bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Quality Perception and Consumer Valuation Change on Manufacturer's Optimal Warranty, Pricing, and Market Coverage Strategies
Authors: Li Kunpeng , Wang Lan , Chhajed Dilip , Mallik Suman 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTWe consider a manufacturer who produces and sells a new product in a monopoly market. The new product quality is unobservable to consumers before purchase. Consumers make purchase decisions based on their perception of product quality. In addition, consumer valuation toward the product will be reduced if a product failure is experienced. We formulate a two‐period model to analyze the impact of consumer quality perception and consumer valuation change on manufacturer's optimal decisions over quality, warranty, price, and market coverage strategies. We find that it is optimal for the manufacturer to offer warranty compensation that is higher than the purchase price when he has a low quality reputation but is offering a high‐quality product. We also identify the optimal strategy for the manufacturer in terms of market coverage. Specifically, when the consumer valuation discount factor due to product failure experience is high, it is optimal for the manufacturer to serve only the high segment in the second period. Otherwise, serving both the high and the low segments generates more profit. We further investigate consumer welfare and identify win‐win conditions, where the optimal strategy of the manufacturer benefits the consumers as well.
Radiotherapy for the treatment of distant nodes metastases from oligometastatic urothelial cancer: A retrospective case series
Authors: Leonetti Alessandro , D'Abbiero Nunziata , Baldari Giorgio , Andreani Stefano , Ruffini Livia , Viansone Alessandro A , Buti Sebastiano 
Published: August 2018

ObjectivesTo investigate the efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy in oligometastatic urothelial carcinoma with node‐only involvement.MethodsWe retrospectively collected data on the outcomes of patients who underwent stereotactic body radiotherapy for metastatic node lesions from oligometastatic urothelial carcinoma at Radiotherapy Unit of University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy. The investigated outcomes were lesion size, standardized uptake value, overall response rate, lesion control rate, lesion progression‐free interval, progression‐free survival and overall survival.ResultsAmong seven patients included in the study, a total of 14 node metastatic lesions were treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy. The mean total dose of stereotactic body radiotherapy was 32 Gy (range 25–40 Gy). At first imaging evaluation, a mean variation of −4% (P = 0.427) in major diameter, −16% (P = 0.048) in minor diameter and –76% in standardized uptake value (P < 0.001) were documented. The overall response rate and lesion control rate were 43% and 100%, respectively. Median lesion progression‐free interval, progression‐free survival and overall survival were 11.4 months (95% CI 3.4–19.4), 2.9 months (95% CI 2.6–3.1) and 14.9 months (95% CI 12.3–17.5), respectively. Stereotactic body radiotherapy was effective in delaying the beginning of a systemic chemotherapy in four patients.ConclusionsThe present findings generate the hypothesis of a possible role for the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy in selected patients with distant node metastases from oligometastatic urothelial carcinoma.
Positron‐emission tomography imaging in urological oncology: Current aspects and developments
Authors: Rauscher Isabel , Eiber Matthias , Weber Wolfgang A , Gschwend Jürgen E , Horn Thomas , Maurer Tobias 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPositron‐emission tomography/computed tomography combining both functional and morphological information has emerged as a powerful tool in oncological imaging within the past decades. The most commonly used radiotracer in oncology visualizing metabolic information is 2‐[18F]fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose. However, the use of 2‐[18F]fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose in urological oncology is challenging, as it is limited by physiological excretion through the urinary system. Therefore, it is only useful when applied to specific indications in selected patients with urological malignancy; for example, for detection of residual disease in the post‐chemotherapy management of patients with seminoma. Despite initial promising results in bladder cancer, no relevant additional diagnostic value with positron‐emission tomography using 2‐[18F]fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose or choline‐based tracers could be obtained, and should therefore be used with caution or only within clinical trials. In prostate cancer, however, a paradigm shift in imaging can be observed after development of new tracers that target the prostate‐specific membrane antigen. Biochemical recurrent prostate cancer has become a clinically widely accepted indication for prostate‐specific membrane antigen ligand positron‐emission tomography/computed tomography, with several studies showing superior detection efficacy compared with conventional imaging. For primary high‐risk prostate cancer, growing evidence suggests well‐improved staging. The present review aimed to provide an overview of the current status of positron‐emission tomography imaging in cancer of the urogenital system including the latest advances in 68Ga‐labeled and 18F‐labeled positron‐emission tomography agents targeting the prostate‐specific membrane antigen for positron‐emission tomography imaging of prostate cancer.
