bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness and integrative self‐knowledge: Relationships with health‐related variables
Authors: Ghasemipour Yadollah , Robinson Julie Ann , Ghorbani Nima 
Published: February 2013

This study examined how mindfulness and integrative self‐knowledge were related to health‐related issues. Men in general population (n = 103) and coronary heart disease samples (n = 101) completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Integrative Self‐knowledge Scale, the Type 2 subscale of the Interpersonal Reactions Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Anxiety and Depression Scales. In both samples, there was a moderate positive correlation between mindfulness and integrative self‐knowledge and they were negatively correlated with all health‐related variables. However, only integrative self‐knowledge explained independent variance in health‐related variables. Specifically, in both samples, the relationship between mindfulness and health‐related variables was mediated by integrative self‐knowledge. Mindfulness and integrative self‐knowledge are related domains of self‐awareness that are associated with a range of health‐related variables. These relationships are robust across samples drawn from general population and patients with coronary heart disease. The finding that integrative self‐knowledge explained additional variance in the health‐related variables after the contribution of mindfulness had been accounted for suggests that reflective self‐awareness in integrative self‐knowledge may make a unique contribution to the explanation of individual differences in health variables.
The Impact of a Massachusetts State-Sponsored Educational Program on Antimicrobial Stewardship in Acute Care Hospitals
Authors: Weston Adam , Epstein Lauren , Davidson Lisa E. , DeMaria Alfred , Doron Shira 
Published: February 2013

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are critically important for combating the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Despite this, there are no regulatory requirements at a national level, which makes initiatives at the state level critical. The objectives of this study were to identify existing antimicrobial stewardship practices, characterize barriers to antimicrobial stewardship implementation in acute care hospitals throughout Massachusetts, and evaluate the impact on these hospitals of a state-sponsored educational conference on antimicrobial stewardship.In September 2011, a state-sponsored educational program entitled “Building Stewardship: A Team Approach Enhancing Antibiotic Stewardship in Acute Care Hospitals” was offered to interested practitioners from throughout the state. The program consisted of 2 audio conferences, reading materials, and a 1-day conference consisting of lectures focusing on the importance of ASPs, strategies for implementation, improvement strategies for existing programs, and panel discussions highlighting successful practices. Smaller breakout sessions focused on operational issues, including understanding of pharmacodynamics, business models, and electronic surveillance.
Identification of a novel type 2 innate immunocyte with the ability to enhance IgE production
Authors: Fukuoka Ayumi , Futatsugi-Yumikura Shizue , Takahashi Suzuka , Kazama Hirotaka , Iyoda Tomonori , Yoshimoto Tomohiro , Inaba Kayo , Nakanishi Kenji , Yonehara Shin 
Published: February 2013

