bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cell membrane deformation and bioeffects produced by tandem bubble-induced jetting flow
Authors: Yuan Fang , Yang Chen , Zhong Pei 
Published: December 2015

Significance
Cavitation plays a pivotal role in ultrasound-generated bioeffects. Here, we report the design of an experimental system based on laser-generated tandem bubbles in a microfluidic chip and surface patterning to investigate the causal relationship between cavitation jetting-induced cell membrane deformation and resultant bioeffects. We have demonstrated that pinpoint membrane poration produced at the cell’s leading edge correlates with area strain integral, which varies significantly with standoff distance to the tandem bubble. By adjusting the standoff distance, distinctly different bioeffects (necrosis, repairable poration, or nonporation) could be produced in individual cells, providing the opportunity to probe mechanotransduction at single cell level with potential applications in disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring based on mechanical characterization of the cell.
Full and Partial Overhead Tank Cover Improves Rainbow Trout Rearing Performance
Authors: Walker Lily M , Parker Timothy M , Barnes Michael E 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
This study examined the effects of different overhead tank cover regimes during rearing of Rainbow Trout Onchorynchus mykiss. Three different overhead cover treatments were applied to circular tanks: near-full (98%), partial (65%), and no cover. Compared with tanks with no overhead cover, fish growth and feed conversion ratio were significantly improved in tanks with either partial cover or near-full cover. There were no significant differences in condition factor, visceral somatic index, hepatosomatic index, or hematocrit values in fish reared under either of the cover treatments. These results indicate that either partial or near-full covers may provide benefits during hatchery production of Rainbow Trout.
Acute Infections, Cost per Infection and Turnaround Time in Three United States Hospital Laboratories Using Fourth-Generation Antigen-Antibody Human Immunodeficiency Virus Immunoassays
Authors: Wesolowski Laura G. , Nasrullah Muazzam , Coombs Robert W. , Rosenberg Eric , Ethridge Steven F. , Hutchinson Angela B. , Dragavon Joan , Rychert Jennifer , Nolte Frederick S. , Madory James E. , Werner Barbara G. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Background.  To improve clinical and public health outcomes through early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) detection, fourth-generation antigen/antibody immunoassay (4IA) and supplemental testing results must be returned rapidly.
Methods.  We examined HIV testing data at Harborview Medical Center (HMC), Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), which used 4IA and supplemental antibody and nucleic acid tests (NATs). At MGH and MUSC, HIV-1 Western blot (WB) and HIV-2 testing were conducted at a reference laboratory. We compared time from specimen collection to laboratory result for established (positive WB) and acute infections (reactive 4IA, negative/indeterminate WB, detectable NAT), and we calculated testing cost per positive-test result.
Results.  From 3731 (MUSC) to 19 774 (MGH) tests were conducted; 0.01% (MGH) to 0.05% (HMC) were acute infections. Each laboratory had reactive 4IA, WB-negative, or indeterminate specimens without NAT (ie, potential acute infections). Time to result was 1.5 (HMC) to 5.2 days (MGH) for acute and 1.0 (HMC) to 5.2 days (MGH) for established infections. Costs were $1054 (MGH) to $1521 (MUSC).
Conclusions.  Conducting supplemental testing in-house lowered turnaround times, which may be further reduced with rapid HIV-1/HIV-2 differentiation tests. Hospitals may benefit from quantitative NATs not requiring physician orders, so all potential acute infections receive NAT.
Near-Nerve Needle Technique Versus Surface Electrode Recordings in Electrodiagnosis of Diabetic Polyneuropathy
Authors: Kural Mustafa A. , Pugdahl Kirsten , Fuglsang-Frederiksen Anders , Andersen Henning , Tankisi Hatice 
Published: December 2015

Purpose:
The sural nerve can be examined by either surface electrode recording or near-nerve technique (NNT) for electrodiagnosis of polyneuropathy. This study compared the sensitivity of these two methods and correlated nerve conduction studies to “The Utah Early Neuropathy Scale” (UENS) and HbA1c levels.

