bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of ISO 9001 certification on the performance of Greek companies
Authors: Ismyrlis Vasileios , Moschidis Odysseas 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the benefits of ISO 9001 certification and the association between them, the level of implementation of the critical success factors (CSFs) required for the appropriate functioning of the quality management system in ISO 9001:2008 certified companies and between other demographic variables.

Design/methodology/approach
– A research project was carried out in Greek companies from all business sectors using the questionnaire technique. The selected companies implement a quality management system in accordance with the ISO 9001:2008 standard. Correspondence analysis, a methodology from the field of multidimensional statistics, was used to identify significant differences between the effects on performance and other variables such as the implementation level of CSFs relating to the quality management system and years of certification.

Findings
– External benefits seem to be more important than internal benefits. The least important benefits were mostly business results, such as profits, costs and market share. Differences were detected between the level of performance and certain demographic variables such as the use of International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) alone, size and years of certification. The certified companies have generally benefited from ISO implementation.

Research limitations/implications
– The study was based on the perceptions (subjective data) of only one quality manager/representative from each company. The motives for ISO certification, which can seriously affect the benefits derived, were not examined.

Practical implications
– The measures presented here can be used by certified companies to evaluate performance (financial or not) related to ISO 9001 certification and to discover those factors that contribute to the better exploitation of the ISO 9001:2008 standard.

Originality/value
– This paper aims to evaluate performance since the implementation of the ISO 9001:2008 standard in Greek companies, which are confronting a tough economic environment and to analyse this data with a methodology from the multidimensional field, with the complementary use of some special tables of coincidence.
Assessment of supplier quality performance of computer manufacturing industry by using ANP and DEMATEL
Authors: Hu Hsiu Yuan , Chiu Shao-I , Yen Tieh-Min , Cheng Ching-Chan 
Published: January 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to establish an integrated model of Analytic Network Process (ANP) and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), to assist enterprises to process supplier quality performance rating and comparison and find the core improvement direction to create the value of all supply chain members.Design/methodology/approach– This study used the integrated model to process supplier quality performance rating and comparison, which not only improved the order-winners and qualifiers and continued to increase supplier quality performance, but resolved the complex and difficult cause-effect relation issue to find out core improvement items. The cases of Taiwanese industrial computer manufacturers were used to describe the application and benefits of this methodology.Findings– The results recommended that the improvement item of supplier A shall focus on design and quality conformance. The recommended improvement item and order for supplier B is design, delivery reliability and delivery speed. This study established ANP and DEMATEL evaluation models, and expanded the application field in the supplier performance evaluation.Originality/value– The ANP model is used to calculate the importance of the evaluation criteria, and the DEMATEL method is introduced to consider the impact of the casual relationship of evaluation items and to adjust the importance of the evaluation item, and to solve the complex and difficult practical causation issue.
Immune cellular regulation on autoantibody production in pemphigus
Authors: Pan Meng , Zhu Haiqin , Xu Renchao 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPemphigus is an autoantibody‐mediated blistering disease in the skin and mucous membranes. The autoantibodies primarily target desmoglein (Dsg)1 or/and Dsg3, transmembrane glycoproteins of skin epidermal cells, leading to loss of desmosome adhesion and acantholysis through signaling dependent and independent pathways. Thus, the pemphigus autoantibodies themselves and immune processes, particularly cellular regulation of antibody production, remain as interesting topics in probing pemphigus pathogenesis. In this review, we focus on current advances regarding how the pemphigus antibody production is highly regulated by the key immune effectors including T cells, B cells and their secreted cytokines. Specifically targeting these immune effectors involved in the pemphigus autoantibody production should provide better therapeutic options for disease treatment of pemphigus.
Importance of serological tests in diagnosis of autoimmune blistering diseases
Authors: Ishii Ken 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAutoimmune blistering diseases are organ‐specific autoimmune diseases characterized by autoantibodies against structural proteins that maintain cell–cell (pemphigus diseases) and cell–matrix adhesions (pemphigoid diseases) in the skin and mucous membranes. Over the last few decades, identification of autoantigens and extensive characterization of autoantibodies have improved understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases. In addition, the development of new sensitive and specific immunoassays enabled accurate diagnosis and proper evaluation of disease activity in autoimmune blistering diseases. In this review, we describe practical updates for molecular diagnostic tests for autoimmune blistering diseases and the basis for interpreting the results of the assays.
Traction force during vacuum extraction: a prospective observational study
Authors: Pettersson K , Ajne J , Yousaf K , Sturm D , Westgren M , Ajne G 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate the traction force employed during vacuum extractions.DesignObservational cross‐sectional study.SettingObstetric Department, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden, and the Swedish National Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2013.PopulationTwo hundred women with vacuum extraction at term and 130 obstetricians participating in a simulated setting.MethodsIn a normal clinical setting, we used a specially adapted device to measure and record the force used to undertake vacuum extraction. In a subsequent part of the study, the force employed for vacuum extraction by a group of obstetricians in a fictive setting was estimated and objectively measured.Main outcome measuresApplied force during vacuum extraction in relation to the estimated level of difficulty in the delivery; perinatal diagnoses of asphyxia or head trauma; estimated force compared with objectively measured force employed in the fictive setting.ResultsThe median (minimum–maximum) peak forces for minimum, average and excessive vacuum extraction in the clinical setting were 176 N (5–360 N), 225 N (115–436 N), and 241 N (164–452 N), respectively. In 34% of cases a force in excess of 216 N was employed. There was no correlation between the umbilical arterial pH at delivery and the traction force employed during extraction. Four cases of mild hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy were observed, three of which were associated with a delivery whereby excessive traction force was employed during the vacuum extraction. In the fictive setting, the actual exerted force was twice the quantitative estimation. The measured forces in the clinical setting were four times higher than that estimated in the fictive setting.ConclusionsHigher than expected levels of traction force were used for vacuum extraction delivery. As obstetricians tend to underestimate the force applied during vacuum extraction, objective measurement with instantaneous feedback may be valuable in raising awareness.
Fish Protein Hydrolysates: Application in Deep‐Fried Food and Food Safety Analysis
Authors: He Shan , Franco Christopher , Zhang Wei 
Published: January 2015

