bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Horizontal logistics collaboration for enhanced supply chain performance: an international retail perspective
Authors: Sanchez Rodrigues Vasco , Harris Irina , Mason Robert 
Published: October 2015

Purpose– The paper aims to develop a supply chain-driven model horizontal logistics collaboration (HLC). HLC initiatives can fail. To improve the chance of success, a thorough consideration of the potential issues involved, such as seeking supply chain partners’ support, ensuring access to information/data security and assessing whether an HLC model could bring improvements to a wide range of supply chain metrics rather than reductions in distribution costs only, needs to be understood before deciding to proceed with such an initiative.Design/methodology/approach– A two-stage methodology is deployed. As part of Stage 1, a series of 20 semi-structured interviews with senior managers from retailers, retailers’ suppliers and logistics service providers were undertaken. Subsequently, in Stage 2, a focus group with practitioners from retailers and logistics service providers was run to verify the findings gathered during Stage 1. Four elements of a new HLC project being considered are investigated by supply chain champions across the UK Fast-Moving Costumer Goods industry, namely, consideration factors, required synergies, enablers and anticipated output metrics.Findings– When considering whether to embark on an HLC project, the supply chain requirements need to be taken into account and potential supply chain performance benefits projected. The paper identified several consideration factors; synergies and enablers that support the development of HLC projects are identified, such as legislation, trust among partners, common suppliers and delivery bases, capable third party logistics (3PL) and an effective commercial model, including a fair sharing of benefits.Research limitations/implications– The research provides new understanding in accounting for the needs of the supply chain when considering an HLC initiative involving leading players from the retail sector.Practical implications– The importance of taking a supply chain approach when evaluating the feasibility of HLC is demonstrated. HLC arrangements among competing supply chains need to be designed and run by taking account of all supply chain partners, namely, suppliers, 3PLs and customers (in this case, retailers).Originality/value– The contribution is threefold: identification of outset consideration factors, ideal required synergies, actioning enablers and wider supply chain metrics of HLC; development of a supply chain-driven model for HLC, which includes in the decision-making whether or not to adopt a horizontal logistics collaboration model, wide supply chain metrics such as stock levels of finished products and shelf availability, inventory, working and fixed capital, and product waste in addition to distribution costs; and, the proposal of a new definition for HLC which challenges published definitions.
Do arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi stabilize litter‐derived carbon in soil?
Authors: Verbruggen Erik , Jansa Jan , Hammer Edith C. , Rillig Matthias C. 
Published: October 2015

Summary

Fine roots and mycorrhiza often represent the largest input of carbon (C) into soils and are therefore of primary relevance to the soil C balance. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have previously been found to increase litter decomposition which may lead to reduced soil C stocks, but these studies have focused on immediate decomposition of relatively high amounts of high‐quality litter and may therefore not hold in many ecological settings over longer terms.

Here, we assessed the effect of mycorrhizal fungi on the fate of C and nitrogen (N) contained within a realistic amount of highly 13C‐/15N‐labelled root litter in soil. This litter was either added fresh or after a 3‐month incubation period under field conditions to a hyphal in‐growth core where mycorrhizal abundance was either reduced or not through rotation. After 3 months of incubation with a plant under glasshouse conditions, the effect of turning cores on residual 13C and 15N inside the cores was measured, as well as 13C incorporation in microbial signature fatty acids and 15N incorporation of plants.

Turning of cores increased the abundance of fungal decomposers and 13C loss from cores, while 15N content of cores and plants was unaffected. Despite the difference in disturbance that turning the cores could have caused, the results suggest that mycorrhizal fungi and field incubation of litter acted to additively increase the proportion of 13C left in cores.

