bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emergent supply chains in the agrifood sector: insights from a whole chain approach
Authors: Anastasiadis Foivos , Poole Nigel 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to report research into emergent supply chain management (SCM) practices in a context in which the imperative for business development requires efficient inter-firm collaboration. It explores the way key supply chain (SC) actors perceive entrepreneurial opportunities and evaluates their SC processes.Design/methodology/approach– A whole chain approach, using qualitative methods, was used to investigate retail, wholesale and production links, with a special focus on small businesses which predominate in the agrifood sector. The methodology used is of vital importance to understand the complexity of the sector and the interdependencies among stakeholders.Findings– Results suggest several SC malfunctions originating in diverse strategic planning practices and different entrepreneurial mentalities which hinder the process of emergence from traditional to more modern chain configurations. The fact that the nature of new opportunities in the agrifood sector (e.g. organics) was poorly understood, obstructs further development of the agrifood sector. Other key findings suggest problematic flows of information within the SC and minimal trust among stakeholders.Research limitations/implications– Sampling constraints suggest that caution should be exercised in extrapolating these conclusions elsewhere. Nonetheless, further investigation using similar approach should be applied in a wider context not only in Greece but also in other similar economies characterized by nascent SCs.Originality/value– The study investigates the entire SC of a vital sector for numerous small- and medium-sized enterprises, with lessons for diverse emerging agribusiness economies. Insights, not only for the direct SC stakeholders but also for policymakers, could serve to unlock the potential of such sectors and also the exploitation of new opportunities in emerging markets which can be stifled by stagnant sectoral structures and conservative business attitudes.
Advanced predictive-analysis-based decision support for collaborative logistics networks
Authors: Ilie-Zudor Elisabeth , Ekárt Anikó , Kemeny Zsolt , Buckingham Christopher , Welch Philip , Monostori Laszlo 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine challenges and potential of big data in heterogeneous business networks and relate these to an implemented logistics solution.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper establishes an overview of challenges and opportunities of current significance in the area of big data, specifically in the context of transparency and processes in heterogeneous enterprise networks. Within this context, the paper presents how existing components and purpose-driven research were combined for a solution implemented in a nationwide network for less-than-truckload consignments.

Findings
– Aside from providing an extended overview of today’s big data situation, the findings have shown that technical means and methods available today can comprise a feasible process transparency solution in a large heterogeneous network where legacy practices, reporting lags and incomplete data exist, yet processes are sensitive to inadequate policy changes.

Practical implications
– The means introduced in the paper were found to be of utility value in improving process efficiency, transparency and planning in logistics networks. The particular system design choices in the presented solution allow an incremental introduction or evolution of resource handling practices, incorporating existing fragmentary, unstructured or tacit knowledge of experienced personnel into the theoretically founded overall concept.

Originality/value
– The paper extends previous high-level view on the potential of big data, and presents new applied research and development results in a logistics application.
The role of collaboration in supply chain resilience
Authors: Scholten Kirstin , Schilder Sanne 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to explore how collaboration influences supply chain resilience. Collaborative activities and their underlying mechanisms in relation to visibility, velocity and flexibility are investigated.Design/methodology/approach– An exploratory case study consisting of eight buyer–supplier relationships in the food processing industry was conducted.Findings– Key findings show how specific collaborative activities (information-sharing, collaborative communication, mutually created knowledge and joint relationship efforts) increase supply chain resilience via increased visibility, velocity and flexibility. Underlying mechanisms and interdependencies of these factors within the supply chain network are identified.Originality/value– This is one of the first papers to provide in-depth insights into collaboration as a formative element of resilience in a supply chain setting. A series of propositions explain the specific influence of collaborative activities on supply chain resilience beyond a single company perspective.
WTO Judicial Politics and EU Trade Policy: Business Associations as Vessels of Special Interest?
Authors: Poletti Arlo , De Bièvre Dirk , Hanegraaff Marcel 
Published: June 2015

