bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Business network information ecological chain
Authors: Xu Xiaojun , He Wu , Yin Ping , Xu Xiaobo , Wang Yuting , Zhang Haitao 
Published: March 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to present a new tool, business network information ecological chain (BNIEC) aiming to solve the current information problems in business network, make more profits to business websites and to maintain the sustainable development of the business network environment in Internet of Things (IoT) era.Design/methodology/approach– From multi-disciplinary perspectives, learning from the knowledge in information ecology, economics, the IoT and system theory, this paper first analyzes the positioning of BNIEC in different subjects. Second, it proposes the definition, components and characteristics of BNIEC and designs the BNIEC concept map helping to understand the BNIEC system. Last, this paper builds the structural model and the information flow models of BNIEC.Findings– The study first presents the concept of BNIEC and based on the trans-disciplinary point of view, builds the structure model of BNIEC from three aspects: nodes, relations among nodes and link modes and illustrates the model using the knowledge from the system theory. Also, it builds two kinds of the information flow models by the related information knowledge in IoT.Originality/value– This paper aims to introduce not only a new tool but an ecological idea to business network companies, to create a pleasant network environment, more than that, to make more benefits for themselves. Meanwhile, it has important significance in the sustainable development of the business network environment, business websites, business network information resources and information technology. Especially in today’s IoT era, it shows an ecological thinking to solve the information problems in business network that we may face in the future.
Entrepreneurial environment, market-oriented strategy, and entrepreneurial performance
Authors: Sun Jialu , Yao Meifang , Zhang Weiyong , Chen Yong , Liu Yan 
Published: March 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore the correlations among entrepreneurial environment, market-oriented strategies, and entrepreneurial performance.Design/methodology/approach– Entrepreneurial environment is measured by institutional environment and industrial environment. A survey of 176 large Chinese automobile firms is conducted. The structural equation model is applied to perform analysis.Findings– The uncertainty of the institutional environment is positively related with market-oriented strategies and market-oriented strategies are positively related with firms’ performance. The stronger the uncertainty of the industrial environment is, the larger impact that market-oriented strategies have on firms’ performance will be. There is no distinct positive relationship between the uncertainty of industrial environment and firms’ market-oriented strategies. The hypothesis, that the stronger the uncertainty of institutional environments is, the larger the impact that market-oriented strategies will be on firms’ performance, is not supported.Research limitations/implications– In terms of research design, this paper does not select survey samples randomly. This paper only takes institutional and industrial environments into consideration while the environmental characteristics are omitted.Originality/value– This paper expands entrepreneurship research by integrating previous studies. Findings in this paper are helpful for firms in emerging countries to implement “going abroad strategies,” to start up new businesses in other countries, and to achieve the goals of improving competitiveness and integrating with international firms.
A relief ordering policy for declining demand and realized shortage cost
Authors: Das Rubel , Okumura Makoto 
Published: March 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for relief inventory ordering considering declining demand and realized shortage (RS) costs. This study is motivated by the overflow of unsolicited items in affected areas, which hinder the urgent relief flow.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study proposes a dynamic programing model reflecting the change of demand and urgency during relief operations. A solution algorithm for finding a replenishing point of relief is also introduced here.

Findings
– Relief ordering policy based on the RS cost increases the service level (in terms of time). The service level is dependent on the deterioration rate.

Research limitations/implications
– Deterioration is not applicable for all relief items. Therefore, the proposed model is applicable for certain relief items. Additionally, computation of temporal urgency is not included.

Practical implications
– The study outcomes can be invaluable for resource planning. The model shows a gradual decrease of ordering quantity and a gradual increase of cycle length. This observation can be utilized for resource (e.g. truck) planning and fewer truck can be used in later stages of relief operations.

Originality/value
– This study introduces temporal urgency for disaster logistics (DL) and proposes a relief inventory policy by incorporating temporal urgency. This model highlights the importance of considering declining demand for DL.