AbstractFour different processes (enzymatic, microwave‐intensified enzymatic, chemical, and microwave‐intensified chemical) were used to produce fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) from Yellowtail Kingfish for food applications. In this study, the production yield and oil‐binding capacity of FPH produced from different processes were evaluated. Microwave intensification significantly increased the production yields of enzymatic process from 42% to 63%. It also increased the production yields of chemical process from 87% to 98%. The chemical process and microwave‐intensified chemical process produced the FPH with low oil‐binding capacity (8.66 g oil/g FPH and 6.25 g oil/g FPH), whereas the microwave‐intensified enzymatic process produced FPH with the highest oil‐binding capacity (16.4 g oil/g FPH). The FPH from the 4 processes were applied in the formulation of deep‐fried battered fish and deep‐fried fish cakes. The fat uptake of deep‐fried battered fish can be reduced significantly from about 7% to about 4.5% by replacing 1% (w/w) batter powder with FPH, and the fat uptake of deep‐fried fish cakes can be significantly reduced from about 11% to about 1% by replacing 1% (w/w) fish mince with FPH. Food safety tests of the FPH produced by these processes demonstrated that the maximum proportion of FPH that can be safely used in food formulation is 10%, due to its high content of histamine. This study demonstrates the value of FPH to the food industry and bridges the theoretical studies with the commercial applications of FPH.
Identification of Senory Attributes That Drive the Likeability of Korean Rice Wines by American Panelists
Authors: Kwak Han Sub , Ahn Byung‐Hak , Kim Hye‐Ryun , Lee Soo‐Yeun 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSix commercial Korean rice wines were described their sensory profiles by trained American panelists, and assessed acceptances by American subjects to identify the drivers of liking and disliking factors. Thirteen statistically different descriptive attributes were defined for Korean rice wines: aromas (apple, pear, earthy, peach, nutty, yeasty, honey), flavor (yeasty, nutty), taste (sweet, sour, bitter), and aftertaste (apricot). Samples A and F were characterized as sweet taste and fruity attributes, and sample C was characterized as being pear flavor and bitter taste. Sample B exhibited a strong earthy aroma, determined as the aroma of ginseng. The American subjects could not identify ginseng aroma due to their lack of experience in ginseng. Samples D and E were described as nutty and yeasty. In consumer test, consumer preference was skewed to sample A, for which the consumer preference revolved around the sweet, sour, and fruity characteristics of the sample by the principal component analysis. Few consumers expressed preference toward samples D and E, as evidenced by the lowest consumer acceptance ratings. Partial least squares regression revealed that the key liking factors of Korean rice wines were sweet, sour, and apricot flavors. Fruity characteristics (peach, apple, and pear) were also positively correlated with overall acceptance. The key disliking factors were yeasty and nutty characteristics. American subjects regarded Korean rice wine as belonging to the wine category, prompting them to grant the highest rank to sample A, which has similar characteristics to semisweet white wine.
Diversity in Sensory Quality and Determining Factors Influencing Mandarin Flavor Liking
