bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of innovation for performance improvement through corporate social responsibility practices among small and medium‐sized suppliers in China
Authors: Zhu Qinghua , Zou Fei , Zhang Pan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSmall and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in emergent countries have been motivated to implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices, whereas innovation is needed or even necessary to gain performance. This paper develops a conceptual model to explore if three types of innovation (technology, management, and marketing) have moderation and mediation effects on relationships between CSR practices and performance. Using 494 samples collected from Chinese SMEs, hierarchical regression analysis results show that technology innovation can improve environmental performance together with employee efforts, and it can also improve social image together with environmental practices and community involvement. Management innovation is necessary to improve stakeholders' satisfaction, and it can also help bring environmental performance through employees' efforts and improve social image through organizational governance. Marketing innovation is necessary to gain economic performance. Meanwhile, marketing innovation can improve stakeholders' satisfaction together with organizational governance, and it can help to improve environmental performance through community involvement.
Detection of Autoreactive Type II NKT Cells: A Pilot Study of Comparison Between Healthy Individuals and Patients with Vasculitis
Authors: Nishioka Yusuke , Sonoda Takaomi , Shida Haruki , Kusunoki Yoshihiro , Hattanda Fumihiko , Tanimura Shun , Uozumi Ryo , Yamada Mai , Nishibata Yuka , Masuda Sakiko , Nakazawa Daigo , Tomaru Utano , Atsumi Tatsuya , Ishizu Akihiro 
Published: September 2018

AbstractNKT cells are defined as T cells that recognize hydrophobic antigens presented by class I MHC‐like molecules, including CD1d. Among CD1d‐restricted NKT cells, type I and type II subsets have been noted. CD1d‐restricted type I NKT cells are regarded as pro‐inflammatory cells in general. On the contrary, accumulated evidence has demonstrated an anti‐inflammatory property of CD1d‐restricted type II NKT cells. In our earlier study using a rat model with vasculitis, we demonstrated the pro‐inflammatory function of CD1d‐restricted type II NKT cells and identified that one such cell recognized P518–532 of rat sterol carrier protein 2 (rSCP2518–532), which appeared on vascular endothelial cells presented by CD1d. Based on this evidence, we attempted to detect human CD1d‐restricted type II NKT cells in peripheral blood using hSCP2518–532, the human counterpart of rSCP2518–532, together with a CD1d tetramer in flow cytometry. First, we determined the binding of hSCP2518–532 to CD1d. Next, we detected CD3‐positive hSCP2518–532‐loaded CD1d (hSCP2518–532/CD1d) tetramer‐binding cells in peripheral blood of healthy donors. The abundance of TGF‐β‐producing cells rather than TNF‐α‐producing cells in CD3‐positive hSCP2518–532/CD1d tetramer‐binding cells suggests the anti‐inflammatory property of SCP2‐loaded CD1d (SCP2/CD1d) tetramer‐binding type II NKT cells in healthy individuals. Furthermore, we compared cytokine profile between healthy individuals and patients with vasculitis in a pilot study. Interestingly, the percentage of TGF‐β‐producing cells in SCP2/CD1d tetramer‐binding type II NKT cells in vasculitic patients was significantly lower than that in healthy controls despite the greater number of these cells. Although further studies to clarify the mechanism and significance of this phenomenon are needed, SCP2/CD1d tetramer‐binding type II NKT cells in peripheral blood should be examined in more detail to understand the pathophysiology of vasculitides in humans. © 2018 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
The value of ankle‐branchial index screening for cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Xu Lei , He Rui , Hua Xiaohan , Zhao Jun , Zhao Jungong , Zeng Hui , Li Lianxi , Liu Fang , Jia Weiping 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between ankle‐branchial index (ABI) and cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes patients.MethodsA total of 634 inpatients with type 2 diabetes were recruited in this cross‐sectional study. All patients were measured with ABI and computed tomography angiography (CTA) scan for coronary artery disease (CAD). According to ABI values, patients were divided into three groups: low‐ABI group (ABI < 0.9, n = 259), normal‐ABI group (ABI = 0.9‐1.3, n = 272), and high‐ABI group (ABI > 1.3, n = 103). According to the manifestation of coronary CTA, the patients were divided into CAD group (n = 348) and non‐CAD group (n = 286). Their clinical data and biochemical parameters