AbstractFas (CD95), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, mediates apoptosis-inducing signals in its expressing cells, especially in self-reactive cells. We recently reported that Fas−/− mice with a BALB/c background (BALB/c Fas−/− mice) developed blepharitis with allergic inflammation that was accompanied by hyper-IgE production. Here, we found a novel type of immunocyte in the spleen of BALB/c Fas−/− mice, which enhanced the production of IgE by B cells in the presence of IL-4 and CD40 signaling in vitro. The immunocyte did not express lineage markers but expressed Thy-1 and Sca-1 just like recently identified type 2 innate lymphoid cells, such as natural helper (NH) cells and nuocytes. However, they did not express c-Kit, IL-7R and IL-33R (T1/ST2), important markers of type 2 innate lymphoid cells. Instead, our identified Lin−Thy-1+Sca-1+ cells expressed IL-18R and secreted Th2 cytokines when co-cultured with B cells or when stimulated with IL-18 and IL-2. Moreover, we found essentially the same type of cells in BALB/c wild-type mice as in BALB/c Fas−/− mice, which enhanced IgE production in contact with B cells in vitro. These cells from BALB/c wild-type mice expressed Fas and were sensitive to Fas-mediated apoptosis. Collectively, the newly identified Lin−Thy-1+Sca-1+ cell, which we designated a F-NH cell (Fas-expressing natural helper cell), is a novel type 2 innate immunocyte with activity to enhance IgE production from B cells with the help of IL-4 and CD40 signaling. F-NH cells may play an important role in the development of chronic allergic inflammation.
Benchmarking Indian general insurance firms
Authors: Srivastava Samir K. , Ray Avishek 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to benchmark the solvency status of Indian general insurance firms.Design/methodology/approachThe paper collects, compiles and analyses the key financial, operational and business data of eight Indian insurance firms. The authors first decide on initial firm‐specific economic variables and use data of last five years from IRDA Reports and Company Annual Reports. The NAIC IRIS ratios method was used to obtain an initial risk classification. This was used as a proxy of insolvency risk. Linear regression and logit techniques were thereafter applied to estimate the significant factors (direction‐wise and magnitude‐wise) which influence insurer solvency.FindingsThe results suggest that the factors that most significantly influence Indian non‐life insurers are lines of business, the firm's market share, the premium growth rate, the underwriting performance and the claims incurred. Further, the factors which have the strongest effect are market share, change in inflation rate, firm size, lines of business and claims incurred.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample of Indian general insurers used is limited with regard to the time span. No holdout sample was used and the entire data set was subjected to statistical analysis. These somewhat limit the findings and implications.Practical implicationsThe paper provides insurers with easy‐to‐use operational and marketing indicators to benchmark their solvency risk. It will lead to competitive goal setting for continuous improvement. Estimation of appropriate market/economic parameters can be a useful input for regulators. A few suggested indicators are new.Originality/valuePrevious studies of insurance companies have focused on developed economies (USA, Europe) or the Asian Markets (China and Japan). This paper determines a set of marketing, financial and operational variables to predict benchmark financial strength of general insurance firms in India. It incorporates qualitative inputs from practising managers and industry experts before carrying out quantitative modeling and analysis.
The role of trust on the performance of strategic alliances in a cross‐cultural context
Authors: Yasin Fadol Yasir , Sandhu Maqsood Ahmad 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the role of trust in the relationships and long‐term commitment between partners in strategic alliances. A framework is developed for better understanding the role of trust in the performance of strategic alliances in a cross‐cultural context.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical findings of this study are gathered from structured and unstructured interviews with some key actors involved in the process of forming strategic alliances in their own organizations; a case study of the oil industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which illustrates this is analysed. Qualitative analysis is conducted to assess the role of trust in this cross‐cultural context.FindingsIt was noted that building trust between partners helped to avoid bureaucratic obstructions and enhanced the decision making process in the UAE. It was found that trust helped partners to exchange resources faster, devote more funds to the venture and exchange knowledge and information smoothly. The results clearly show that trust plays an important role in building well‐functioning relationships in the oil and gas industry.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to the UAE and can be generalized to other similar cultural contexts only to a certain extent. Future research should consider the same parameters in order to fully generalize the results to other industries.Practical implicationsThe paper presents a case study of the nature and characteristics of partners in the oil and gas industry, which may be applied to other similar industries. It is hoped that presenting practical tools for understanding the function of trust in strategic alliance performance may be useful.Originality/valueThis framework makes two major contributions; first, it explores a subject which has been under‐researched in the literature, that is, the issue of trust between partners of strategic alliances in a developing context; and, second, it leads to a set of recommendations and benchmarks the practitioners in the UAE and similar contexts to help them increase the trust between partners in strategic alliances.
Student reflections on the value of a professionalism module
Authors: Holland Lynda 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze written reflections of final year computing students taking a professionalism module that covered the social, legal, professional and ethical aspects of computing. Society's dependence on computers makes it essential that computing students, whose future work may involve the analysis, storage and security of private data, are capable of identifying ethical issues and of making reflective moral judgements. The capacity to make moral judgements has been linked to an ability to reflect, so the aim of this research was twofold, to investigate students' familiarity with the concepts the module covered and their reflective ability.Design/methodology/approachThe research takes the form of an exploratory case study with qualitative data from written reflections examined using NVivo and word cloud analysis.FindingsThe students found it difficult to write reflectively and the majority of their reflections were either descriptive writing or descriptive reflection which considered events from one perspective. Awareness of the topics covered by the module appeared to be low prior to taking the module.Research limitations/implicationsThis research identifies the need to develop students' reflective skills and professional awareness in order to enhance their professional performance.Practical implicationsReflective writing and concepts such as profession and ethics need to be included throughout computing degrees, not just in a final year module. As students are strategic learners these topics also need to be covered in enough depth at each level so they are assessed and treated seriously by students.Social implicationsGiven the ubiquitous nature of computers and society's high level of dependence on them it is essential that students' moral reasoning skills are developed throughout their course, so on graduation they are capable of ethical thinking and can make reflective moral judgements.Originality/valueNo other qualitative research was found which covered this area and no research was found which raised these issues.
Determinants and usefulness of analysts' cash flow forecasts: evidence from Australia
Authors: Ahmed Kamran , Jahangir Ali Muhammad 
Published: February 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of analysts' operating cash flow forecasts of Australian listed firms and whether or not such forecasts improve the usefulness of earnings and predictive ability of current cash flows.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a large sample of firms for which both cash flows and earnings forecasts were available over a period between 1993 and 2003, and employed both univariate and logistic regression analyses.FindingsIt was found that analysts forecast both operating cash flows and earnings when the firms are more complex in operations and when the size of the firm is relatively small. Further, it was found that cash flow forecasts improve the usefulness of earnings and predictive ability of current cash flows.Originality/valueThis study contributes to current understanding of analysts' forecast behaviour regarding dissemination of operating cash flow information and usefulness of cash flow forecasts.
Drivers of e‐retailer peak sales period price behavior: an empirical analysis
Authors: Ahluwalia Punit , Hughes Jerald , Midha Vishal 
Published: February 2013

