bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Critical success factors for Lean implementation in IT outsourcing relationships
Authors: Blijleven Vincent , Gong Yiwei , Mehrsai Afshin , Koelemeijer Kitty 
Published: August 2018

PurposeFollowing positive results of Lean implementation in manufacturing environments, Lean has become an emerging philosophy for clients and suppliers of information technology (IT) services. However, how to implement Lean in IT outsourcing relationships has been addressed sparsely in academic literature. The purpose of this paper is to investigate critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing Lean in IT outsourcing relationships. Key findings, implications and avenues for future research are discussed.Design/methodology/approachSix IT outsourcing relationships were qualitatively investigated by means of 36 semi-structured interviews. CSFs were identified based on interview transcription analyses, selection techniques and expert reviews.FindingsIn total, 16 CSFs for Lean implementation in IT outsourcing relationships are identified and described.Practical implicationsThe CSFs presented in this paper indicate key areas that deserve managerial attention to steer Lean implementation efforts in IT outsourcing relationships in a favorable direction.Originality/valueThis study is the first to describe the phenomenon of “Lean IT outsourcing” and provides researchers and practitioners with a foundation to further examine Lean implementation in IT outsourcing relationships.
Different methods to fuzzy X¯-R control charts used in production
Authors: Ercan Teksen Hatice , Anagun Ahmet Sermet 
Published: August 2018

Purpose
The control charts are used in many production areas because they give an idea about the quality characteristic(s) of a product. The control limits are calculated and the data are examined whether the quality characteristic(s) is/are within these limits. At this point, it may be confusing to comment, especially if it is slightly below or above the limit values. In order to overcome this situation, it is suitable to use fuzzy numbers instead of crisp numbers. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how to create control limits of

X
¯

-R control charts for a specified data set of interval type-2 fuzzy sets.

Design/methodology/approach
There are methods in the literature, such as defuzzification, distance, ranking and likelihood, which may be applicable for interval type-2 fuzzy set. This study is the first that these methods are adapted to the

X
¯

-R control charts. This methodology enables interval type-2 fuzzy sets to be used in

X
¯

-R control charts.

Findings
It is demonstrated that the methods – such as defuzzification, distance, ranking and likelihood for interval type-2 fuzzy sets – could be applied to the

X
¯

-R control charts. The fuzzy control charts created using the methods provide similar results in terms of in/out control situations. On the other hand, the sample points depicted on charts show similar pattern, even though the calculations are different based on their own structures. Finally, the control charts obtained with interval type-2 fuzzy sets and the control charts obtained with crisp numbers are compared.

Research limitations/implications
Based on the related literature, research works on interval type-2 fuzzy control charts seem to be very limited. This study shows the applicability of different interval type-2 fuzzy methods on

X
¯

-R control charts. For the future study, different interval type-2 fuzzy methods may be considered for

X
¯

-R control charts.

Originality/value
The unique contribution of this research to the relevant literature is that interval type-2 fuzzy numbers for quantitative control charts, such as

X
¯

-R control charts, is used for the first time in this context. Since the research is the first adaptation of interval type-2 fuzzy sets on

X
¯

-R control charts, the authors believe that this study will lead and encourage the people who work on this topic.
An ICT-based framework to improve global supply chain integration for final assembly SMES
Authors: Cragg Tony , McNamara Tom 
Published: August 2018

PurposeTo access new markets and improve sourcing practices small to medium sized manufacturing companies (SMEs) increasingly seek suppliers and customers in distant countries. Yet these new relationships with global partners often pose problems of an agency nature. The purpose of this paper is to directly address these challenges through the proposal of an information and communication technology (ICT)-based framework.Design/methodology/approachThere has been very little research into how lead SMEs manage their global supply chains and the challenges they face. This paper uses a case study investigation to analyze how four French SMEs – final assemblers of machinery in the farming and agri-business sector – manage their international supply chains.FindingsIt was observed that the relationships and interactions between the SMEs and their immediate upstream and downstream partners were dominated by the agency problem and fell into six distinct categories (termed “barriers” to effective supply integration), namely; asymmetries, contractual design, supplier dependence, product specifications, supply chain complexity and performance monitoring.Originality/valueThe contribution of this paper is that a conceptual frame work was developed in which ICT solutions are offered to help address the barriers to supply chain integration, thus reducing the overall risk exposure due to externalities and problems of agency.
ECM implementations in practice: objectives, processes, and technologies
Authors: Jaakonmäki Roope , Simons Alexander , Müller Oliver , vom Brocke Jan 
Published: August 2018

