bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ancora sulla fortuna del Tirantin Italia
Authors: Concina Chiara 
Published: December 2015

The fortune of Martorell’s Tirant lo Blanch in Italy is characterized by the early interest for this novel expressed since the beginning of the sixteenth century. The documentation on this subject, consisting mainly of letters, shows in particular the early attention of Isabella d’Este for the novel, as witnessed by the letters of the Marquise mentioning the Catalan Tirant, and by the presence of two copies of this text in the inventory drawn up after her death. Furthermore, the first Italian translation of Tirant, written by Lelio Manfredi between 1515 and 1519 (and printed posthumously in Venice in 1538), was made for Federico II Gonzaga. Once provided a summary on the genesis of this translation (as it can be reconstructed on the basis of the information provided by Manfredi’s correspondence with the court of Mantua), the paper focuses on some specific aspects of the text, studied in relation to its Catalan source. The analysis confirms once again what has been observed by previous scholarship, i.e. the extreme stylistic care paid by the author in transferring Martorell’s text into Italian.
In silicoidentification of metabolic enzyme drug targets inBurkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Challacombe Jean F. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe intracellular pathogenBurkholderia pseudomallei,which is endemic to parts of southeast Asia and northern Australia, causes the disease melioidosis. Although acute infections can be treated with antibiotics, melioidosis is difficult to cure, and some patients develop chronic infections or a recrudescence of the disease months or years after treatment of the initial infection.B. pseudomalleistrains have a high level of natural resistance to a variety of antibiotics, and with limited options for new antibiotics on the horizon, new alternatives are needed. The aim of the present study was to characterize the metabolic capabilities ofB. pseudomallei, identify metabolites crucial for pathogen survival, understand the metabolic interactions that occur between pathogen and host cells, and determine if metabolic enzymes produced by the pathogen might be potential antibacterial targets. This aim was accomplished through genome scale metabolic modeling under different external conditions: 1) including all nutrients that could be consumed by the model, and 2) providing only the nutrients available in culture media. Using this approach, candidate chokepoint enzymes were identified, then knocked outin silicounder the different nutrient conditions. The effect of each knockout on the metabolic network was examined. When five of the candidate chokepoints were knocked outin silico, the flux through theB. pseudomalleinetwork was decreased, depending on the nutrient conditions. These results demonstrate the utility of genome-scale metabolic modeling methods for drug target identification inB. pseudomallei.
Predicting intentions to purchase organic food: the moderating effects of organic food prices
Authors: Liang Rong-Da 
Published: December 2015

Purpose– Organic food represents the fastest growing sector in the food market, with outstanding performance in both production and sales. However, existing studies on organic food have lacked a strong theoretical foundation. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships among purchase intention and the properties, certification mechanisms, retail channels, and prices of organic food from multiple theoretical perspectives.Design/methodology/approach– Using a rigorous sampling design, 507 valid questionnaires collected from consumers at four well-known organic food markets, and the hypotheses were tested based on a linear structural equation model.Findings– The results of the structural equation model analysis showed the following: consumer attitudes toward organic food labeling/certification institutions had a positive impact on the trust in food labeling; channel dependence positively influenced the relational embeddedness in a channel; the effect of the nutritional value of organic food on environmental protection also had a positive impact on attitudes toward organic foods; attitudes toward trust in the organic label, relational embeddedness in a channel, and attitudes toward organic foods had a positive impact on consumer purchase intentions; and in relation to low-price scenarios, consumers required more confidence to purchase higher-priced goods, meaning that the relational embeddedness in a channel exerted more influence on purchase intentions. By contrast, compared to the high-price scenarios, consumers tended to choose lower priced goods based on personal preferences, e.g., making the purchase decision based on trust in the organic label and attitudes toward organic food.Originality/value– The contributions of this study include the following: the relationships among the variables were investigated comprehensively from multiple theoretical perspectives; and the results can help the government and the organic food industry to understand their respective responsibilities in promoting organic food to reduce the waste of resources, in which the government can provide basic information on organic food, e.g., a certification mechanism and related definitions, while the organic food industry provides specific knowledge about organic foods, e.g., product features.
Creative leadership for workplace innovation: an applied SAP-LAP framework
Authors: Ghosh Koustab 
Published: December 2015