This article: Contributes to the literature on interest groups showing how the interplay of domestic and international institutional structures critically affects the character of lobbying. Contributes to a better understanding of EU trade politics, highlighting how such processes are systematically affected by changes in global governance structures. Traces empirically how important institutional innovations were introduced in EU trade policy making in order to adapt to reform of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism. Offers systematic empirical evidence about the evolution of the character of dispute settlement cases initiated by the EU in the WTO. Shows empirically how business associations traditionally active in EU trade policy making increasingly act as ‘vessels’ of narrow and specialized interests. This article focuses on the effects of the WTO’s quasi-judicial system of dispute resolution on the politics of trade policy making in the European Union (EU). We argue that this institutional innovation had a systematic transformative effect on EU trade politics, creating pressures for institutional adaptation and changing the character of organized trade policy lobbying. On the one hand, the new environment of the WTO created pressures for the EU to implement significant institutional innovations to ease access for private parties and generate an influx of information to strengthen offensive market access actions. On the other hand, this reform directly affected firms’ incentives to mobilize politically, creating incentives for specialized lobbying. The empirical analysis shows how these two processes ultimately led to a re-organization of trade policy lobbying in the EU and compelled European business associations to become increasingly receptive to the demands of special interests.
Looking Good For Election Day: Does Attractiveness Predict Electoral Success in Britain?
Authors: Milazzo Caitlin , Mattes Kyle 
Published: June 2015

This article Explores the relationship between perceptions of candidate attractiveness and election outcomes in Britain. Uses a computer-based survey to evaluate subjects’ first impressions of real British candidates from the 2010 general election. Looks at the perception that Conservative candidates and candidates who are relatively young are more attractive. Concludes that attractive candidates were more moderately more successful, even when we control for other important determinants of electoral success. What do British voters look for in their candidates? We know they favour candidates who have experience serving their constituents and those with local ties. As a result, parties often emphasise these characteristics in their campaign materials. However, these materials also provide voters with the candidates’ images. Using a survey where respondents are asked to evaluate real British candidates using only rapidly determined first impressions of facial images, we demonstrate that candidates who were deemed attractive enjoyed greater electoral success in the 2010 general election. Specifically, we find that candidates who are widely perceived to be more attractive had a higher vote share, even when we take into account the candidates’ age, party, incumbency and campaign spending.
Male adaptations to minimize sexual cannibalism during reproduction in the funnel‐web spider Hololena curta
Authors: Xiao Yong‐Hong , Zunic‐Kosi Alenka , Zhang Long‐Wa , Prentice Thomas R. , McElfresh J. Steven , Chinta Satya P. , Zou Yun‐Fan , Millar Jocelyn G. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractMales of many spider species risk being attacked and cannibalized while searching for, courting, and mating with conspecific females. However, there are exceptions. We show that the funnel‐web spider, Hololena curta, has 3 adaptations that minimize risk to males during courtship and mating, and enhance reproductive success. First, males detected chemical or tactile signals associated with webs of virgin females, and differentiated them from webs of mated females, enabling males to increase encounter rates with virgin females and avoid aggressive mated females. Second, males produced stereotyped vibrational signals during courting which induced female quiescence and suppressed female aggression. Third, when touched by males, sexually receptive females entered a cataleptic state, allowing males to safely approach and copulate. Because males can mate multiple times and the sex ratio in natural populations of H. curta is female biased, overall reproductive output is likely increased by males of this species avoiding sexual cannibalism.
Administration of Antiarrhythmic Drugs to Maintain Sinus Rhythm After Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Xu Xiuli , Alida Choumi T. , Yu Bo 
Published: June 2015

