bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Benchmarking Firm-level Resources, Capabilities, and Postures Driving Export Performance of SMEs
Authors: Celec Robert , Globocnik Dietfried 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
This paper aimed to identify success factors of export performance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Drawing on the resource-based view, the dynamic capability view, and international entrepreneurship theory, we extracted relevant assets, capabilities, and postures at the firm level. An extended benchmarking method was applied to empirically test the proposed success factors with a cross-sectional sample of 99 Slovenian SMEs. The results highlight the crucial role of management competence, financial and human resources, market orientation, negotiation flexibility, and a proactive and risk-taking posture to achieve superior export performance.
An Early Inupiaq Occupation: Observations on a Thule House From Cape Espenberg, Alaska
Authors: Norman Lauren E. Y. , Friesen T. Max , Alix Claire , O’Rourke Michael J. E. , Mason Owen K. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis paper describes and interprets a well-preserved early Thule semi-subterranean dwelling from Cape Espenberg, Alaska. The house architecture is similar in many respects to other early Thule dwellings with a sub-rectangular main room, long sunken entrance tunnel, and associated kitchen area. However, the presence of narrow side benches and associated flooring differences adds significantly to the variability present in Thule house form. Radiocarbon dates indicate occupations spanning 1300 to 1450 cal CE. Wood analysis suggests that the house underwent at least one rebuilding episode, which seems to have extended the house occupation into the early 15th century. People acquired mostly small seals for their subsistence, but supplemented their diets in the spring and fall with migrating birds, fish, terrestrial mammals, and other marine mammals. This house represents a fairly typical early Thule coastal winter occupation, but careful excavation of a well-preserved house reveals interesting details in house form, wood use, and subsistence patterns.
Triblock copolymers of styrene and sodium methacrylate as smart materials: synthesis and rheological characterization
Authors: Meijerink Marc , Mastrigt Frank van , Franken Linda E. , Stuart Marc C. A. , Picchioni Francesco , Raffa Patrizio 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Well-defined amphiphilic triblock poly(sodium methacrylate)-polystyrene-poly(sodium methacrylate) (PMAA-b-PS-b-PMAA) copolymers characterized by a different length of either the hydrophilic or the hydrophobic block have been synthesized by ATRP. In solution the micelle-like aggregates consist of a collapsed PS core surrounded by stretched charged PMAA chains. The micelles are kinetically ‘frozen’ and as a consequence the triblock copolymers do not show a significant surface activity. The hydrophilic block length has a major influence on the rheology, the shortest PMAA blocks yielding the strongest gels (at the same total weight concentration). The hydrophobic block length has only a minor influence until a certain threshold, below which the hydrophobic interactions are too weak resulting in weak gels. A mathematical model is used to describe the micelle radius and the results were in good agreement with the experimentally found radius in transmission electron microscopy. The influences of the ionic strength, pH and temperature on the rheology has also been investigated, showing the potential of these polymers as smart hydrogels. The change in conformation of the hydrophilic corona from the collapsed state to the stretched state by changing the pH was quantified with zeta-potential measurements. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic investigation of this kind of triblock copolymers in terms of their rheological behavior in water.
Spontaneous resolution of large non-traumatic bilateral acute-on-chronic subdural hematoma
Authors: Adam D. , Iftimie D. , Burduşa Gina , Moisescu Cristiana 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Background and importance: Chronic subdural hematomas are a frequently encountered neurosurgical pathology, especially in the elderly. They often require surgical evacuation, but recent studies have shown good results with conservative treatment in selected cases.
Clinical presentation: We report the case of a 72-year old patient that developed large, non-traumatic, bilateral, acute-on-chronic subdural hematoma after repeated abdominal surgery for appendicular carcinoma. He presented an abdominal wound infection and good neurological status (GCS score of 14 points), factors that indicated the delay of surgical intervention. Subsequent clinical and radiological improvement forestalled the operation altogether and he presented complete spontaneous resolution of subdural hematomas at only 5 months after diagnosis.
Conclusion: Although surgical treatment is performed in the majority of chronic subdural hematomas, in clinically and radiologically selected cases, the operation can be avoided. The hematoma can present resolution, either spontaneously or with the help of conservative treatment.
Endovascular coil oclusion of spontaneous ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm
Authors: Chiriac A. , Ion Georgian , Dobrin N. , Faiyad Z. , Poeata I. 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Spontaneous dissecting aneurysm of vertebral artery is known as a rare pathological condition causing a subarachnoid hemorrhage in the posterior circulation. The treatment of ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms is still an important subject of debates in the literature. We present a particular case of ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms that was treated by only endovascular Guglielmi detachable coils occlusion. A brief review of technical possibilities of treatment of these types of vascular lesions, with their advantages and disadvantages are discussed.
Unusual aggressive and rapidly growing glioblastoma multiforme – case presentation