PurposeElectronic markets are known to be distinct from, and more efficient than, the conventional retail markets. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect on pricing in relation to proximity to a culturally and socially significant peak shopping day and the moderating effects of consumers product rating, product popularity, and featured product website rankings.Design/methodology/approachThe shopping season during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2010 was used to collect data for this study. This paper uses a case study approach by extracting real store‐level data from the web pages of a B2C e‐retailer. Store level data were downloaded for a total of 19 days, before and after “Black Friday.” The longitudinal data were analyzed using regression analytic procedure to conform the hypotheses.FindingsThe longitudinal data supported the hypothesized relationship between days to the culturally significant shopping event and e‐retailer selling price. The data also confirmed that featured product ranking is a significant moderator of the above relationship.Research limitations/implicationsIn e‐retailer websites, webpage ranking determines the order of display of products. Literature suggests that buyers choices are influenced by the volume and order of display of information. Therefore, this study includes webpage rankings of featured products, number of consumer reviews, and consumer ratings as independent variables. Another limitation of this study is that it uses data of one large e‐retailer. Future studies may address these limitations.Originality/valueThis paper examines the pricing behavior of e‐commerce companies during “culturally and socially significant” events. and answers research questions related to the electronic markets: Do e‐commerce companies participate in cultural and social events? How do these companies manipulate pricing during a special shopping season? How are search tools employed to showcase specific products to the buyers? Is there a relationship between proximity to “Black Friday” and product price, product popularity, and product ratings?
Conservative leaf economic traits correlate with fast growth of genotypes of a foundation riparian species near the thermal maximum extent of its geographic range
Authors: Grady Kevin C. , Laughlin Daniel C. , Ferrier Sharon M. , Kolb Thomas E. , Hart Stephen C. , Allan Gerard J. , Whitham Thomas G. 
Published: February 2013

Summary

Plant functional traits involved in carbon and water acquisition are likely to be adaptive across the range of a species if the availability of these resources varies across this range and are limiting to growth or fitness. At the interspecific level, leaf economic traits associated with rapid resource capture are correlated with fast growth rates. However, relationships between leaf traits and growth are poorly understood at the intraspecific level.