Synthesis. Apart from stimulating litter decomposition as previously shown, mycorrhizas can also stabilize C during litter decomposition and this effect is persistent through time.
Alternative Estimator for Industrial Gender Wage Gaps: A Normalized Regression Approach
Authors: Yun Myeong‐Su , Lin Eric S. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractUsing normalized regression equations, we propose an alternative estimator of industrial gender wage gaps which is identified in the sense that it is invariant to the choice of an unobserved non‐discriminatory wage structure, and to the choice of the reference groups of any categorical variables. The proposed estimator measures the pure impact of industry on gender wage gaps after netting out wage differentials due to differences in characteristics and their coefficients between men and women. Furthermore, the proposed estimator is easy to implement, and hypothesis testing is straightforward. We compare the proposed estimator with existing estimators using samples from the 1998 US Current Population Survey.
The Cyclical Properties of Unemployment and Vacancies in Taiwan
Authors: Kashiwagi Masanori 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis paper examines the quantitative performance of the standard search and matching model in explaining the cyclical behaviour of Taiwan's labour market. Although the model accounts well for the data in some dimensions, simulated volatility is counterfactually very low, as pointed out in Shimer (2005) for the US labour market. Nevertheless, calibrated to Taiwan's data, the model explains a higher proportion of the observed volatility than the Shimer (2005) results, due to a higher parameter value for leisure; if an extremely high value is assumed, the model explains substantially better, but still partially, the volatility in Taiwan.
Possible Best Currency Basket Selection from the Perspective of Real Effective Exchange Rate
Authors: Wang Aihua , Balli Faruk , Li Xiumin 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWe calculated the real effective exchange rate indexes and measured their volatilities based on four currency baskets to find which currency basket is optimal for achieving China's policy target of keeping exchange rates stable. The volatility of the bilateral exchange rate between the RMB and the US dollar is also calculated to make a comparative analysis. Results showed that the bilateral exchange rate of the RMB and the US dollar is only stable in special time periods. In most time periods, pegging to the G3 currency basket is optimal to achieve the goal of stabilizing exchange rates while pegging to the AMU currency basket will result in the most volatile exchange rates.
Satisfaction of undergraduate students at University of Jordan after root canal treatment of posterior teeth using rotary or hand preparation
Authors: Abu‐Tahun Ibrahim , El‐Ma'aita Ahmad , Khraisat Ameen 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to report the satisfaction of fifth year undergraduate students on the clinical use of rotary endodontic preparation compared with stainless steel standard technique and to evaluate the impact of rotary nickel–titanium instruments on undergraduate teaching. This study was carried out by the fifth year undergraduate students attending peer review sessions as a part of their training program using a questionnaire to assess their satisfaction with these two techniques. The overall results indicated a statistically significant satisfaction of the undergraduate students with the use of the nickel–titanium system (P < 0.001) compared to stainless steel standard technique. Under the conditions of this study, the results showed a positive acceptance and consensus among novice dental students regarding the use of ProTaper rotary files and the need for undergraduate teaching of rotary nickel–titanium systems in Jordan.
A Unified Set-Based Test with Adaptive Filtering for Gene–Environment Interaction Analyses
Authors: Liu Qianying , Chen Lin S. , Nicolae Dan L. , Pierce Brandon L. 
Published: October 2015

