bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Study on Traditional Techniques of Hand Braiding in China
Authors: Wang Li Bing 
Published: April 2016

According to unearthed materials of braids, hand braiding originate in the last stage of the Old Stone Age China and has a history of over 7000 years, which remains a unique handicraft in our society. In terms of the arrangement of yarns, braiding can be categorized into two kinds of techniques: double system braiding and single system. In ancient China, most braids were made by double system braiding. The technique of single system braiding was at its peak of development in the Zhou dynasty. Around the Han dynasty, diagonal braiding and twist braiding were in fashion, and a complex braiding technique of the combining of the two types of braiding was invented. Since the Shang dynasty, the application of braiding has been limited to narrow fabrics, shaped products, and some special trimmings, such as knots.
Double system braiding was directly responsible for the development of machine weaving. Loop braiding and crook braiding are similar to modern knitting and crocheting in many aspects. The scope of braiding application has now diminished, but its technical and cultural significance remains.
Electrospun Chitosan Based Nanofibers
Authors: Martinová Lenka , Lubasová Daniela 
Published: April 2016

The new electrospinning technology NanospiderTM, offering a real potential for industrial production of nanofibers, is used for the preparation of nanofiber sheets from aqueous solutions of polymer blends. The nanofiber sheets are prepared from a mixture of chitosan and polyethylenoxide (PEO) and using the novel continual electrospinning process (Jirsak et al., 2005, www.nanospider.cz) affords a network with typical fiber diameters that are less than 500 nm. Effects of solvents, molecular weight of both polymers, monovalent salt, surfactant and composition of chitosan blend on electrospinning are also studied.
The optimal conditions for electrospinning by the NanospiderTM technology, including applied high voltage, distance between both electrodes, air temperature and air humidity, are also found. The crosslinking of the nanofiber sheet is achieved by heat treatment. The morphology of electrospun fibers is observed by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Chitosan in the nanofiber sheets format has a great potential to be widely used in various applications derived from its biocompatibility and biodegradability.
Competitive Analysis of Niche Product Supply Chains
Authors: Allen Reece , Parrish Erin , Cassill Nancy L. , Oxenham William , Jones Michelle R. 
Published: April 2016

Companies are pursuing niche markets to combat competitive pressures from low-cost producers of textiles and apparel. These small, customer-need centered markets provide economic competitiveness opportunities through increased market share and profitability (Parrish, 2003).
To further understand niche marketing strategies and expand the Parrish Niche Strategy Model (2003), competitive analyses are conducted using secondary data. The analyses covered companies in each sector (fiber/yarn, textile, apparel, and retail) of the supply chain.
The purpose of the analyses is to understand competitive positions and strategies of companies competing with niche products in the bottomweight market. This market is chosen because it represents a significant consumption market in the United States where domestic textile manufacturers still have a presence. The results indicate that growth rates are higher for downstream companies, although a larger number of upstream companies are privately held. Companies in all sectors of the supply chain are found to be utilizing supply chain and brand management strategies.
Organizational Mindfulness and the Development of Information Technology for Logistics Operations: The Experience of an Apparel Company
Authors: Wong Christina W.Y. , Lai Kee-hung 
Published: April 2016

With ten years of apparel retailing operations and thirty years of franchising experience for clothing merchandise, Apparel Retailer and Franchiser1 (ARF) has evolved into one of the largest apparel companies in the Asia Pacific region. A factor contributing to the success of ARF is its extensive use of information technology (IT) to enhance the productivity and service performance of its logistics operations.
Based upon the Institutional Theory and organizational mindfulness perspectives using case study research methodology, we examine the institutional pressures faced by ARF with respect to its IT development, and explore how ARF resolves the institutional pressures in the course of developing IT applications for managing its apparel supply chain. Our study generates useful theoretical and practical insights into how apparel firms can better manage institutional pressures with mindful information technology management (ITM) to improve logistics operations. The case experience provides a supply chain management reference on technological adoption in the apparel industry.
