scholarly journals Civil Engineering and Symmetry

Symmetry ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas ◽  
Romualdas Bausys ◽  
and Jurgita Antucheviciene
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Civil Engineering ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Research Management ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Optimisation Methods ◽  
Current Special Issue

A topic of utmost importance in civil engineering is finding optimal solutions throughout the life cycle of buildings and infrastructural objects, including their design, manufacturing, use, and maintenance. Operational research, management science, and optimisation methods provide a consistent and applicable groundwork for engineering decision-making. These topics have received the interest of researchers, and, after a rigorous peer-review process, eight papers have been published in the current special issue. The articles in this issue demonstrate how solutions in civil engineering, which bring economic, social and environmental benefits, are obtained through a variety of methodologies and tools. Usually, decision-makers need to take into account not just a single criterion, but several different criteria and, therefore, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approaches have been suggested for application in five of the published papers; the rest of the papers apply other research methods. The methods and application case studies are shortly described further in the editorial.

Peer Review or Lottery? A Critical Analysis of Two Different Forms of Decision-making Mechanisms for Allocation of Research Grants

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 994-1019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lambros Roumbanis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Dynamic Selection ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Epistemic Diversity ◽  
Alternative Decision ◽  
Made In

At present, peer review is the most common method used by funding agencies to make decisions about resource allocation. But how reliable, efficient, and fair is it in practice? The ex ante evaluation of scientific novelty is a fundamentally uncertain endeavor; bias and chance are embedded in the final outcome. In the current study, I will examine some of the most central problems of peer review and highlight the possible benefits of using a lottery as an alternative decision-making mechanism. Lotteries are driven by chance, not reason. The argument made in the study is that the epistemic landscape could benefit in several respects by using a lottery, thus avoiding all types of bias, disagreement, and other limitations associated with the peer review process. Funding agencies could form a pool of funding applicants who have minimal qualification levels and then select randomly within that pool. The benefits of a lottery would not only be that it saves time and resources, but also that it contributes to a more dynamic selection process and increases the epistemic diversity, fairness, and impartiality within academia.

scholarly journals Structure of the H1 C-terminal domain and function in chromatin condensationThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in a Special Issue entitled 31st Annual International Asilomar Chromatin and Chromosomes Conference, and has undergone the Journal’s usual peer review process.

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara L. Caterino ◽  
Jeffrey J. Hayes
Keyword(s):  
Review Process ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Direct Role ◽  
Linker Histones ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Chromatin Folding ◽  
And Function ◽  
Positively Charged ◽  
Selection Of

Linker histones are multifunctional proteins that are involved in a myriad of processes ranging from stabilizing the folding and condensation of chromatin to playing a direct role in regulating gene expression. However, how this class of enigmatic proteins binds in chromatin and accomplishes these functions remains unclear. Here we review data regarding the H1 structure and function in chromatin, with special emphasis on the C-terminal domain (CTD), which typically encompasses approximately half of the mass of the linker histone and includes a large excess of positively charged residues. Owing to its amino acid composition, the CTD was previously proposed to function in chromatin as an unstructured polycation. However, structural studies have shown that the CTD adopts detectable secondary structure when interacting with DNA and macromolecular crowding agents. We describe classic and recent experiments defining the function of this domain in chromatin folding and emerging data indicating that the function of this protein may be linked to intrinsic disorder.

Creation of a palliative care advanced practice registered nurse peer-review process

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 596-602
Author(s):  
Patrice R. Fedel ◽  
Nicole E. Hembel ◽  
Lindsey M. Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Advanced Practice ◽  
Case Review

The mark of a true profession is the ability to self-regulate. As such, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are challenged by their professional organisations to participate in self-evaluation and peer review. Peer review is a method for evaluating the care provided by the APRN to both ensure quality nursing care and promote professional growth. Despite guidelines to participate in a formal peer-review process, there is little information within the nursing profession on how to accomplish peer review. A comprehensive literature review failed to provide a framework for peer review that is practice focused, fosters a learning environment and encompasses the thought process and clinical decision-making of the palliative care advanced practice nurse. A group of palliative care APRNs set out to create a process that encompassed the breadth of clinical decision-making in palliative care advanced nursing practice. Using the eight domains of palliative care, a narrative case review structure was created. The resulting process both assisted the APRNs in professional growth and provided timely feedback for the annual performance evaluation.

Towards a unifying mechanism for ClpB/Hsp104-mediated protein disaggregation and prion propagationThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue entitled 8th International Conference on AAA Proteins and has undergone the Journal's usual peer review process.

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Haslberger ◽  
Bernd Bukau ◽  
Axel Mogk
Keyword(s):  
Review Process ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Yeast Prions ◽  
Substrate Interaction ◽  
Initial Substrate ◽  
Hsp70 Chaperone ◽  
Prion Propagation ◽  
Precise Role ◽  
Selection Of

The oligomeric AAA+ chaperones ClpB/Hsp104 mediate the reactivation of aggregated proteins, an activity that is crucial for the survival of cells during severe stress. Hsp104 is also essential for the propagation of yeast prions by severing prion fibres. Protein disaggregation depends on the cooperation of ClpB/Hsp104 with a cognate Hsp70 chaperone system. While Hsp70 chaperones are also involved in prion propagation, their precise role is much less well defined compared with its function in aggregate solubilization. Therefore, it remained unclear whether both ClpB/Hsp104 activities are based on common or different mechanisms. Novel data show that ClpB/Hsp104 uses a motor threading activity to remodel both protein aggregates and prion fibrils. Moreover, transfer of both types of substrates to the ClpB/Hsp104 processing pore site requires initial substrate interaction of Hsp70. Together these data emphasize the similarity of thermotolerance and prion propagation pathways and point to a shared mechanistic principle of Hsp70–ClpB/Hsp104-mediated solubilization of amorphous and ordered aggregates.

scholarly journals The impact of the ovarian microenvironment on the anti-tumor effect of SPARC on ovarian cancer1This article is part of Special Issue entitled Asilomar Chromatin and has undergone the Journal’s usual peer review process.