Methods:
In 29 diabetic patients, 55 sural nerves were examined with both antidromic surface recording and orthodromic NNT. The sensitivities were compared with chi-square statistics. Nerve conduction study parameters were correlated with UENS and HbA1c levels using regression analysis.

Results:
More often absent responses were seen with surface electrodes than NNT (15 vs. 0) (P < 0.001). A higher number of normal nerves were found with surface recording (27) than with NNT (15) (P < 0.001). The decrease in sensory nerve action potential amplitude correlated significantly to total UENS scores and UENS subscores for both surface recordings and NNT. However, decrease in conduction velocity and sensory nerve action potential duration correlated to UENS scores and subscores more often for NNT than for surface recording. Similarly, there was significant correlation between HbA1c levels and sensory nerve action potential amplitude and duration for NNT, but not for surface electrode recordings.

Conclusions:
Near-nerve technique is recommended for better and more sensitive electrodiagnosis of polyneuropathy, and clinical scoring with UENS is of importance for diabetic neuropathy diagnosis.
Products of the Parkinson’s-disease related glyoxalase DJ-1, D-lactate and glycolate, support mitochondrial membrane potential and neuronal survival
Authors: Toyoda Yusuke , Erkut Cihan , Pan-Montojo Francisco , Boland Sebastian , Stewart Martin P. , Müller Daniel J. , Wurst Wolfgang , Hyman Anthony A. , Kurzchalia Teymuras V. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractParkinson’s disease is associated with mitochondrial decline in dopaminergic neurons of thesubstantia nigra. One of the genes, DJ-1/PARK7, linked with the onset of Parkinson’s disease, belongs to a novel glyoxalase family and influences mitochondrial activity. It has been assumed that glyoxalases fulfill this task by detoxifying aggressive aldehyde by-products of metabolism. Here we show that supplying either D-lactate or glycolate, products of DJ-1, rescues the requirement for the enzyme in maintenance of mitochondrial potential. We further show that glycolic acid and D-lactic acid can elevate lowered mitochondrial membrane potential caused by silencing PINK-1, another Parkinson’s related gene, as well as by paraquat, an environmental toxin known to be linked with Parkinson’s disease. We propose that DJ-1 and consequently its products are components of a novel pathway that stabilizes mitochondria during cellular stress. We go on to show that survival of cultured mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons, defective in Parkinson’s disease, is enhanced by glycolate and D-lactate. Because glycolic and D-lactic acids occur naturally, they are therefore a potential therapeutic route for treatment or prevention of Parkinson’s disease.
A framework for collaborative computational research
Authors: Paquola Apuã C. M. , Erwin Jennifer A. , Gage Fred H. 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTAnalysis of high troughput biological data often involves the use of many software packages and in-house written code. For each analysis step there are multiple options of software tools available, each with its own capabilities, limitations and assumptions on the input and output data. The development of bioinformatics pipelines involves a great deal of experimentation with different tools and parameters, considering how each would fit to the big picture and the practical implications of their use. Organizing data analysis could prove challenging. In this work we present a set of methods and tools that aim to enable the user to experiment extensively, while keeping analyses reproducible and organized. We present a framework based on simple principles that allow data analyses to be structured in a way that emphasizes reproducibility, organization and clarity, while being simple and intuitive so that adding and modifying analysis steps can be done naturally with little extra effort. The framework suppports version control of code, documentation and data, enabling collaboration between users.
Low virulence evolves as a bet-hedging strategy in fluctuating environment
Authors: Nguyen Anne , Rajon Etienne , Fouchet David , Pontier Dominique , Rabinovich Jorge Eduardo , Gourbiére Sébastien , Menu Frédéric 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe effect of fluctuating environmental conditions (i.e. environmental stochasticity) on the evolution of virulence has been broadly overlooked, presumably due to a lack of connection between the fields of evolutionary epidemiology and insect ecology. Practitioners of the latter have known for a long time that stochastic environmental variations can impact the population dynamics of many insects, some of which are vectors of infectious diseases. Here we investigate whether environmental stochasticity affecting a vector’s life history can have an indirect impact on the evolutionarily expected virulence of the parasite, using Chagas disease as an example. We model the evolution of virulence using the adaptive dynamics framework, showing that parasite virulence should decrease when the vector's dynamics randomly change in time. The decrease is even more pronounced when environmental variations are frequent and ample. This decrease in virulence can be viewed as a bet-hedging strategy: when a parasite is at a risk of not being transmitted (e.g. because vectors are scarce), its best option is to stay in the host longer – that is, to be less virulent. Lowering virulence is thus very similar to increasing iteroparity, a well-known risk-spreading strategy, and should be expected to evolve whenever parasite transmission varies randomly in time.
The needs of people with mild learning disabilities within the Scottish criminal justice system: a qualitative study of healthcare perspectives
Authors: Mediseni Fellex , Brown Michael 
Published: December 2015

