuated lung histological injury and lung edema after ROSC. Additionally, it significantly decreased lung inflammatory response (decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6, and myeloperoxidase activity) and oxidative stress (decreased malonaldehyde level and increased superoxide dismutase activity) after ROSC. Using western blot analysis, we found that fasudil inhibited both isoforms ROCK1 and ROCK2, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1; nevertheless, it increased vascular endothelial cadherin protein expression after ROSC. Our study suggested that the Rho kinase signaling pathway is critical for CA-induced lung injury and fasudil has protective effects on lung injury after CA and CPR.
Development of a trauma system and optimal placement of trauma centers using geospatial mapping
Authors: Horst Michael A. , Jammula Shreya , Gross Brian W. , Bradburn Eric H. , Cook Alan D. , Altenburg Juliet , Morgan Madison , Von Nieda Danielle , Rogers Frederick B. 
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND
The care of patients at individual trauma centers (TCs) has been carefully optimized, but not the placement of TCs within the trauma systems. We sought to objectively determine the optimal placement of trauma centers in Pennsylvania using geospatial mapping.

METHODS
We used the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) and Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) registries for adult (age ≥15) trauma between 2003 and 2015 (n = 377,540 and n = 255,263). TCs and zip codes outside of PA were included to account for edge effects with trauma cases aggregated to the Zip Code Tabulation Area centroid of residence. Model assumptions included no previous TCs (clean slate); travel time intervals of 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes; TC capacity based on trauma cases per bed size; and candidate hospitals ≥200 beds. We used Network Analyst Location-Allocation function in ArcGIS Desktop to generate models optimally placing 1 to 27 TCs (27 current PA TCs) and assessed model outcomes.

RESULTS
At a travel time of 60 minutes and 27 sites, optimally placed models for PTSF and PHC4 covered 95.6% and 96.8% of trauma cases in comparison with the existing network reaching 92.3% or 90.6% of trauma cases based on PTSF or PHC4 inclusion. When controlled for existing coverage, the optimal numbers of TCs for PTSF and PHC4 were determined to be 22 and 16, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
The clean slate model clearly demonstrates that the optimal trauma system for the state of Pennsylvania differs significantly from the existing system. Geospatial mapping should be considered as a tool for informed decision-making when organizing a statewide trauma system.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Epidemiological study/Care management, level III.
Pediatric appendicitis: Is referral to a regional pediatric center necessary?
Authors: Hodges Maggie M. , Burlew Clay Cothren , Acker Shannon N. , Moore Ernest E. , Roosevelt Genie E. , Schubert Anna , Hill Lauren R.S. , Partrick David A. , Bensard Denis 
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND
Acute appendicitis is the most common emergent surgical procedure performed among children in the United States, with an incidence exceeding 80,000 cases per year. Appendectomies are often performed by both pediatric surgeons and adult general/trauma and acute care (TACS) surgeons. We hypothesized that children undergoing appendectomy for acute appendicitis have equivalent outcomes whether a pediatric surgeon or a TACS surgeon performs the operation.

METHODS
A retrospective chart review was performed for patients 6 to 18 years of age, who underwent appendectomy at either a regional children's hospital (Children's Hospital of Colorado [CHCO], n = 241) or an urban safety-net hospital (n = 347) between July 2010 and June 2015. The population of patients operated on at the urban safety-net hospital was further subdivided into those operated on by pediatric surgeons (Denver Health Medical Center [DHMC] pediatric surgeons, n = 68) and those operated on by adult TACS surgeons (DHMC TACS, n = 279). Baseline characteristics and operative outcomes were compared between these patient populations utilizing one-way analysis of variance and χ2 test for independence.

RESULTS
When comparing the CHCO and DHMC TACS groups, there were no differences in the proportion of patients with perforated appendicitis, operative time, rate of operative complications, rate of postoperative infectious complications, or rate of 30-day readmission. Length of stay was significantly shorter for the DHMC TACS group than that for the CHCO group.