A model of crack healing of glass by viscous flow at elevated temperatures
Authors: Kanchika Shun , Wakai Fumihiro 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe crack healing in glass occurs by viscous flow driven by surface tension at temperatures higher than the glass transition. The Vickers‐induced radial crack on glass surface is modeled using an oblate spheroid, where the major axis length is the crack length and the minor axis length is the crack opening displacement (COD). The finite element simulation showed that the crack length decreased approximately linearly with time. The recovery time, which was required to shrink to a quarter of the initial length, was proportional to the viscosity and the initial length, and inversely proportional to the surface energy. The recovery occurred faster with decreasing COD. The crack blunting took place also for very sharp cracks. Experimentally derived master curve of crack healing could be explained by the present simulation model fairly well.
A SURVEY OF THE LITERATURE ON HUMAN CAPITAL‐INTENSIVE FIRMS
Authors: Cézanne Cécile , Krafft Jackie , Saglietto Laurence 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to provide an exhaustive survey of the academic research dedicated to the study of human capital‐intensive firms (HCIFs). We use a bibliometric analysis based on the three widely used databases (Econlit, Science Direct and Wiley) over the period 1992–2015. We are adapting a methodology developed in previous works to our specific object of study, and we generate a bottom‐up clustering on keywords, titles and abstracts. Our examination of the data sheds a light on five main clusters of works that respectively focus on (1) critical human resource management, (2) intellectual capital assessment, (3) funding risk and innovation (4) high‐skilled employees supporting economic development and (5) internal and external valuable social networks. In a critical appraisal of our results, we stress that the bibliometric analysis remains silent on how the different clusters are linked with each other. Based on our own appreciation of the HCIFs literature, we propose a further step in the identification of a central question linking up these clusters: a transversal review of the five clusters reveals that HCIFs appear as a network of specialized agents whose complementary human resources are decisive for the value‐creation process.
How do giraffes locate one another? A review of visual, auditory, and olfactory communication among giraffes
Authors: Kasozi H. , Montgomery R. A. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractUnderstanding how giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) communicate is a topic that has intrigued biologists, ecologists, and society for many years. Despite this interest, communication remains one of the most understudied aspects of giraffe ecology. We reviewed published papers that referenced giraffe communication across olfactory, visual, and auditory dimensions. We found 21 studies, published between 1958 and 2018, that referenced the ways in which giraffes communicate. Ten of these studies described giraffe vocal signals and possibilities for vocal communication among giraffes. Giraffes have been reported to produce infrasonic, hisses, and low humming vocalizations. We found five studies that evaluated giraffe olfaction with implications for communication. Eleven studies suggested that giraffes have high visual capabilities with high dependence on sight for communication. From this evidence, we appreciate that giraffes use multimodal signals to convey vital information to each other. Nevertheless, we found that the inferences made about giraffe communication among these studies are primarily derived from opportunistic observations. Thus, our review highlights that communication remains a highly understudied component of giraffe behavior and ecology. We recommend that further studies seek to identify the ways in which visual, auditory, and olfactory signals facilitate communication among giraffes.
Staying vigilant of uncertainty to velocity of money: an application for oil‐producing countries
Authors: Sahin Afsin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractUncertainty in economic and financial variables has substantially changed the dynamics in monetary economics during the last two decades in oil‐producing countries. However, there are types of uncertainties which affect these countries heterogeneously in the short run and long run. For this purpose, Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) is estimated for oil‐producing countries and non‐homogenous results for money supply, income, oil, interest rate, US monetary policy and exchange uncertainties have been obtained.