Authors: Goldenberg Livnat , Yaniv Yossi , Kaplunov Tatiana , Doron‐Faigenboim Adi , Carmi Nir , Porat Ron 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWe evaluated the sensory quality of 42 mandarin varieties that belong to 7 different natural subgroups: common mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), Clementine (Citrus clementina Hort. ex. Tan), Satsuma (Citrus unshiu Marcovitch), Mediterranean mandarin (Citrus deliciosa Tenore), King mandarin (Citrus nobilis Loureiro), and mandarin hybrids, such as tangor (Citrus reticulata × Citrus sinensis) and tangelo (Citrus reticulata × Citrus paradisi). Consumer flavor acceptance tests revealed wide diversity in flavor preferences among mandarin varieties and subgroups. Furthermore, descriptive flavor‐analysis tests conducted with the aid of a trained sensory panel revealed that the 9 most preferred varieties had similar flavor profiles, characterized by high sweetness, moderate to low acidity levels, low bitterness and gumminess, strong fruity and mandarin flavor, and high juiciness. The average total soluble solids (TSS) and acidity levels among the highly preferred varieties were 13.1% and 1.1%, respectively. In contrast, the 8 least preferred varieties were either too sour or gummy or had low levels of sweetness, fruity, or mandarin flavor, and either high acidity levels (>1.4%) or low TSS levels (<12.0%). Pearson tests revealed significant positive correlations between flavor acceptance and perceptions of sweetness, fruitiness, and mandarin flavor, and negative correlations with acidity levels and perceptions of sourness, bitterness, and gumminess. Principle component analysis clearly distinguished between highly accepted varieties that were tightly correlated with high TSS levels and perceptions of sweetness fruitiness and mandarin flavor, as compared with the least accepted varieties that were correlated with high acidity levels and perceptions of sourness, bitterness, and gumminess.
Meta‐analysis of suicide rates among psychiatric in‐patients
Authors: Walsh G. , Sara G. , Ryan C. J. , Large M. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveTo examine factors associated with the number of psychiatric admissions per in‐patient suicide and the suicide rate per 100 000 in‐patient years in psychiatric hospitals.MethodRandom‐effects meta‐analysis was used to calculate pooled estimates, and meta‐regression was used to examine between‐sample heterogeneity.ResultsForty‐four studies published between 1945 and 2013 reported a total of 7552 in‐patient suicides. The pooled estimate of the number of admissions per suicide calculated using 39 studies reporting 150 independent samples was 676 (95% CI: 604–755). Recent studies tended to report higher numbers of admissions per suicide than earlier studies. The pooled estimate of suicide rates per 100 000 in‐patient years calculated using 27 studies reporting 95 independent samples was 147 (95% CI: 138–156). Rates of suicide per 100 000 in‐patient years tended to be higher in more recent samples, in samples from regions with a higher whole of population suicide rate, in samples from settings with a shorter average length of hospital stay and in studies using coronial records to define suicide.ConclusionRates of in‐patient suicide in psychiatric hospitals vary remarkably and are disturbingly high. Further research might clarify the extent to which patient factors and the characteristics of in‐patient facilities contribute to the unacceptable mortality in psychiatric hospitals.
Effect of warning statements in e‐cigarette advertisements: an experiment with young adults in the United States
Authors: Sanders‐Jackson Ashley , Schleicher Nina C. , Fortmann Stephen P. , Henriksen Lisa 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackground and aimsThis on‐line experiment examined whether the addition of ingredient‐ or industry‐themed warning statements in television advertisements for e‐cigarettes would affect young adults’ craving for and risk perceptions of e‐cigarettes and combustible cigarettes, as well as intent to purchase e‐cigarettes.DesignAdvertisements for two leading e‐cigarette brands were edited to contain a warning statement about product ingredients or about the tobacco industry. Participants were assigned randomly to one of eight treatments or one of two brand‐specific control conditions without any warning statement.ParticipantsYoung adults (n = 900, aged 18–34 years) in a web panel were recruited from three groups: recent e‐cigarette users, current