bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring mobile learning readiness: scale development and validation
Authors: Lin Hsin-Hui , Lin Shinjeng , Yeh Ching-Hsuan , Wang Yi-Shun 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– Based on the literature on technology readiness, online learning readiness, and mobile computer anxiety, the purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a mobile learning readiness (MLR) scale which can be used to assess individuals’ readiness to embrace m-learning systems.

Design/methodology/approach
– Based on previous literature, this study conceptualizes the construct of MLR and generates an initial 55-item MLR scale. A total of 319 responses are collected from a three-month internet-based survey. Based on the sample data, this study provides an empirical validation of the MLR construct and its underlying dimensionality, and develops a generic MLR scale with desirable psychometric properties, including reliability, content validity, criterion-related validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and nomological validity.

Findings
– This study develops and validates a 19-item MLR scale with three dimensions (i.e. m-learning self-efficacy, optimism, and self-directed learning). A tentative norm of the MLR scale is presented, and the scale’s theoretical and practical applications are also discussed.

Originality/value
– This study is a pioneering effort to develop and validate a MLR scale. The results of this study are helpful to researchers in building m-learning theories and to educators in assessing and promoting individuals’ acceptance of m-learning systems.
Effect of digital transformation on organisational performance of SMEs
Authors: Chen Ying-Yu Kerri , Jaw Yi-Long , Wu Bing-Li 
Published: January 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of the pilot implementation of an industry-specific web portal as an IT resource on textile SMEs organisational performance. Using a resource-based perspective, portal delivery functionalities, considered as non-physical IT resources, are analysed using the dimensions of portal usefulness, portal interface, and service-oriented portal functions on SMEs users’ perceived outcomes of organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach
– Qualitative and quantitative approaches are used to explore the research hypotheses. Data were collected using field interviews and survey from senior executives of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Taiwanese textile industry.

Findings
– Results indicate that the service-oriented portal function dimension, consisting of portal maintenance service, B2B function, and cloud computing, significantly influences organisational performance. Unexpected findings, such as the negative impact of greater industry benchmark information on perceived SME performance, deserve further investigation.

Research limitations/implications
– The study extends the theory and knowledge on the resource-based view and its implications on e-business organisational performance of SMEs. The study also offers findings relevant to the design of portal sites for SME administrators and information service providers. Limitations of the research include a small size and the industry-specific data limiting the generalisability of the findings.

Practical implications
– Research results practically serve as informative indicators for policy makers, information service providers, and SMEs executives to evaluate feasible elements for web portal design in traditional industry. Findings from this study may help portal service providers in designing better web portal functionalities for SMEs.

Originality/value
– This study contributes to the IT business value literature by identifying the linkages between industry-specific portal delivery functionalities and perceived organisational performance through the examination of portal usefulness, portal interface, and service-oriented portal function for textile SMEs.
Direct and indirect effects of shrub encroachment on alpine grasslands mediated by plant–flower visitor interactions
Authors: Lara‐Romero Carlos , García Cristina , Morente‐López Javier , Iriondo José M. 
Published: January 2016

Summary

Mutualistic interactions structure ecological communities and they are strongly influenced by the combined effect of different drivers of global change. Land‐use changes and global warming have elicited rapid shrub encroachment in alpine grasslands in recent decades, which may have detrimental outcomes for native alpine forbs. In spite of the importance of this process, we lack knowledge about how shrub encroachment modifies community‐wide patterns of plant–pollinator mutualistic interactions.

Based on the functional biodiversity hypothesis (FBH), which predicts higher pollinator biodiversity in species‐rich plant communities, we asked whether the increase in nutritional resources available for pollinators due to shrub expansion modifies pollinator niche breadth and species richness, and whether these changes affect plant–plant interactions.