SummaryBackgroundWhether the short‐term administration of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) to maintain sinus rhythm following catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) can prevent the recurrence of AF is still a matter of debate. We searched the PubMed database and the Cochrane Library, and compiled a list of retrieved articles. We included only randomised controlled trials(RCTs) that compared any AADs against control (placebo or no treatment) or other AADs following CA for AF. Statistical analysis of the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to determine the overall effect of both outcomes. The Mantel–Haenszel method was used to pool data of the outcomes of AF recurrence into fixed effect model meta‐analyses.AimsWe performed a systematic review to determine the effectiveness of short‐term treatment with AADs on the recurrence of AF after CA.ResultsSix RCTs were included in this study, with a total of 814 patients. Post‐procedural temporary administration of AADs in patients after CA for AF reduced the early recurrence of AF (antiarrhythmic drug 103 patients [25.3%], control 162 patients [39.8%]; OR 0.47 [95% CI 0.34–0.64]; χ2 = 3.77; P = 0.58; I2 = 0%). No significant difference in patients after CA for AF in the late recurrence of AF (antiarrhythmic drug 148 patients [36.5%], control 171 patients [42.5%]; OR 0.77 [95% CI 0.57–1.03]; χ2 = 3.15; P = 0.68; I2 = 0%). The heterogeneity was zero in both analyses.ConclusionAlthough the continued administration of AADs after CA for AF can decrease early atrial tachycardias (ATa), this treatment does not prevent late ATa.
Solving the ecological puzzle of mycorrhizal associations using data from annotated collections and environmental samples – an example of saddle fungi
Authors: Hwang Jonathan , Zhao Qi , Yang Zhu L , Wang Zheng , Townsend Jeffrey P. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThe relation between ecological and genetic divergence of Helvella species (saddle fungi) has been perplexing. While a few species have been clearly demonstrated to be ectomycorrhizal fungi, ecological roles of many other species have been controversial, alternately considered as either saprotrophic or mycorrhizal. We applied SATé to build an inclusive deoxyribonucleic acid sequence alignment for the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of annotated Helvella species and related environmental sequences. Phylogenetic informativeness of ITS and its regions were assessed using PhyDesign. Mycorrhizal lineages present a diversity of ecology, host type and geographic distribution. In two Helvella clades, no Helvella ITS sequences were recovered from root tips. Inclusion of environmental sequences in the ITS phylogeny from these sequences has the potential to link these data and reveal Helvella ecology. This study can serve as a model for revealing the diversity of relationships between unculturable fungi and their potential plant hosts. How non‐mycorrhizal life styles within Helvella evolved will require expanded metagenomic investigation of soil and other environmental samples along with study of Helvella genomes.
Differentiating the Lévy walk from a composite correlated random walk
Authors: Auger‐Méthé Marie , Derocher Andrew E. , Plank Michael J. , Codling Edward A. , Lewis Mark A. 
Published: June 2015

Summary

Understanding how to find targets with very limited information is a topic of interest in many disciplines. In ecology, such research has often focused on the development of two movement models: (i) the Lévy walk and (ii) the composite correlated random walk and its associated area‐restricted search behaviour. Although the processes underlying these models differ, they can produce similar movement patterns. Due to this similarity and because of their disparate formulation, current methods cannot reliably differentiate between these two models.

Here, we present a method that differentiates between the two models. It consists of likelihood functions, including one for a hidden Markov model, and associated statistical measures that assess the relative support for and absolute fit of each model.

Using a simulation study, we show that our method can differentiate between the two search models over a range of parameter values. Using the movement data of two polar bears (Ursus maritimus), we show that the method can be applied to complex, real‐world movement paths.

By providing the means to differentiate between the two most prominent search models in the literature, and a framework that could be extended to include other models, we facilitate further research into the strategies animals use to find resources.
Using sea water for cleaning oil from seabird feathers
Authors: McConnell Helen M. , Morgan Kerri J. , Sine Abigail , Leung Yuet‐Ming B. , Ward Janelle M. , Chilvers B. Louise , Gartrell Brett 
Published: June 2015

Summary

During an oil spill, marine wildlife, particularly birds, are at risk of external contamination, affecting insulation, waterproofing and consequently survival. Decontamination of oiled wildlife usually involves a succession of washes and rinses with warm, freshwater and detergent. However, accessibility of large quantities of freshwater needed for cleaning oiled wildlife can be limited.