Response Surface Regression Models for Prediction of Ring Spun Yarn Properties
Authors: Ghanmi Hanen , Ghith Adel , Benameur Tarek 
Published: March 2016

In this study, the response surface methodology is used to predict the mechanical properties of yarn, their unevenness and hairiness by using the high-volume instrument (HVI) properties of raw cotton and the parameters of the spinning process. Therefore, five different blends of cotton are processed and spun into ring yarns (Nm13, Nm19, Nm 21, Nm31 and Nm37). Each count is spun at five twist levels (450, 500, 650, 750 and 850 trs/m).
The models that are developed by using response surface regression with many iterations on a Minitab16 statistical software predict very well the different yarn properties since the R2 values obtained are very important. In addition, these models show that metric number and twist have the highest effect on the four studied parameters
Organisational change in local sport clubs: the case of Flemish gymnastics clubs
Authors: Perck Jochen , Van Hoecke Jo , Westerbeek Hans , Breesch Diane 
Published: March 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the quality assurance system IKGym (Quality Management System for Gymnastics Clubs), on professionalisation, homogenisation and organisational performance in a sample of gymnastics clubs affiliated to the Flemish Gymnastics Federation.Design/methodology/approach– Data were drawn from a sample of 55 non-profit local Flemish gymnastics clubs, evaluated twice by IKGym between 2004 and 2010. Using a longitudinal analysis of quantitative data of the IKGym data set a paired samplest-test was conducted to measure the impact of IKGym on the sample of gymnastics clubs. Besides, the Pitman-Morgan test was conducted to measure if the gymnastics clubs have become more isomorphic because of IKGym.Findings– First, the results identify different levels of progression towards professionalisation between various quality and performance targets of the gymnastics clubs and depending on the structural design types of these clubs. Second, it was found that during the organisational change the sample of clubs also started to resemble each other more. However, this homogenisation process seems restricted to the organisational management and strategic planning of the clubs and appears especially to clubs belonging to the volunteer structure. Third, the present study also indicates that IKGym has influenced clubs to perform better.Originality/value– IKGym is considered as a pioneering project where a federation stimulated their clubs to professionalise by means of a system of quality assurance. Several federations and sporting leagues (Deutsche Bundesliga, English Premier League; Belgian Basketballiga, etc.) followed this lead and introduced a similar system to evaluate and direct the management of their clubs.
If we build it, will they come? Examining the effect of expansion teams and soccer-specific stadiums on Major League Soccer attendance
Authors: DeSchriver Timothy D. , Rascher Daniel A. , Shapiro Stephen L. 
Published: March 2016

Purpose– Two of the primary growth strategies for Major League Soccer (MLS) have been team expansion and the construction of soccer-specific stadiums. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to determine the relationship between these factors and game-specific MLS spectator attendance.Design/methodology/approach– Two multiple regression models, one using multi-level mixed effects linear regression and another using interval regression, were developed to explain the variation in attendance utilizing the two factors of interest along with other control factors that have been identified as attendance determinants in previous literature. Game-specific data were collected for five MLS seasons, 2007-2011.Findings– The two regression models explained approximately 40 percent of the variation in spectator attendance and the results showed that expansion teams and soccer-specific stadiums were significantly related to attendance. However, the effect of soccer-specific stadiums was minimized due to the extreme success of the Seattle Sounders in drawing about twice as many fans as the next highest drawing franchise, yet playing in an American football stadium.Research limitations/implications– While many of the standard factors such as the presence of holidays and novelty players, competition from other professional teams, and day of week, competition from other professional teams; team quality failed to show significance. Expansion teams drew better than incumbent teams and the impact from soccer-specific stadia is weak given the success of the Seattle franchise (and possibly negative when excluding Seattle). Censoring of the dependent variable had a discernible impact on many of the attendance factors.Practical implications– These findings may be useful to managers of MLS and their teams along with other professional teams and/or leagues that are investigating the use of either team expansion or the construction of new facilities to increase spectator attendance.Originality/value– This is the first study to investigate the relationship between expansion and new stadium construction in MLS over multiple years. The results indicate that MLS’s decision to use team expansion and the construction of soccer-specific stadiums has been beneficial with respect to spectator attendance.