PurposeEnterprise content management (ECM) is an important topic in information management, but researchers have long had difficulty developing a consistent definition. The purpose of this paper is to analyze ECM case reports from practice to identify ECM’s objectives, processes and technologies and to provide a foundation on which ECM can be conceptualized and defined.Design/methodology/approachThis paper assembles more than 1,200 case reports on industrial ECM implementations in order to characterize the ECM concept from a practitioner’s viewpoint. The paper provides a descriptive overview and historical examination of ECM implementations over time and across countries and industries, grounded in a structured content analysis.FindingsEven though the case reports share some commonalities, their ECM projects differ considerably in terms of their objectives, processes and technologies, and vary widely across countries and industries. In addition, ECM implementations are much broader today than they once were, so the scope and boundaries of the ECM concept are increasingly blurred in practice.Originality/valueWhile several researchers have characterized the ECM concept based on literature reviews, only a few have approached the definition problem from a practical viewpoint. This paper provides a foundation from which to evaluate how well researchers’ conceptualizations of ECM match current business practice.
Adapting through learning and knowledge acquisition: the cases of four global family firms
Authors: Duarte Alonso Abel , Kok Seng 
Published: August 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to investigate the importance of knowledge as a tool for adaptation and competitive advantage through qualitative research, exploring the cases of four global family firms; and second, to develop a theoretical framework based on the knowledge-based view (KBV) of the firm to facilitate understanding of learning and knowledge acquisition among family firms.

Design/methodology/approach
This investigation focusses on the cases of four family firms, two operating in a developed (Australia), and two in an emerging economy (Uruguay). In-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with firm owners, co-owners and one manager.

Findings
Regardless of firms’ operating environment (OECD, emerging economy), similar outcomes were revealed. Indeed, firm management’s ability to gather, contextualise and synthesise knowledge, including tacit knowledge, emerged as crucial to adapt to new challenges in their business environment. Several tenets of the KBV emerged, including those associated with knowledge to solve emerging problems, specialisation through knowledge acquisition and applying specialised knowledge to produce. Importantly, firms’ ability to anticipate future events through tacit or new knowledge acquisition became evident.