Victims of war—Psychoendocrine evidence for the impact of traumatic stress on psychological well‐being of adolescents growing up during the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Authors: Shaheen Mohammed , Schindler Lena , Saar‐Ashkenazy Rotem , Bani Odeh Kifah , Soreq Hermona , Friedman Alon , Kirschbaum Clemens 
Published: August 2018

AbstractViolent conflicts are severe traumatic stressors with detrimental effects on physical and mental health, with children and adolescents being particularly at risk. For the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, characteristic patterns of dysregulation in trauma‐exposed individuals have been shown. This study set out to investigate self‐reported mental well‐being in Palestinian adolescents growing up during the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) as a psychoendocrine marker for long‐term HPA axis aberrations along with the potential protective factor sense of coherence (SoC; i.e., the global mindset to interpret the world and emerging stressors as comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful) were examined. Between 2014 and 2016, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, HCC, and SoC were examined in 233 adolescents aged 11 to 16 from the West Bank. More than half of the participants reported trauma exposure, with 40% fulfilling the criteria of a preliminary PTSD diagnosis and a high prevalence of anxiety and depression. HCC was significantly elevated in the PTSD subgroup compared to the subgroup not exposed to any traumatic events (p = 0.046), with trauma‐exposed individuals in between. HCC was further associated with typical sequelae of traumatic stress. Notably, SoC was inversely related to self‐reported psychopathology, as well as to HCC in the trauma group. The results illustrate the situation of adolescents exposed to chronic traumatic stress and extend the literature on aberrant HPA axis functioning under such conditions. They also point out a central role of SoC, which may imply new strategies to aid individuals exposed to ongoing conflicts.
Outward Foreign Direct Investment Patterns of Italian Firms in the European Union's Emission Trading Scheme*
Authors: Borghesi Simone , Franco Chiara , Marin Giovanni 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe consider the role played by the European Union's Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) as a possible driver of outward foreign direct investment (FDI) for Italian manufacturing firms. Using a panel dataset of about 22,000 firms covering the first two phases of the EU ETS and the period before the EU ETS, we measure the patterns of FDI towards countries not covered by the EU ETS. The results show that the EU ETS had a weak effect on the number of new subsidiaries abroad (extensive margin), while it had a larger impact on production taking place in foreign subsidiaries (intensive margin), especially in trade‐intensive sectors.
Establishment of reference intervals for serum symmetric dimethylarginine in adult nonracing Greyhounds
Authors: Liffman Rebekah , Johnstone Thurid , Tennent‐Brown Brett , Hepworth Graham , Courtman Natalie 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundThe reference intervals (RIs) for the renal biomarkers urea and creatinine, in Greyhounds, are higher than those for non‐sighthound breeds. A recent study has demonstrated a higher concentration of another biomarker of renal function, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), in Greyhounds compared with other dog breeds, and thus a breed‐specific RI for serum SDMA may be appropriate for Greyhounds. Greyhounds appear to be predisposed to renal disease, and the establishment of an appropriate RI for SDMA may improve the ability to identify early renal dysfunction in this breed.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to establish an RI for serum SDMA in nonracing Greyhounds and to determine whether the RI for Greyhounds is different from that of non‐sighthound breeds.MethodsBlood samples were collected from 101 clinically healthy, nonracing Greyhounds for serum SDMA measurements. Results from Greyhounds were compared with serum SDMA concentrations measured in a group of non‐sighthound dogs (n = 24) of similar weight, age, and sex, and with a previously established canine serum SDMA RI.ResultsThe serum SDMA RI for Greyhounds was 6.3‐19.9 μg/dL (0.31‐0.99 μmol/L). Greyhounds had a significantly higher mean value (13.1 μg/dL) than that of the non‐sighthound dogs (10.2 μg/dL) (P < .001), and the RI of Greyhounds was different from previously established canine RIs for SDMA.ConclusionThis study supports the use of a Greyhound‐specific RI for SDMA. Using previously established canine RIs for this breed could result in the overdiagnosis of renal disease.