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
James B. Greenaway ◽  
Anne Koehler ◽  
Christopher A. McCulloch ◽  
James Petrik ◽  
Theodore J. Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Reactive Stroma ◽  
Abdominal Lesions ◽  
The Impact

A lack of host-derived SPARC promotes disease progression in an intraperitoneal (IP) ID8 mouse model of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Since orthotopic injection (OT) of ID8 cells better recapitulates high-grade serous cancer, we examined the impact of host-derived SPARC following OT injection. Sparc−/− and wild-type (WT) mice were injected with ID8 cells either OT or IP and tumors were analyzed at the moribund stage. Sparc−/− mice had reduced survival and fewer well-defined abdominal lesions compared with WT controls after IP injection, whereas no differences were observed in survival or abdominal lesions between Sparc−/− and WT mice after OT injection. No differences in mass or collagen content were observed in ovarian tumors between OT-injected Sparc−/− and WT mice. The abdominal wall of the IP-injected Sparc−/− mice exhibited immature and less abundant collagen fibrils compared with WT mice both in injected and non-injected controls. In contrast to human EOC, SPARC was expressed by the tumor cells but was absent in reactive stroma of WT mice. Exposure to the ovarian microenvironment through OT injections alters the metastatic behaviour of ID8 cells, which is not affected by the absence of host-derived SPARC.

Clinical studies of lactoferrin in children1This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Lactoferrin and has undergone the Journal's usual peer review process.

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 457-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa J. Ochoa ◽  
Alonso Pezo ◽  
Karen Cruz ◽  
Elsa Chea-Woo ◽  
Thomas G. Cleary
Keyword(s):  
Neonatal Sepsis ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Pediatric Care ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Enteric Infections ◽  
Pediatric Illnesses

Much has been learned in recent years about the mechanisms by which breastfeeding improves child health and survival. However, there has been little progress in using these insights to improve pediatric care. The aim of this study was to review all clinical studies of lactoferrin (LF) in children in an effort to determine which interventions may improve pediatric care or require further research. We conducted a systematic and critical review of published literature and found 19 clinical studies that have used human or bovine LF for different outcomes: iron metabolisms and anemia (6 studies), fecal flora (5 studies), enteric infections (3 studies), common pediatric illnesses (1 study), immunomodulation (3 studies), and neonatal sepsis (1 study). Although the efficacies have varied in each trial, the main finding of all published studies is the safety of the intervention. Protection against enteric infections and neonatal sepsis are the most likely biologically relevant activities of LF in children. Future studies on neonatal sepsis should answer critically important questions. If the data from these sepsis studies are proven to be correct, it will profoundly affect the treatment of low birth weight neonates and will aid in the reduction of child mortality worldwide.

Glycogen: an overview of possible regulatory roles of the proteins associated with the granuleThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue, entitled 14th International Biochemistry of Exercise Conference – Muscles as Molecular and Metabolic Machines, and has undergone the Journal’s usual peer review process.

2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 488-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry E. Graham
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Muscle Glycogen ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Glycogen Granule ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Dynamic Regulation ◽  
Considerable Evidence ◽  
The Past ◽  
Selection Of

While scientists have routinely measured muscle glycogen in many metabolic situations for over 4 decades, there is surprisingly little known regarding its regulation. In the past decade, considerable evidence has illustrated that the carbohydrate stores in muscle are not homogeneous, and it is very likely that metabolic pools exist or that each granule has independent regulation. The fundamental aspects appear to be associated with a complex set of proteins that associate with both the granule and each other in a dynamic fashion. Some of the proteins are enzymes and others play scaffolding roles. A number of the proteins can translocate, depending on the metabolic stimulus. These various processes appear to be the mechanisms that give the glycogen granule precise yet dynamic regulation. This may also allow the stores to serve as an important metabolic regulator of other metabolic events.

scholarly journals Expression of Concern: Al-Baqami, N.M.; Hamza, R.Z. Protective Effect of Resveratrol against Hepatotoxicity of Cadmium in Male Rats: Antioxidant and Histopathological Approaches. Coatings 2021, 11, 594

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1113
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Guest Editor ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Special Issue

Following acceptance of the Special Issue article by the Guest Editor, El-Sayed Abd El-Aziz, concerns were raised regarding the integrity of the peer review process [...]

scholarly journals Expression of Concern: Hamza et al. A Potential Role of Apelin-13 against Hepatic Injury and Metabolic Disorders in Preeclampsia Induced by L-NAME. Coatings 2021, 11, 391

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1117
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Guest Editor ◽  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Hepatic Injury ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Special Issue

Following acceptance of the Special Issue article by the Guest Editor, El-Sayed Abd El-Aziz, concerns were raised regarding the integrity of the peer review process [...]

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