For this purpose, we compared quantitative plant–flower visitor interaction network assemblages at replicated plots in two habitat types in dry cryophilic grasslands of Sierra de Guadarrama (Spain): (i) encroached pastures (EP) and (ii) pastures dominated by forb species where shrub species are absent (PA).

As predicted by FBH, flower visitor richness increased in EP, but their niche breadth did not vary. Furthermore, shrubs had more interactions with flower visitors and received more visits per plant than forbs in EP in agreement with their significantly higher linkage and strength.

Overall, results revealed that moderate levels of shrub encroachment affected the flower visitation patterns of forb species in alpine grasslands as flower visitor diversity increased and plant–plant competition for shared flower visitors became greater. These findings highlight the need to use an integrative approach to study the cascading effects of global change drivers on species interactions and their impact on the structure and functioning of threatened ecological communities.
Patient features predicting long‐term survival and health‐related quality of life after radical surgery for non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Rauma Ville , Salo Jarmo , Sintonen Harri , Räsänen Jari , Ilonen Ilkka 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundThis study presents a retrospective evaluation of patient, disease, and treatment features predicting long‐term survival and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients who underwent surgery for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsBetween January 2000 and June 2009, 586 patients underwent surgery at the Helsinki University Hospital. The 276 patients still alive in June 2011 received two validated quality of life questionnaires (QLQ): the generic 15D and the cancer‐specific EORTC QLQ‐C30 + QLQ‐LC13. We used binary and linear regression analysis modeling to identify patient, disease, and treatment characteristics that predicted survival and long‐term HRQoL.ResultsWhen taking into account patient, disease, and treatment characteristics, long‐term survival was quite predictable (69.5% correct), but not long‐term HRQoL (R2 between 0.041 and 0.119). Advanced age at the time of surgery, male gender, comorbidity (measured with the Charlson comorbidity index), clinical and pathological stages II‐IV, and postoperative infectious complications predicted a lower survival rate. Features associated with poorer long‐term HRQoL (measured with the 15D) were comorbidity, postoperative complications, and the use of the video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) technique.ConclusionsLong‐term HRQoL is only moderately predictable, while prediction of long‐term survival is more reliable. Lower HRQoL is associated with comorbidities, complications, use of the VATS technique, and reduced pulmonary function, while adjuvant therapy is associated with higher HRQoL.
Association of genetic variability in enzymes metabolizing chemotherapeutic agents with treatment response in head and neck cancer cases
Authors: Dhawan Ankur , Ruwali Munindra , Pant Mohan C , Rahman Qamar , Parmar Devendra 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimThe prevalence of genetic variants of thiopurine S‐methyltransferse (TPMT) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) in healthy controls (500) and the treatment response in 500 cases of head and neck cancer of north Indian origin was studied.MethodsBlood collected from all the subjects was used for isolation of DNA followed by genotyping studies. The cases received cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) or chemo‐radiotherapy and treatment response was measured using WHO criteria.ResultsLow frequency of heterozygous mutant genotypes of TPMT*2 (2%), TPMT*3B (2.2%), TPMT*3C (4.6%), DPD IVS14+1G>A (3.6%) and G1601A (3%) was observed, although no homozygous mutants could be identified. Treatment response studies in cases receiving cisplatin and 5‐FU or chemo‐radiotherapy revealed that the number of nonresponders was higher in cases who carried variant genotypes of TPMT*3B (62.50%) or TPMT*3C (59.26%) or DPD IVS14+1G>A (61.90%). Likewise, the number of nonresponders was still higher in cases carrying combination of these genetic variants. Furthermore, the frequency of nonresponders was higher in cases who carried the variant genotypes of TPMT or DPD and were also tobacco users.ConclusionsOur data clearly show that TPMT and DPD genes are polymorphic in the north Indian population and may be important in determining the treatment response in cases. The data have also suggest tobacco may play an important role in determining the outcome of cancer therapy and there is an urgent need for assessment of drugs for their efficacy/toxicity in smokers compared to nonsmokers.
