bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of foreign parent control mechanisms upon measurements of performance in IJVs in South Korea
Authors: Ghauri Pervez N. , Cave Adam H. , Il Park Byung 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to generate an observable relationship between five control mechanisms used by parent firms to direct international joint ventures (IJVs) with three distinct performance measurements. By observing relationships with different performance measures it serves to enhance the debate on IJV creation and control functions.Design/methodology/approachThis paper looks at IJVs and analyzes the application of control mechanisms through a survey of IJVs in South Korea, then a further review of the different performance measurements is provided to expound upon the increasing reasons of IJV creation.FindingsThe paper determines different impacts upon performance measures through the use of either personnel or policy measures. Parents' use of personnel shows a direct relationship with satisfaction levels of IJV performance, while policy measures show significant relationships to both financial and growth measurements. The paper finds that through the use of multiple performance measurements there is a greater understanding of the implications of control of different aspects of an IJV.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is concentrated solely on IJVs in South Korea; and further, measurements based on perception are consistently subject to accuracy concerns in statistical analysis.Practical implicationsIJVs are set up with different goals. Utilizing control mechanisms that enhance the performance goal of a parent can provide support during the creation and negotiation process.Originality/valueThe value provided by this paper is the critical analysis of control mechanisms on more than one performance measurement and a quantifiable statistical analysis that shows significant impact of certain mechanisms.
Research note: the development of an Arabic cross‐cultural adjustment scale
Authors: Al‐Rajhi Ibrahim , Bartlett Dean , Altman Yochanan 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on the development of an Arabic language scale for measuring cross‐cultural adjustment in the Arab world, predominately the Middle East. It also comments on aspects of psychometric tools and their appropriateness for use in cross‐cultural management research.Design/methodology/approachBlack and Stephen's Cross‐Cultural Adjustment Scale was translated into Arabic using the method of back‐translation and a pilot item‐by‐item debriefing. It was then administered to 111 Arabic‐speaking employees of a single firm.FindingsThe Arabic language version yielded high alpha coefficients and a subsequent factor analysis revealed three primary factors of cross‐cultural adjustment, namely, Work Adjustment, Interaction Adjustment and General Adjustment, which corresponded closely to the original English version of the scale, with two minor exceptions.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is confined to the cultural‐linguistic context in which it was executed.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that an Arabic version of the three‐factor scale is useful for measuring adjustment in Arabic‐speaking samples and implies the wider generalizability of the cross‐cultural adjustment construct. The development of this scale in an important region for migrant labor is highly relevant to practice.Originality/valueAn Arabic version of the most widely used cross‐cultural adjustment scale is of value to researchers and practitioners. The Muslim sample drawn from the Middle East region also makes the paper highly original.
Opening the door to tomorrow's top talent
Authors: Stephens Nick 
Published: July 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to use new research in the life‐sciences sector to explain how the active management of high‐potential individuals and leadership development will be the key to success.Design/methodology/approachIt draws on research conducted among 203 senior executives and HR directors working in the global life‐sciences industry. Some 70 per cent of respondents are either chief executives or senior members of their organization's leadership team.FindingsThe paper reveals that more than 90 per cent of interviewees identified talent management as a key priority, but 72 per cent of their organizations are failing to deliver this in practice, operating without an active strategy in place.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights a trend, over the past three years, for talent management to be less well planned and more ad hoc, mainly because of the continuing impact of market change and the double‐dip recession.Social implicationsIt argues that the current economic conditions are ideal for organizations to execute effective talent‐management strategies, as most organizations are looking to optimize the performance of existing talent, generate efficiencies and reduce costs.Originality/valueThis paper advances the view that companies most able to attract, retain and develop top talent will be the most likely to achieve success.
Correlation of interleukin‐6 and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 concentrations with crescent formation and myeloperoxidase‐specific anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titer in SCG/Kj mice by treatment with anti‐interleukin‐6 receptor antibody or mizoribine
Authors: Nagao Tomokazu , Kusunoki Reina , Iwamura Chiaki , Kobayashi Shigeto , Yumura Wako , Kameoka Yosuke , Nakayama Toshinori , Suzuki Kazuo 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTMyeloperoxidase‐specific anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO–ANCA) is associated with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) and glomerular crescent formation. Pathogenic factors in RPGN were analyzed by using SCG/Kj mice, which spontaneously develop MPO–ANCA‐associated RPGN. The serum concentration of soluble IL‐6R was determined by using ELISA and those of another 23 cytokines and chemokines by Bio‐Plex analysis. Sections of frozen kidney tissue were examined by fluorescence microscopy and the CD3+B220+ T cell subset in the spleen determined by a flow cytometry. Concentrations of IL‐6 and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 were significantly correlated with the percentages of crescent formation. Anti‐IL‐6R antibody, which has been effective in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, was administered to SCG/Kj mice to elucidate the role of IL‐6 in the development of RPGN. MPO–ANCA titers decreased after administration of anti‐IL‐6R antibody, but not titers of mizoribine, which is effective in Kawasaki disease model mice. These results suggest that IL‐6‐mediated signaling is involved in the production of MPO–ANCA.