Fashion Adoption Categories: A New Investigation of Personality Facets and Demographics
Authors: Johnson Tricia Widner 
Published: April 2016

This study investigates personality facets and demographics as predictors of the following fashion adoption categories: fashion innovation, fashion opinion leadership, and fashion opinion seeking. Everett Rogers’ ideal types and the Five Factor Model are the theoretical frameworks applied in the study. Data are collected via a mailed questionnaire returned by 285 participants in the United States. Regression results demonstrated that income is a significant positive predictor for fashion innovativeness.
Additional findings showed that gender as well as the personality facets of actions and achievement striving are significant predictors for fashion opinion leading. Age, gender, education, and the personality facet of deliberation are significant predictors for fashion opinion seeking. In the present study, there is no overlap among the variables found to be significant predictors of fashion innovation, fashion opinion leading, and fashion opinion seeking. The results imply that neither personality nor demographics are the common characteristics between any two of the three adoption categories. Implications for future research on fashion adoption categories are discussed.
New Methods for Objective Evaluation of Fabric Pilling by Frequency Domain Image Processing
Authors: Palmer Stuart , Zhang Junmin , Wang Xungai 
Published: April 2016

Fabric pilling is a serious problem for the apparel industry. Resistance to pilling is normally tested by simulated accelerated wear and manual assessment of degree of pilling based on a visual comparison of the sample to a set of test images. A number of automated systems based on image analysis have been developed. The authors propose new methods of image analysis based on the two-dimensional wavelet transform to objectively measure the pilling intensity in sample images. Initial work employed the detail coefficients of the two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform (2DDWT) as a measure of the pilling intensity of woven/knitted fabrics.
This method is shown to be robust to image translation and brightness variation. Using the approximation coefficients of the 2DDWT, the method is extended to non-woven pilling image sets. Wavelet texture analysis (WTA) combined with principal components analysis are shown to produce a richer texture description of pilling for analysis and classification. Finally, employing the two-dimensional dual-tree complex wavelet transform as the basis for the WTA feature vector is shown to produce good automated classification on a range of standard pilling image sets.
Unconventional Natural Dyeing Using Microwave Heating with Cochineal as Natural Dyes
Authors: Elshemy N.S. 
Published: April 2016

This research concerns making wool fabrics with dye extracted from cochineal using microwave heating. The result shows good fastness properties. To promote value addition in domestic processing and to boost rural income and employment in small-scale agroenterprises, it is necessary to promote non-polluting natural dyes, which involve inexpensive equipment and small-scale operations. The exploration of new flora can be environmentally and economically viable. Our aim is to show the feasibility of providing high-quality natural dyes extracted from insects, thus improving our environment and giving opportunities to the fabric industry to catch up with the current consumer trends towards more aesthetic fabrics and natural products.
We investigate cochineal as a natural dye using microwave irradiation under different factors such as dye extraction, the pH level of dye bath, dyeing time, dye concentration, microwave power level and mordants, and compare the results with those obtained using traditional heating. The dye extraction indicates that microwave heating is a more effective method than traditional heating. The kinetic parameters are examined to determine half-dyeing time (t½), dye affinity (Δµ°), dye rate constant (K) and heat content (ΔH).
Icotinib as initial treatment in lung adenocarcinoma patients with brain metastases
Authors: Xu Jian‐ping , Liu Xiao‐yan , Yang Sheng , Zhang Chang‐gong , Wang Lin , Shi Yuan‐kai 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundTo evaluate the antitumor activity and toxicity of icotinib as initial treatment in lung adenocarcinoma patients with brain metastases.MethodsTwenty‐one patients with histologically or pathologically documented brain metastatic lung cancer were administered icotinib as initial treatment from 2011 to 2015 at the Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Chemotherapy response was assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and toxicity was evaluated according to National Cancer Institute‐Common Toxicity Criteria. Icotinib was administered three times per day at a dose of 125mg.ResultsThe median overall and progression‐free survival rates were 15.2 (1.2–31.5 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.6–23.7 months) and 8.9 months (0.6–30.5 months, 95% CI 3.4–14.3 months), respectively. The overall response and disease control rates were 61.9% and 90.5%, respectively. Icotinib was well tolerated, and no grade 3/4 adverse events were observed. The most common grade 1/2 adverse events included acneiform eruptions (38.1%), diarrhea (19.0%), and stomatitis (9.5%).ConclusionIcotinib is effective and well tolerated as initial treatment in lung adenocarcinoma patients with brain metastases.