were compared and analysed.ResultsThe prevalence of CAD in low‐ABI group (90%) was significantly higher than that of normal‐ABI group (33%) and high‐ABI group (25%) (both P < 0.01). Spearman correlation analysis showed that age, sex, duration, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), serum creatinine, and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were positively correlated with CAD, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), glomerular filtration rate, and ABI were negatively correlated with CAD. Logistic regression analysis further revealed that age, sex, duration, TC, HDL‐C, LDL‐C, HbA1c, and ABI were independent risk factors of CAD. After all potential confounders is adjusted, the risk of CAD in low‐ABI group still increased over four times than the normal‐ABI group (odds ratio [OR], 5.32; 95% CI, 1.973‐16.5; P < 0.001). In female patients, this risk increased more than nine times (OR, 10.63; 95% CI, 3.416‐17.8; P < 0.001). Receiver‐operating characteristic analysis indicated that ABI < 1.045 predicted the occurrence of CAD (sensitivity, 79.7%; specificity, 71.5%; P < 0.01).ConclusionsABI is an independent risk factor for CAD and may be a potential simple screening instrument for CAD in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients, especially in elder women.
Ionized magnesium and calcium concentration and their ratio in equine plasma samples as determined by a regulatory laboratory compared to a clinical reference laboratory
Authors: Schumacher Stephen A. , Yardley Jonathon , Bertone Alicia L. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMagnesium sulfate (MgSO4) was administered to calm competition horses. We evaluated the impact of regulatory requirements for the handling of blood samples on plasma ionized magnesium (iMg), ionized calcium (iCa), the iMg to iCa ratio, and pH. We hypothesized that iCa, iMg. and iMg/iCa would be similar among storage and collection methods. Four blood samples were collected from each of 50 horses on the same day: Group 1 – collection in a heparinized syringe and processed within hours in a clinical laboratory; Group 2 – collection into a plasma separator tube (PST) centrifuged just prior to analysis, and plasma processed as in (1); Group 3 – collection into a PST, refrigerated, shipped via overnight carrier to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Equine Drug Testing and Research laboratory, centrifuged just prior to analysis, and plasma processed; and Group 4 – as in Group 3, but stored frozen at −80°C for 90 days, thawed, and plasma processed as in Group 3. Results for iMg/iCa are unit‐less, adjusted iMg for potential influence of plasma protein and iCa, and highly correlated with iMg pH (r = −.933;P < 0.01). Samples processed immediately in a clinical reference laboratory had the greatest iMg/iCa. Both iMg/iCa and pH predictably decreased after freezing (P < 0.001). These data suggest that the iMg/iCa mirrors alterations in iMg regardless of storage and collection methods. This understanding can facilitate the development of a regulatory threshold for the control of the nefarious use of magnesium sulfate in competing horses, and an understanding of potential changes to iMg/iCa with storage of B samples.
Carbohydrate supply drives colony size, aggression, and impacts of an invasive ant
Authors: Wittman Sarah E. , O'Dowd Dennis J. , Green Peter T. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWorldwide, the most ecologically damaging invasive ants are associated with introduced honeydew‐producing insects, yet the mechanisms by which this mutualism may support invasive ant populations and drive impacts remain unclear. On Christmas Island, the invasive yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes;YCA), found in association with introduced honeydew‐producing scale insects, can reach extraordinary densities, triggering an ecological meltdown. In this study, we utilized stable isotope analysis to determine resource use ofYCAs in naturally occurring low‐ and high‐density populations, and we conducted laboratory experiments mimicking availability of honeydew to measure effects of carbohydrate subsidies on colony growth and worker behavior. High‐densityYCApopulations in nature incorporated a larger proportion of plant‐based resources in their diet than low‐density populations, and laboratory colonies with access to greater sugar resources had larger colony sizes, higher reproduction rates and worker survival, and higher per capita activity levels and showed higher aggression and potency toward opponents. These results support the positive feedback mechanism between honeydew‐producing insects andYCAs that underlies the ecological meltdown on Christmas Island, and add to the growing body of literature illustrating the importance of mutualistic interactions in the success of invasive species.