Foraging strategy of a neotropical primate: how intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence destination and residence time
Authors: Plante Sabrina , Colchero Fernando , Calmé Sophie 
Published: July 2013

SummaryMost animals need to actively search for food to meet energetic requirements and live in heterogeneous environments where food resources have complex spatio‐temporal patterns of availability. Consequently, foraging animals need to find a balance between effort and resource allocation while accounting for intrinsic and extrinsic factors, which are often overlooked when modelling foraging behaviour.We identified the decision rules for foraging in black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra), according to food preferences, locations of high‐quality patches and previously eaten trees, phenology of food resources and hunger state. We depicted foraging in two stages: (i) the choice of the immediate next tree and (ii) the time spent on this tree. We used a recently developed model for inference of movement processes, incorporating resource selection functions into a Markov chain framework.We found that monkeys tend to move to preferred tree species at each step. However, we did not find conclusively that, at each step, monkeys direct their movements to reach high‐quality patches. In fact, they were using these patches intensively, thus limiting the possibility to move towards other high‐quality patches. Time spent on a tree was positively and strongly affected by the presence of preferred food items, but not by its species. We also showed that time spent on trees increased as a function of satiation state. We suggest that the strategy adopted by black howlers tends to be efficient because choosing preferred trees at each step and spending spend more time where preferred resources are available should favour energy intake and restrain movement costs.This study showcases a modelling framework that can be widely used in ecology to describe movements as a combination of multiple attraction and repulsion sources, such as mates and competitors.
Efficacy of interventions to combat tobacco addiction: Cochrane update of 2012 reviews
Authors: Hartmann‐Boyce Jamie , Stead Lindsay F. , Cahill Kate , Lancaster Tim 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBackground and aimsThe Cochrane Collaboration is an international not‐for‐profit organization which produces and disseminates systematic reviews of health‐care interventions. This paper is the first in a series of annual updates of Cochrane reviews on tobacco addiction interventions. It also provides an up‐to‐date overview of review findings in this area to date and summary statistics for cessation reviews in which meta‐analyses were conducted.MethodsIn 2012, the Group published seven new reviews and updated 13 others. This update summarizes and comments on these reviews. It also summarizes key findings from all the other reviews in this area.ResultsNew reviews in 2012 found that in smokers using pharmacotherapy, behavioural support improves success rates [risk ratio (RR) 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09–1.24], and that combining behavioural support and pharmacotherapy aids cessation (RR 1.82, 95% CI = 1.66–2.00). Updated reviews established mobile phones as potentially helpful in aiding cessation (RR 1.71, 95% CI = 1.47–1.99), found that cytisine (RR 3.98, 95% CI = 2.01–7.87) and low‐dose varenicline (RR 2.09, 95% CI = 1.56–2.78) aid smoking cessation, and found that training health professionals in smoking cessation improves patient cessation rates (RR 1.60, 95% CI = 1.26–2.03). The updated reviews confirmed the benefits of nicotine replacement therapy, standard dose varenicline and providing cessation treatment free of charge. Lack of demonstrated efficacy remained for partner support, expired‐air carbon monoxide feedback and lung function feedback.ConclusionsCochrane systematic review evidence for the first time establishes the efficacy of behavioural support over and above pharmacotherapy, as well as the efficacy of cytisine, mobile phone technology, low‐dose varenicline and health professional training in promoting smoking cessation.
Perceived changes in the knowledge and confidence of doctors and midwives to manage obstetric emergencies following completion of an Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics course in Australia
Authors: Walker Laura J.M. , Fetherston Catherine M. , McMurray Anne 
Published: July 2013

BackgroundThe Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) course is an internationally recognised interprofessional course to support health professionals to develop and maintain the knowledge and skills to manage obstetric emergencies.AimsThis study investigated changes in confidence and perceived changes in the knowledge of doctors and midwives to manage specific obstetric emergency situations following completion of an ALSO course in Australia.MethodsA prospective repeated‐measures survey design was used to survey 165 course attendees from four Australian states pre‐ and postcourse and at six weeks (n = 101). Data were analysed using a Friedman two‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance and the Wilcoxon signed rank test.ResultsThere was a significant improvement in confidence and perceived knowledge of the recommended management of all 17 emergency situations immediately postcourse (P < 0.001) and at six weeks postcourse (P < 0.001) when compared to precourse levels for both groups of health professionals. However, a significant decrease in knowledge and confidence for many emergency situations from immediately postcourse to six weeks postcourse (P < 0.05) was also observed in both groups.ConclusionsCompletion of the Australian ALSO course in Australia has a positive effect on the confidence and perceived knowledge of doctors and midwives to manage obstetric emergencies. However, there needs to be some means of reinforcing the effects of the course for longer term maintenance of knowledge and confidence.