Authors: Dabija M. , Eva L. , Poeata I. , Paiu Alina , Dorobat V. , Munteanu Raluca 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Glioblastoma multiform is one of the most rapidly progressing cerebral tumors and the most aggressive one in our neurosurgical experience. We present the case of a 45 year old patient with very aggressive type of tumor who had come to our service for the following: intense headache, confusion, right hemiparesis installed approximately one month before. IRM scan shows up the presence of a large tumoral mass without a precise border in the left temporal-parietal region which had extended all the way down to the thalamus. The planned intervention used 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) for the precise removal of the tumor mass, suboptimal because of the risk of lesioning the motor tracts – indicated by the intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring. After surgery the outcome was good with the partial regression of the motor deficit, but only after 3 weeks due to the unexpected tumor growth the neurological status started to decay and even worsened. The patient underwent surgery again with the partial remission of the symptoms although following imagistic controls showed up fast tumor growth once more. He was recommended to oncology service for the beginning of radiotherapy. We consider the evolution and invasion of this tumor in only a 3 weeks period being impressive.
Analysis of 30-day unplanned readmissions after degenerative spinal disease surgery
Authors: Adam D. , Iftimie D. , Burduşa Gina , Moisescu Cristiana 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Background: Degenerative spinal disease surgery is frequently performed in most neurosurgical departments. Unplanned 30-day readmissions represent a significant economic burden and have been used in several studies as a tool to evaluate quality of patient care.
Objective: To review 30-day unplanned readmission rates after degenerative spinal disease surgery in our department, in order to identify their causes and determine strategies aimed at decreasing their frequency.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients operated in our department for spinal stenosis or disc herniation over a 3 year period (January 2014 – December 2016), evaluating the rate and causes of unplanned readmission in the first month after discharge. Complications were divided in medical and surgical.
Results: Out of the 1106 patients included, 33 (2,98%) presented a 30-day unplanned readmission. The percentage was higher after disc herniation surgery (3,40%), compared to spinal stenosis (1,92%). Pain management was the most common medical cause for readmission (45,45%), while in the surgical group, CSF leaks were the most frequent complication (18,18%).
Conclusions: The rate of 30-day readmissions was low in our series but, even so, they associate significant costs. They could be avoided by applying correct and aseptic surgical technique, proper availability of dural sealing agents and superior patient medical education.
Trends in Folklore Studies Development in the Research and Education Space at Ukrainian and Foreign Universities
Authors: Vovk Myroslava 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTrends in development of folklore studies in the research and education space at Ukrainian and foreign universities have been analyzed. They are fundamentalization, synthesis of academic science and educational practice, professionalization, institutionalization, humanitarization, anthropoligization, interdisciplinarity. It has been defined that in Ukrainian and foreign folkloristic discourse of the 20th – the beginning of the 21th centuries, folklore is studied through the prism of functional, communicative, anthropological, context-based approaches that is partially realized in the official definition of folklore according to the 1989 UNESCO Recommendation on the Safeguarding of Traditional Culture and Folklore. It has been found out that while structuring the content of folkloristic disciplines as well as directing future specialists’ researches the multivectoring of folklore studies allows instructors to use the achievements of folkloristic directions that were formed in historical retrospective and actively developed at the modern stage: linguofolkloristics, ethnomusicology, folk therapy (folk music therapy, fairytale therapy, folk dance therapy), etc. It has been justified that folklore studies in Ukrainian and foreign research and education space is being developed as an interdisciplinary science based on the historical and pedagogical experience and taking into account modern integration processes that define the problematics of the content of folkloristic, culturological training of future pedagogue-researcher who is to be educated as a man of culture, nationally aware and, at the same time, multicultural personality.
Comparative Analysis of Future Cooks’ Training in Vocational Institutions in Ukraine and Abroad
Authors: Kankovsky Ihor , Krasylnykova Hanna , Drozich Iryna 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe article deals with comparative analysis of conceptual approaches and content of cooks’ training in Ukraine, European countries, the USA and Eastern Partnership countries. It has been found out that national vocational education is grounded on education standards and activity-based approach to forming the training content, subject-based structure of curricula and, surely, needs to become competency-based. It has been revealed that in Eastern Partnership countries there is a normative base of cooks’ vocational training and it is accorded with the competency-based approach. However, such states as the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan implement study programs for training cooks in traditional institutions of formal vocational training of Post-Soviet type. At the same time, the training of future cooks in European countries is mainly oriented toward the concept of continuing education and is variable, multilevel, wide-profile, at most approximated to the needs of catering trade. The level-based curricula and dual system of cooks’ training in vocational schools of France, Austria and Italy have been characterized. In addition, the authors have defined the common feature of professional practical training of cooks in culinary schools in the USA, that is its organization under the conditions of real production that ensures a wide professional competency of future cooks, their acquiring knowledge and skills needed for professional activity. It has been concluded that positive aspects of foreign experience may assist in defining prognostic directions for the development of cooks’ vocational training in Ukraine.
