bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acceptance sampling plans based on truncated life tests for Rama distribution
Authors: Al-Omari Amer , Al-Nasser Amjad , Ciavolino Enrico 
Published: March 2019

PurposeLifetime data are used in many different applied sciences, like biomedicine, engineering, insurance and finance and others. The purpose of this paper is to develop a new acceptance sampling plans for Rama distribution when the mean lifetime test is truncated at a pre-determined time. The minimum sample sizes required to assert the specified life mean is obtained for a given customer’s risk. The operating characteristic function values of the sampling plans and producer’s risk are calculated.Design/methodology/approachThe results are illustrated using numerical examples and a real data set is considered to illustrate the performance of the suggested acceptance sampling plans and how it can be used for the industry applications.FindingsThis paper shows a new acceptance sampling plans based on Rama distribution in the particular case when the mean life time test is truncated.Originality/valueThe results calculated in this paper demonstrate the differences between OC values for different distributions taken into account. In particular, OC values of Rama distribution are found to be less than the proposed distribution counterparts.
Strengthening of Al-4.5%Cu alloy with the addition of Silicon Carbide and Bamboo Leaf Ash
Authors: Bannaravuri Praveen Kumar , Birru Anil Kumar 
Published: March 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the use of BLA along with SiC as economical reinforcements to enhance the mechanical behavior of hybrid composite. The purpose of this research is the development of cost-effective aluminum hybrid metal matrix composites.Design/methodology/approachThe present research work investigation evaluated the mechanical properties of Al-4.5%Cu alloy, Al-4.5Cu/10SiC, Al-4.5Cu/10SiC/2BLA and Al-4.5Cu/10SiC/4BLA composites by the Stir casting method. The fabricated composites were analyzed using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and hardness and tensile test.FindingsThe microstructure modification with the addition of reinforcement particles in the matrix alloy and clear interface in between matrix and particles are observed. The density of the composite increased with the addition of SiC and decreased with the addition of BLA in comparison with that of matrix alloy. The hardness and tensile strength of the single-reinforced composite and hybrid composites improved with the addition of reinforcement particles. The strengthening of composites was due to load-bearing capacity of reinforcement particles over the matrix alloy and increased dislocation density of composites materials. The tensile failure mechanism of the composites is reveled with SEM analysis.Practical implicationsThe papers reports the development of cost-effective and light weight aluminum hybrid composites with remarkable enhancement in the mechanical and tribological properties with the addition of BLA as economical reinforcement along with SiC.Originality/valueThe density, hardness and tensile values of fabricated aluminium composites were presented in this paper for the use in the engineering applications where the weight and cost are consider as a primary factors.
Hospitality situations, consumer expertise, and perceptions of wine attributes: three empirical studies
Authors: Duhan Dale F. , Rinaldo Shannon B. , Velikova Natalia , Dodd Tim , Trela Brent 
Published: March 2019

PurposeWine choices are not always fully understood by academic researchers or the industry. This paper aims to outline and test a theoretical model proposing that wine consumption may be dependent on differences in consumer expertise, the hospitality situation, characteristics of the wine itself and an interaction of these variables.Design/methodology/approachThree empirical studies (total sample size = 356) tested these theoretical propositions. Consumers with varying levels of wine knowledge were presented with experimental vignettes showing videos of wine opening and pouring and were asked to pair wines with hospitality situations.FindingsStudy 1 found that consumers with low product knowledge were more sensitive to hospitality situations and extrinsic product attributes (closures) than were the experts. Study 2 found that wine hospitality situations fall into three predicted categories, namely, food, friends and formality, although contrary to prediction, the presence of food was the weakest predictors. Study 3 demonstrated the robustness of the three-dimensional structure of wine hospitality situations.Practical implicationsThese studies provided important practical information because targeting various market segments requires the industry to know what product attributes are favored by different groups of consumers different situations.Originality/valuePrevious researchers have discussed the difficulty of measuring consumption situations. By limiting these studies to wine consumption within hospitality situations, the authors learned much about how consumers’ characteristics, product attributes and the situations interact to influence not only product assessments but also choices.
Defining and measuring the productive office
Authors: Harris Rob 
Published: March 2019

Purpose
This paper aims to provide a perspective on the office productivity debate, with a particular focus on providing a framework for examining those factors relating to the design and management of the office environment.

Design/methodology/approach
The approach taken has been to examine the plethora of factors that might be involved, principally through a literature review, and then to group these into four generic areas of enquiry. Within each of these, potential measures of productivity are described, and these are connected to building lifecycle decisions.

Findings
Combined, the findings produce a practical framework within which various actors in the design, delivery and management offices can understand and influence the productivity question. In this way, the findings have practical implications rather than simply describing the factors that influence productivity.