Low‐dose anti‐CD20 veltuzumab given intravenously or subcutaneously is active in relapsed immune thrombocytopenia: a phase I study
Authors: Liebman Howard A. , Saleh Mansoor N. , Bussel James B. , Negrea Ovidiu George , Horne Heather , Wegener William A. , Goldenberg David M. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryLow doses of the humanized anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody, veltuzumab, were evaluated in 41 patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), including 9 with ITP ≤1 year duration previously treated with steroids and/or immunoglobulins, and 32 with ITP >1 year and additional prior therapies. They received two doses of 80–320 mg veltuzumab 2 weeks apart, initially by intravenous (IV) infusion (N = 7), or later by subcutaneous (SC) injections (N = 34), with only one Grade 3 infusion reaction and no other safety issues. Thirty‐eight response‐assessable patients had 21 (55%) objective responses (platelet count ≥30 × 109/l and ≥2 × baseline), including 11 (29%) complete responses (CRs) (platelet count ≥100 × 109/l). Responses (including CRs) occurred with both IV and SC administration, at all veltuzumab dose levels, and regardless of ITP duration. Responders with ITP ≤1 year had a longer median time to relapse (14·4 months) than those with ITP >1 year (5·8 months). Three patients have maintained a response for up to 4·3 years. SC injections resulted in delayed and lower peak serum levels of veltuzumab, but B‐cell depletion occurred after first administration even at the lowest doses. Eight patients, including 6 responders, developed anti‐veltuzumab antibodies following treatment (human anti‐veltuzumab antibody, 19·5%). Low‐dose SC veltuzumab appears convenient, well‐tolerated, and with promising clinical activity in relapsed ITP.(Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00547066.)
Autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma with secondary CNS involvement
Authors: Maziarz Richard T. , Wang Zhiwei , Zhang Mei‐Jie , Bolwell Brian J. , Chen Andy I. , Fenske Timothy S. , Freytes Cesar O. , Gale Robert P. , Gibson John , Hayes‐Lattin Brandon M. , Holmberg Leona , Inwards David J. , Isola Luis M. , Khoury Hanna J. , Lewis Victor A. , Maharaj Dipnarine , Munker Reinhold , Phillips Gordon L. , Rizzieri David A. , Rowlings Philip A. , Saber Wael , Satwani Prakash , Waller Edmund K. , Maloney David G. , Montoto Silvia , Laport Ginna G. , Vose Julie M. , Lazarus Hillard M. , Hari Parameswaran N. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryPre‐existing central nervous system (CNS) involvement may influence referral for autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) for patients with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The outcomes of 151 adult patients with NHL with prior secondary CNS involvement (CNS+) receiving an AHCT were compared to 4688 patients without prior CNS lymphoma (CNS−). There were significant baseline differences between the cohorts. CNS+ patients were more likely to be younger, have lower performance scores, higher age‐adjusted international prognostic index scores, more advanced disease stage at diagnosis, more aggressive histology, more sites of extranodal disease, and a shorter interval between diagnosis and AHCT. However, no statistically significant differences were identified between the two groups by analysis of progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at 5 years. A matched pair comparison of the CNS+ group with a subset of CNS− patients matched on propensity score also showed no differences in outcomes. Patients with active CNS lymphoma at the time of AHCT (n = 55) had a higher relapse rate and diminished PFS and OS compared with patients whose CNS lymphoma was in remission (n = 96) at the time of AHCT. CNS+ patients can achieve excellent long‐term outcomes with AHCT. Active CNS lymphoma at transplant confers a worse prognosis.
Longitudinal study of echocardiography‐derived tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity in sickle cell disease
Authors: Desai Payal C. , May Ryan C. , Jones Susan K. , Strayhorn Dell , Caughey Melissa , Hinderliter Alan , Ataga Kenneth I. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryAlthough echocardiography‐derived tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRV) is associated with increased mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD), its rate of increase and predictive markers of its progression are unknown. We evaluated 55 subjects (median age: 38 years, range: 20–65 years) with at least two measurable TRVs, followed for a median of 4·5 years (range: 1·0–10·5 years) in a single‐centre, prospective study. Thirty‐one subjects (56%) showed an increase in TRV, while 24 subjects (44%) showed no change or a decrease in TRV. A linear mixed effects model indicated an overall rate of increase in the TRV of 0·02 m/s per year (P = 0·023). The model showed that treatment with hydroxycarbamide was associated with an initial TRV that was 0·20 m/s lower than no such treatment (P = 0·033), while treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers was associated with an increase in the TRV (P = 0·006). In summary, although some patients have clinically meaningful increases, the overall rate of TRV increase is slow. Treatment with hydroxycarbamide may decrease the progression of TRV. Additional studies are required to determine the optimal frequency of screening echocardiography and the effect of therapeutic interventions on the progression of TRV in SCD.