Purpose
– The main focus of this paper is to apply the SAP-LAP model for developing creative leadership.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper was developed by drawing inputs from the previous scholarly works and applying the SAP-LAP model by the author in the context of creative leadership development.

Findings
– The paper offers a workable solution that can be suitably adopted by the organizations to transform the performing managers or executives to creative leaders in their respective domains.

Originality/value
– This paper suggests that the SAP-LAP model is underrepresented in previous studies conducted in the area.
Reflection and the object of learning
Authors: Olteanu Constanta 
Published: December 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to present a model for supporting and increasing teachers’ reflection process.

Design/methodology/approach
– The model is grounded in two concepts from variation theory: critical aspects and dimensions of variation. Those concepts are related to the concepts of reflection in-, on- and for-action. Analysis of data allows for determination of what kind of reflection is used in teachers’ professional development (PD) and the teachers’ perceptions of the relevance and usefulness of the PD.

Findings
– The results show that, using the concepts of critical aspects and dimensions of variation, teachers practiced reflection in-, on- and for-action in a non-dualistic way.

Practical implications
– The preliminary results confirm that the teachers change their behaviours, through reflection processes, if they have the opportunity to focus on the object of learning and to use research results found in mathematics education in order to open up dimensions of variation in the identified critical aspects.

Social implications
– The design of algebra modules, according to concepts from variation theory and the reflection process, is the main result of this study. The model used in creating the modules has the potential for supporting and increasing teachers’ reflection process.

Originality/value
– A conceptual model of work practice evolution is proposed. The model is conceived as an intermediary between models of reflection, action at work and models of organisational teaching in the classroom. It considers work practices as evolving through confrontations between critical aspects, action in context, reflections in-, on- and for-action. The author advocate that the use of the presented methodology is not only inevitable but also vital to improve teachers’ PD.
A participatory approach to Lesson Study in higher education
Authors: Wood Phil , Cajkler Wasyl 
Published: December 2015

Purpose– This Higher Education Academy funded study explored learning challenges faced by international students early in their post-graduate courses through the use of Participatory Lesson Study (PLS). The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approach– Two approaches to PLS were explored. Students were interviewed after “research lesson seminars” about their learning experiences; before two seminars, groups of students participated in planning meetings to inform preparation of seminar content and activities.Findings– Results suggest that PLS encourages a deep consideration of pedagogy by lecturers. Observation of student learning and post-seminar interviews highlighted the complex nature of the learning that unfolds during seminars. In some cases, student explanation of learning was dissonant with observations.Research limitations/implications– This was a small-scale project which cannot offer generalised implications for practice. However, it should act as a starting point to develop PLS on a larger scale and in other pedagogic contexts.Practical implications– This project led to reassessment of lecturers’ pedagogic assumptions and to development of new approaches. Thematic analysis of pre- and post-seminar student responses highlighted several important issues: variation in approaches to participation in seminars, variable use of technologies to support learning, importance of differentiation for learning and task-types preferred by learners.Originality/value– Results suggest that PLS facilitates the study of learning in higher education and the development of pedagogy, informed by and responsive to the needs of international students. As such, it has the potential to support any tutors working in higher education, whilst having wider, general utility to other groups approaching the development of pedagogy through Lesson Study.
Potentials and limitations of peer-learning in small groups with respect to the homogenisation of heterogeneous learning collectives
Authors: Pranger Florian 
Published: December 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to test peer-learning in small groups as a didactic method with respect to its effectiveness in homogenising initially heterogeneous learning collectives.Design/methodology/approach– The study is based on two sets of data collection (before and after the application of the tested method). The data collection tools were student self-assessment and student observation by a third person.Findings– Peer-learning and group work foster the establishment of self-confidence and activity among students (in particular among initially less active and less qualified students). Consequently, the teaching and learning atmosphere improves. In the long run, this effect fosters a homogenisation of initially inhomogeneous levels of qualification/competence at a high level.Research limitations/implications– There was no control group, hence the results are to be understood as tendencies rather than robust scientific findings. Nevertheless, the tendencies are clear and unambiguous.Practical implications– Peer-learning can be used as a simple didactic method in order to prevent frustration by mental over or underload in strongly heterogeneous learning collectives.Originality/value– This case study is the first work of its kind to assess the effectiveness of peer-learning with respect to the homogenisation of initially heterogeneous learning collectives.
First-generation immigrants feel socially excluded and have greater pro-violence attitudes than the native population in England and Wales
Authors: Bui Laura , Farrington David P 
Published: December 2015

