bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Dynamics of Currency, Savings, and Investment Rates
Authors: Ayadi Mohamed A. , Ben Omrane Walid , Lazrak Skander , Yang Jie 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis paper examines the dynamic relations among foreign exchange rates, savings, and investment ratio for a sample of 25 countries from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. We find that the savings rate and the investment rate are cointegrated of order (1, −1). This result is consistent with the literature on the savings–investment relations and therefore confirms the validity of the Feldstein–Horioka puzzle. Using country‐specific and longitudinal panel vector autoregressive models, we show that historical savings–investment differentials do not help explain foreign exchange rates. We demonstrate, however, that foreign exchange rates and trade balance ratio impact the difference between savings and investments. Specifically, depreciation in the domestic currency would cause the savings–investment difference to widen.
Supplier Selection Strategies
Authors: Soukup William R. 
Published: June 2017

The supplier selection decision can often be handled in a relatively routine fashion, either because there is little likelihood of the buyer's making an error, or because an error would not seriously impact performance. Under certain conditions, however, there is a relatively high probability that an inappropriate supplier will be selected and that such an error will adversely affect the buyer.When the assumptions on which purchase order requirements are based prove faulty, it may be necessary to change quantities, delivery rates, design specifications, or other important terms of the contract. Even though the selected supplier was best able to meet the terms of the original purchase order, it may not be the best choice for the modified contract.This article presents a methodology for analyzing such situations, for developing and explicitly specifying alternative supplier selection strategies, and for implementing those strategies.
Personal Factors In the Purchasing/Engineering Interface
Authors: Anklesaria J. , Burt David N. 
Published: June 2017

The relationship between buyers and design engineers during the development of a new product exerts a strong influence on the finished product's quality and, hence, its ability to achieve market share. Equally important is the impact this relationship has on the product's cost and its contribution to a firm's profit. There is a widely held belief that a buyer's technical knowledge and “people skills” play a key role in the success of this purchasing‐engineering interface.This article investigates personal characteristics and experiences of buyers who interface with design engineering personnel in an effort to identify variables that correlate with successful relations. The results of the study should assist purchasing managers in selecting and developing appropriate training for individuals who have the potential to interface successfully with design personnel.
Determining Performance Appraisal Criteria For Buyers
Authors: Hendrick Thomas E. , Ruch William A. 
Published: June 2017

To address the question, How do you measure buyer performance?, this study produces an operationally straightforward approach for determining performance appraisal criteria for buyers. Criteria preferences captured from suppliers, internal customers of buyers, procurement managers, and buyers themselves are combined into a set of weighted performance criteria.The approach is used in a Fortune 500 electronics manufacturer and proves to be effective and efficient in generating relevant performance criteria. While the results are specific to this organization, they provide insight into the development of a more generic set of performance appraisal criteria for buyers in any organization. Further, the approach is believed to be applicable for determining performance appraisal criteria for other knowledge workers in internal service functions of the organization.
The Myth of the Cooperative Single Source
Authors: Ramsay John 
Published: June 2017

This article examines the nature of Japanese subcontracting practices and compares them in detail with equivalent behavior in the West. The contrast is made between the multi‐sourced, adversarial relationships typical in Western subcontracting relationships and the cooperative single‐sourced approach favored by Japanese industry.Particular attention is paid to the supposedly common Japanese practice of awarding long‐term contracts to single sources. It is argued that although this practice is indeed prevalent in the Japanese auto industry, the nature of the relationship between buyer and supplier is frequently less than cooperative. The argument is advanced that this interpretation of trading relationships stems from a misinterpretation of events in two radically different cultures. It is suggested that many apparently cooperative, egalitarian relationships in Japan are actually deals made between unequals, with the buyers wielding huge amounts of power over their single sources.The article concludes with a warning about the dangers of making direct international transfers of poorly understood business practices.
Ethical Practices in Purchasing
Authors: Forker Laura B. , Janson Robert L. 