Originality/value
The study makes two key contributions that represent originality and value. First, the presented theoretical framework facilitates understanding of various dimensions of knowledge, their resulting influence on firms’ preparedness to adapt to events in their business environment, and potential implications on their competitive advantage. Second, by qualitatively examining the participating family firms, the study addresses a recognised research gap, notably, that research investigating this group has been predominantly quantitative.
Can microblogs motivate involvement in civic and political life? Examining uses, gratifications and social outcomes among Chinese youth
Authors: Pang Hua 
Published: August 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the Chinese microblog users’ psychological motivations and the association between users’ motivations and their offline civic and political engagement. Specifically, this study examines what the psychological impetuses of Weibo use are and how they promote the young citizens’ civic and political involvement.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected through the web-based survey with a total sample of 426 people. Principal components factor analysis, correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple regressions were sequentially carried out to address the research questions.FindingsThe findings reveal that there are four major motives for using Weibo: information, socializing, recognition seeking and entertainment. Interestingly, seeking social needs is positively and significantly related to increasing young people’s civic participation, but not political participation.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, the research demonstrates that the uses and gratifications is a suitable approach for analysis of psychological antecedents of Weibo use and subsequent outcomes. Practically, it will help understand the dynamics of how the new media technology may engender democratic development and change.Originality/valueAlthough the growing significance of social media has drawn considerable attention, little research has been conducted to assess the political consequences of Weibo. The current study fills the void by investigating whether Weibo functions as an effective tool to facilitate democratic engagement in contemporary China. The obtained results may provide insight into the relationship between the gratification structures and engagement in other social settings.
Aspartate metabolism is involved in the maintenance of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 in bovine intestinal content
Authors: Bertin Yolande , Segura Audrey , Jubelin Gregory , Dunière Lysiane , Durand Alexandra , Forano Evelyne 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of healthy cattle is the main reservoir of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). Therefore, it is crucial to better understand the physiology of EHEC in the bovine GIT. In this study, we demonstrate that aspartate present in bovine small intestine content (BSIC), was exhausted after incubation of the reference EHEC strain EDL933 but was poorly assimilated by the endogenous microbiota. Furthermore, the bovine commensal E. coli strain BG1 appeared less efficient than EDL933 in aspartate assimilation suggesting a competitive ability of EHEC to assimilate this amino acid. Our results strongly suggest that aspartate, internalized via the DcuA aspartate: succinate antiporting system, is then converted to fumarate and carbamoyl‐aspartate, the precursor for UMP biosynthesis. Aspartate assimilation by these two pathways conferred a competitive growth advantage to EHEC in BSIC. In summary, supply of intracellular fumarate due to aspartate deamination and used as an electron acceptor for anaerobic fumarate respiration, as well as de novo synthesis of pyrimidine from aspartate appear to be important pathways favouring EHEC persistence in the bovine gut. Aspartate probably represents an ecological niche for EHEC in the bovine small intestine.
Calcium–Polystyrene Sulfonate Decreases Inter‐Dialytic Hyperkalemia in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Prospective, Randomized, Crossover Study
Authors: Wang Jing , Lv Meng‐Meng , Zach Odeh , Wang Ling‐Yu , Zhou Meng‐Ying , Song Gui‐Rong , Zhang Xu , Lin Hong‐Li 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHyperkalemia is a life‐threatening emergency in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. This clinical trial investigated the efficacy and safety of calcium–polystyrene sulfonate (Ca‐PS) in MHD patients with interdialytic hyperkalemia. A total of 58 hemodialysis patients with hyperkalemia (≥5.5 mol/L) were selected and administered either a 3‐week Ca‐PS (3 × 5 g/day) or a blank control following the model of a prospective, randomized, crossover clinical trial with a 1‐week washout period. All patients were followed up for another 3 weeks for safety evaluations. The primary outcome was the magnitude of the change in serum potassium levels. The secondary outcomes were electrocardiography (ECG) changes and treatment safety (volume overload, electrolyte imbalance). Compared with the control group, Ca‐PS treatment significantly reduced serum potassium levels (P <0.01). More patients in the Ca‐PS group had lower serum potassium levels than the safety level of <5.5 mmol/L (32% for control vs. 61% for Ca‐PS, P <0.01). Peaked T‐wave occurred less frequently in patients in the Ca‐PS group (13.8% for Ca‐PS vs. 31.03% for control, P <0.01). In addition, Ca‐PS reduced serum phosphorus levels with no effects on serum levels of calcium and sodium, fluid volume, blood pressure, or interdialytic weight gain. Ca‐PS treatment decreases serum levels of potassium and phosphorus in MHD patients with interdialytic hyperkalemia. Ca‐PS does not induce volume overload or disrupt electrolyte balance.
Cutaneous anaesthesia of hip surgery incisions with iliohypogastric and subcostal nerve blockade: A randomised trial