Purpose
– The Purpose of this paper is to identify and explore the views and experiences of specialist learning disability (LD) health service professionals regarding the management of and support offered to people with LD when they come into contact with the Scottish criminal justice system (CJS).

Design/methodology/approach
– A qualitative design was adopted for this study due to the limited existing evidence in the area and the need to start to build and develop understanding of the phenomena under study. A purposive sampling procedure was used to select participants from an accessible population within one Scottish NHS Health Literature review, qualitative research, semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.

Findings
– The findings identified three key themes challenges in practice; the need for additional resources; and the ability of services to provide management and support.

Originality/value
– The findings serve to contribute to the understanding of the role and contributions made by and required from specialist LD health services to manage and support people with LD in the Scottish CJS.
Am I there yet? The views of people with learning disability on forensic community rehabilitation
Authors: Davis Alana , Doyle Michael , Quayle Ethel , O'Rourke Suzanne 
Published: December 2015

Purpose
– Previously, diversion from the criminal justice system for people with learning disability (LD) and serious forensic needs in Scotland meant hospitalisation. More recently new legislation has meant that community-based rehabilitation is possible for this group. The purpose of this paper is to qualitatively explore the views of people with LD subject to these legal orders. This is both a chance to work in partnership to improve services and also to make the voices of this potentially vulnerable group heard.

Design/methodology/approach
– Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants subject to a community-based order. All participants were male. Ages, index behaviour, and time spent on order varied. The data was transcribed and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Findings
– The main themes which emerged from the data were a taste of freedom, not being in control, getting control back, loneliness, and feeling like a service user. Participants described positives about community-based rehabilitation but also a number of negatives.

Practical implications
– Participant accounts suggest that the current community rehabilitation model has some shortcomings which need to be addressed. Suggestions are made for improvements to the current model relating to: achieving clarity over the role of support staff and pathways out of the system; increasing opportunities for service users to voice concerns; empowering staff teams via extensive training and supervision; and directly addressing internalised stigma to promote community integration.

Originality/value
– This is the first piece of work evaluating compulsory community forensic care for people with LD from the perspective of service users. It highlights difficulties with the system which could lead to helpful ways to evolve this model.
Scotland
'
s approach to forensic mental health and learning disabilities – the Forensic Network
Authors: Walker Helen , Murphy Lesley , Gration Vivienne 
Published: December 2015

Purpose
– The Forensic Mental Health Services Managed Care Network is described, including the School of Forensic Mental Health. The purpose of this paper is to outline background, it details successes and challenges, focuses on links to clinical practice for Learning Disabilities (LD) service development, describes education and training, multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working and quality improvement. Findings from a small scale brief educational study undertaken in the high-secure service are included as an example of good practice.

Design/methodology/approach
– Specific features relating to LD are highlighted. Comparisons are made with other managed clinical and managed care networks.