We examined two hypotheses: (i) leaf traits vary genotypically among Populus fremontii populations from different thermal environments; and (ii) leaf traits are related to growth rate of these P. fremontii populations. We used a common garden at the warm edge of P. fremontii distribution that included individuals transplanted from 11 provenances. Provenances varied in mean annual maximum temperature by 5·9 °C, reflecting a range of expected increases in temperature over the next 80 years.

Conservative leaf traits (e.g. low specific leaf area, N content, stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate and high leaf water‐use efficiency) were positively related to growth rates of genotypes and populations, a pattern opposite of that widely reported among species in other studies.

Provenance temperature explained 75% of the variation in multivariate leaf traits with the warmest provenances having the most conservative traits and highest growth rates. Clinal genetic variation suggests that P. fremontii may be adapted to thermal environments.

Leaf area‐to‐sapwood area ratio was positively associated with growth rate, while leaf area‐based net photosynthetic rate was negatively associated with growth rate; these results suggest that hydraulic architecture was more important than leaf‐level photosynthetic rate in determining growth rate.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that conservative leaf traits promote rapid growth of P. fremontii genotypes in extremely hot environments. Thus, relationships between leaf economic traits among species do not necessarily apply to the range of variation among genotypes within species. The generality of this pattern should be examined for other species that will be exposed to climate warming. Moreover, our research shows that common garden provenance trials are useful for identifying genotypes best suited to a predicted warmer climate and for improving understanding of the physiological basis for adaptation to warm environments.
Microvascular anatomy and histomorphology of extrapulmonary bronchi in adult Xenopus laevis Daudin (Lissamphibia; Anura) point to a role in aerial gas exchange – histomorphology of tissue sections and scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts
Authors: Tangphokhanon Wasan , Lametschwandtner Alois 
Published: February 2013

AbstractStudies on the amphibian respiratory tract microvascular anatomy are few. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of vascular corrosion casts (VCCs) and light microscopy of perfusion‐fixed tissue sections, we studied the bronchial microvascular anatomy in the adult South African Clawed Toad, Xenopus laevis Daudin. Histomorphology showed that the bronchial wall consists (from luminal to abluminal) of squamous epithelium, subepithelial capillary bed, cartilage rings or cartilage plates, a layer of dense connective tissue, a layer of smooth muscle cells, and squamous epithelium (serosa). SEM of VCCs reveals that bilaterally a ventral, a dorsal (Ø 77.21 ± 7.61 μm), and a caudal bronchial artery supply the bronchial subepithelial capillary bed. The ventral bronchial artery has 3–4 branching orders (interbranching distances: 506.3 ± 392.12 μm; branching angles of first‐ and second‐order bifurcations: 24.60 ± 10.24° and 29.59 ± 14.3°). Casts of bronchial arteries display imprints of flow dividers and sphincters. Cranial and caudal bronchial veins (Ø 154.78 ± 49.68 μm) drain into pulmonary veins. They lack microvenous valves. The location of the dense subepithelial capillary meshwork just beneath the thin squamous bronchial epithelium and its drainage into the pulmonary veins make it likely that in Xenopus, bronchi assist in aerial gas exchange.
Pituitary tumor‐transforming gene 1 as a proliferation marker lacking prognostic value in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ishitsuka Yosuke , Kawachi Yasuhiro , Taguchi Shijima , Maruyama Hiroshi , Nakamura Yoshiyuki , Fujisawa Yasuhiro , Furuta Jun‐ichi , Nakamura Yasuhiro , Ishii Yoshiyuki , Otsuka Fujio 
Published: February 2013