Authors: Nielsen Thomas D. , Moriggl Bernhard , Barckman Jeppe , Jensen Jan Mick , Kølsen‐Petersen Jens A. , Søballe Kjeld , Børglum Jens , Bendtsen Thomas Fichtner 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundCutaneous nerve blockade may improve analgesia after hip surgery. Anaesthesia after the lateral femoral cutaneous (LFC) nerve block is too distal for complete coverage of most hip surgery incisions, which requires additional anaesthesia of the adjacent, proximal area. The transversalis fascia plane (TFP) block potentially anaesthetises the iliohypogastric and subcostal nerves. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate, if the TFP block provides cutaneous anaesthesia adjacent to the LFC nerve block.MethodsActive vs placebo TFP blocks were compared in a paired randomised controlled trial (RCT) in 20 volunteers, who all had bilateral LFC nerve blocks. The day preceding the RCT, the area anaesthetised by a novel selective ultrasound guided subcostal nerve block was identified bilaterally in order to assess the contribution of the subcostal nerve to the area anaesthesia by the TFP block.ResultsAnaesthesia of the lateral hip region after TFP block was 80%. The cutaneous anaesthesia after active TFP block was in continuity with the LFC nerve block in 65%. Combined TFP and LFC nerve blockade significantly increased the coverage of hip surgery incisions compared to LFC nerve block alone. The success rate of blocking the subcostal nerve was 50% with the TFP block.ConclusionThe TFP block anaesthetises the skin proximal to the LFC nerve block by anaesthetising the iliohypogastric and subcostal nerves. TFP block as a supplement to LFC nerve block improves the coverage of the proximal surgical incisions used for hip surgery.
Health benefits of an adverse events reporting system for chronic pain patients using long‐term opioids
Authors: Planelles Beatriz , Margarit César , Ajo Raquel , Sastre Yolanda , Muriel Javier , Inda María‐del‐Mar , Esteban María D. , Peiró Ana M. 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundSafety data from long‐term opioid therapy in the real world has been poorly studied in chronic non‐cancer pain (CNCP). The aim was to design a pharmacovigilance data recording system and assess whether participation in this recording system improves pain management, enhancing patient′s health status.MethodsA pharmacovigilance data recording system was conducted during 24 months. Data were self‐reported by patients (pain, adverse events [AEs] and healthcare resources use) and physicians (morphine equivalent daily dose [MEDD] prescribed and suspected adverse drug reaction [ADRs]). Outcomes from patients with (case) or without (controls) suspected ADRs and cases follow‐up were also compared with Spanish Pharmacovigilance System data.ResultsA total of 753 patients were recruited in 897 visits. Fentanyl and tramadol were the most prescribed opioids, 89% with concomitant drugs, pregabalin being the one with the most potential drug interactions. Cases presented significantly higher pain intensity (VAS 67 ± 26 vs 59 ± 30 mm, P < 0.05), number of AEs (8 ± 6 vs 5 ± 3 AEs/patient, P < 0.01), polypharmacy related to pain (65% vs 34%, P < 0.01) and MEDD (139 ± 130 vs 106 ± 99 mg/d, P < 0.01) than controls. Furthermore, cases presented significant higher changes in pharmacological pain therapy due to pain, unplanned emergency visits and hospital admission than controls. Physicians notified 168 suspected ADRs mostly related to neurological or psychiatric events and 8% of them were previously unknown.ConclusionsThis data recording system provided important information to achieve a better control of CNCP pharmacological pain therapy, improving patient's health status and reducing costs to the Health System.
Genome‐wide association mapping and examination of possible maternal effect for the pace trait of horses
Authors: Amano T. , Onogi A. , Yamada F. , Kawai M. , Shirai K. , Ueda J. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryPreviously, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) related to gait type was identified at position 22 999 655 of chromosome 23 in the coding region of DMRT3 (DMRT3:Ser301Ter) by showing that a cytosine (C) to adenine (A) mutation of this SNP induced pace in the Icelandic horse. We investigated the effect of DMRT3:Ser301Ter on the gait of Hokkaido Native Horses, a Japanese native breed, and examined genetic factors other than DMRT3 by exploring genome‐wide SNPs related to gait determination. All animals exhibiting pace were AA for DMRT3:Ser301Ter, confirming the association of DMRT3:Ser301Ter with gait determination; however, 14.3% of the animals exhibiting trot also had AA for DMRT3:Ser301Ter, suggesting the presence of another factor(s) cooperatively working with DMRT3:Ser301Ter for gait determination. SNPs on chromosomes 13 and 23 were detected by genome‐wide association analysis (false discovery rate <0.05), although SNPs on chromosome 23 were all located in the vicinity of DMRT3:Ser301Ter, confirming the association with DMRT3. A genome‐wide association study targeting only animals with AA for DMRT3:Ser301Ter to examine genetic factors cooperatively working with DMRT3:Ser301Ter for gait determination suggested associations of 23 SNPs on six chromosomes. In a series of analyses of the effect of a maternal factor (dam's gait) on gait determination, the effect was suggested in comparison of the frequencies of exhibiting pace in gait checks in only two animal groups having dams with different DMRT3:Ser301Ter genotypes (P < 0.05), suggesting that the gait of the dam does not have a major effect on whether progeny homozygous for the DMRT3:Ser301Ter mutation will preferentially pace or trot.
Biochemical efficacy of tioguanine in autoimmune hepatitis: a retrospective review of practice in the Netherlands
Authors: van den Brand Floris F. , van Nieuwkerk Carin M. J. , Verwer Bart J. , de Boer Ynto S. , de Boer Nanne K. H. , Mulder Chris J. J. , Bloemena Elisabeth , Bakker Christine M. , Vrolijk Jan M. , Drenth Joost P. H. , Tan Adriaan C. I. T. L. , ter Borg Frank , ter Borg Martijn J. , van den Hazel Sven J. , Inderson Akin , Tushuizen Maarten E. , Bouma Gerd 
Published: August 2018