Findings
– The Forensic Network has evolved over time. It has played a crucial role in shaping Scotland’s approach to Forensic Mental Health and LD. Central to its success is active involvement of key stakeholders, a multi-agency approach and collaborative working practice. Future plans include formal evaluation of impact.

Originality/value
– This paper offers an interesting perspective from a forensic mental health managed care network; the existing literature is limited.
Measuring the business value of IT outsourcing: a systems approach
Authors: Kivijärvi Hannu , Toikkanen Jussi 
Published: December 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this study is to examine information technology (IT) outsourcing measurement systems. This paper proposes a systemic framework which can be used to support the evaluation of existing and the development of new measurement systems in the outsourcing context. The framework is built on the multidimensional characteristics of the business value created by IT outsourcing (ITO).

Design/methodology/approach
– After the conceptual discussion, this paper develops a systemic procedure for evaluating and developing measurement systems. The proposed procedure is applied in a multinational corporation operating in the electronics industry and conducting global business. First, the characteristics of the previous measurement system are evaluated, then the systemic properties of the current system are assessed and, finally, a new measurement system is proposed.

Findings
– The findings reveal that the measurement systems differ on many levels, namely, input, measurement process and output. The framework provides a structure for proper comparison of alternative measurement systems. When comparing the results to the most commonly used ITO theories, specifically the resource-based view and transaction cost economics, it is somewhat surprising that individual elements such as the cost of outsourcing and focus on core competencies were not weighed any higher in the final results.

Practical implications
– Organizations have difficulties in measuring actual benefits, opportunities, costs or risks involved in outsourcing transactions. The proposed framework forms a basis to resolve the measurement problems and even support the actual sourcing decisions. The applicability of the proposed approach was verified by evaluating three different types of measurement systems in a multinational corporation conducting global business in the electronics industry.