To assess the efficacy of sea water as an alternative, we used 80 seabird feathers, 40 saturated with heavy fuel oil and 40 unoiled feathers as controls, then washed and rinsed them using either freshwater or sea water, or a combination of both.

Cleanliness and water repellency were assessed visually, and a barbule amalgamation index (BAI) was calculated to evaluate feather microstructure. Particulate residue was assessed using scanning electron microscopy.

Results indicate that for oiled feathers, a sea water wash/rinse produced clean, low BAI/unclumped feathers with minimal particulate residue. Sea water cleaning trials should now be undertaken on live birds to understand links with sea water use and waterproofing.

The method described has world‐wide application for oiled wildlife response activities and could be readily modified for the cleaning of other taxa such as mammals.
Dermal expression of laminin‐332 and type IV collagen in humans with severe sepsis
Authors: Koskela M. , Gäddnäs F. , Koivukangas V. , Oikarinen A. , Laurila J. , Kallioinen M. , Ala‐Kokko T. I. 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundAn intact basement membrane at the dermal–epidermal junction is essential to the viability of the skin. The effect of sepsis on the basement membrane is unknown.MethodsSkin biopsies were used to study basement membrane structure in severe sepsis (Day 1). Subsequent biopsies were taken on Day 8 and at 3 months in the survivors. Immunohistochemical staining was undertaken using laminin‐223 and type IV collagen. Twenty patients with severe sepsis and four control subjects were included in the analysis.ResultsIntensive care unit mortality was 4/20, and total 30‐day mortality was 5/20. Exactly, 7/17 of patients with severe sepsis exhibited weak or absent laminin‐332 expression and 11/15 exhibited weak or absent type IV collagen expression compared with 0/4 of control subjects on Day 1 in intact skin. The proportion of sepsis patients with weak or absent laminin‐332 expression was 5/11 on Day 8 and fell to 1/7 at 3 months. The proportion of sepsis patients with weak or absent type IV collagen expression was 10/11 on Day 8 and 4/7 at 3 months.ConclusionThese findings suggest that basement membrane formation may be compromised in patients with severe sepsis.
Consensus recommendations on the use of daylight photodynamic therapy with methyl aminolevulinate cream for actinic keratoses in Australia
Authors: See Jo‐Ann , Shumack Stephen , Murrell Dedee F , Rubel Diana M , Fernández‐Peñas Pablo , Salmon Robert , Hewitt Daniel , Foley Peter , Spelman Lynda 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAustralia has the highest prevalence of actinic keratoses (AK) worldwide. Because of the risk of transformation of AK to invasive squamous cell carcinomas, consensus guidelines recommend that AK are removed using appropriate therapies to prevent progression to invasive disease. Daylight photodynamic therapy (PDT) is emerging as an efficacious treatment for AK, particularly for patients who require treatment of large areas of chronic actinic damage that can be exposed easily to daylight. Daylight PDT with methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) cream is a simple treatment for AK, almost painless, well tolerated and convenient, requiring minimal time in the clinic. Randomised controlled studies from northern Europe and Australia support the use of daylight PDT as an effective therapy for grade I and II AK on the face and scalp. There is sufficient daylight to conduct daylight PDT in Australia at any time of the year and during most weather conditions. Hence, daylight PDT with MAL can be included as an effective and well‐tolerated new treatment option for the treatment of AK in Australia. These consensus recommendations provide guidelines for Australian clinicians on the use of daylight PDT in the treatment of diagnosed AK.
Prediction of peri‐operative adverse respiratory events in children: the role of exhaled nitric oxide
Authors: Ramgolam A. , Hall G. L. , Zhang G. , Hegarty M. , von Ungern‐Sternberg B. S. 
Published: June 2015