Anti‐leukaemic activity of a novel haploidentical‐transplantation approach employing unmanipulated bone marrow followed by CD6‐depleted peripheral blood stem cells in children with refractory/relapsed acute leukaemia
Authors: Schuster Friedhelm R. , Meisel Roland , Führer Monika , Reuther Susanne , Hauer Julia , Tischer Johanna , Feuchtinger Tobias , Laws Hans‐Jürgen , Kolb Hans‐Jochem , Borkhardt Arndt 
Published: July 2013

SummaryThe treatment outcome of children with refractory acute leukaemia or relapse post‐stem cell transplantation is dismal. We report 10 children (non‐remission n = 7) who underwent a new haploidentical transplant approach utilizing unmanipulated bone marrow followed by CD6‐depleted peripheral blood stem cells. Nine patients had successful engraftment and no evidence of leukaemia. Acute and chronic graft‐versus‐host‐disease was observed in five and three patients, respectively; two patients died of treatment‐related toxicity. Seven patients relapsed after 7 (range 3–34) months, however two patients are alive at 6·5 and 7·0 years. This approach provides anti‐leukaemic activity even in heavily pre‐treated children but long‐term disease control requires further intervention.
Phase II study of personalized peptide vaccination for refractory bone and soft tissue sarcoma patients
Authors: Takahashi Ryuji , Ishibashi Yukinao , Hiraoka Koji , Matsueda Satoko , Kawano Kouichirou , Kawahara Akihiko , Kage Masayoshi , Ohshima Koichi , Yamanaka Ryuya , Shichijo Shigeki , Shirouzu Kazuo , Itoh Kyogo , Sasada Tetsuro 
Published: July 2013

Refractory bone and soft tissue sarcomas are challenging diseases to treat because of their robustness to chemotherapy. Although cancer vaccines have the potential to become an attractive treatment modality, their progress has been hampered by the presence of many subtypes of sarcomas and different human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐types. We investigated whether personalized peptide vaccination (PPV) would be feasible for the vast majority of sarcoma patients. Twenty refractory bone and soft tissue sarcoma patients with nine different subtypes and 11 different HLA‐class IA phenotypes were enrolled in this study. A maximum of four HLA‐matched peptides showing higher peptide‐specific IgG responses in pre‐vaccination plasma were selected from 31 pooled peptide candidates applicable for the HLA‐A2, ‐A3, ‐A11, ‐A24, ‐A26, ‐A31, and ‐A33 types, and were subcutaneously administered weekly for 6 weeks and bi‐weekly thereafter. Measurement of peptide‐specific CTL and IgG responses along with other laboratory analyses were conducted before and after vaccination. No patients were excluded by either sarcoma subtypes or different HLA‐types. No severe adverse events associated with PPV were observed in any patients. Peptide‐specific immunological boosting was observed in the post‐vaccination samples from the majority of patients. Tumor reduction of the lung metastasis and a long stable disease was observed in each case, and the median overall survival time of the 20 cases was 9.6 months. Taken together, PPV could be feasible for the vast majority of refractory sarcoma patients because of the safety and higher rates of immunological responses regardless of the presence of different sarcoma subtypes and various HLA‐types.
Using Excel for White's Test—An Important Technique for Evaluating the Equality of Variance Assumption and Model Specification in a Regression Analysis
Authors: Berenson Mark L. 
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACTThere is consensus in the statistical literature that severe departures from its assumptions invalidate the use of regression modeling for purposes of inference. The assumptions of regression modeling are usually evaluated subjectively through visual, graphic displays in a residual analysis but such an approach, taken alone, may be insufficient for assessing the appropriateness of the fitted model. Here, an easy‐to‐use test of the assumption of equal variance (i.e., homoscedasticity) as well as model specification is provided. Given the importance of the equal‐variance assumption (i.e., if uncorrected, severe violations preclude the use of statistical inference and moderate violations result in a loss of statistical power) and given the fact that, if uncorrected, a misspecified or underspecified model could invalidate an entire study, the test developed by Halbert White in 1980 is recommended for supplementing a graphic residual analysis when teaching regression modeling to business students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Using this confirmatory approach to supplement a traditional residual analysis has value because students often find that graphic displays are too subjective for determining what constitutes severe from moderate departures from the equal variance assumption or for assessing patterns in plots that might indicate model misspecification or underspecification.