bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
To tell or not to tell? The impact of communicating consumer participation in new product development
Authors: Costa Claudia , Coelho do Vale Rita 
Published: January 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the implications of communicating customer involvement in the ideation and concept stage of new product development (NPD). This paper assesses the extent to which the awareness that a product was co-created jointly by company professional designers and consumers affects observer consumers’ attitudes toward the product and the company. While earlier research has mainly emphasized the positive and desirable consequences of consumer participation in NPD, the present set of studies shows that labeling products as having been co-created is not always valuable; rather, it is dependent on the level of perceived complexity of the products.Design/methodology/approachThe hypotheses are tested in four experimental studies using several categories of product complexity (low, medium and high). The data have been collected on young adult samples, measuring the participants’ perceptions of a firm’s innovation ability and product purchase intentions.FindingsThe results suggest that there are benefits at the corporate level (higher perceptions of innovation ability) to inform the market about consumer involvement, particularly when consumers and company professionals work together. The findings also indicate that product complexity plays a critical role in translating the perceptions of greater corporate abilities (innovation) in purchase intention, and it is particularly beneficial for low-complexity products.Originality/valueThe previous research has mainly focused on the impact of involving consumers in firms and participating consumers; however, it has neglected the role of observer consumers. This study adds to the innovation literature by showing that the value of learning about other consumers’ involvement in firm NPD is not universally beneficial and that product complexity is a critical boundary condition.
How to solve the dilemma of balancing between efficiency and flexibility in project-oriented organizations
Authors: Sun Xiuxia , Zhu Fangwei , Sun Mouxuan 
Published: January 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the ways to solve the dilemma of balancing between efficiency and flexibility in project-oriented organizations (POOs). It investigates the characteristic of the relationship between efficiency and flexibility in the context of POOs. Based on the framework of organizational design, this study tries to open the “black box” of how POOs make a balance between efficiency and flexibility, and examines the influence of organizational design in this process.Design/methodology/approachThis study is a comparative multiple case study based on four project-oriented enterprises, whose relationships between efficiency and flexibility are diverse from one another. It follows the process of building theory from case study, applying within-case and cross-case analysis and replication logic in shaping hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that the relationship between efficiency and flexibility in POOs can be divided into four different situations. The contradictory factors are identified as functional structure and project structure, standardized process and temporary plan, as well as strategic-level centralization and project-level decentralization. It is found that the key to achieve a balance between efficiency and flexibility is to coordinate the relationship of contradictory factors through the effective integration of organizational level and project level.Originality/valueThis study introduces the framework of organizational design in solving the dilemma of balancing between efficiency and flexibility, responding to the call for developing the project management theory from a strategic perspective. It provides theoretical support for POOs to achieve balancing between efficiency and flexibility, and suggests an effective synergy of organizational design in both organizational and project level.
Large shareholder participation behaviors, managers’ risk-taking and firm innovation performance
Authors: Zhang Feng , Yang Jianjun , Xu Zhi , Zhu Guilong 
Published: January 2018

PurposeFocusing on internal corporate governance, the purpose of this paper is to apply the shareholder activism perspective to consider how large shareholder participation behaviors might influence firm innovation performance. Specifically, “confrontationally strategic intervention” and “cooperatively strategic consensus” participation behaviors are examined and hypothesized to have different effects on managers’ risk-taking and firm innovation performance.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on 182 Chinese firm samples, this paper applies hierarchical ordinary least-squares regression analysis to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that strategic intervention was negatively associated with managers’ risk-taking and firm innovation performance, while strategic consensus positively affected managers’ risk-taking and firm innovation performance. Moreover, managers’ risk-taking fully mediated the influence of strategic intervention on firm innovation performance, whereas it partially mediated the influence of strategic consensus on firm innovation performance.Originality/valueThe study extends research on shareholder participation by construing that large shareholders’ participation behaviors can significantly influence managers’ risk-taking and corporate innovation performance, further deepening the understanding of the influences of large shareholders on the firm-level outcomes. The theoretical and practical implications of this finding are also discussed.