AbstractNon‐melanoma skin cancer is the most frequently occurring type of cancer worldwide and is caused by epidermal carcinogenesis and malignant progression that involve dysregulated expression of proto‐oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. The proto‐oncogene pituitary tumor‐transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor that can promote enhanced proliferation of cultured epidermal keratinocytes. To investigate the potential roles of PTTG1 in epidermal carcinogenesis and malignant progression, the expression of PTTG1 was analysed by immunohistochemistry along with Ki67, keratin 10 (K10) and p53 in tissue samples of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), actinic keratoses (AK) and Bowen's disease (BD). Expression levels of PTTG1 were compared among these disease groups to test for correlations with proliferation, differentiation capacity or the existence of mutated tumor suppressor genes in each disease group. In each disease group, the expression levels of PTTG1 correlated positively with those of Ki67, although the differentiation status, measured by K10 expression, did not show any correlation. In contrast, the existence of mutated p53 proteins showed a positive correlation only in the SCC group. Moreover, the expression levels of PTTG1 in SCC did not correlate with known prognostic factors such as TNM staging or tumor thickness. These results suggest that PTTG1 may represent a proliferation marker associated with mutated p53 proteins but is not an informative predictor of poor clinical outcomes in SCC.
Recurrence of pelvic abscess from Panton–Valentine leukocidin‐positive community‐acquired ST30 methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Isobe Hirokazu , Miyasaka Dai , Ito Tomoyuki , Takano Tomomi , Nishiyama Akihito , Iwao Yasuhisa , Khokhlova Olga E. , Okubo Takeshi , Endo Naoto , Yamamoto Tatsuo 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA 17‐year‐old female patient (a basketball player) suffered from recurrent pelvic abscesses from methicillin‐resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The first episode, from strain NN12, occurred in October 2004. Her cutaneous abscesses complicated into systemic progression to osteomyelitis and multifocal pelvic abscesses, adjacent to the sacroiliac joint. The second episode, abscesses at tissues adjacent to the sacroiliac joint from strain NN31A, occurred late in February 2005. The third episode, from strain NN31B, occurred on July 30, 2005, repeating the second episode. Three MRSA strains were identical in terms of genotypes (belonging to Panton‐Valentine leukocidin [PVL]‐positive ST30 community‐acquired MRSA, CA‐MRSA), pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis patterns, and peptide cytolysin gene (psmα) expression levels. The three MRSA strains exhibited superior THP‐1 cell invasion ability over hospital‐acquired MRSA (New York/Japan clone). The data suggest that PVL‐positive ST30 CA‐MRSA, with high levels of cell invasion and peptide cytolysins, causes recurrence of pelvic abscesses in a healthy adolescent.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis case with dense metaphyseal band sign
Authors: Kikkawa Ichiro , Aihara Toshinori , Morimoto Akira , Watanabe Hideaki , Furukawa Rieko 
Published: February 2013

AbstractEosinophilic granuloma, a type of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, exhibits a classic vertebral collapse, which is called vertebra plana (Calve's disease) and it manifests as a solitary bony lesion. Vertebra plana can cause severe pain in patients. Bisphosphonates (clodronate, pamidronate and zoledronic acid) have been recently used to treat osteolytic bone lesions of LCH. Zoledronic acid has 100 times relative potency that of pamidronate. We report a case of a 10‐year‐old girl who had zoledronic acid treatment for severe back pain due to vertebra plana. X‐ray photographs of the patient's body showed dense metaphyseal band sign, which can be found in lead poisoning, treated leukemia, healing rickets, recovery from scurvy, vitamin D hypervitaminosis, congenital hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism. Increased biological potent zoledronic acid deprived her of severe back pain due to vertebra plana and might cause dense metaphyseal band sign of her skeleton. Conclusion; We have cured the severe back pain of a 10‐year‐old girl case of eosinophilic granuloma with zoledronic acid. After that treatment, X‐ray photographs of the patient's body showed dense metaphyseal band sign. There have been few such cases reported until now.