Purpose– Studies examining immigrant generational status and violence have supported differences in the prevalence of violence between these groups. The purpose of this paper is to measure relevant risk factors for violence to focus on whether negative perceptions may contribute to understanding the between-generations differences in violence. Based on the literature, it is theorised that pro-violence attitudes would be related to and be higher in second-generation immigrants than first-generation immigrants, and that negative perceptions would mediate the relationship between pro-violence attitudes and violence.Design/methodology/approach– Data to answer the study’s key questions were taken from the 2010-2011 UK citizenship survey, where only the main sample was analysed.Findings– The findings reveal that first-generation immigrants have a higher prevalence of pro-violence attitudes than the native population.Originality/value– This suggests that there is an intergenerational transmission in violent attitudes, and this is a risk factor for actual violence in second-generation immigrants.
Budgeting in Times of Economic Crisis
Authors: Becker Sebastian D. , Mahlendorf Matthias D. , Schäffer Utz , Thaten Mario 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis article examines how corporate reliance on budgets is affected by major changes in the economic environment. We combine survey and archival data from the economic crisis that began in 2008. The results indicate that budgeting became more important for planning and resource allocation but less important for performance evaluation in companies affected more strongly by the 2008 economic crisis. Additional evidence from interviews and data gathered in a focus group further illustrate these results and show the changes organizations have introduced to respond to the economic crisis. Taken together, and contrary to more general conclusions from the literature such as an overall increase or decrease in the importance of budgeting, we find that companies emphasize certain budgeting functions over others during economic crises.
Hepatic artery embolization in advanced neuroendocrine tumors: Efficacy and long‐term outcomes
Authors: Pericleous Marinos , Caplin Martyn E , Tsochatzis Emmanuel , Yu Dominic , Morgan‐Rowe Luke , Toumpanakis Christos 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIntroductionTransarterial embolization (TAE) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) are established treatments for symptom control in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) with significant hepatic tumor burden.AimTo assess efficacy, toxicity and survival parameters in NET patients undergoing TAE and TACE.Materials and MethodsA retrospective analysis was carried out of 50 patients with NETs, who underwent a total of 67 embolization procedures in a period of 9 years. All patients had symptomatic and/or radiological progression, despite previous treatments.ResultsSymptomatic improvement was observed in 75% of patients who underwent TAE and 57% of patients who had TACE (P = 0.36). Radiological response was observed following 73% of embolization treatments delivered and specifically in 82% of all TAE and 62% of all TACE procedures (P = 0.46). Plasma Chromogranin A (CgA) levels were reduced in 65% of the patients following embolization. Patients with increasing serum CgA levels after treatment had reduced median overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) (P = 0.0001). Patients on somatostatin analogs (SSAs) at the time of treatment had improved OS (P = 0.013), but not PFS (P = 0.216). Overall, the differences in OS (P = 0.21) and PFS (P = 0.19) between one mode of treatment over the other were not found to be statistically significant. One‐ and 5‐year OS were 65% and 41% for TACE and 90% and 57% for TAE, respectively. The commonest complication was postembolization syndrome and mortality was 4%. Overall, the complication (P = 0.18) and mortality rates (P = 0.22) were not significantly different between TAE and TACE.ConclusionsTAE/TACE are beneficial treatments for control of symptoms as well as tumor growth, with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. No significant efficacy and survival differences were shown between TAE and TACE. Posttreatment CgA levels and the concurrent use of SSAs were independently associated with survival.
Comparison between alcohol‐ and hepatitis C virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma: clinical presentation, treatment and outcome
Authors: Bucci L. , Garuti F. , Camelli V. , Lenzi B. , Farinati F. , Giannini E. G. , Ciccarese F. , Piscaglia F. , Rapaccini G. L. , Di Marco M. , Caturelli E. , Zoli M. , Borzio F. , Sacco R. , Maida M. , Felder M. , Morisco F. , Gasbarrini A. , Gemini S. , Foschi F. G. , Missale G. , Masotto A. , Affronti A. , Bernardi M. , Trevisani F. ,   the Italian Liver Cancer (ITA.LI.CA) Group
Published: December 2015

SummaryBackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcohol abuse are the main risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Western countries.AimTo investigate the role of alcoholic aetiology on clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of HCC as well as on each Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage, as compared to HCV‐related HCCs.MethodsA total of 1642 HCV and 573 alcoholic patients from the Italian Liver Cancer (ITA.LI.CA) database, diagnosed with HCC between January 2000 and December 2012 were compared for age, gender, type of diagnosis, tumour burden, portal vein thrombosis (PVT), oesophageal varices, liver function tests, alpha‐fetoprotein, BCLC, treatment and survival. Aetiology was tested as predictor of survival in multivariate Cox regression models and according to HCC stages.ResultsCirrhosis was present in 96% of cases in both groups. Alcoholic patients were younger, more likely male, with HCC diagnosed outside surveillance, in intermediate/terminal BCLC stage and had worse liver function. After adjustment for the lead‐time, median (95% CI) overall survival (OS) was 27.4 months (21.5–33.2) in alcoholic and 33.6 months (30.7–36.5) in HCV patients (P = 0.021). The prognostic role of aetiology disappeared when survival was assessed in each BCLC stage and in the Cox regression multivariate models.ConclusionsAlcoholic aetiology affects survival of HCC patients through its negative effects on secondary prevention and cancer presentation but not through a greater cancer aggressiveness or worse treatment result. In fact, survival adjusted for confounding factors was similar in alcoholic and HCV patients.
Alveolar ridge dimensional changes following ridge preservation procedure usingSocketKAP™: exploratory study of serial cone‐beam computed tomography and histologic analysis in canine model
Authors: Ryu Kyung‐Ho , Min Seiko , You Hyung‐Keun , Sin Yeon‐Woo , Lee Wan , Lee Jun , Kiss Alex , Almohaimeed Mohammad , Zadeh Homayoun H. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of this pilot study was to examine the kinetics of alterations in alveolar ridge width and height following tooth extraction with and without ridge preservation, using anorganic bovine bone mineral (ABBM) and a novel device (SocketKAP™) designed for obturation of socket orifice.Materials and methodsMaxillary left and rightPM1 and mandibular rightPM2 andPM4 were extracted on six beagle dogs and treated as follows:Group A: negative control;Group B:SocketKAP™alone;Group C:ABBM + SocketKAP™.Serial cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) was taken at 0‐, 1‐, 2‐, 4‐, 8‐ and 12‐week intervals to calculate the rate of alveolar bone loss, followed by histologic and histomorphometric analyses at 12 weeks. Across group outcomes were compared.ResultsWithout additional intervention, the crestal‐most 3 mm of alveolar bone width lost approximately 0.21–0.28 mm per week. The rate of alveolar buccal bone height loss was 0.19 mm per week. Comparatively, in group C, the alveolar bone was relatively stable, with loss of only 0.003–0.13 mm of width and 0.12 mm of height per week. These differences were statistically significant. The alveolar bone in sites treated bySocketKAP™alone was significantly different from control only at select time points and locations of the ridge, presumably due to small sample size.ConclusionWithout additional intervention, tooth extraction was accompanied by rapid loss of alveolar ridge width and height. Applications ofSocketKAP™andABBMwere effective in reducing alveolar crestal width and height loss following tooth extraction.