Published: June 2017

Uncertainty about what constitutes ethical conduct has increased markedly for purchasing people in recent years. This article reports the results of a study that was conducted jointly by Ernst & Whinney and NAPM's Center for Advanced Purchasing Studies, with support from Purchasing World magazine. Thirty‐nine states, the District of Columbia, and Canada were represented among the survey respondents. The questionnaire utilized in the study requested detailed information in the following areas: (1) ethical practices, (2) buying experience, (3) acceptance of favors, (4) narrative comments, (5) organizational profile, and (6) personal data about the respondent. The results of the study were compared with those from a similar regional study conducted in 1975 by Ernst & Whinney and also with the results of a 1978 purchasing ethics study conducted by the Illionis Institute of Technology.The current study indicates that the vast majority of purchasing personnel conduct their business affairs in an ethical manner; however, they do not agree on how ethical standards can be enforced. Adoption of a formal ethics policy is considered helpful in preventing dubious practices, but respondents report that today top management is issuing fewer policy statements concerning ethical standards of conduct than it did twelve years ago.
Accepting Soviet Goods in Countertrade: Problems with Product Quality
Authors: Forker Laura B. 
Published: June 2017

Since the collapse of world oil prices in January 1986, and Mr. Gorbachev's subsequent call on Soviet enterprises to increase exports of “high value‐added manufactured goods” to decrease the country's dependence on oil for export earnings, pressures on Western trading partners to engage in countertrade have multiplied. Countertrade is one or more transactions involving the payment for materials purchased with other goods. Payment can be made either completely with products or commodities, or partially with products/commodities and partially with cash.A key consideration for Western companies countertrading with the Soviets is the usability or the salability of the goods they receive in exchange. This article examines various considerations in the evaluation of Soviet product quality. The impacts on product quality generated by the Soviet Union's centrally planned economy, its foreign trade system, and its quality control system are explored and evaluated. The emerging importance of countertrade in Soviet foreign trade is also discussed. Finally, some predictions regarding the future of Soviet product quality and the implications for Western firms accepting Soviet goods in countertrade are offered.
The late‐Holocene decline of Tilia in relation to climate and human activities – pollen evidence from 42 sites in southern Sweden
Authors: Hultberg Tove , Lagerås Per , Björkman Leif , Sköld Eva , Jacobson George L , Hedwall Per‐Ola , Lindbladh Matts 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAimThe dominant role of Tilia in primeval forests of Scandinavia has long been recognized, but the timing and mechanisms for its decline have not been completely unravelled. A particular uncertainty involves the balance between climate and human activities as the drivers of the change. One reason for the uncertainty is the challenge in evaluating the past cover of the genus owing to its poorly dispersed pollen; another is that a multi‐site study would be required to trace subregional differences. To overcome these obstacles, we here apply two different analytical methods to pollen data from 42 sites in two distinct vegetation zones of Sweden.LocationTemperate and hemi‐boreal vegetation zones of southern Sweden.MethodsGeneralized additive mixed models (GAMM) were used to model the development of Tilia and cereal pollen percentages over time. Twelve sites were used for reconstruction of local cover of Tilia using the landscape reconstruction algorithm (LRA).ResultsBefore 4000 cal. bp the Tilia mean pollen percentages were similar in the two vegetation zones. Thereafter, values in the hemi‐boreal zone declined, with less Tilia since around 3000 cal. bp. In contrast, Tilia did not decrease in the temperate zone until this past millennium. The LRA application revealed that in some forests a large cover of Tilia remained considerably longer than has traditionally been estimated by pollen percentages alone.Main conclusionsBy using a large coherent dataset we found significant differences in how the abundance and distribution of Tilia changed through time between two adjacent vegetation zones. We interpret the initial decline in the northern hemi‐boreal zone to be driven by cooling climate, and the later decline in the southern temperate zone to be driven more by human land‐use.