The initial fall in arterial pressure evoked by endotoxin is mediated by the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray
Authors: Millington William R , Yilmaz M Sertac , Feleder Carlos 
Published: March 2016

SummaryThis study tested the hypothesis that the initial fall in arterial pressure evoked by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is mediated by the ventrolateral column of the midbrain periaqueductal gray region (vlPAG). To test this hypothesis, the local anaesthetic lidocaine (2%; 0.1 μL, 0.2 μL or 1.0 μL), the delta opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole (2 nmol) or saline was microinjected into the vlPAG of isoflurane‐anaesthetized rats bilaterally and LPS (1 mg/kg) or saline was administered intravenously 2 min later. Both lidocaine and naltrindole inhibited LPS‐evoked hypotension significantly but did not affect arterial pressure in saline‐treated control animals. Neither lidocaine nor naltrindole altered heart rate significantly in either LPS‐treated or control animals. Microinjection of lidocaine or naltrindole into the dorsolateral PAG was ineffective. These data indicate that the vlPAG plays an important role in the initiation of endotoxic hypotension and further show that delta opioid receptors in the vlPAG participate in the response.
Prognostic significance of RelB overexpression in non‐small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Qin Hualong , Zhou Jun , Zhou Peng , Xu Jingjing , Tang Zaixiang , Ma Haitao , Guo Feng 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundLung cancer is a major public health issue in most countries, including China. The expression of RelB is associated with poor prognosis in diverse cancers. However, whether RelB expression could be an indicator of poor prognosis in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still unclear.MethodsThe expression of RelB in NSCLC tumor tissue and adjacent non‐neoplastic tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry. Chi‐square or two‐tailed Fisher's exact tests were used to analyze possible associations between qualitative clinicopathological variables and RelB expression. Kaplan–Meier analysis and a Cox regression model were employed to determine independent prognostic factors.ResultsThe expression of RelB was increased in tumor tissue compared with adjacent non‐neoplastic tissue in NSCLC patients. High RelB expression was significantly correlated with degree of differentiation (P = 0.023), depth of tumor invasion (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.017), distant metastases (P = 0.004), and tumor node metastasis stage (P < 0.001) in patients with NSCLC. NSCLC patients with high RelB expression had significantly shorter overall survival than those with low RelB expression (P < 0.001). Our results indicate that high RelB expression is an independent prognostic factor for patients with NSCLC (P < 0.001).ConclusionsHigh RelB expression could provide a basis for judgment of prognosis in patients with NSCLC.
Pilot study of radiofrequency hyperthermia in combination with gefitinib in gefitinib‐effective patients with advanced NSCLC
Authors: Qin Yijia , Sun Yu , Liu Yongmei , Luo Yiqiao , Zhu Jiang 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundNon‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of death from cancer in China. Gefitinib is effective for patients with positive epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutation; however, acquired drug resistance counteracts the duration response. Hyperthermia is widely clinically applied in the treatment of solid tumors. This pilot study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of the combination of gefitinib and hyperthermia.MethodsPatients newly diagnosed with advanced NSCLC were screened. Eleven patients who responded to first‐line gefitinib treatment were enrolled in the study. Along with 250 mg gefitinib daily, local radiofrequency hyperthermia was administered twice a week until tumor progression was observed. The serum, heat shock protein (HSP)70, was also frequently detected during the course.ResultsThe most common toxicity included skin rash (81.8%) and abnormal liver function (45.5%) when treated with gefitinib, and fatty scleroma (36.4%) was observed when combined with hyperthermia. Grade 3 side effects (skin rash) occurred in only one patient. Median progression‐free survival was 22 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.95–31.05 months) and median overall survival was 26 months (95% CI: 22.81–29.19 months). Serum HSP70 concentration increased and maintained a significantly high level compared with the baseline before hyperthermia administration.ConclusionsThe novel therapy of gefitinib combined with radiofrequency hyperthermia is safe and effective for advanced NSCLC patients. Whether an improvement in therapeutic efficacy is associated with the elevation of serum HSP70 concentration requires further study.