The Organization of Future Translators’ Self-Directed Learning at US Universities
Authors: Nakonechna Alyona 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe article deals with studying the peculiarities in the organization of future translators’ self-directed learning at US universities. It has been stated that various researches on the problem prove the underestimation of self-directed learning that leads to insufficient professional competency of future translators. It has been found out that to create an environment favourable for self-directed learning educators should consider four factors, namely, autonomy and responsibility, complexity, duration, “voice and choice”. It has been indicated that the system of independent learning and teaching consists of three components – teacher, learner and communication method. The traits of autonomous learners have been listed. The functions of self-directed learning in US higher education institution have been presented. Six ways of supporting autonomy, namely, classroom-based, curriculum-based, teacher-based, learner-based, resource-based, technology-based, have been singled out and analyzed. The experience of the Kent State University in training future Masters of Arts in Translation has been analyzed. Based on the research performed, the positive aspects of the experience have been justified and relevant recommendations to improve the organization of future translators’ self-directed learning in Ukrainian higher education institutions have been outlined.
Foreign Experience in Training Future Engineering Educators for Modeling Technological Processes
Authors: Bokhonko Yevhen 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe article deals with the study of foreign experience in training engineering educators for modeling technological processes. It has been stated that engineering education is a field that is being dramatically developed taking into account the occurring changes in educational paradigms, global higher education space, national higher education systems, economics, society, etc. It has been indicated that the abundance of the latest information and communication technologies alter the approaches to training various specialists, and, in particular, engineering educators. It has been mentioned that engineering teacher education is undergoing significant development. The activities of the International Society for Engineering Education – IGIP have been justified. It has been found out that there is the vital need for those specialists able to combine the techniques of traditional teaching and innovative scientific achievements, design technical structures, be leader and facilitator of the education process. It has been defined that the activity of the society is aimed at providing engineering educators with relevant training that involves their obtaining the qualification that is accorded with European education standards. US experience in training engineering educators for professional activity has been analyzed. It has been specified that engineering education has become more integrated into the curricula of elementary, middle and high school because of the increasing focus on STEM subjects; the demand for engineering educators is dramatically growing at all the levels of the education system. The peculiarities of engineering educators’ training have been demonstrated on the example of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. It has been concluded that Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology Teacher Education is a rather interdisciplinary degree program and trains future engineering educators for a wide range of fields. The organization of the program is considerate and well-planned. It has been stated that in Great Britain future engineering educators should be able to apply innovative and less conventional teaching methodology, namely, via problem-based learning, virtual learning environment, etc. According to the mentioned above, the author has outlined the recommendations to improve engineering teacher education in Ukraine.
Supply Chain Management and Customer Satisfaction in Small to Medium Enterprises
Authors: Omoruyi Osayuwamen , Mafini Chengedzai 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
To circumvent the possibility of business failure, small to medium enterprises in emerging economies face mounting pressure to increase the satisfaction of their customers. The adoption of supply chain management practices is critical to the provision of quality products and services as well as the satisfaction of customers by small to medium enterprises. This paper investigated the relationship between customer satisfaction, supply chain management practices and three input factors; namely, product quality, flexibility and product variety in small to medium enterprises. The study adopted a quantitative approach in which a four section questionnaire was distributed to 131 managers in small to medium enterprises based in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Hypotheses were tested using regression analysis. The results of the study revealed that product quality and flexibility predicted supply chain management practices. Supply chain management practices were also statistically significant, and mediated the relationship between customer satisfaction and product quality and flexibility. Based on these results, conclusions were drawn and appropriate recommendations were made.
Gibt es bei der Genossenschaft eine schädliche Gesellschafter-Fremdfinanzierung nach der Zinsschranke?
Authors: Kollruss Thomas 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Is borrowing from members for cooperatives (not part of a concern) within the scope of the interest barrier and can in this respect establish a harmful borrowing from shareholders within the meaning of § 8a subsection 2 KStG? This is a question of great scientific and practical relevance. This paper concludes that cooperatives (not part of a concern) are not within the scope of a harmful shareholder borrowing within the meaning of § 8a subsection 2 KStG.
Silent Crooke’s cell corticotroph adenoma of the pituitary gland presenting as delayed puberty
Authors: Giri Dinesh , Roncaroli Federico , Sinha Ajay , Didi Mohammed , Senniappan Senthil 
Published: March 2017