Reduced protein bound uraemic toxins in vegetarian kidney failure patients treated by haemodiafiltration
Authors: Kandouz Sakina , Mohamed Ali Shendi , Zheng Yishan , Sandeman Susan , Davenport Andrew 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIntroduction Indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p cresyl sulfate (PCS) are protein bound toxins which accumulate with chronic kidney disease. Haemodiafiltration (HDF) increases middle molecule clearances and has been suggested to increase IS and PCS clearance. We therefore wished to establish whether higher convective clearances with HDF would reduce IS and PCS concentrations.Methods We measured total plasma IS and PCS in a cohort of 138 CKD5d patients treated by On‐line HDF (Ol‐HDF), by high pressure liquid chromatography.Findings Mean patient age was 64.6 ± 16.5 years, 60.1% male, 57.3% diabetic, median dialysis vintage 25.9 months (12.4–62.0). The mean ICS concentration was 79.8 ± 56.4 umol/L and PCS 140.3 ± 101.8 umol/L. On multivariate analysis, IS was associated with serum albumin (β 4.31,P < 0.001), and negatively with residual renal function (β‐4.1,P = 0.02) and vegetarian diet(β‐28.3, P = 0.048) and PCS negatively with log C reactive protein (β‐75.8, P < 0.001) and vegetarian diet (β‐109, P = 0.001). Vegetarian patients had lower IS and PCS levels (median 41.5 (24.2–71.9) vs. 78.1 (49.5–107.5) and PCS (41.6 (14.2–178.3) vs. 127.3 (77.4–205.6) µmol/L, respectively, P < 0.05. Vegetarian patients had lower preOl‐HDF serum urea, and phosphate (13.8 ±3.8 vs. 18.4 ± 5.2 mmol/L, and 1.33 ± 0.21 vs. 1.58 ± 0.45 mmol/L), and estimated urea nitrogen intake (1.25 ± 0.28 vs. 1.62 ± 0.5 g/kg/day), respectively, all P < 0.05.Discussion Plasma IS and PCS concentrations were not lower with Ol‐HDF compared to previous studies in haemodialysis patients. However those eating a vegetarian diet had reduced IS and PCS concentrations. Although this could be due to differences in dietary protein intake, a vegetarian diet may also potentially reduce IS and PCS production by the intestinal microbiome.
Analysis of a government policy to address nursing shortage and nursing education quality
Authors: Abhicharttibutra K. , Kunaviktikul W. , Turale S. , Wichaikhum O.‐A. , Srisuphan W. 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundA well‐educated, sufficient nursing workforce improves population health and standards of nursing care. Analysing workforce policies assists nurses to learn from the past and develop better future policies.AimDescribe policy‐making processes in the first Thai government plan to increase nursing capacity and improve nursing education quality.DesignA qualitative study employing Longest's model to examine policy‐making processes.MethodsData were obtained from 28 in‐depth interviews with key informants, who had been committee members and former deans of nursing involved with the policy processes in the 1990s. Both qualitative and quantitative data were extracted from relevant documents, and content analysis employed with all data.FindingsThree policy phases were identified. Policy formulation, where three streams of problems, politics and policy resulted in identification of nursing shortage, changes of government incumbents and needing to increase nurse production; Policy implementation included creating methods of implementation, appointing responsible people and committees, creating operational plans, producing more nurses and faculty development projects and Policy modification which incorporated implementing the first Thai international doctoral degree in English, a collaborative programme between universities.Study limitationsNot all key informants could be accessed due to the passage of time. Findings are unique to Thailand but inform internationally of nurses’ abilities and need to be involved in policy.ConclusionNurses were involved in all policy phases. While the policy produced positive developments in growing nursing capacity and education in the past, nursing shortages remained and are now acute in Thailand.Implications for Nursing/Health PolicyLessons learned from this policy analysis help explain why the nursing education and nursing shortage policy was legislated through the government agenda, and the active involvement of Thai nurses in this process. Nurses globally need to be at the policy‐making table to try to reduce nursing shortages, and enhance practice and education environments.