CONCLUSIONS
Our data demonstrate that among children older than 5 years undergoing appendectomy, length of stay, risk of infectious complications, and risk of readmission do not differ regardless of whether they are operated on by pediatric surgeons or adult TACS surgeons, suggesting resources currently consumed by transferring children to hospitals with access to pediatric surgeons could be allocated elsewhere.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Therapeutic/Care management, level III.
A minimal “push-pull” bistability model explains oscillations between quiescent and proliferative cell states
Authors: Krishna Sandeep , Laxman Sunil 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA minimal model for oscillating between quiescent and growth/proliferation states, dependent on the availability of a central metabolic resource, is presented. From the yeast metabolic cycles (YMCs), metabolic oscillations in oxygen consumption are represented as transitions between quiescent and growth states. We consider metabolic resource availability, growth rates, and switching rates (between states) to model a relaxation oscillator explaining transitions between these states. This frustrated bistability model reveals a required communication between the metabolic resource that determines oscillations, and the quiescent and growth state cells. Cells in each state reflect memory, or hysteresis of their current state, and “push-pull” cells from the other state. Finally, a parsimonious argument is made for a specific central metabolite as the controller of switching between quiescence and growth states. We discuss how an oscillator built around the availability of such a metabolic resource is sufficient to generally regulate oscillations between growth and quiescence, through committed transitions.
Sex-determination and sex chromosomes are shared across the radiation of dioeciousNepenthespitcher plants
Authors: Scharmann Mathias , Grafe T. Ulmar , Metali Faizah , Widmer Alex 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPlants with separate sexes (dioecy) represent a minority but dioecy has evolved multiple times independently in plants. Our understanding of sex determination systems in plants and of the ecological factors and molecular changes associated with the evolution of dioecy remain limited. Here, we study the sex-determination system in dioecious plants that lack heteromorphic sex chromosomes and are not amenable to controlled breeding:Nepenthespitcher plants. We genotyped wild populations of flowering males and females of threeNepenthestaxa using ddRAD-seq, and sequenced a male inflorescence transcriptome. We developed a novel statistical tool (privacy rarefaction) to distinguish true sex-specificity from stochastic noise in high-throughput sequencing data. Our results support XY-systems in all threeNepenthestaxa and inSilene latifoliawhich was used as a positive control for its known XY-system. The male-specific region of the Y chromosome showed little conservation among the threeNepenthestaxa, except for the essential pollen development gene DYT1 which was also male-specific in additional taxa. Hence, this homomorphic XY sex-determination system likely has a unique origin older than the crown of the genusNepenthesat c. 17.7 My. In addition to the characterisation of the previously unknown sex chromosomes ofNepenthes, our work contributes an innovative, highly sensitive statistical method to efficiently detect sex-specific genomic regions in wild populations in general.
Direct teaching of industrial manipulators using current sensors
Authors: Yuan Jian-jun , Wang Shuai , Wan Weiwei , Liang Yanxue , Yang Luo , Liu Yifan 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
The aim of this paper is to implement direct teaching of industrial manipulators using current sensors. The traditional way to implement teaching is either to use a teaching pedant, which is time consuming, or use force sensors, which increases system cost. To overcome these disadvantages, a novel method is explored in the paper by using current sensors installed at joints as torque observers.

Design/methodology/approach
The method uses current sensors installed at each joint of a manipulator as torque observers and estimates external forces from differences between joint-driven torque computed based on the values of current sensors and commanded values of motor-driven torque. The joint-driven torque is computed by cancelling out both pre-calibrated gravity and friction resistance (compensation). Also, to make the method robust, the paper presents a strategy to detect unexpected slowly drifts and zero external forces and stop the robot in those situations.

Findings
Experimental results demonstrated that compensating the joint torques using both pre-calibrated gravity and friction resistance has performance comparable to a force sensor installed on the end effector of a manipulator. It is possible to implement satisfying direct teaching without using force sensors on 7 degree of freedom manipulators with large mass and friction resistance.

Originality/value
The main contribution of the paper is that the authors cancel out both pre-calibrated gravity and friction resistance to improve the direct teaching using only current sensors; they develop methods to avoid unsafe situations like slow drifts. The method will benefit industrial manipulators, especially those with large mass and friction resistance, to realize flexible and reliable direct teaching.
Model for developing trust on US construction projects
Authors: Issa Raja R.A. , Olbina Svetlana , Zuppa Dino 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors found on US construction projects that are perceived by contractors to strengthen or weaken trust between contracting stakeholders and to develop a framework for evaluating these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive framework containing a number of factors (54) that could impact trust on construction projects was first developed. A survey questionnaire was then developed and administered via phone to contractors selected from the Engineering News Record top 400 US construction companies. The survey findings were then used to develop a trust model and case studies were used to validate and revise the trust model.