Originality/value
– Different kinds of measurement systems can be evaluated by the same systemic framework. The evaluation process is not limited to qualitative or quantitative assessments, but the same framework can be used in both cases.
An exploratory study of factors influencing make-or-buy of sales activities
Authors: Rogers Beth , Rodrigo Padmali 
Published: December 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to explore how sales managers make resourcing decisions with particular focus on their perceptions of outsourcing.Design/methodology/approach– This paper is based on in-depth interviews with 29 senior sales managers from a variety of industry sectors based in the UK. All had more than five years’ experience of making resourcing decisions.Findings– The findings are that resourcing decisions are prompted by cost pressure, the need to access skills or to improve flexibility. Outsourcing preferences are strongly moderated by perceived reputational risk. Availability of suitable suppliers and the ability to manage outsourcing are also practical moderators.Research limitations/implications– The sample was purposeful in identifying and accessing senior respondents in substantial companies with extensive experience, but it was not random.Practical implications– Respondents reported a lack of information available when making resourcing decisions; the model proposed provides a framework by which sales managers can identify the factors which should be taken into account and the information they need to make objective evaluations of resourcing options.Originality/value– It has been acknowledged in prior literature that there is relatively little outsourcing of sales activities. This is the first exploratory study of the perceptions of sales managers about resourcing options and the first conceptualisation of how sales resourcing decisions are made.
Accessing offshoring advantages: what and how to offshore
Authors: Mykhaylenko Alona , Motika Ágnes , Waehrens Brian Vejrum , Slepniov Dmitrij 
Published: December 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to advance the understanding of factors that affect offshoring performance results. To do so, this paper focuses on the access to location-specific advantages, rather than solely on the properties of the offshoring company, its strategy or environment. Assuming that different levels of synergy may exist between particular offshoring strategic decisions (choosing offshore outsourcing or captive offshoring and the type of function) and different offshoring advantages, this work advocates that the actual fact of realization of certain offshoring advantages (getting or not getting access to them) is a more reliable predictor of offshoring success.Design/methodology/approach– A set of hypotheses derived from the extant literature is tested on the data from a quantitative survey of 1,143 Scandinavian firms.Findings– The paper demonstrates that different governance modes and types of offshored function indeed provide different levels of access to different types of location-specific offshoring advantages. This difference may help to explain the ambiguity of offshoring initiatives performance results.Research limitations/implications– Limitations of the work include using only the offshoring strategy elements and only their limited variety as factors potentially influencing access to offshoring advantages. Also, the findings are limited to Scandinavian companies.Originality/value– The paper introduces a new concept of access, which can help to more reliably predict performance outcomes of offshoring initiatives. Recommendations are also provided to practitioners dealing with offshoring initiatives.
Does Zero Tillage Improve the Livelihoods of Smallholder Cropping Farmers?
Authors: El‐Shater Tamer , Yigezu Yigezu A. , Mugera Amin , Piggin Colin , Haddad Atef , Khalil Yaseen , Loss Stephen , Aw‐Hassan A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe biophysical benefits of zero tillage (ZT) are well documented in the literature. However, the literature on its economic benefits, especially in the context of small and medium‐scale farmers in the temperate developing world is scanty. Using a study of 621 wheat farmers in Syria, we provide empirical evidence on the impacts of adoption ofZTon farm income and wheat consumption. We use propensity score matching (PSM) and endogenous switching regression (ESR) approaches to account for potential selection biases. After controlling for confounding factors, we find that adoption of theZTtechnology leads to aUS$ 189/ha (33%) increase in net crop income and a 26 kg (34%) gain inper capitawheat consumption per year (adult equivalent) – an indication of meaningful changes in the livelihoods of the farm households. Besides the biophysical and environmental benefits documented elsewhere, our results suggest that adoption ofZTcan also be justified on economic and food security grounds. Therefore,ZTcan have sizeable impacts in transforming the agricultural sector in the temperate developing world provided that the technology is well promoted and adopted.
A prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of on‐Demand vs. nightly sildenafil citrate as assessed by Rigiscan and the international index of erectile function
Authors: Kim D. J. , Hawksworth D. J. , Hurwitz L. M. , Cullen J. , Rosner I. L. , Lue T. F. , Dean R. C. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryMultiple studies have evaluated the use of PDE5 inhibitors in penile rehabilitation following nerve‐sparing prostatectomy. These studies have evaluated the use of various pharmacologic agents as well as various approaches to treatment (on‐demand vs. rehabilitative). Most of these studies relied on self‐reported outcomes to determine efficacy of the therapy which could allow response bias to affect their results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nightly sildenafil citrate therapy during penile rehabilitation, using nocturnal penile rigidity (RigiScan™, Gotop Medical, Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA) in addition to the IIEF‐EF. Patients with localized prostate cancer and normal erectile function prior to nsRP were randomized to take either nightly 50 mg sildenafil citrate or placebo starting the night following surgery. Both groups were allowed on‐demand sildenafil citrate. Erectile function was evaluated at 2 weeks, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post‐operatively, with a final assessment made at 13 months, following a 1 month drug washout. At all time points, self‐reported (IIEF‐EF) and objective (RigiScan™) measures were obtained and evaluated. About 74 of 97 randomized patients completed the study. On completion, 40% of patients in each group had normal erectile function based on RigiScan™ (p = 1.0). Additionally, no statistical differences were seen using the IIEF‐EF domain (32.4% of placebo, 29% of treatment; p = 0.79). Multivariable analysis showed no significant differences in erectile function based on treatment intervention. Results did show that African‐American men in this cohort were at higher risk for lower RigiScan™ scores over time (OR: 0.48, p = 0.0399). This study demonstrates that nightly sildenafil citrate does not provide a therapeutic benefit for recovery of erectile function post‐prostatectomy when compared to on‐demand dosing using both self‐reported as well as objective measures. Differences in objective recovery parameters based on patients’ race/ethnicity warrant further investigation.