Weight and weight change and risk of acute myocardial infarction and heart failure – the HUNT Study
Authors: Janszky I. , Romundstad P. , Laugsand L. E. , Vatten L. J. , Mukamal K. J. , Mørkedal B. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectivesTo delineate the association of weight with cardiovascular health throughout adulthood.MethodsWe conducted a population‐based prospective cohort study of 26 097 community‐dwelling individuals who were followed for 11.4 years with measurements of cardiovascular risk factors and common chronic disorders. Body weight and height were directly measured at baseline in 1995–1997 as they had been 10 and 30 years prior to baseline. From these measurements, we estimated average body mass index (BMI) over time and calculated weight change.ResultsThe association of average BMI with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) became weaker with adjustment for the most recent BMI measurement, whilst this adjustment had a more limited effect on associations with heart failure (HF) risk. For example, the multi‐adjusted hazard ratios for AMI in a comparison of individuals with average BMI until baseline ≥35 kg m−2 and between 18.5 and 22.4 kg m−2 decreased from 1.75 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–2.95] to 1.32 (0.73–2.40). The corresponding numbers for HF were 3.12 (1.85–5.27) and 2.95 (1.53–5.71), respectively. The associations between weight change and risk of AMI and HF were U‐shaped, with stable weight showing the lowest risk.ConclusionSustained overweight or obesity over time is associated with increased risk of HF, even after adjustment for the most recent BMI. For AMI risk, the most recent BMI appears to be the most important. Weight change also increases risks for both outcomes beyond the effects of BMI. Our results suggest that a global epidemic of obesity is likely to increase the incidence of HF, even if BMI in middle age can be controlled.
Effect of dystocia on subsequent reproductive performance and functional longevity in Holstein cows
Authors: Ghavi Hossein‐Zadeh N. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dystocia on the reproductive performance and functional longevity in Iranian Holsteins. Data consisted of 1 467 064 lactation records of 581 421 Holstein cows from 3083 herds which were collected by the Animal Breeding Center of Iran from April 1987 to February 2014. Reproduction traits in this study included interval from first to second calving, days open and days from first calving to first service. The generalized linear model was used for the statistical analysis of reproductive traits. Survival analysis was performed using the Weibull proportional hazards models to analyse the impact of dystocia on functional longevity. The incidence of dystocia had an adverse effect on the reproductive performance of dairy cows. Therefore, reproductive traits deteriorated along with increase in dystocia score (p < 0.05). The culling risk was increased along with increase in the score of dystocia (p < 0.0001). The greatest culling risk was observed in primiparous cows, small herds and low‐yielding cows (p < 0.0001). Also, the lowest culling risk was found for cows calving at the youngest age (<27 months), and cows with age at first calving >33 months had the greatest risk (p < 0.0001). The results of current study indicated that dystocia had important negative effects on the reproductive performance and functional longevity in dairy cows, and it should be avoided as much as possible to provide a good perspective in the scope of economic and animal welfare issues in dairy herds.