Optimizing ensembles of small models for predicting the distribution of species with few occurrences
Authors: Breiner Frank T. , Nobis Michael P. , Bergamini Ariel , Guisan Antoine 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEnsembles of Small Models (ESM) represent a novel strategy for species distribution modelling with few observations.ESMs are built by calibrating many small models and then averaging them into an ensemble model where the small models are weighted by their cross‐validated scores of predictive performance. In a previous paper (Breiner, Guisan, Bergamini, & Nobis,Methods in Ecology and Evolution,6, 1210–1218, 2015), we reported two major findings. First,ESMs proved largely superior to standard models in terms of model performance and transferability. Second,ESMs including different modelling techniques did not clearly improve model performance compared to single‐techniqueESMs. However,ESMs often require a large computation effort, which can become problematic when modelling large numbers of species. Given the appealing new perspectives offered byESMs, it is especially important to investigate if some techniques yield increased performance while saving computation time and thus could be predominantly used for buildingESMs.Here, we present results from a reanalysis of a subset of the data used in Breiner et al. (2015). More specifically, we ranESMs: (1) fitted with 10 modelling techniques separately (in Breiner et al., 2015 we used only three techniques); and (2) using various parameter options for each modelling technique (i.e., model tuning).We show thatESMs vary in model performance and computation time across techniques, and some techniques are advantageous in terms of optimizing model performance and computation time (i.e.,GLM,CTAandANN). Including one of these modelling techniques could thus optimize computation time compared to using more computing‐intensive techniques likeGBM. Next, we show that parameter tuning can improve performance and transferability ofESMs, but often at the cost of computation time. Parameter tuning could therefore be used when computing resources are not a limiting factor.These findings help improve the applicability and performance ofESMs when applied to large numbers of species.
The levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system is associated with a reduction in dysmenorrhoea and dyspareunia, a decrease in CA 125 levels, and an increase in quality of life in women with suspected endometriosis
Authors: Yucel Nese , Baskent Erdem , Karamustafaoglu Balci Burcin , Goynumer Gokhan 
Published: January 2018

Background and aimsThe aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine device (LNG‐IUS) in the symptomatic relief of pain in women with endometriosis and additionally, to assess the changes in women's life quality and serum cancer antigen (CA) 125 levels.Materials and methodsAll women who had an LNG‐IUS inserted for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain or both for more than six months over a two‐year period were included in the study. Each woman was asked to complete questionnaires of the Short Form‐36 and visual analogue scales (VAS) in the first visit and the third, sixth, ninth and twelfth months after the LNG‐IUS insertion. CA 125 levels were measured at each visit.ResultsForty‐five women were included in the study. At the end of 12 months, mean dysmenorrhoea VAS score decreased from 6.13 to 2.88, mean dsyspareunia VAS score from 6.04 to 2.61 and CA 125 level from 50.67 to 22.45. Endometriomas reduced in size in six women (mean size decreased from 31 to 20 mm) and disappeared in three.ConclusionsSeveral favourable outcomes were found following LNG‐IUS insertion: (i) dyspareunia and dysmenorrhoea were clearly reduced; (ii) the size of endometriomas were decreased; (iii) CA 125 levels significantly decreased; (iv) a few women experienced the typical systemic adverse effects of progestogens; however, LNG‐IUS‐related adverse events were generally tolerable and the discontinuation rate was as low as 6.66% (3/45).
Vascular characteristics in young women—Effect of extensive endurance training or a sedentary lifestyle
Authors: Bjarnegård N. , Länne T. , Cinthio M. , Ekstrand J. , Hedman K. , Nylander E. , Henriksson J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimTo explore whether high‐level endurance training in early age has an influence on the arterial wall properties in young women.MethodsForty‐seven athletes (ATH) and 52 controls (CTR), all 17‐25 years of age, were further divided into runners (RUN), whole‐body endurance athletes (WBA), sedentary controls (SC) and normally active controls (AC). Two‐dimensional ultrasound scanning of the carotid arteries was conducted to determine local common carotid artery (CCA) geometry and wall distensibility. Pulse waves were recorded with a tonometer to determine regional pulse wave velocity (PWV) and pulse pressure waveform.ResultsCarotid‐radial PWV was lower in WBA than in RUN (P < .05), indicating higher arterial distensibility along the arm. Mean arterial pressure was lower in ATH than in CTR and in RUN than in WBA (P < .05). Synthesized aortic augmentation index (AI@75) was lower among ATH than among CTR (−12.8 ± 1.6 vs −2.6 ± 1.2%, P < .001) and in WBA than in RUN (−16.4 ± 2.5 vs −10.7 ± 2.0%, P < .05), suggesting a diminished return of reflection waves to the aorta during systole. Carotid‐femoral PWV and intima‐media thickness (IMT), lumen diameter and radial distensibility of the CCA were similar in ATH and CTR.ConclusionElastic artery distensibility and carotid artery IMT are not different in young women with extensive endurance training over several years and in those with sedentary lifestyle. On the other hand, our data suggest that long‐term endurance training is associated with potentially favourable peripheral artery adaptation, especially in sports where upper body work is added. This adaptation, if persisting later in life, could contribute to lower cardiovascular risk.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: de novo non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in liver‐transplanted patients