Safety and feasibility of percutaneous skin closure using purse‐string suture compared with compression bandage after pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Akkaya Ersan , Berkowitsch Alexander , Zaltsberg Sergej , Deubner Nikolas , Greiss Harald , Hain Andreas , Hamm Christian W. , Sperzel Johannes , Neumann Thomas , Kuniss Malte 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIntroductionThis observational study was designed to analyze the safety and feasibility of percutaneous skin closure using a purse‐string suture and compare it with the use of a compression bandage after pulmonary vein isolation.Methods and resultsA total of 407 patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (217 with radiofrequency and 190 with cryoballoon ablation) were treated with either purse‐string sutures or compression bandages. The purse‐string suture was applied after ablation before withdrawal of the sheaths. Patients were on bed rest for 6 hours prior to suture removal, which was accomplished 18–24 h after ablation. The compression bandage was applied after sheath withdrawal and was removed after 12 hours of bed rest. We analyzed the occurrence of any vascular or thromboembolic complication as well as hospital costs and hospital stay length after ablation.The incidence of vascular complications after compression bandage was higher than after purse‐string suture in the cryoballoon and radiofrequency group (P < 0.05, respectively). The hospital costs were lower and hospital stay was shorter in both radiofrequency (4.921 ± 3.145 vs. 5.802 ± 4.006 Euro; 2.34 ± 1.32 vs. 2.98 ± 1.57 days, P < 0.05) and cryoballoon groups (4.705 ± 3.091 vs. 5.661 ± 3.563 Euro; 2.14 ± 1.37 vs. 2.61 ± 1.55 days, P < 0.05) in patients treated with a purse‐string suture.ConclusionsPercutaneous skin closure with a purse‐string suture has the clinical impact to reduce vascular complications, hospital costs, and hospital stay length after pulmonary vein isolation.
Polydatin alleviated radiation‐induced lung injury through activation of Sirt3 and inhibition of epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Cao Kun , Lei Xiao , Liu Hu , Zhao Hainan , Guo Jiaming , Chen Yuanyuan , Xu Yang , Cheng Ying , Liu Cong , Cui Jianguo , Li Bailong , Cai Jianming , Gao Fu , Yang Yanyong 
Published: June 2017

AbstractRadiation‐induced lung injury (RILI) is one of the most common and fatal complications of thoracic radiotherapy. It is characterized with two main features including early radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis in later phase. This study was to investigate the potential radioprotective effects of polydatin (PD), which was shown to exert anti‐inflammation and anti‐oxidative capacities in other diseases. In this study, we demonstrated that PD‐mitigated acute inflammation and late fibrosis caused by irradiation. PD treatment inhibited TGF‐β1‐Smad3 signalling pathway and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Moreover, radiation‐induced imbalance of Th1/Th2 was also alleviated by PD treatment. Besides its free radical scavenging capacity, PD induced a huge increase of Sirt3 in culture cells and lung tissues. The level of Nrf2 and PGC1α in lung tissues was also elevated. In conclusion, our data showed that PD attenuated radiation‐induced lung injury through inhibiting epithelial–mesenchymal transition and increased the expression of Sirt3, suggesting PD as a novel potential radioprotector for RILI.
Satisfaction of mountain guides with high sun protection as a tool to prevent non‐melanoma skin cancer
Authors: Tizek L. , Krause J. , Biedermann T. , Zink A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundNon‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is an occupational disease for outdoor workers in Germany since 2015. Sustainable prevention is demanded and sunscreen promoted as an effective tool. However, studies on the satisfaction of sunscreen users are rare.ObjectiveTo evaluate the satisfaction of mountain guides using a high SPF sunscreen product as an appropriate prevention tool for mountain guides.MethodsMotivating mountain and ski guides in Germany to use very high protection sunscreen (SPF50+, Actinica Lotion) during a 4‐ to 8‐h workday followed by the completion of a self‐filled paper‐based questionnaire about their experience and satisfaction with the product.ResultsOf 88 mountain and ski guides (61 men, 27 women) included in the study, 61.4% reported regular sunscreen use with the application of very high protection (SPF50+) in 18.6% of all cases. At the end of the workday, 78.6% found the product convenient and easy to include into their daily work and 79.3% felt sufficiently protected against the sun.ConclusionOverall satisfaction with the use of high SPF products during work is high in mountain and ski guides and could be an effective tool in prevention campaigns.