Tracking of toddler fruit and vegetable preferences to intake and adiposity later in childhood
Authors: Fletcher Suzanne , Wright Charlotte , Jones Angela , Parkinson Kathryn , Adamson Ashley 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis study examined whether toddlers' liking for fruit and vegetables (FV) predicts intake of FV later in childhood, how both relate to childhood adiposity and how these were moderated by factors in infancy. Children in the Gateshead Millennium Study were recruited at birth in 1999–2000. Feeding data collected in the first year were linked to data from a parental questionnaire completed for 456 children at age 2.5 years (30 m) and to anthropometry, skinfolds and bioelectrical impedance and 4‐day food diary data collected for 293 of these children at age 7 years. Aged 30 months, 50% of children were reported to like eight different vegetables and three fruits, but at 7 years, children ate a median of only 1.3 (range 0–7) portions of vegetables and 1.0 portion of fruit (0–4). Early appetite, feeding problems and food neophobia showed significant univariate associations with liking for FV aged 30 m, but the number of vegetables toddlers liked was the only independent predictor of vegetable consumption at age 7 years (odds ratio (OR) 1.28 p < 0.001). Liking for fruit aged 30 m also independently predicted fruit intake (OR = 1.31, p = 0.016), but these were also related to deprivation (OR = 2.69, p = 0.001) maternal education (OR = 1.28, p = 0.039) and female gender (OR = 1.8, p = 0.024). Children eating more FV at age 7 years had slightly lower body mass index and skinfolds. An early liking for FV predicted increased later intake, so increasing early exposure to FV could have long term beneficial consequences.
Body temperature regulation is associated with climatic and geographical variables but not wing pigmentation in two rubyspot damselflies (Odonata: Calopterygidae)
Authors: Rivas Miguel , Martínez‐Meyer Enrique , Muñoz Jesús , Córdoba‐Aguilar Alex 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIt has been proposed that wing pigmented spots function in temperature control in male calopterygids. Using two rubyspot species Hetaerina americana Fabricius and Hetaerina vulnerata Hagen in Selys, the present study investigated whether (i) wing spot size and colour‐modified aspect can predict temperature gain after a cooling event; (ii) wing spot size is related to the temperature needed to fly and how long it takes to initiate flight; and (iii) wing spot size is related to seasonality and altitude. The results obtained do not support any of these relationships. The results also indicate that H. vulnerata can achieve flight at 8 °C less than H. americana. The present study further investigates whether the species differ in their latitudinal and geographical distribution, and respond differently to bioclimatic variables. The results obtained provide support for this particular hypothesis, showing that H. vulnerata inhabits higher altitudes, and is able to tolerate colder environments compared with H. americana. Wing spots in the two Hetaerina species do not help in thermoregulation, although both species show different temperature control abilities. This difference in thermoregulatory ability may enable the species to colonize different environments and reduce interspecific competition.
Risk factors that may modify the innate and adaptive immune responses in periodontal diseases
Authors: Knight Ellie T. , Liu Jenny , Seymour Gregory J. , Faggion Clovis M. , Cullinan Mary P. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPlaque‐induced periodontal diseases occur in response to the accumulation of dental plaque. Disease manifestation and progression is determined by the nature of the immune response to the bacterial complexes in plaque. In general, predisposing factors for these periodontal diseases can be defined as those factors which retain or hinder the removal of plaque and, depending upon the nature of the immune response to this plaque, the disease will either remain stable and not progress or it may progress and result in chronic periodontitis. In contrast, modifying factors can be defined as those factors that alter the nature or course of the inflammatory lesion. These factors do not cause the disease but rather modify the chronic inflammatory response, which, in turn, is determined by the nature of the innate and adaptive immune responses and the local cytokine and inflammatory mediator networks. Chronic inflammation is characterized by vascular, cellular and repair responses within the tissues. This paper will focus on how common modifying factors, such as smoking, stress, hormonal changes, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and HIV/AIDS, influence each of these responses, together with treatment implications. As treatment planning in periodontics requires an understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease, it is important for all modifying factors to be taken into account. For some of these, such as smoking, stress and diabetic control, supportive health behavior advice within the dental setting should be an integral component for overall patient management.