SummaryBackgroundAzathioprine (AZA) and mercaptopurine (MP) are the cornerstone of steroid‐sparing strategies in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Up to 20% of patients do not tolerate or respond to these regimens.AimTo evaluate retrospectively the tolerability and efficacy of tioguanine (thioguanine) (TG) therapy in selected patients with AIH and AIH variant syndromes.MethodsRecords of 52 patients who received TG therapy were retrieved from nine hospitals in the Netherlands. Indications for TG treatment were intolerable side effects on AZA or MP (n = 38), insufficient response (n = 11) or first‐line treatment (n = 3). Treatment efficacy was defined as normalisation of serum aminotransferases and serum immunoglobulin G.ResultsNo serious adverse events occurred in patients treated with TG during a median follow‐up of 18 months (range 1‐194). Treatment was well tolerated in 41 patients (79%), whereas four had tolerable (8%) and seven (13%) intolerable side effects. Thirty‐eight patients were treated with TG after intolerable side effects on AZA or MP; 29 patients continued TG therapy of whom 24 (83%) achieved complete biochemical remission, four (14%) had incomplete and one (3%) had no response; nine discontinued treatment. Seven of 11 patients with insufficient response to AZA or MP were responsive to TG, three with complete and four with incomplete biochemical remission; four discontinued due to intolerance (n = 2) and non‐response (n = 2). TG was effective in all AIH patients as first‐line maintenance treatment.ConclusionIn our retrospective review of TG therapy in selected patients with AIH or AIH variants who previously failed on AZA or MP, TG appeared tolerable with biochemical efficacy.
A longitudinal investigation of trust beliefs in physicians by children with asthma and their mothers: Relations with children's adherence to medical regimes and quality of life
Authors: Rotenberg Ken J. , Petrocchi Serena 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe study examined the relations between trust beliefs in physicians, adherence to prescribed medical regimes, and quality of life for children with asthma and their mothers.MethodsOne hundred forty‐three children with asthma (116 males, M = 12 years–7 months) and their mothers were tested twice (Time 1/T1 and Time 2/T2) across a 1‐year period. Standardized measures were administered that assessed the children's and mothers' trust beliefs in physicians, the children's quality of life, and children's adherence to prescribed medical regimes (adherence).ResultsCorrelations were found between children's trust beliefs in physicians, mothers' trust beliefs in physicians, adherence, and quality of life. Structural equation modelling analyses confirmed that (a) children's trust beliefs in physicians predicted their adherence and quality of life and (b) there were reciprocal predictive relations between the children's and mothers' trust beliefs in physicians.ConclusionsThe findings yield support for the conclusions that (a) trust beliefs in physicians by children with asthma promote their adherence and quality of life and (b) socialization of trust beliefs in physicians is a mutual mother–child process.