Kawasaki disease: a prospective population survey in the UK and Ireland from 2013 to 2015
Authors: Tulloh Robert M R , Mayon-White Richard , Harnden Anthony , Ramanan Athimalaipet V , Tizard E Jane , Shingadia Delane , Michie Colin A , Lynn Richard M , Levin Michael , Franklin Orla D , Craggs Pippa , Davidson Sue , Stirzaker Rebecca , Danson Mike , Brogan Paul A 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveKawasaki disease (KD) is an increasingly common vasculitis with risk of coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs). The last UK survey was in 1990, whereas current epidemiology, treatment patterns and complication rates are unknown. The aim of this study was to address this knowledge gap.MethodsA British Paediatric Surveillance Unit survey in the UK and Ireland from 1 January 2013 to 28 February 2015 ascertained demographics, ethnicity, seasonal incidence, treatment and complication rates.Results553 cases were notified: 389 had complete KD, 46 had atypical KD and 116 had incomplete KD; 2 were diagnosed at postmortem with an incidence of 4.55/100 000 children under 5 years, with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1 and a median age of 2.7 years (2.5 months–15 years). Presentation was highest in January and in rural areas. Most were white (64%), and Chinese and Japanese Asians were over-represented as were black African or African mixed-race children. 94% received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The overall CAA rate was 19%, and all-cardiac complications affected 28%. Those with CAA received IVIG later than in those without (median 10 days vs 7 days). Those under 1 year had fewer symptoms, but the highest CAA rate (39%). Overall 8 of 512 cases (1.6%) had giant CAA, and 4 of 86 cases (5%) under 1 year of age developed giant CAA. Mortality from KD was 0.36%.ConclusionsThe UK and Ireland incidence of KD has increased and is more frequently seen in winter and rural areas. Delayed IVIG treatment is associated with CAA, suggesting earlier and adjunctive primary treatment might reduce complications to prevent CAA, particularly in the very young.
Impact of missing individual patient data on 18 meta-analyses of randomised trials in oncology: Gustave Roussy experience
Authors: Fayard Florence , Petit Claire , Lacas Benjamin , Pignon Jean Pierre 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveTo compare the characteristics, quality and treatment effects of randomised clinical trials (RCTs) by individual patient data (IPD) availability, in trials eligible for 18 IPD meta-analyses (MA).DesignTrial characteristics, risk of bias (RoB) and hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival were extracted from IPD-MA publications and/or RCTs publications. Data for the RoB assessment were extracted for a subset of 73 RCTs. Two investigators blinded to whether IPD was available or not evaluated the RoB for these trials. Treatment effects were compared using ratios of global HRs (RHRs) of IPD-unavailable trials and IPD-available trials. RHR were pooled using a fixed-effect model.Data sourcesWe examined the IPD availability for each trial eligible for each IPD-MA; when the IPD was not available for a trial, we used information from published sources.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesWe selected all published IPD-MAs conducted at Gustave Roussy and the RCTs eligible for each.Results349 RCTs (73 018 patients) from 18 MAs were eligible: 60 RCTs (5890 patients) had unavailable IPD and 289 RCTs (67 128 patients) had available IPD. The main reason for IPD unavailability was data loss by investigators. IPD-unavailable trials were smaller (p<0.001), more often monocentric (p<0.001) and non-international (p=0.0004) than IPD-available trials. Geographical areas differed (p=0.054) between IPD-unavailable IPD-available trials. RoB was higher in IPD-unavailable RCTs for random sequence generation (p=0.007) and allocation concealment (p=0.006). The HR and 95% confidence interval (CI) for overall survival were extractable from publications in 23/60 IPD-unavailable trials included in 10 different MAs. Treatment effects were significantly greater for IPD-unavailable trials compared with IPD-available trials (RHR=0.86 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.98)).ConclusionsIPD-unavailable RCTs were significantly different from IPD-available RCTs in terms of trial characteristics and were at greater RoB. IPD-unavailable RCTs had a significantly greater treatment effect.