Interventional therapy in sarcoidosis‐associated pulmonary arterial stenosis and pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Liu Lingli , Xu Jian , Zhang Yuhai , Fang Liying , Chai Yaqin , Niu Mengjie , Li Shengqing 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundsPulmonary sarcoidosis is often complicated by pulmonary hypertension, a complication that is associated with increased disability and mortality. To this point, however, little progress has been made in the treatment of sarcoidosis associated with pulmonary hypertension (SAPH).MethodsA prospective study was performed on 72 consecutive Chinese sarcoidosis patients followed at an outpatient clinic. The patients were evaluated by Doppler echocardiography and computed tomography pulmonary angiography. SAPH was confirmed by right heart catheterisation. The clinical parameters were compared before and 2 months after treatment with oral glucocorticoids. Eight stage III and IV patients with moderate to severe proximal pulmonary arterial stenosis (PAS) and SAPH underwent interventional therapy (IT) after prednisone treatment and were followed up at 3‐month intervals.ResultsAfter 2 months of prednisone treatment, 32 stage III and IV patients continued to display varying degrees of PAS and SAPH. Eight patients underwent IT without severe complications and made improvements in pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, arterial oxygen saturation and WHO functional classification, with the improvements lasting more than 3 months.ConclusionsPAS caused by external compression in sarcoidosis is a significant reason for SAPH. IT is effective and safe in the treatment of PAS and SAPH.
Antioxidant nutrients in plasma of Japanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma‐COPD overlap syndrome and bronchial asthma
Authors: Kodama Yuzo , Kishimoto Yuki , Muramatsu Yoko , Tatebe Junko , Yamamoto Yu , Hirota Nao , Itoigawa Yukinari , Atsuta Ryo , Koike Kengo , Sato Tadashi , Aizawa Koich , Takahashi Kazuhisa , Morita Toshisuke , Homma Sakae , Seyama Kuniaki , Ishigami Akihito 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBackgroundFew studies to date have investigated the antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (α‐tocopherol), retinol and carotenoids in plasma from patients with pulmonary disease in Japan. To clarify the role of antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, retinol and various carotenoids in plasma of Japanese patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD), asthma‐COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) and/or bronchial asthma (BA), we compared to healthy elderly controls.MethodsAscorbic acid (AA), carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, β‐cryptoxanthin, α‐carotene, β‐carotene and lycopene), retinol and α‐tocopherol levels in plasma were determined by using a high performance liquid chromatography. Reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidised glutathione (GSSG) in whole blood and urinary 8‐OHdG were also determined.ResultsPlasma AA level of COPD subjects was significantly lower than that of healthy elderly people. Conversely, ACOS and BA subjects showed no significant difference from healthy elderly people. Moreover, plasma lycopene and total carotenoid levels and GSH content in blood were significantly lower in COPD subjects than these in healthy elderly people. However, other redox markers such as GSSG, GSH/GSSG ratio and urinary 8‐OHdG found no significant differences between COPD, ACOS and BA compared to healthy elderly people.ConclusionsThese results suggested that COPD of Japanese patients may develop partly because of oxidative stress derived from a shortage of antioxidant nutrients, especially of AA and lycopene, as well as GSH while this may not be the case in both ACOS and BA.