Summary
In genome-wide gene–environment interaction (GxE) studies, a common strategy to improve power is to first conduct a filtering test and retain only the SNPs that pass the filtering in the subsequent GxE analyses. Inspired by two-stage tests and gene-based tests in GxE analysis, we consider the general problem of jointly testing a set of parameters when only a few are truly from the alternative hypothesis and when filtering information is available. We propose a unified set-based test that simultaneously considers filtering on individual parameters and testing on the set. We derive the exact distribution and approximate the power function of the proposed unified statistic in simplified settings, and use them to adaptively calculate the optimal filtering threshold for each set. In the context of gene-based GxE analysis, we show that although the empirical power function may be affected by many factors, the optimal filtering threshold corresponding to the peak of the power curve primarily depends on the size of the gene. We further propose a resampling algorithm to calculate P-values for each gene given the estimated optimal filtering threshold. The performance of the method is evaluated in simulation studies and illustrated via a genome-wide gene–gender interaction analysis using pancreatic cancer genome-wide association data.
Prepregnancy Obesity and Primary Cesareans among Otherwise Low‐Risk Mothers in 38 U.S. States in 2012
Authors: Declercq Eugene , MacDorman Marian , Osterman Michelle , Belanoff Candice , Iverson Ronald 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe United States has recently experienced increases in both its rate of obesity and its cesarean rate. Our objective was to use a new item measuring prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) on the U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth to examine at a population level the relationship between maternal obesity and primary cesarean delivery for women at otherwise low risk for cesarean delivery.MethodsBy 2012, 38 states with 86 percent of United States births had adopted the U.S. Standard Certificate. The sample was limited to the 2,233,144 women who had a singleton, vertex, term (37–41 weeks) birth in 2012 and no prior cesarean. We modeled the likelihood of a primary cesarean by BMI category, controlling for maternal socio‐demographic and medical characteristics.ResultsOverall, 46.4 percent of otherwise low‐risk mothers had a prepregnancy BMI in the overweight (25.1%) or obese (21.3%) categories, with the obese category distributed as follows: obese I (BMI 30.0–34.9, 12.4%); obese II (BMI 35.0–39.9, 5.5%); and obese III (BMI 40+, 3.5%). Obesity rates were highest among American Indian and Alaska Native (32.5%) and non‐Hispanic black mothers (30.5%). After adjustment for demographic and medical risks, the adjusted risk ratios (95% confidence intervals) of cesarean for low‐risk primiparas were: 1.61 (1.60–1.63) for obese I, 1.86 (1.83–1.88) for obese II, and 2.21 (2.18–2.25) for obese III mothers compared with mothers in the normal weight category.DiscussionA relationship between prepregnancy obesity and primary cesarean delivery among relatively low‐risk mothers remained even after controlling for social and medical risk factors.
Management of polycythaemia vera: a critical review of current data
Authors: McMullin Mary F. , Wilkins Bridget S. , Harrison Claire N. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryPolycythaemia vera (PV) is a chronic blood cancer; its clinical features are dominated by myeloproliferation (erythrocytosis, often leucocytosis and/or thrombocytosis) and a tendency for thrombosis and transformation to myelofibrosis or acute myeloid leukaemia. In the past 10 years the pathophysiology of this condition has been defined as JAK/STAT pathway activation, almost always due to mutations in JAK2 exons 12 or 14 (JAK2 V617F). In the same time period our understanding of the optimal management of PV has expanded, most recently culminating in the approval of JAK inhibitors for the treatment of PV patients who are resistant or intolerant to therapy with hydroxycarbamide. It has also been demonstrated that life expectancy for many patients with PV is not normal, nor is their quality of life. We critically explore these findings and discuss their impact. In addition, we highlight persisting gaps in our current management strategy; for example, what is the optimal first line cytoreductive therapy and, indeed, which patients need cytoreductive drugs.
Oral enclomiphene citrate raises testosterone and preserves sperm counts in obese hypogonadal men, unlike topical testosterone: restoration instead of replacement
Authors: Kim Edward D. , McCullough Andrew , Kaminetsky Jed 
Published: October 2015