Invasion of Hawaiian rainforests by an introduced amphibian predator and N2‐fixing tree increases soil N2O emissions
Authors: Hall Sharon J. , Huber David P. , Hughes R. Flint 
Published: September 2018

AbstractInvasions of introduced species have homogenized ecological communities worldwide, leading to losses of native species and the services they provide. Some of these invaders substantially alter nutrient cycling, which changes conditions for all other organisms, but less is known about the potential influence of these species on nitrogen (N) trace gas emissions that affect atmospheric processes. We used a natural experiment to explore whether the establishment of an introduced nitrogen (N) fixing tree (Falcataria moluccana) and recent invasion of an amphibian predator, the Caribbean tree frog (Eleutherodactylus coqui), into native Hawaiian rainforests have affected soil emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO), two atmospherically important trace gases produced by soil microorganisms. Soil N2O andNOemissions and rates of soil N cycling were significantly higher inF. moluccana‐dominated stands compared to nativeMetrosideros polymorpha(Ohi'a) stands. Additionally, invasion ofE. coquifrogs moderately increased soil N2O emissions, primarily in non‐nativeF. moluccanaforests where soil N availability was already elevated. N2O emissions were positively and significantly related to net potential N mineralization, and total N2O+NOfluxes increased with soil nitrate (NO3−) concentration and rates of nitrification. Previous work in these Hawaiian rainforest sites has shown thatF. moluccanasubstantially increases N availability by increasing ecosystem N supply compared to uninvaded stands, andE. coquiaccelerates N availability and litter decomposition, although moderately, due to enhanced fluxes of nutrient‐rich waste products. Here, we show that acceleration of nutrient cycling by introduced species can also alter biosphere–atmosphere exchange of N‐oxides.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis leads to dysfunction and loss of MAIT cells
Authors: von Seth Erik , Zimmer Christine L. , Reuterwall‐Hansson Marcus , Barakat Ammar , Arnelo Urban , Bergquist Annika , Ivarsson Martin A. , Björkström Niklas K. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPrimary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a severe chronic liver disease of the small and large bile ducts. The pathogenesis is unknown but a strong immune cell component has been suggested. Mucosal‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are abundant in human liver and localize around bile ducts. Yet, the role of MAIT cells in PSC remains unclear. Here, we performed a detailed characterization of MAIT cells in circulation and assessed their presence in bile ducts of PSC patients as well as non‐PSC controls. We observed a dramatic reduction in MAIT cell levels in PSC patients. High‐dimensional phenotypical analysis using stochastic neighbor embedding revealed the MAIT cells to be activated, a phenotype shared by the investigated disease control groups. In line with the noted phenotypic alterations, MAIT cell function was reduced in response to Escherichia coli and to cytokine stimulation in PSC patients as compared to healthy controls. Using a novel sampling approach of human bile ducts, we found MAIT cells to be specifically enriched within bile ducts. Finally, distinct from the dramatic decline observed in circulation, PSC‐patients had retained levels of MAIT cells within bile ducts. Altogether, our results provide a detailed insight into how the human MAIT cell compartment is affected in PSC.