Topical pine tar: History, properties and use as a treatment for common skin conditions
Authors: Barnes Tanya M , Greive Kerryn A 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPine tar is the end product of pine wood carbonisation following distillation using extreme heat. An extensive literature search was conducted back to the 1950s for this review. Pine tar has been used in medicine for more than 2000 years to treat a range of skin conditions because of its soothing and antiseptic properties. Pine tar should not be confused with coal tar, which has been produced from coal for approximately a hundred years. Pine tar is thought to exert its effect by reducing DNA synthesis and mitotic activity, which promotes a return to normal keratinisation. In addition, pine tar has been shown to be antipruritic, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. These properties make pine tar suitable for the topical treatment of eczema, psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis and other dry, itchy, flaky or inflamed skin conditions. Topical products available over‐the‐counter in Australia today contain up to 2.3% pine tar, and come in several different formulations that can be used on the entire body, including the face. Modern day pine tar is manufactured with increased purity to eliminate toxic phenol and carcinogenic components, which have been of concern in the past. Primary irritation is uncommon. In conclusion, the long experience with topical pine tar therapy and its worldwide usage, together with the evidence presented in this review, suggests that pine tar is an effective treatment with minimal safety risk.
Using a Cardiac Event Recorder in Children with Potentially Arrhythmia‐Related Symptoms
Authors: Saygi Murat , Ergul Yakup , Ozyilmaz Isa , Sengul Fatma Sevinc , Guvenc Osman , Aslan Eyup , Guzeltas Alper , Akdeniz Celal , Tuzcu Volkan 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundIn this study, we reported our experience with the use of cardiac event recorders in pediatric patients.MethodsWe evaluated 583 patients fitted with an event recorder (15–30 days) between March 2010 and November 2014 at our clinic. Excluded from the study were 117 patients with no recorded events and six with records contaminated by electrocardiogram artifacts. All of the patients received electrocardiograms, Holter monitoring, and echocardiography before the cardiac event recording.ResultsThe patient sample consisted of 460 patients (64% female). The mean age was 12.8 ± 4.1 years. The median number of recorded events was 7. The indications included palpitations in 336 (73%) patients, syncope in 27 (6%) patients, and chest pain and palpitations in 97 (21%) patients. Whereas 64 patients (14%) had structural heart disease according to echocardiographic examination, the remaining patients had normal echocardiographic examination results. The most frequent cardiac comorbidities were mitral valve prolapse (6%), operated tetralogy of Fallot (1.5%), and complicated congenital heart diseases with single ventricle physiology (1%). The recorded events were sinus tachycardia in 113 (25%) patients, supraventricular tachycardia in 35 (8%) patients, ventricular extrasystole in 20 (4%) patients, supraventricular extrasystole in nine (2%) patients, and ventricular tachycardia in two (0.4%) patients. Based on the event recorder and follow‐up electrocardiogram findings, 46 patients received an electrophysiology study/ablation. The symptom‐rhythm correlation was 39%.ConclusionIn the presence of possible arrhythmia‐related symptoms in children, a cardiac event recorder can be considered a useful primary diagnostic method. More research on this topic is needed.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) therapy for multiple myeloma
Authors: Atanackovic Djordje , Radhakrishnan Sabarinath V. , Bhardwaj Neelam , Luetkens Tim 
Published: January 2016