Integral Projection Models for host–parasite systems with an application to amphibian chytrid fungus
Authors: Wilber Mark Q. , Langwig Kate E. , Kilpatrick Auston Marm , McCallum Hamish I. , Briggs Cheryl J. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryHost–parasite models are typically constructed under either a microparasite or macroparasite paradigm. However, this has long been recognized as a false dichotomy because many infectious disease agents, including most fungal pathogens, have attributes of both microparasites and macroparasites.We illustrate how Integral Projection Models (IPMs) provide a novel modelling framework to represent both types of pathogens. We build a simple host–parasite IPM that tracks both the number of susceptible and infected hosts and the distribution of parasite burdens in infected hosts.The vital rate functions necessary to build IPMs for disease dynamics share many commonalities with classic micro and macroparasite models and we discuss how these functions can be parameterized to build a host–parasite IPM. We illustrate the utility of this IPM approach by modelling the temperature‐dependent epizootic dynamics of amphibian chytrid fungus in Mountain yellow‐legged frogs (Rana muscosa).The host–parasite IPM can be applied to other diseases such as facial tumour disease in Tasmanian devils and white‐nose syndrome in bats. Moreover, the host–parasite IPM can be easily extended to capture more complex disease dynamics and provides an exciting new frontier in modelling wildlife disease.
Gender‐specific effects of comorbid depression and anxiety on the propensity to drink in negative emotional states
Authors: Karpyak Victor M. , Biernacka Joanna M. , Geske Jennifer R. , Abulseoud Osama A. , Brunner Michael D. , Chauhan Mohit , Hall‐Flavin Daniel K. , Lewis Kriste A. , Loukianova Larissa L. , Melnyk George J. , Onsrud David A. , Proctor Brian D. , Schneekloth Terry D. , Skime Michelle K. , Wittkopp John E. , Frye Mark A. , Mrazek David A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackground and AimsDepression and anxiety are often comorbid with alcoholism and contribute to craving and relapse. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of life‐time diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD), substance‐induced depression (SID), anxiety disorder (AnxD) and substance‐induced anxiety (SIA), the effects of these comorbidities on the propensity to drink in negative emotional states (negative craving), and test whether these effects differ by sex.DesignSecondary analyses of baseline data collected in a single‐arm study of pharmacogenetic predictors of acamprosate response.SettingAcademic medical center and affiliated community‐based treatment programs in the American upper mid‐west.ParticipantsA total of 287 males and 156 females aged 18–80 years, meeting DSM‐IV criteria for alcohol dependence.MeasurementsThe primary outcome measure was ‘propensity to drink in negative emotional situations’ (determined by the Inventory of Drug Taking Situations) and the key predictors/covariates were sex and psychiatric comorbidities, including MDD, SID, AnxD and SIA (determined by Psychiatric Research Interview of Substance and Mood Disorders).FindingsThe prevalence of the MDD, SID and AnxD was higher in females compared with males (33.1 versus 18.4%, 44.8 versus 26.4% and 42.2 versus 27.4%, respectively; P < 0.01, each), while SIA was rare (3.3%) and did not differ by sex. Increased propensity to drink in negative emotional situations was associated with comorbid MDD (β = 6.6, P = 0.013) and AnxD (β = 4.8, P = 0.042) as well as a SID × sex interaction effect (P = 0.003), indicating that the association of SID with propensity to drink in negative emotional situations differs by sex and is stronger in males (β = 7.9, P = 0.009) compared with females (β = −6.6, P = 0.091).ConclusionsThere appears to be a higher prevalence of comorbid depression and anxiety disorders as well as propensity to drink in negative emotional situations in female compared with male alcoholics. Substance‐induced depression appears to have a sex‐specific effect on the increased risk for drinking in negative emotional situations in males.