Findings
A trust model is developed that helps large US contractors measure and improve trust with other stakeholders on their projects.

Practical implications
Large US contractors are now provided with a tool not previously available to help them measure and improve trust between the different contracting parties on construction projects which can help them decrease project time and costs, and improve project results.

Originality/value
The proposed trust model adds a number of different dimensions to the existing trust models found in the literature and as such improves the contractor’s ability to foster and enhance trust on a US construction project.
Risk-based entry decision into African construction markets: a proposed integrated model
Authors: Odediran Sunday Julius , Windapo Abimbola Oluwakemi 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a risk-based entry decision model to mitigate the impact of risk and ease the entry of multinational construction companies (MNCCs) into African construction market (ACM).

Design/methodology/approach
A review of extant literature helps identify risks in the international construction market (ICM) and entry modes used by MNCCs to enter into the ICM. A conceptual model is designed for a risk-based entry decision. Data for validating the proposed model are sourced from multiple sources – survey, interview and financial and annual report of companies surveyed.

Findings
Findings reveal significant risks in the ICM and different modes of MNCCs entry to foreign market. Experience of MNCCs shows that the perceived impact of risk influence decisions made to enter into foreign markets, and interactive relationships between resources and entry decisions made to mitigate the perceived impact of risks.

Originality/value
Significant risks are expected in the ACM. However, adequate perception of risks based on resources levels of MNCCs and strategic entry decisions would assist in mitigating the potential impacts of risk.
Factors affecting building services’ coordination during the design development and review stages
Authors: Hassanain Mohammad A. , Adewale Babatunde , Al-Hammad Abdul-Mohsen , Sanni-Anibire Muizz O. 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the factors affecting building services’ coordination during the design development and review stages of building projects.

Design/methodology/approach
Literature review and interviews were conducted to identify the factors affecting building services’ coordination. In total, 36 factors were identified under six categories: planning phase of the project; design of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems; construction of MEP systems; operation and maintenance of MEP systems; owner; and design team and tools used. This formed the basis of a questionnaire survey designed utilizing a 5-point Likert scale of importance. The survey was assessed by practitioners in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

Findings
The top five factors include the scale and complexity of the project, the level of experience of the design team, the quality of the preliminary/conceptual design of the building project, the clarity of the requirements and objectives provided by the owner, the allotted budget for the project and communication skills of the design team members. A high level of agreement between A/E professionals and contractors, and between contractors and facility managers was noted. The research provides the ranking of the identified factors for prioritization.

Practical implications
The paper provides stakeholders in the building services industry with the ranks of the factors that affect building services’ coordination.

Originality/value
The study provided a significant contribution to research and industry, especially in the regional context, where few studies have been conducted. The findings of the study will help in the reduction of construction wastes, delays and cost over-runs.
An empirical investigation of customer intentions influenced by service quality using the mediation of emotional and cognitive responses
Authors: Alsaggaf Mohammed Ahmad , Althonayan Abraham 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of customer perceptions of service quality on electronic word of mouth (eWOM) and switching intentions through cognitive and emotional responses.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors have developed a theoretical framework based on behavioural theories to analyse the environmental aspects of relationships that affect customer behavioural intentions. The authors adapted a quantitative methodology along with the positivist philosophical approach to investigate the hypotheses within the theoretical framework. The authors applied a protracted stimuli-organism-response model to highlight the peripheral reliability, responsiveness, tangibility, empathy, assurance, and the impact of the customer’s feelings while simultaneously linking the elements to each other. In addition, the authors applied the theory of reasoned action to reflect the marginal elements of subjective norms, attitude, and customers’ behavioural intentions. A survey with 601 responses has been used in this study.

Findings
In the setting of KSA’s mobile telecom industry, the authors confirm that there is a positive effect of customer perceptions of service quality on their eWOM and switching intentions through their cognitive and emotional responses.