SummaryThe introduction of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐modified T cells has revolutionized immunotherapy and cancer treatment as a whole. However, so far, clinical efficacy has only been demonstrated for CD19‐positive B cell lymphomas. For Multiple Myeloma (MM), the second most common haematological malignancy, there are currently no clinical results supporting the usefulness of the adoptive transfer of CAR‐modified T cells. This might be related to the fact that an ideal surface target has not yet been identified or the presence of strong local immunosuppression in the tumour microenvironment, which is a hallmark of MM. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of promising target molecules for CAR T cell approaches in MM and we outline a number of ways in which the local immunosuppression in MM can be overcome. By providing a strategy for the design of CAR T cell treatments for MM we hope to transform this new therapeutic approach into a valuable tool within the therapeutic armamentarium for MM.
Assessing End‐Of‐Supply Risk of Spare Parts Using the Proportional Hazard Model
Authors: Li Xishu , Dekker Rommert , Heij Christiaan , Hekimoğlu Mustafa 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTOperators of long field‐life systems like airplanes are faced with hazards in the supply of spare parts. If the original manufacturers or suppliers of parts end their supply, this may have large impacts on operating costs of firms needing these parts. Existing end‐of‐supply evaluation methods are focused mostly on the downstream supply chain, which is of interest mainly to spare part manufacturers. Firms that purchase spare parts have limited information on parts sales, and indicators of end‐of‐supply risk can also be found in the upstream supply chain. This article proposes a methodology for firms purchasing spare parts to manage end‐of‐supply risk by utilizing proportional hazard models in terms of supply chain conditions of the parts. The considered risk indicators fall into four main categories, of which two are related to supply (price and lead time) and two others are related to demand (cycle time and throughput). The methodology is demonstrated using data on about 2,000 spare parts collected from a maintenance repair organization in the aviation industry. Cross‐validation results and out‐of‐sample risk assessments show good performance of the method to identify spare parts with high end‐of‐supply risk. Further validation is provided by survey results obtained from the maintenance repair organization, which show strong agreement between the firm's and the model's identification of high‐risk spare parts.
Role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in context‐dependent motor performance
Authors: Lee Y.‐Y. , Winstein C. J. , Fisher B. E. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractContext‐dependent motor performance is a phenomenon in which people perform better in the environmental context where they originally practised a task. Some animal and computer simulation studies have suggested that context‐dependent performance may be associated with neural activation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This study aimed to determine the role of the DLPFC in context‐dependent motor performance by perturbing the neural processing of the DLPFC with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in healthy adults. Thirty healthy adults were recruited into the Control, rTMS DLPFC and rTMS Vertex groups. The participants practised three finger sequences associated with a specific incidental context (a coloured circle and a location on the computer screen). One day following practice, the rTMS groups received 1 Hz rTMS prior to the testing conditions in which the sequence‐context associations remained the same as practice (SAME) or changed (SWITCH). All three groups improved significantly over practice on day 1. The second day testing results showed that the DLPFC group had a significantly lower decrease in motor performance under the SWITCH condition than the Control and Vertex groups. This finding suggests a specific role of the DLPFC in context‐dependent motor performance.
Sources of bias in single‐trial normalization procedures
Authors: Ciuparu Andrei , Mureşan Raul C. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBaseline normalization procedures are essential for the analysis of brain activity. These use statistics of a reference (baseline) period to normalize data along the entire trial (baseline and stimulus periods). A very popular procedure is pseudo z‐scoring, traditionally applied to time–frequency spectral power estimates, where it was recently shown to generate positive bias. Bias was thought to arise because of outliers stemming from the skewed distribution of spectral power values. Here we challenge this view and causally show that bias originates from a more general problem that affects a wide array of normalization techniques, including some that are routinely used. We show that bias is caused by the division of correlated terms and that it depends directly on the sign and magnitude of correlation between the numerator and denominator. Correlation emerges either from the properties of the data being normalized or from the properties of the normalization method. z‐scoring produces bias when source data have a skewed distribution but it is bias‐free when the distribution is symmetric, while methods such as dF/F for fluorescence data lead to bias because the numerator and denominator are inherently correlated. We provide a simple, fast and general solution to reduce and even eliminate bias by welding (fusing) baseline periods of multiple trials into a single, large baseline. This method is generic, can be used to normalize individual trials and provides bias‐free estimates given a long enough extended baseline. We show that baseline fusing is superior to more complex techniques that have been proposed before.
Extent and time‐course of competition in visual cortex between emotionally arousing distractors and a concurrent task
Authors: Deweese Menton M. , Müller Matthias , Keil Andreas 
Published: January 2016