Summary
Corticotroph adenomas are extremely rare in children and adolescents. We present a 15-year-old boy who was investigated for delayed puberty (A1P2G1, bilateral testicular volumes of 3 mL each). There was no clinical or laboratory evidence suggestive of chronic illness, and the initial clinical impression was constitutional delay in puberty. Subsequently, MRI scan of the brain revealed the presence of a mixed cystic and solid pituitary lesion slightly displacing the optic chiasma. The lesion was removed by transphenoidal surgery and the biopsy confirmed the lesion to be pituitary adenoma. Furthermore, the adenoma cells also had Crooke’s hyaline changes and were intensely positive for ACTH. However there was no clinical/biochemical evidence of ACTH excess. There was a spontaneous pubertal progression twelve months after the surgery (A2P4G4, with bilateral testicular volume of 8 mL). Crooke’s cell adenoma is an extremely rare and aggressive variant of corticotroph adenoma that can uncommonly present as a silent corticotroph adenoma in adults. We report for the first time Crooke’s cell adenoma in an adolescent boy presenting with delayed puberty.

Learning points:

Constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) is a diagnosis of exclusion; hence a systematic and careful review should be undertaken while assessing boys with delayed puberty.

Crooke’s cell adenomas are a group of corticotroph adenomas that can rarely present in childhood and adolescence with delayed puberty.

Crooke’s cell adenomas can be clinically silent but are potentially aggressive tumours that require careful monitoring.
Trends in Patent Ductus Arteriosus Diagnosis and Management for Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Ngo Samantha , Profit Jochen , Gould Jeffrey B. , Lee Henry C. 
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE:
To examine yearly trends of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) diagnosis and treatment in very low birth weight infants.

METHODS:
In this retrospective cohort study of very low birth weight infants (&lt;1500 g) between 2008 and 2014 across 134 California hospitals, we evaluated PDA diagnosis and treatment by year of birth. Infants were either inborn or transferred in within 2 days after delivery and had no congenital abnormalities. Intervention levels for treatment administered to achieve ductal closure were categorized as none, pharmacologic (indomethacin or ibuprofen), both pharmacologic intervention and surgical ligation, or ligation only. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for PDA diagnosis and treatment.

RESULTS:
PDA was diagnosed in 42.8% (12 002/28 025) of infants, with a decrease in incidence from 49.2% of 4205 infants born in 2008 to 38.5% of 4001 infants born in 2014. Pharmacologic and/or surgical treatment was given to 30.5% of patients. Between 2008 and 2014, the annual rate of infants who received pharmacologic intervention (30.5% vs 15.7%) or both pharmacologic intervention and surgical ligation (6.9% vs 2.9%) decreased whereas infants who were not treated (60.5% vs 78.3%) or received primary ligation (2.2% vs 3.0%) increased.

CONCLUSIONS:
There is an increasing trend toward not treating patients diagnosed with PDA compared with more intensive treatments: pharmacologic intervention or both pharmacologic intervention and surgical ligation. Possible directions for future study include the impact of these trends on hospital-based and long-term outcomes.
Influence of testosterone on mean arterial pressure: A physiological study in male and female normotensive WKY and hypertensive SHR rats
Authors: Loh SY , Salleh N 
Published: March 2017

Introduction
Testosterone plays an important role in the blood pressure regulation. However, information with regard to the effect of this hormone on blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive conditions is limited. Therefore, in this study, the relationship between plasma testosterone level and mean arterial pressure (MAP) was investigated under these conditions.

Methods
Normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and hypertensive Spontaneous Hypertensive (SHR) male and female rats were gonadectomized with female rats treated with testosterone. Estrous cycle stages of intact female rats of both strains were identified by vaginal smear. Pressure in the carotid artery of anesthetized rats was measured via direct cannulation technique. The blood was withdrawn for plasma testosterone level measurement by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results
Treatment of ovariectomized female WKY and SHR rats with testosterone for 6-week duration has resulted in MAP to increase (P < 0.05). In male WKY and SHR rats, MAP and plasma testosterone levels decreased by orchidectomy (P < 0.05). No significant differences in MAP and plasma testosterone levels were observed in intact female WKY and SHR rats between stages of the estrous cycle.

Conclusions
The effects seen in testosterone-treated ovariectomized female rats and in orchidectomized male rats suggested that testosterone could play an important role in causing the blood pressure to increase.