Mapping river bathymetries: Evaluating topobathymetric LiDAR survey
Authors: Tonina Daniele , McKean James A. , Benjankar Rohan M. , Wright C. Wayne , Goode Jaime R. , Chen Qiuwen , Reeder William J. , Carmichael Richard A. , Edmondson Michael R. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAdvances in topobathymetric LiDARs could enable rapid surveys at sub‐meter resolution over entire stream networks. This is the first step to improving our knowledge of riverine systems, both their morphology and role in ecosystems. The Experimental Advanced Airborne Research LiDAR B (EAARL‐B) system is one such topobathymetric sensor, capable of mapping both terrestrial and aquatic systems. Whereas the original EAARL was developed to survey littoral areas, the new version, EAARL‐B, was also designed for riverine systems but has yet to be tested. Thus, we evaluated the ability of EAARL‐B to map bathymetry and floodplain topography at sub‐meter resolution in a mid‐size gravel‐bed river. We coupled the EAARL‐B survey with highly accurate field surveys (0.03 m vertical accuracy and approximately 0.6 by 0.6 m resolution) of three morphologically distinct reaches, approximately 200 m long 15 m wide, of the Lemhi River (Idaho, USA). Both point‐to‐point and raster‐to‐raster comparisons between ground and EAARL‐B surveyed elevations show that differences (ground minus EAARL‐B surveyed elevations) over the entire submerged topography are small (root mean square error, RMSE, and median absolute error, M, of 0.11 m), and large differences (RMSE, between 0.15 and 0.38 m and similar M) are mainly present in areas with abrupt elevation changes and covered by dense overhanging vegetation. RMSEs are as low as 0.03 m over paved smooth surfaces, 0.07 m in submerged, gradually varying topography, and as large as 0.24 m along banks with and without dense, tall vegetation. EAARL‐B performance is chiefly limited by point density in areas with strong elevation gradients and by LiDAR footprint size (0.2 m) in areas with topographic features of similar size as the LiDAR footprint. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Max‐min energy‐efficient subchannel assignment and power allocation in interference‐limited OFDMA heterogeneous networks with QoS guarantee
Authors: Mohammadian Zahra , Dehghani Mohammad Javad , Eslami Mohsen , Dodangeh Mahdi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis paper investigates fairness among all small‐cell users (SCUs) in terms of energy efficiency for the uplink transmission of interference‐limited orthogonal frequency‐division multiple access–based heterogeneous networks. Each SCU is treated by a minimum data rate. In addition, a maximum tolerable interference for the macro base station has been considered. The resulting resource allocation problem is formulated as a nonconvex mixed‐integer nonlinear problem. In order to solve the mixed‐integer nonlinear problem, the subchannel assignment and the power allocation are applied separately; an efficient subchannel assignment algorithm has been proposed where the co‐tier and cross‐tier interference in the most general form has been taken into account. Then, to solve the power allocation subproblem, an iterative algorithm has been proposed by applying generalized fractional programming and sequential convex programming when a specified subchannel assignment is in hand. Performance of the proposed model has been evaluated, and simulation results indicate a fair resource allocation with a very high energy efficiency among SCUs comparing the state‐of‐the‐art solutions.
Determinants of prescribing potentially inappropriate medications in a nationwide cohort of community dwellers with dementia receiving a comprehensive geriatric assessment
Authors: Bala Sharmin S. , Jamieson Hamish A. , Nishtala Prasad S. 
Published: September 2018

ObjectiveTo identify the prevalence and predictors of prescribing potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in a nationwide cohort of community dwellers with dementia requiring complex care needs.MethodsA cross‐matched data of the International Resident Assessment Instrument‐Home Care (9.1) (interRAI‐HC) and prescribing data obtained from the Pharmaceutical Claims Data Mart (Pharms) extract files for older adults (≥65 y) requiring complex care needs were utilized for this study. The 2015 Beers criteria were applied to identify the prevalence of PIMs in older adults with dementia. Sociodemographic and clinical predictors of PIMs were analysed using a logistic regression model.ResultsThe study population consisted of 16 568 individuals who had their first interRAI assessment from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015. The estimated prevalence of dementia was 13.2% (2190/16 568). 66.9% (1465/2190) of the older adults diagnosed with dementia were prescribed PIMs, of which anticholinergic medications constituted 59.6% (873/1465). Males and individuals who were prescribed a greater number of medications were more likely to be prescribed PIMs. Individuals over 85 years of age, Māori ethnic group of individuals, older adults who were being supervised with respect to their activities of daily living, and individuals who reported good or excellent self‐reported health had a lesser likelihood of being prescribed PIMs.ConclusionWe found that PIMs are prescribed frequently in older adults with dementia. Comprehensive geriatric assessments can serve as a potential tool to decrease the occurrence of PIMs in vulnerable groups with poor functional and cognitive status.