AbstractEmotionally arousing cues automatically attract attentional resources, which may be at the cost of processing task‐related information. Of central importance is how the visual system resolves competition for processing resources among stimuli differing in motivational salience. Here, we assessed the extent and time‐course of competition between emotionally arousing distractors and task‐related stimuli in a frequency‐tagging paradigm. Steady‐state visual evoked potentials (ssVEPs) were evoked using random‐dot kinematograms that consisted of rapidly flickering (8.57 Hz) dots, superimposed upon emotional or neutral distractor pictures flickering at 12 Hz. The time‐varying amplitude of the ssVEP evoked by the motion detection task showed a significant reduction to the task‐relevant stream while emotionally arousing pictures were presented as distractors. Competition between emotionally arousing pictures and moving dots began 450 ms after picture onset and persisted for an additional 2600 ms. Competitive effects of the overlapping task and picture stream revealed cost effects for the motion detection task when unpleasant pictures were presented as distractors between 450 and 1650 ms after picture onset, where an increase in ssVEP amplitude to the flickering picture stimulus was at the cost of ssVEP amplitude to the flickering dot stimulus. Cost effects were generalized to all emotionally arousing contents between 1850 and 3050 ms after picture onset, where the greatest amount of competition was evident for conditions in which emotionally arousing pictures, compared to neutral, served as distractors. In sum, the processing capacity of the visual system as measured by ssVEPs is limited, resulting in prioritized processing of emotionally relevant cues.
Cognitive load and autonomic response patterns under negative priming demand in depersonalization‐derealization disorder
Authors: Lemche Erwin , Sierra‐Siegert Mauricio , David Anthony S. , Phillips Mary L. , Gasston David , Williams Steven C.R. , Giampietro Vincent P. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPrevious studies have yielded evidence for cognitive processing abnormalities and alterations of autonomic functioning in depersonalization‐derealization disorder (DPRD). However, multimodal neuroimaging and psychophysiology studies have not yet been conducted to test for functional and effective connectivity under cognitive stress in patients with DPRD. DPRD and non‐referred control subjects underwent a combined Stroop/negative priming task, and the neural correlates of Stroop interference effect, negative priming effect, error rates, cognitive load span and average amplitude of skin conductance responses were ascertained for both groups. Evoked haemodynamic responses for basic Stroop/negative priming activations were compared. For basic Stroop to neutral contrast, patients with DPRD differed in the location (inferior vs. superior lobule) of the parietal region involved, but showed similar activations in the left frontal region. In addition, patients with DPRD also co‐activated the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (BA9) and posterior cingulate cortex (BA31), which were also found to be the main between‐group difference regions. These regions furthermore showed connectivity with frequency of depersonalization states. Evoked haemodynamic responses drawn from regions of interest indicated significant between‐group differences in 30–40% of time points. Brain‐behaviour correlations differed mainly in laterality, yet only slightly in regions. A reversal of autonomic patterning became evident in patients with DPRD for cognitive load spans, indicating less effective arousal suppression under cognitive stress – patients with DPRD showed positive associations of cognitive load with autonomic responses, whereas controls exhibit respective inverse association. Overall, the results of the present study show only minor executive cognitive peculiarities, but further support the notion of abnormalities in autonomic functioning in patients with DPRD.
Alpine restoration in the NSW Snowy Mountains: Interview with Roger Good
Authors: Good Roger , McDonald Tein 
Published: January 2016

With a career stretching from the 1960s, Roger Good clocked up over 50 years’ experience in restoring alpine ecosystems, particularly bogs and fens. This interview (recorded not long before Roger's untimely death in 2015) shows how the evolving approaches to restoration in Australia's Snowy Mountains mirror the evolving broad discipline of restoration.