Authors: Losurdo G. , Castellaneta A. , Rendina M. , Carparelli S. , Leandro G. , Di Leo A. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryBackgroundDe novo non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in liver‐transplanted patients for cirrhosis not due to non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is becoming a growing phenomenon.AimsWe performed a systematic review and evaluated the prevalence of this event and possible associated factors.MethodsA literature search in medical databases (PubMed, MEDLINE/OVIDSP, Science Direct and EMBASE) was performed in March 2017. Relevant publications were identified in most important databases. We estimated the pooled prevalence of NAFLD and NASH in patients with liver transplant. The data have been expressed as proportions/percentages, and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, using the inverse variance method. Odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated.ResultsTwelve studies were selected, enrolling 2166 subjects overall undergoing post‐liver transplant biopsy. The pooled weighted prevalence of de novo NAFLD was 26% (95% CI 20%‐31%). The pooled weighted prevalence of NASH was 2% (95% CI 0%‐3%). The highest prevalences of de novo NAFLD were found for patients transplanted for alcoholic cirrhosis (37%) and cryptogenic cirrhosis (35%) and for patients taking tacrolimus (26%). Tacrolimus showed a risk of NAFLD similar to ciclosporin (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.3‐3.51).ConclusionsPatients undergoing liver transplant are more prone to experience diabetes, hypertension or dyslipidaemia, and NAFLD may be an important element in this context. In this study, we show how the prevalence of NASH tends to remain significant and similar to the general population. Moreover, this study suggests a possible association with specific transplant indications. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.
A Multi-Source Adaptive Platform Design for Testing Sequential Combinatorial Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Kaizer Alexander M. , Hobbs Brian P. , Koopmeiners Joseph S. 
Published: January 2018

Summary
Traditional paradigms for clinical translation are challenged in settings where multiple contemporaneous therapeutic strategies have been identified as potentially beneficial. Platform trials have emerged as an approach for sequentially comparing multiple trials using a single protocol. The Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa represents one recent example which utilized a platform design. Specifically, the PREVAIL II master protocol sequentially tested new combinations of therapies against the concurrent, optimal standard of care (oSOC) strategy. Once a treatment demonstrated sufficient evidence of benefit, the treatment was added to the oSOC for all future comparisons (denoted as segments throughout the manuscript). In the interest of avoiding bias stemming from population drift, PREVAIL II considered only within-segment comparisons between the oSOC and novel treatments and failed to leverage data from oSOC patients in prior segments. This article describes adaptive design methodology aimed at boosting statistical power through Bayesian modeling and adaptive randomization. Specifically, the design uses multi-source exchangeability models to combine data from multiple segments and adaptive randomization to achieve information balance within a segment. When compared to the PREVAIL II design, we demonstrate that our proposed adaptive platform design improves power by as much as 51% with limited type-I error inflation. Further, the adaptive platform effectuates more balance with respect to the distribution of acquired information among study arms, with more patients randomized to experimental regimens.
Subtype Classification and Heterogeneous Prognosis Model Construction in Precision Medicine
Authors: You Na , He Shun , Wang Xueqin , Zhu Junxian , Zhang Heping 
Published: January 2018

SummaryCommon diseases including cancer are heterogeneous. It is important to discover disease subtypes and identify both shared and unique risk factors for different disease subtypes. The advent of high-throughput technologies enriches the data to achieve this goal, if necessary statistical methods are developed. Existing methods can accommodate both heterogeneity identification and variable selection under parametric models, but for survival analysis, the commonly used Cox model is semiparametric. Although finite-mixture Cox model has been proposed to address heterogeneity in survival analysis, variable selection has not been incorporated into such semiparametric models. Using regularization regression, we propose a variable selection method for the finite-mixture Cox model and select important, subtype-specific risk factors from high-dimensional predictors. Our estimators have oracle properties with proper choices of penalty parameters under the regularization regression. An expectation–maximization algorithm is developed for numerical calculation. Simulations demonstrate that our proposed method performs well in revealing the heterogeneity and selecting important risk factors for each subtype, and its performance is compared to alternatives with other regularizers. Finally, we apply our method to analyze a gene expression dataset for ovarian cancer DNA repair pathways. Based on our selected risk factors, the prognosis model accounting for heterogeneity consistently improves the prediction for the survival probability in both training and test datasets.