Originality/value
The paper develops a report produced in 2017 for the British Council for Offices. Building on the main findings of the original work, this paper expands the literature review, provides more context regarding the significance of office productivity and expands upon the conclusions. The author fully acknowledges the contributions of the whole research team behind the original paper. The originality of the work lies in its development of a framework that can be applied by practitioners in the built environment.
Pesticide use and environmental contamination a study in Khao Koh District, Phetchabun Province, Thailand
Authors: Aungudornpukdee Piraya 
Published: March 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore environmental contamination from pesticide use in a Khao Kho Sub-district, Khao Kho District in Phetchabun Province, Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach
The study area was made up of four villages: Kanok Ngam, Lao Lue, Lao Neng and Phet Dam, all mostly highland areas whose inhabitants are mainly from the hill tribes. The 548 participants were recruited with inclusion criteria being that they must be living in the area over one year and are agriculturists or relevant who use pesticides. The data collection was divided into two parts: first, population data using a questionnaire; and second, samples of environmental media including agricultural products gathered to analyze the contamination of pesticides. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Findings
The most planted crop was rice (53.52 percent). Regarding agricultural chemical uses, the study found that the majority of participants used herbicides (76.83 percent). In terms of herbicide uses, Glyphosate is the most used (39.59 percent). Furthermore, insecticide consumption uses were higher in Phet Dam village than the other villages. The most common uses were Carbaryl (20.66 percent), followed by β-Betoefluthrin (15.49 percent).

Originality/value
There were glyphosate and derivatives of glyphosate (Aminomethyl Phosphonic Acid) in soil and sediment samples, while herbicides and insecticides were not found in water and agricultural samples. Because these environmental contaminants are a major cause for health problems amongst producers and consumers alike, agriculturists should be supported by relevant organizations to increase organic crop cultivation methods and organic farming networks.
Employee response to CSR in China: the moderating effect of collectivism
Authors: Zhao Lifang , Lee Jiman , Moon Sungok 
Published: March 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between employees’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) perception and their organizational identification in a Chinese context. The moderating effect of employees’ collectivist orientation on the relationship between CSR perception and organizational identification is also examined.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 308 employees of 7 firms in Zhejiang Province, located in southeast China. Hierarchical regression analyses were utilized to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results indicate that all three dimensions of CSR perception in this study, specifically, economic, philanthropic and strategic CSR perception, are strongly and positively related to the organizational identification of employees. Employees’ collectivist orientation positively influences the relationship between strategic CSR perception and organizational identification. In contrast, collectivist orientation negatively influences the relationship between economic CSR perception and organizational identification. However, no moderating effect of collectivism on the relationship between philanthropic CSR perception and organizational identification was found.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings highlight the positive relationship between employees’ CSR perception and their workplace attitudes, shedding particular light on how employees’ personal values influence their responses to CSR in Chinese organizations.Originality/valueThis study extends the current understanding on the relationship between CSR and organizational identification. Particularly, the authors include multiple dimensions of CSR (economic, philanthropic and strategic CSR) in the research model, demonstrating that the link between CSR perception and organizational identification is influenced by employees’ collectivist orientation.
Spores in dairy – new insights in detection, enumeration and risk assessment
Authors: Eijlander Robyn T , van Hekezen Rina , Bienvenue Annie , Girard Victoria , Hoornstra Erik , Johnson Nicholas B , Meyer Rolf , Wagendorp Arjen , Walker Donald C , Wells‐Bennik Marjon H J 
Published: March 2019

The performance of the ISO method for the ‘Enumeration of the Specially Thermoresistant Spores of Thermophilic Bacteria in Dried Milk’ (ISO/TS27265; 2009) was compared with a more practical method. Both were tested for predictability of spoilage of UHT treated reconstituted milk. The data show that heating for 30 min at 100 °C has the same predictive value as heating for 30 min at 106 °C, provided that specifications are increased 1 log10 and the use of TSA as a cultivation medium is recommended over PCMA. Predictability of spoilage using classical plating methods is furthermore discussed in relation to variation in spore heat resistance of spores commonly present in the dairy industry.
Mortality in critical illness: The impact of asymmetric dimethylarginine on survival—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Mortensen Karoline Myglegård , Itenov Theis Skovsgaard , Hansen Marco Bo , Hvid Karen , Lundstrøm Lars Hyldborg , Bestle Morten Heiberg 
Published: March 2019

IntroductionAsymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of the nitric oxide system, may be associated with an adverse outcome in critically ill patients. The aim of the present review was to clarify if plasma ADMA and the arginine‐to‐ADMA ratio (arginine/ADMA) are associated with mortality in critically ill patients.MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science/BIOSIS Previews on 31 July 2017 for studies published after 2000 including critically ill paediatric or adult patients and evaluating any association between all‐cause mortality and admission ADMA and/or arginine/ADMA ratio. We pooled data from studies providing sufficient data in random effects meta‐analyses.ResultsWe identified 15 studies including a total of 1300 patients. These studies have a medium to high risk of bias and substantial clinical heterogeneity. After contacting authors for homogenous data, six studies including 705 patients could be included in a formal meta‐analysis. This analysis revealed a strong association between high plasma ADMA upon admission and mortality (pooled odds ratio 3.13; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78‐5.51). A significant association between ADMA/arginine ratio and mortality was found in two studies only (54 patients) out of a total of six studies (564 patients).ConclusionsA high plasma ADMA level upon admission is strongly associated with mortality in critically ill patients. However, there is no association between the arginine/ADMA ratio and mortality in this group of patients. The pathophysiological role of ADMA in circulatory collapse and its potential as a target for intervention remains to be explored.
Tobacco control policies and smoking among older adults: a longitudinal analysis of 10 European countries
Authors: Serrano‐Alarcón Manuel , Kunst Anton E. , Bosdriesz Jizzo R. , Perelman Julian 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackground and AimsThe impact of tobacco control on European older adults has not been studied, despite evidence that smoking cessation at old age can bring significant life expectancy gains. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of tobacco control policies on smoking among older adults in Europe from 2004 to 2013.DesignWe used longitudinal data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE, aged 50+ years) from four waves from 2004 to 2013. We used logistic regression models with clustered standard errors to determine whether the implementation of tobacco control policies was associated with changes in smoking status. Furthermore, we studied whether these associations varied by socio‐demographic characteristics. Regression coefficients were converted to changes the probability of smoking [marginal effects (ME)].MeasurementsSmoking status was the dependent variable, and the Tobacco Control Scale (TCS) was the explanatory variable, overall and by its main policy components (pricing and smoke‐free policies). Covariates included age, sex, education and country and wave fixed‐effects.FindingsA 10‐point increase in TCS was associated with a lower probability of smoking by 1.6 percentage points [95% confidence interval (CI) = −3.208, −0.056] for those aged 50–65, but not for older Europeans. Among those with primary school or no education, the associated drop was of 1.5 percentage points (95% CI = –2.751, −0.253). By contrast, no significant relation between TCS and smoking was observed among those with high education. Higher TCS scores for pricing (ME = –0.636, 95% CI = –0.998, −0.275) and smoke‐free policies (ME = –0.243, 95% CI = –0.445, −0.041) were associated with a significantly lower probability of smoking (P = 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively).ConclusionIncreases in tobacco taxes and smoke‐free policies are significantly related with a reduction in smoking among European older adults, suggesting potential health gains for this rising share of the population. These policies may be more effective among the lowest educated.
Lessons from exome sequencing in prenatally diagnosed heart defects: A basis for prenatal testing
Authors: Westphal Dominik S. , Leszinski Gloria S. , Rieger‐Fackeldey Esther , Graf Elisabeth , Weirich Gregor , Meitinger Thomas , Ostermayer Eva , Oberhoffer Renate , Wagner Matias 
Published: March 2019

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defect with 30%‐40% being explained by genetic aberrations. With next generation sequencing becoming widely available, we sought to evaluate the clinical utility of exome sequencing (ES) in prenatally diagnosed CHD.We retrospectively analyzed the diagnostic yield as well as non‐conclusive and incidental findings in 30 cases with prenatally diagnosed CHDs using ES, mostly as parent‐child trios.A genetic diagnosis was established in 20% (6/30). Non‐conclusive results were found in 13% (4/30) and incidental findings in 10% (3/30). There was a phenotypic discrepancy between reported prenatal and postnatal extracardiac findings in 40% (8/20). However, none of these additional, postnatal findings altered the genetic diagnosis.Herein, ES in prenatally diagnosed CHDs results in a comparably high diagnostic yield. There was a significant proportion of incidental findings and variants of unknown significance as well as potentially pathogenic variants in novel disease genes. Such findings can bedevil genetic counseling and decision making for pregnancy termination. Despite the small cohort size, our data serve as a first basis to evaluate the value of prenatal ES in CHD for further studies emerging in the near future.
Quantifying the burden of managing wildlife diseases in multiple host species
Authors: Canessa Stefano , Bozzuto Claudio , Pasmans Frank , Martel An 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMitigation of infectious wildlife diseases is especially challenging where pathogens affect communities of multiple host species. Although most ecological studies recognize the challenge posed by multiple‐species pathogens, the implications for management are typically assessed only qualitatively. Translating the intuitive understanding that multiple host species are important into practice requires a quantitative assessment of whether and how secondary host species should also be targeted by management and the effort this will require. Using a multiple‐species compartmental model, we determined analytically whether and how intensively secondary host species should be managed to prevent outbreaks in focal hosts based on the reproduction number of individual host species and between‐species transmission rates. We applied the model to the invasive pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in a 2‐host system in northern Europe. Avoiding a disease outbreak in the focal host (fire salamanders [Salamandra salamandra]) was impossible unless management also heavily targeted the secondary host (alpine newts [Ichthyosaura alpestris]). Preventing an outbreak in the community required targeted removal of at least 80% of each species. This proportion increased to 90% in the presence of an environmental reservoir of B. salamandrivorans and when the proportion of individuals removed could not be adjusted for different host species (e.g., when using traps that are not species specific). We recommend the focus of disease‐mitigation plans should shift from focal species to the community level and calculate explicitly the management efforts required on secondary host species to move beyond the simple intuitive understanding that multiple host species may all influence the system. Failure to do so may lead to underestimating the magnitude of the effort required and ultimately to suboptimal or futile management attempts.
Effects of colchicine in adults with metabolic syndrome: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Demidowich Andrew P. , Levine Jordan A. , Onyekaba Ginikanwa I. , Khan Shahzaib M. , Chen Kong Y. , Brady Sheila M. , Broadney Miranda M. , Yanovski Jack A. 
Published: March 2019

AimTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of colchicine for improving metabolic and inflammatory outcomes in people with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS).Materials and methodsAdults with obesity and MetS, but who did not have diabetes, were randomized to colchicine 0.6 mg or placebo capsules twice daily for 3 months. The primary outcome was change in insulin sensitivity (SI) as estimated by insulin‐modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests. Secondary outcomes included changes in other metabolic variables and inflammatory markers.ResultsOf 40 participants randomized (21 colchicine, 19 placebo), 37 completed the trial. Compared with placebo, colchicine significantly reduced C‐reactive protein (P <0.005), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P <0.01), white blood cell count (P <0.005), and absolute neutrophil count (P <0.001). Change in SI was not significantly different between colchicine and placebo arms (difference: +0.21 × 10−5; CI −1.70 to +2.13 × 10−5 min−1 mU−1 mL; P = 0.82). However, changes in some secondary outcomes, including homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (P = 0.0499), fasting insulin (P = 0.07) and glucose effectiveness (P = 0.08), suggested metabolic improvements in the colchicine versus placebo group. Adverse events were generally mild and similar in both groups.ConclusionsThis pilot study found colchicine significantly improved obesity‐associated inflammatory variables and showed a good safety profile among adults with obesity and MetS who did not have diabetes. These results suggest a larger, adequately powered study should be conducted to determine whether colchicine improves insulin resistance and other measures of metabolic health in at‐risk individuals.
Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of perampanel in Asian and non‐Asian patients with epilepsy
Authors: Tsai Jing‐Jane , Ikeda Akio , Hong Seung Bong , Likasitwattanakul Surachai , Dash Amitabh 
Published: March 2019

SummaryPeople of different ethnic or racial backgrounds may experience variations in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic responses to drug therapies. Our post hoc analysis evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of perampanel in Asian and non‐Asian populations with refractory focal seizures with or without focal to bilateral tonic‐clonic (FBTC) seizures. This analysis pooled data from 4 randomized, placebo‐controlled, phase‐3 studies involving patients aged ≥12 years who have focal seizures with or without FBTC seizures. Patients were receiving 2, 4, 8, or 12 mg perampanel (or placebo) by the end of a 6‐week titration period and for a further 13 weeks during the maintenance phase. Efficacy endpoints included median percent change in seizure frequency per 28 days, and 50% and seizure‐freedom responder rates relative to baseline. The median percent change in seizure frequency per 28 days from baseline was significantly greater than placebo for perampanel 8 and 12 mg (−31.1% and −38.1% change, respectively; each P < 0.0001) in the Asian population, and for perampanel 4, 8, and 12 mg (−21.1% [P = 0.0001], −26.3% [P < 0.0001], and −27.7% [P = 0.0001] change, respectively) in the non‐Asian population. The 50% responder rate relative to baseline was significantly greater than placebo for perampanel 8 and 12 mg (40.1% and 43.8%, respectively; each P < 0.0001) in the Asian population, and for perampanel 4, 8, and 12 mg (29.4% [P = 0.0002], 32.8% [P < 0.0001] and 34.5% [P = 0.0001]), respectively, in the non‐Asian population. Seizure‐freedom rate among all patients was 4.9%‐11.7% for perampanel 2, 4, 8, and 12 mg. The most frequently reported treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) across both populations were dizziness, somnolence, irritability, headache, and fatigue. The most common psychiatric TEAEs were aggression and irritability. Perampanel demonstrated a favorable and similar risk‐benefit profile in both Asian and non‐Asian populations with refractory focal seizures.