Discovery and characterization of two novel CB1 receptor splice variants with modified N‐termini in mouse
Authors: Ruehle Sabine , Wager‐Miller James , Straiker Alex , Farnsworth Jill , Murphy Michelle N. , Loch Sebastian , Monory Krisztina , Mackie Ken , Lutz Beat 
Published: June 2017

AbstractNumerous studies have been carried out in the mouse model, investigating the role of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1). However, mouse CB1 (mCB1) receptor differs from human CB1 (hCB1) receptor in 13 amino acid residues. Two splice variants, hCB1a and hCB1b, diverging in their amino‐termini, have been reported to be unique for hCB1 and, via different signaling properties, contribute to CB1 receptor physiology and pathophysiology. We hypothesized that splice variants also exist for the mCB1 receptor and have different signaling properties. On murine hippocampal cDNA, we identified two novel mCB1 receptor splice variants generated by splicing of introns with 117 bp and 186 bp in the N‐terminal domain, corresponding to deletions of 39 or 62 amino acids, respectively. The mRNAs for the splice variants mCB1a and mCB1b are expressed at low levels in different brain regions. Western blot analysis of protein extracts from stably transfected HEK293 cells indicates a strongly reduced glycosylation because of the absence of two glycosylation sites in mCB1b. On‐cell western analysis in these stable lines revealed increased internalization of mCB1a and mCB1b upon stimulation with the agonist WIN55,212‐2 as compared to mCB1. Results also point toward an increased affinity to SR141716 for mCB1a, as well as slightly enhanced inhibition of neurotransmission compared to mCB1. In mCB1b, agonist‐induced MAPK phosphorylation was decreased compared to mCB1 and mCB1a. Identification of mouse CB1 receptor splice variants may help to explain differences found between human and mouse endocannabinoid systems and improve the understanding of CB1 receptor signaling and trafficking in different species.
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Bullying and quality of life in children and adolescents with food allergy
Authors: Fong Andrew T , Katelaris Constance H , Wainstein Brynn 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFood allergy is an increasing phenomenon in Australia, with most recent reports of food allergy occurring in 1 in 12 children. A number of studies have demonstrated that children and adolescents with food allergies experience a decreased quality of life across a number of domains. More recent evidence suggests that this population also experiences an increased occurrence of bullying compared to similar school‐aged children. Some individuals have reported being bullied because of their allergies, whilst others have reported specific allergy‐related‐bullying, such as being touched with foods that they are allergic to or having their food being intentionally contaminated with an allergen. Where there may be a risk of severe anaphylaxis, this is of great concern. This article reviews the current literature on bullying in populations of children and adolescents with food allergies. Several papers worldwide have investigated this, providing evidence of its occurrence in North America, Canada, Italy and Japan.
Effect of cereal straw and alfalfa hay diet on amino acid profile of gastrointestinal digesta in lactating dairy cows
Authors: Wang B. , Tu Y. , Jiang L. S. , Liu J. X. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryThis study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing alfalfa hay with rice straw (RS) or corn stover (CS) on amino acid (AA) profiles of gastrointestinal digesta in lactating cows. Eighteen lactating dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 6) and fed identical concentrate and corn silage with different forages on dry matter basis: (i) 23% alfalfa hay and 7% Chinese wild rye hay (AH); (ii) 30% CS; and (iii) 30%RS. After the 14‐week feeding, a total of 18 cows were slaughtered to collect digesta from four representative organs, including rumen, omasum, duodenum and jejunum. TheAAprofiles of ruminal microbial fraction were similar among the treatments, except for greater Arg in cows fedRSthan in cows fedAHorCS. Most of the analysedAAchanged under different diets. Significant differences were found among the microbial fraction, rumen fluid and rumen digesta, with greater essentialAAin digesta than in microbial fraction or rumen fluid and greater essentialAAin microbial fraction than rumen fluid. Significant differences in individualAAprofiles of digesta and relevant fluid were found across the four representative digestive tract parts, including rumen, omasum, duodenum and jejunum, showing much lower Leu proportion inCSandRSthan inAHin duodenal fluid. In summary, ruminal microbes may prefer using essentialAA, rather than non‐essentialAA. TheAAprofile of ruminal microbes was constant except for Arg. TheAAcomposition of digesta across the four digestive tracts changed dramatically, which indicated differences in the ability and efficiency ofAAabsorption. The lower duodenum absorbable Leu proportion in cows fed CS or RS indicated the shortage of Leu in CS or RS diets, which might also restrict the balancedAAabsorption.