A new low‐firing and high‐Q microwave dielectric ceramic Li9Zr3NbO13
Authors: Yang Han , Tang Bin , Fang Zixuan , Luo Jun , Zhang Shuren 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe microwave dielectric ceramic Li9Zr3NbO13 was found and investigated. Prepared via the solid‐state reaction method, the Li9Zr3NbO13 formed as a Li2ZrO3‐type solid solution at 880‐900°C, with monoclinic structure in C2/c space group and Z = 4. Typically, the Li9Zr3NbO13 sintered at 900°C exhibited the excellent microwave dielectric properties of εr = 21.3, Q×f = 43 600 GHz (at 7.4 GHz), τf = 7.3 ppm/°C.
A LITERATURE REVIEW OF CLUSTER THEORY: ARE RELATIONS AMONG CLUSTERS IMPORTANT?
Authors: Lu Ren , Reve Torger , Huang Jing , Jian Ze , Chen Mei 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHaving reviewed 1259 papers on cluster theory, we find that current cluster studies primarily discussed cluster phenomena from either a microlevel or mesolevel. We argue that studying relations among clusters would increase our understanding of clusters, and such a research topic is worth becoming a new research orientation for cluster theory.
Trade, environment, and income inequality: An optimal taxation approach
Authors: Bontems Philippe , Gozlan Estelle 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn a small open economy, how should a government pursuing both environmental and redistributive objectives design domestic taxes when redistribution is costly? And how does trade liberalization affect the economy's levels of pollution and inequalities, when taxes are optimally and endogenously adjusted? Using a general equilibrium model under asymmetric information with two goods, two factors (skilled and unskilled labor), and pollution, this paper characterizes the optimal mixed tax system (nonlinear income tax and linear commodity and production taxes/subsidies) with both production and consumption externalities. While optimal income taxes are not directly affected by environmental externalities, conditions are derived under which under‐ or over‐internalization of social marginal damage is optimal for redistributive considerations. Assuming that redistribution operates in favor of the unskilled workers and that the dirty sector is intensive in unskilled labor, simulations suggest that trade liberalization involves a clear trade‐off between the reduction of inequalities and the control of pollution when the source of externality is only production; this is not necessarily true with a consumption externality. Finally, an increase in the willingness to redistribute income toward the unskilled results paradoxically in less pollution and more income inequalities.
Dynamic Labour Supply of Married Australian Women
Authors: Cai Lixin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractUsing the first 13 waves of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, this study investigates the determinants of labour supply of married Australian women, with a focus on whether and to what extent there is state dependence in their labour supply. It is found that both observed and unobserved individual heterogeneity contribute to the observed inter‐temporal persistence of married Australian women's labour supply, but the persistence remains even after controlling for these factors. It is also found that non‐labour income, age, education, health and the number and age of young dependent children have significant effects on married Australian women's labour supply.
Hepatitis C virus direct‐acting antivirals therapy impacts on extracellular vesicles microRNAs content and on their immunomodulating properties
Authors: Santangelo Laura , Bordoni Veronica , Montaldo Claudia , Cimini Eleonora , Zingoni Alessandra , Battistelli Cecilia , D'Offizi Gianpiero , Capobianchi Maria R. , Santoni Angela , Tripodi Marco , Agrati Chiara 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackground & AimsHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is known to cause major alterations in the cross‐talk between hepatic and immune cells thus contributing to the liver disease pathogenesis. Extracellular vesicles have been proved to act as major players in cell‐cell communication, and their cargo changes in relation to pathophysiological states. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic HCV infection and direct‐acting antivirals (DAA) on exosome‐delivered microRNAs and on their ability to modulate the innate immune response.MethodsExosomes isolated from the plasma of healthy donors and naïve, viremic HCV patients before and after DAA treatment have been compared for their microRNAs cargo by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Functional assays with peripheral blood cells from healthy donors were performed to assess exosome‐mediated immune responses.ResultsMicroRNAs associated with HCV‐related immunopathogenesis which were found to be enriched in exosomes of HCV viremic patients (in particular, miR‐122‐5p, miR‐222‐3p, miR‐146a, miR‐150‐5p, miR‐30c, miR‐378a‐3p and miR‐20a‐5p) were markedly reduced by DAA therapy. This exosome‐microRNA cargo modulation parallels changes in their immunomodulatory properties in ex vivo experiments. Exosomes from HCV patients inhibit NK degranulation activity and this effect correlates with miR‐122‐5p or miR‐222‐3p levels.ConclusionsEnrichment of immunomodulatory microRNAs in exosomes of HCV patients was correlated with their inhibitory activity on innate immune cells function. Direct‐acting antivirals (DAA) treatment was observed to revert both microRNA content and functional profiles of systemic exosomes towards those of healthy donors. Exosome‐associated microRNAs may provide valuable biomarkers to monitor immune response recovery.