ObjectivesTo determine the effects of daily oral doses of enclomiphene citrate compared with topical testosterone gel treatment on serum total testosterone (TT), luteinising hormone (LH), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), and sperm counts in men with secondary hypogonadism.Patients and MethodsTwo parallel randomised, double‐blind, double‐dummy, placebo‐controlled, multicentre, phase III studies were undertaken to evaluate two doses of enclomiphene citrate vs testosterone gel (AndroGel®1.62%) on TT, LH, FSH, and sperm counts in overweight men aged 18–60 years with secondary hypogonadism. Men were screened and enrolled in the trials (ZA‐304 and ZA‐305). All enrolled men had early morning serum TT levels in the low or low normal range (≤300 ng/dL; ≤10.4 nmol/L) and had low or normal LH (<9.4 IU/L) levels measured on two separate occasions 2–10 days apart. Serum samples were obtained over the course of the study to determine relevant hormone levels at baseline and after 16 weeks of treatment. Men provided semen samples twice to enroll at the beginning and twice at the end of the study.ResultsTT levels increased between baseline and after 16 weeks of treatment in all the treatment groups. FSH and LH levels increased in the enclomiphene citrate groups and decreased in the testosterone gel group at 16 weeks. Enclomiphene citrate maintained sperm concentration in the normal range over the treatment period, while there was a marked reduction in spermatogenesis in the testosterone gel group.ConclusionsEnclomiphene citrate consistently increased serum TT, LH and FSH, restoring normal levels of serum TT. Enclomiphene citrate treatment maintained sperm concentrations in the normal range. The effects on TT were also seen with testosterone replacement via testosterone gel but sperm counts were not maintained.
(Un)Real Animals: Anthropomorphism and Early Learning About Animals
Authors: Geerdts Megan S. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractChildren are frequently exposed to anthropomorphic depictions of animals. The impact of anthropomorphism on children's development of factual and biological knowledge about real animals has consequences for how we engage children in early learning about the natural world. In this article, I discuss recent cross‐cultural and experimental studies on children's exposure to differing representations of animals, and studies that highlight the role that experiences with and about animals play in the development of biological reasoning and factual learning. Continued research that considers the conditions in which anthropomorphism may support early learning can explain discrepancies in previous research and help advance the ways we address the place of anthropomorphism in early educational experiences.
Effect of acute and chronic glucocorticoid therapy on insulin sensitivity and postprandial vascular function
Authors: Radhakutty Anjana , Mangelsdorf Brenda L. , Drake Sophie M. , Samocha‐Bonet Dorit , Jenkins Arthur B. , Heilbronn Leonie K. , Smith Malcolm D. , Thompson Campbell H. , Burt Morton G. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryObjectivePostprandial hyperglycaemia is associated with increased arterial stiffness and cardiovascular events. Low‐dose prednisolone causes insulin resistance that typically manifests as postprandial hyperglycaemia. We investigated whether prednisolone causes postprandial vascular dysfunction in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.DesignAn open interventional and cross‐sectional study was undertaken.Patients and measurementsEighteen subjects with rheumatoid arthritis who had not taken oral glucocorticoids for ≥6 months were studied before and after prednisolone 6 mg/day for 7 days to determine the acute effects of prednisolone. Pre‐prednisolone data were compared to 18 subjects with rheumatoid arthritis taking long‐term (>6 months) prednisolone (6·5 ± 1·8 mg/day) to assess the chronic effects of prednisolone. Augmentation index (by applanation tonometry) and reactive hyperaemia index (by peripheral artery tonometry) were measured before and after a mixed‐meal (10 kcal/kg, 45% carbohydrate, 15% protein, 40% fat). Insulin sensitivity was estimated by the Matsuda index and sympathetic nervous system activity from urinary noradrenaline excretion.ResultsMatsuda index was lower after acute (2·0 ± 1·0 vs 3·6 ± 1·1, P = 0·01) and chronic (1·9 ± 1·0 vs 3·6 ± 1·1, P = 0·04) prednisolone. Postprandial augmentation index was lower after acute prednisolone (2551 ± 197 vs 2690 ± 272%*min, P ≤ 0·001), but not chronic prednisolone. There were no significant differences in reactive hyperaemia index with acute or chronic prednisolone. Noradrenaline excretion was lower after acute (54 ± 8 vs 93 ± 23 nmol/6 h, P = 0·02), but not chronic, prednisolone.ConclusionsPrednisolone‐induced insulin resistance is not associated with postprandial vascular dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Reduced sympathetic activity may contribute to the reduction in postprandial arterial stiffness with acute prednisolone.
Health‐related quality of life in patients treated for nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas during the years 2000–2010
Authors: Karppinen Atte , Ritvonen Elina , Roine Risto , Sintonen Harri , Vehkavaara Satu , Kivipelto Leena , Grossman Ashley B. , Niemelä Mika , Schalin‐Jäntti Camilla 
Published: October 2015