Effects of dietary red yeast (Sporidiobolus pararoseus) on production performance and egg quality of laying hens
Authors: Tapingkae W. , Panyachai K. , Yachai M. , Doan H. V. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary red yeast (Sporidiobolus pararoseus) on production performance and egg quality of laying hens. A total of 200 Esa Brown laying hens (23 weeks of age) were allocated equally to negative control group (no yeast supplement); positive control group (2 g/kg of Saccharomyces cerevisiae); 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg red yeast respectively. The experiment was lasted for 12 weeks. Feed intake, hen‐day egg production and egg weight were not different between control and supplemented groups. However, yeast‐supplemented groups were significantly improved feed efficiency (p < .05). Incremental levels of red yeast increased the colour score of egg yolk (p < .05). The cholesterol and triglyceride of serum and yolk were significantly (p < .05) lower in the laying hens fed dietary administration red yeast compared to the control diet; however, no significant (p > .05) differences among yeast‐supplemented groups were observed. The hepatic hydroxymethylglutaryl‐coenzymeA (HMG‐CoA) reductase activity was significantly lower (p < .05) in the 2 g/kg red yeast‐supplemented group compared to the control and other red yeast‐supplemented groups. Concentrations of caecal short‐chain fatty acids was increased (p < .05) in laying hens fed 1 and 2 g/kg red yeast as compared to the control group. Dietary administration of 2 g/kg red yeast (S. pararoceus) significantly improved egg yolk colour, decrease serum and egg yolk cholesterol levels.
Effects of dissolved carbon dioxide on the integrity of the rumen epithelium: An agent in the development of ruminal acidosis
Authors: Rackwitz R. , Gäbel G. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryThe carbon dioxide released and dissolved in rumen fluid may easily permeate across the epithelial cell membrane. Thus, we hypothesized thatCO2may act as proton carrier and induce epithelial damage under acidotic conditions. Ovine ruminal epithelia were mounted in Ussing chambers under short‐circuit conditions. The serosal buffer solution had a constantpHof 7.4 and was gassed either with 100% oxygen or with carbogen (95% O2/5%CO2). The mucosal solution was gassed with either 100% oxygen or 100% carbon dioxide. The mucosalpHwas lowered stepwise from 6.6 to 5.0 in the presence or absence of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA). The transepithelial conductance (Gt) as an indicator of epithelial integrity and the short‐circuit current (Isc) as an indicator of active electrogenic ion transfer were continuously monitored. At an initial mucosalpHof 6.6, there was no significant difference in Gtbetween the treatment groups. In the absence of bothSCFAandCO2, Gtremained constant when the mucosal solution was acidified topH5.0. In the presence ofSCFA, mucosal acidification induced a significant rise in Gtwhen the solutions were gassed with oxygen. A small increase in Gtwas observed in the mucosal presence ofCO2. However, no difference in final Gtwas observed betweenSCFA‐containing andSCFA‐free conditions under carbon dioxide gassing during stepwise mucosal acidification. TheSCFA+proton‐induced increase in Gtcould also be minimized by serosal gassing with carbogen. Because of theSCFA+proton‐induced changes in Gtand their attenuation byCO2, a protective role for mucosally available carbon dioxide may be assumed. We suggest that this effect may be due to the intraepithelial conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate. However, the serosal presence ofCO2at a physiological concentration may be sufficient to protect the epithelia fromSCFA+proton‐induced damage for a certain period of time.