Nandrolone decanoate and resistance exercise training favor the occurrence of lesions and activate the inflammatory response in the ventral prostate
Authors: Gomes F. C. , Chuffa L. G. A. , Scarano W. R. , Pinheiro P. F. F. , Fávaro W. J. , Domeniconi R. F. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryAge is a key factor in the development of prostatic lesions. An increase in reactive oxygen species levels occurs during aging. Furthermore, the indiscriminate use of anabolic androgenic steroids and physical exercise alter the availability of hormones and may promote the appearance of lesions. This study examined whether the use of nandrolone decanoate (ND), associated or not with resistance exercise training, affects the pathways related to the inflammatory response in the ventral prostate of adult and aged rats. Sprague‐Dawley rats were distributed into eight experimental groups: sedentary with ND, sedentary without ND, exercise with ND, and exercise without ND. The animals performed resistance exercise training and received ND two times/week (5 mg/kg, i.m.) for 8 weeks. Adult rats were killed immediately following treatment completion, and aged rats remained untreated until reaching 300 days of age. The adult animals that received ND and performed resistance exercise training showed a higher occurrence of lesions with TLR4 activation. Marked IL‐6 expression occurred in the group that performed resistance exercise training. The group exposed to ND showed overexpression of TLR2, TLR4, NOX1, Nrf2, TNF‐α, and P38MAPK. The animals that received ND and performed training showed increase levels of NFκB, IRF3, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and NOX1. TLR2 and TLR4 showed no upregulation in the aged animals. The groups exercise + ND showed lesions in the adult stage and after aging, followed by molecular alterations. We concluded that nandrolone decanoate and resistance exercise training can promote the onset of prostatic tumors in the adult stage, and during aging, activating pathways involved in the inflammatory response.
Testosterone deficiency in testicular cancer survivors – a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bandak M. , Jørgensen N. , Juul A. , Vogelius I. R. , Lauritsen J. , Kier M. G. , Mortensen M. S. , Glovinski P. , Daugaard G. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryResults concerning treatment of Testicular Germ Cell Cancer (TGCC) and subsequent risk of testosterone deficiency are conflicting. To systematically evaluate and estimate the risk of testosterone deficiency (TD) in TGCC‐patients according to treatment to optimize follow‐up and for prevention of late effects related to hypogonadism. We performed a critical review of PubMed in January 2015 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis (PRISMA) statement. Twelve publications were selected for inclusion in this analysis. Eleven studies evaluated the risk of TD in TGCC‐patients treated with standard chemotherapy (CT) and the odds ratio for TD was 1.8 (95% CI) (1.3–2.5), (p = 0.0007). Seven studies evaluated the risk of TD in TGCC‐patients treated with non‐conventional therapy and the odds ratio for TD was 3.1 (95% CI) (2.0–4.8), (p < 0.0001). Six studies evaluated the risk of TD in TGCC‐patients treated with infradiaphragmatic radiotherapy (RT), and the odds ratio for TD was 1.6 (95% CI) (1.0–2.4), (p = 0.03). In all treatment groups the risk of TD was compared with TGCC‐patients treated with orchiectomy alone. There was no indication of heterogeneity between studies in the three treatment groups. Strong evidence exists that standard CT, non‐conventional therapy and infradiaphragmatic RT are associated with an increased risk of TD in TGCC‐patients when compared with orchiectomy alone. The risk of testosterone defficiency appears to be highest in patients treated with non‐conventional therapy.