SummaryObjectiveThe published data on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) after treatment of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are conflicting. We evaluated HRQoL in a recent series of patients who had surgery for an NFPA.DesignCross‐sectional study including a large control population.Patients and MeasurementsA HRQoL questionnaire (15D) was sent to all patients (n = 161) having undergone transsphenoidal surgery for NFPA in the years 2000–2010 at the Helsinki University Hospital. The 15D score and dimension scores of the study population (n = 137) were compared with those of a large (n = 4967) gender‐ and age‐standardized control population. Possible independent predictors of HRQoL in the patients were estimated with multivariate regression analysis.ResultsPostoperatively, 57% of the patients had normal visual function. After a mean follow‐up of 7·4 ± 3·2 years (mean ± SD), 62% suffered from hypopituitarism. Overall, HRQoL was near‐normal in patients compared to controls (15D scores 0·885 ± 0·114 vs 0·903 ± 0·093, respectively, P = 0·07). On single dimensions, patients had impaired vision and sexual activity (both P < 0·0005), more depression and distress (both P < 0·005) and less discomfort and symptoms (P < 0·05). Age, body mass index, diabetes, depression and reoperation were independent predictors of impaired HRQoL (all P < 0·05). Thyroxine substitution was associated with impaired and hydrocortisone and testosterone substitution (males only) with better HRQoL (all P < 0·05).ConclusionsThis recent series of NFPA patients demonstrates that overall HRQoL is near‐normal after medium term follow‐up; the most impaired dimensions were in vision and sexual activity. Comorbidities are strong predictors of impaired HRQoL.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Ussavarungsi Kamonpun , Thomas Colleen S. , Burger Charles D. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsTo determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) – a potential phenotypical risk for pulmonary hypertension (PH) – in patients with PH and by PH diagnostic group including group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); group 1.1 idiopathic PAH, groups 1.2 heritable PAH, 1.3 drug and toxin induced, 1.4 associated PAH, group 2 PH with left heart disease, group 3 PH associated with lung disease and/or hypoxemia, group 4 PH owing to chronic thrombotic and/or embolic disease, and group 5 PH from multifactorial mechanisms.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of patients referred to Mayo Clinic in Florida from January 1990 to October 2013 (N = 1287). Only patients whom PH was confirmed by right heart catheterization were included (N = 640). MetS was defined with at least three of the following: systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and body mass index > 30.ResultsMetS was prevalent in 247 of 640 (39%) with PH: 13% in group 1.1 PAH, 12% in groups 1.2–1.4 PAH, 54% in group 2, 55% in group 3, 23% in group 4 and 24% in group 5. After adjusting for age, sex and race, diagnostic subgroup analysis revealed a higher prevalence of MetS in WHO Group 2 PH patients [adjusted odd ratios (OR): 2.58, P < 0.0001] and WHO group 3 PH (adjusted OR: 2.77, P < 0.0001) when compared to group 1 PH.ConclusionThe prevalence of MetS was observed in 39% of patients with PH; however, among PH patients, the prevalence was higher in group 2 and 3 PH.
Genetic analysis along an invasion pathway reveals endemic cryptic taxa, but a single species with little population structure in the introduced range
Authors: Hill Matthew P. , Hoffmann Ary A. , Umina Paul A. , Cheng Xuan , Miller Adam D. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAimThe invasion pathways of pest arthropods can be traced using genetic tools to develop an understanding of the processes that have shaped successful invasions and to inform both pest management and conservation strategies in their non‐native and native ranges, respectively. The redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor, is a major economic pest in Australia, successfully establishing and spreading after arrival from South Africa more than 100 years ago. Halotydeus destructor has recently expanded its range and evolved resistance to numerous pesticides in Australia, raising questions around its origin and spread.LocationSouth Africa and Australia.MethodsWe sampled H. destructor populations in South Africa and Australia and developed a microsatellite marker library. We then examined genetic variation using mtDNA and microsatellite markers across both native and invasive ranges to determine endemic genetic diversity within South Africa, identify the likely origin of invasive populations and test genetic divergence across Australia.ResultsThe data show that H. destructor comprises a cryptic species complex in South Africa, with putative climatic/host plant associations that may correspond to regional variation. A lineage similar to that found near Cape Town has spread throughout Western and eastern Australia, where populations remain genetically similar.Main conclusionsTracing the invasion pathway of this economically important pest revealed cryptic lineages in South Africa which points to the need for a taxonomic revision. The absence of significant genetic structure across the wide invasive range of H. destructor within Australia has implications for the development (and spread) of pesticide resistance and also points to recent local adaptation in physiological traits.