Originality/value
The framework of this study enhances our understanding of the role of service quality as an environmental influence on an individual’s intentions to switch and eWOM. This conceptual framework is essential in evaluating the mediating roles of attitude and emotions in relation to eWOM and intention to switch.
How SMEs develop ICT-based capabilities in response to their environment
Authors: Neirotti Paolo , Raguseo Elisabetta , Paolucci Emilio 
Published: December 2017

PurposeThe adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has some peculiarities that may depend on the combined effect of size and the competitive environment. The purpose of this paper is to use a contingency approach to explore how SMEs develop organizational capabilities through ICT investments in response to environmental conditions.Design/methodology/approachA survey on 284 SMEs in Italy was conducted and data were analyzed with regression models for testing seven hypotheses on the environmental influence on the development of ICT-based capabilities and the role played by firm size.FindingsThe results show that the environment influences the development of such capabilities in a different way, depending on size. Within munificent environments, ICT-based capabilities are more diffused among larger SMEs, whereas under environmental complexity, this pattern is inverted, with larger SMEs exhibiting a more limited deployment of ICT in support of both their internally and externally oriented processes. Under environmental dynamism medium-sized firms tend to develop more internally oriented ICT capabilities, but fail in reporting superior capabilities for managing external relationships.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to understand the relationship between the environment and ICT investments in SMEs. Since the combined effect of size and the competitive environment may influence considerably the ICT investments in SMEs, this study investigates the organizational responses with respect to how SMEs use ICT to address their external environment. This focus provides a contribution to understand the challenges that SMEs are facing in the current technological and market environment, where changes in the ICT paradigm raise the level of complexity and dynamism and bring changes in competition levels that leave few resources for growth to SMEs.
An empirical analysis on outsourcing decision: the case of e-banking services
Authors: Hanafizadeh Payam , Zare Ravasan Ahad 
Published: December 2017

PurposeA multitude of factors influence the information technology outsourcing (ITO) decision. Organizations must systematically evaluate these factors prior to making the ITO decision. The purpose of this paper is to provide an in-depth analysis toward understanding the critical factors in affecting ITO decision in the context of e-banking services.Design/methodology/approachThe effect of technological, organizational, and environmental attributes on e-banking services outsourcing decision were investigated in this paper. The study was carried out using the quantitative research methodology based on a survey of 23 banks. The partial least squares technique was utilized as the method of data analysis.FindingsThe results of the data analysis illustrated that nine out of 11 assumed factors (i.e. perceived complexity, perceived cost, service observability to the client, cultural fit between client and supplier, perceived loss of organizational knowledge, prior outsourcing experience, external pressure, market volatility, and suppliers’ power) influence the outsourcing decision of e-banking services. The findings also confirmed that the nature of the service and client IT capabilities did not exert any influence on the outsourcing decision.Originality/valueThe study is among the first kind of ITO decision research which empirically investigates the effect of service observability, cultural fit, perceived loss of organizational knowledge, external pressure, market volatility, and suppliers’ power amongst other factors on the ITO decision. The findings from this study provide insights for the banks and service providers to better understand the factors affecting the outsourcing decisions of e-banking services in contexts of less developed countries. Implications based on a specific situation of the Iranian banking sector is also proposed.
Walking side-by-side: Recovery Colleges revolutionising mental health care
Authors: Sommer Joanne , Gill Katherine , Stein-Parbury Jane 
Published: December 2017

Purpose
The Recovery College model is an innovative approach to providing education to consumers, carers and mental health staff, with the potential to facilitate both personal recovery gains and organisational transformation towards recovery-focused service provision. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of students who attended the South Eastern Sydney Recovery College (SESRC).

Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory, descriptive qualitative design was employed with data collected through seven focus group interviews with consumers and mental health staff who had participated in courses run by the SESRC. Thematic analysis of the data was conducted using both deductive and inductive processes in order to interpret the data.

Findings
All participants were positive about their involvement in the RC. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: connection with others, hope for the future, the importance of the lived experience, and changing attitudes and systems.

Originality/value
The outcomes of this study indicate that the SESRC is achieving its aims in relation to both personal recovery gains, and the potential to impact on service transformation. It highlights the centrality of co-production as a fundamental aspect of the Recovery College model. This paper contributes to the emerging evidence base for this model and provides evidence that this model is applicable to the Australian context.