SummaryIncreased levels of exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) may be a more objective predictor in identifying children at higher risk of peri‐operative adverse respiratory events than the presence of risk factors such as recent cold or wheeze. Children with either none or ≥ 2 risk factors had eNO measured before surgery and any peri‐operative adverse respiratory events were recorded. We found that an elevated eNO level was only predictive of adverse respiratory events in children with ≥ 2 risk factors (OR 2.96 (95% CI 1.48–5.93), p = 0.002). The presence of risk factors had a better predictive capability than a raised eNO level (OR 3.83 (95% CI 1.85–7.95), p < 0.001). The combination of both predictors did not improve the predictive capability for adverse respiratory events (OR 1.93 (95% CI 1.44–2.59), p < 0.001). We conclude that measuring eNO levels does not lead to improved prediction of adverse respiratory events and that, in routine clinical practice, an accurate history of risk factors remains the most appropriate tool for successfully identifying children at risk of peri‐operative adverse respiratory events.
Association between concurrent genital bleeding and cervical cancer: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Xavier‐Júnior José C.C. , Vale Diama B. , Zeferino Luiz C. , dufloth Rozany M. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIntroductionGenital bleeding may be a common symptom among women with cervical cancer.Material and methodsCross‐sectional study evaluating whether the prevalence of cervical smear results is different in women with and without clinical information about concurrent genital bleeding.ResultsThe sample consisted of 2 324 836 smears; of these, 0.4% had clinical information on genital bleeding. When stratified by age group, women with genital bleeding had a higher chance of a cytological result of a high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [30–49 years odds ratio (OR) 2.38; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60–3.53 and ≥50 years OR 6.30; 95%CI 3.72–10.67), of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (30–49 years OR 24.70; 95%CI 11.96–51.03 and ≥50 years OR 48.91; 95%CI 31.28–76.47) and of atypical glandular cells (30–49 years OR 5.72; 95%CI 3.30–9.93 and ≥50 years OR 11.56; 95%CI 5.96–22.45); there was also a higher chance of adenocarcinoma for women ≥50 years (OR 53.13; 95%CI 28.08–100.51). The sensitivity of genital bleeding for women aged 18–29 years was 0.4% for high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL); for women 30–49 years old the rate was 0.9% for HSIL, 8.6% for SCC and 2.1% for atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS), while for women aged from 50 years or more the rates were 2.0% for HSIL, 13.7% for SCC, 3.6% for AGUS and 14.7% for adenocarcinoma.ConclusionWomen ≥30 years old with genital bleeding should be referred for colposcopy to rule out the possibility of cervical cancer.
Reoperation for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment as quality indicator for disease management: a register study
Authors: Hajari Javad N. , Christensen Ulrik , Kiilgaard Jens F. , Bek Toke , la Cour Morten 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPurposeTo establish a quality indicator that could be used in optimizing treatment for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).MethodsThe Danish National Patient Registry was used to identify surgery conducted in Denmark for RRD in the period 01 January 2001–31 December 2009. Cases were identified by diagnosis and surgical codes.ResultsA total of 6522 cases were operated for a primary RRD in the study period, and 22% (1434 patients) were reoperated for a redetachment. A Cox regression analysis showed that the risk of redetachment was equal to or less than detachment on the fellow eye 1 year after primary surgery with techniques not using silicone oil. The same was true 1.5 years after surgery for techniques using silicone oil. Based on this, we established a quality indicator defining failure as the need for operation for redetachment within 1 year from initial surgery when using techniques without oil and after 1.5 years for techniques using oil. Also the lack of oil removal within 1 year from initial surgery should be noted as an operational failure. We applied the quality indicators on the cohort of 6522 RRDs and found that in Denmark the need for redetachment surgery has decreased over time and also that high‐volume departments have better outcome compared to smaller ones.ConclusionsThe risk of reoperation for redetachment after initial surgery fulfils the criteria for a good quality indicator and can be used in RRD surgery. This indicator could aid in optimizing the management of RRD patients to minimize morbidity.