Associations of white matter hyperintensities with poststroke depression: A 1‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Bae Kyung‐Yeol , Kang Hee‐Ju , Kim Ju‐Wan , Kim Sung‐Wan , Kim Joon‐Tae , Park Man‐Seok , Cho Ki‐Hyun , Kim Jae‐Min 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundDepression is common in stroke survivors and may lead to a poor prognosis and more severe functional impairment. Although subcortical white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are associated with late‐life depression, few studies have examined the association between depression and WMHs after a stroke. We investigated the associations of periventricular (PVWMH) and deep (DWMH) WMHs with poststroke depression (PSD) at two time points after stroke.MethodsA total of 408 patients were evaluated 2 weeks after stroke (baseline), and of those, 284 (70%) were followed up 1 year later. Magnetic resonance images were obtained in all subjects at baseline. PVWMHs and DWMHs were rated using the four‐point modified Fazekas scale and categorized as mild (grades 0 and 1) or severe (grades 2 and 3). Depression was diagnosed according to DSM‐IV criteria, and subjects were divided into without PSD, any PSD, and major PSD groups at baseline, and follow‐up examinations were conducted according to the severity of depression. Associations of PSD with PVWMHs and DWMHs were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analyses after adjusting for various demographic and clinical characteristics.ResultsThe adjusted analyses revealed that severe PVWMHs were significantly associated with any PSD at baseline and severe DWMHs were significantly associated with major PSD at follow‐up.ConclusionThe association between WMH and PSD varies according to type of WMH, and time after stroke, such that early depressive symptoms are associated with PVWMHs, and delayed severe depression is associated with DWMHs.
Functional connectivity with cortical depth assessed by resting state fMRI of subregions of S1 in squirrel monkeys
Authors: Mishra Arabinda , Majumdar Shantanu , Wang Feng , Wilson George H. , Gore John C. , Chen Li Min 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWhereas resting state blood oxygenation‐level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI has been widely used to assess functional connectivity between cortical regions, the laminar specificity of such measures is poorly understood. This study aims to determine: (a) whether the resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) between two functionally related cortical regions varies with cortical depth, (b) the relationship between layer‐resolved tactile stimulus‐evoked activation pattern and interlayer rsFC pattern between two functionally distinct but related somatosensory areas 3b and 1, and (c) the effects of spatial resolution on rsFC measures. We examined the interlayer rsFC between areas 3b and 1 of squirrel monkeys under anesthesia using tactile stimulus‐driven and resting state BOLD acquisitions at submillimeter resolution. Consistent with previous observations in the areas 3b and 1, we detected robust stimulus‐evoked BOLD activations with foci were confined mainly to the upper layers (centered at 21% of the cortical depth). By carefully placing seeds in upper, middle, and lower layers of areas 3b and 1, we observed strong rsFC between upper and middle layers of these two areas. The layer‐resolved activation patterns in areas 3b and 1 agree with their interlayer rsFC patterns, and are consistent with the known anatomical connections between layers. In summary, using BOLD rsFC pattern, we identified an interlayer interareal microcircuit that shows strong intrinsic functional connections between upper and middle layer areas 3b and 1. RsFC can be used as a robust invasive tool to probe interlayer corticocortical microcircuits.