Validation of the ICH score in patients with spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage admitted to the intensive care unit in Southern Spain
Authors: Rodríguez-Fernández Sonia , Castillo-Lorente Encarnación , Guerrero-Lopez Francisco , Rodríguez-Rubio David , Aguilar-Alonso Eduardo , Lafuente-Baraza Jesús , Gómez-Jiménez Francisco Javier , Mora-Ordóñez Juan , Rivera-López Ricardo , Arias-Verdú María Dolores , Quesada-García Guillermo , Arráez-Sánchez Miguel Ángel , Rivera-Fernández Ricardo 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveValidation of the intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) score in patients with a diagnosis of spontaneous ICH admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).MethodsA multicentre cohort study was conducted in all consecutive patients with ICH admitted to the ICUs of three hospitals with a neurosurgery department between 2009 and 2012 in Andalusia, Spain. Data collected included ICH, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) scores. Demographic data, location and volume of haematoma and 30-day mortality rate were also collated.ResultsA total of 336 patients were included. 105 of whom underwent surgery. Median (IQR) age: 62 (50–70) years. APACHE-II: 21(15–26) points, GCS: 7 (4–11) points, ICH score: 2 (2–3) points. 11.1% presented with bilateral mydriasis on admission (mortality rate=100%). Intraventricular haemorrhage was observed in 58.9% of patients. In-hospital mortality was 54.17% while the APACHE-II predicted mortality was 57.22% with a standardised mortality ratio (SMR) of 0.95 (95% CI 0.81 to 1.09) and a Hosmer-Lemenshow test value (H) of 3.62 (no significant statistical difference, n.s.). 30-day mortality was 52.38% compared with the ICH score predicted mortality of 48.79%, SMR: 1.07 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.23), n.s. Mortality was higher than predicted at the lowest scores and lower than predicted in the more severe patients, (H=55.89, p<0.001), Gruppo Italiano per la Valutazione degli Interventi in Terapia Intensiva calibration belt (p<0.001). The area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.74 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.79).ConclusionsICH score shows an acceptable discrimination as a tool to predict mortality rates in patients with spontaneous ICH admitted to the ICU, but its calibration is suboptimal.
Sugar and energy content of carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages in Haidian District, Beijing: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lin Lizi , Li Chenxiong , Jin Chuyao , Peng Yuanzhou , Hashem Kawther M , MacGregor Graham A , He Feng J , Wang Haijun 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveThe consumption of carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages (CSSBs) is associated with a range of health problems, but little is known about the sugar and energy content of CSSBs in China. The study aimed to investigate the sugar and energy content of CSSBs in Beijing, China.Study designWe carried out a cross-sectional survey in 15 different supermarkets from July to October 2017 in Haidian District, Beijing.MethodsThe product packaging and nutrient labels of CSSBs were recorded by a snapshot in time to obtain company name, product name, serving size, and nutrient content, that is, carbohydrate, sugar and energy. For CSSB labels not showing sugar content, we used carbohydrate content as substitute. The sugar and energy content of CSSBs within each type of flavour were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test. The sugar content within the recommended levels was described using frequency. We also compared the sugar and energy content of top 5 CSSBs in terms of sales among three countries (China, UK and USA).ResultsA total of 93 CSSB products were found. The median sugar content was 9.3 (IQR: 5.7–11.2) g/100 mL, and the energy content was 38 (IQR: 23–46) kcal/100 mL. There were 79 products labelled ‘Red’ (high) per serving based on the criteria set in the UK (>11.25 g/100 mL). We found 62.4% of CSSBs had sugar content per serving that exceeds the daily free sugar intake for adults (25 g) recommended by the WHO. Some of the branded products sold in China had higher sugar content when they were compared with those in Western countries.ConclusionsCSSBs in Beijing, China have high sugar and energy content. Reduction in sugar content and serving size of CSSBs and taxation policy on beverages will be beneficial in reducing sugar intake in China.