smokers who used combustible cigarettes exclusively and non‐users of either product.MeasurementsCraving and risk perceptions (addictiveness, harmful to health in general, harmful to others) were measured separately for e‐cigarettes and combustible cigarettes. The Juster scale measured intention to purchase e‐cigarettes.FindingsExposure to both types of warnings was associated with lower craving for e‐cigarettes among e‐cigarette users and smokers who experienced any craving (P < 0.01) and lower intention to purchase among all participants (P < 0.001). Only exposure to ingredient‐themed warnings was associated with lower craving for combustible cigarettes (P < 0.05). Participants who saw industry‐themed warnings reported greater perceptions of general harm (P < 0.001), but also rated e‐cigarettes as less addictive than the control conditions (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe addition of ingredient‐ or industry‐themed warning statements to e‐cigarette television advertising similarly reduces craving and purchase intent for e‐cigarettes, but has inconsistent effects on perceived risks.
An appraisal of seed enumeration and videographic techniques for determining seed removal rates by birds
Authors: Mokotjomela Thabiso Michael , Musil Charles F. , Esler Karen J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWe examined the efficacy of seed enumeration and videographic techniques for determining seed removal by birds from indigenous (Chrysanthemoides monilifera and Olea europaea subsp africana) and alien (Lantana camara and Solanum mauritianum) shrubs at different study sites in the Cape Floristic Region. The seed enumeration technique involved counting the numbers of fruits and associated seeds removed monthly by birds, excluding those naturally abscised, from the shrub canopy. The videographic technique involved visual counts from images of the numbers of fruits and associated seeds consumed by birds over specific time intervals captured by a digital camcorder. Daily seed removal rates by all birds, irrespective of species, measured by both techniques were similar with no significant interactions evident between measuring techniques, site and shrub species. Both techniques displayed higher seed removal from tiny‐seeded S. mauritianum than other shrub species; this was also evident among individual bird species. However, the seed enumeration technique was unable to discriminate between foraging organisms, contamination of traps by wind‐blown fruits abscised from neighbouring branches and fruit theft from the canopy and the traps. In contrast, the videographic technique provided permanent visual and time‐lapse records for individual foraging bird species allowing greater measurement precision and interpretation of fruit removal behaviour by birds. We recommend use of the videographic technique over the seed enumeration technique for studying vertebrates’ seed removal in a detailed manner.
Effect of surgical approach on erectile function recovery following bilateral nerve‐sparing radical prostatectomy: an evaluation utilising data from a randomised, double‐blind, double‐dummy multicentre trial of tadalafil vs placebo
Authors: Stolzenburg Jens‐Uwe , Graefen Markus , Kriegel Christian , Michl Uwe , Martin Morales Antonio , Pommerville Peter J. , Manning Martina , Büttner Hartwig , Henneges Carsten , Schostak Martin 
Published: January 2015

ObjectivesTo report pre‐specified and exploratory results on the effect of different surgical approaches on erectile function (EF) after nerve‐sparing radical prostatectomy (nsRP) obtained from the multicentre, randomised, double‐blind, double‐dummy REACTT trial of tadalafil (once a day [OaD] or on‐demand [pro‐re‐nata, PRN]) vs placebo.Patients and MethodsPatients aged <68 years with normal preoperative EF who underwent nsRP for localised prostate cancer (Gleason ≤7, prostate‐specific antigen [PSA] <10 ng/mL) were randomised after nsRP 1:1:1 to 9‐month double‐blind treatment with tadalafil 5 mg OaD, tadalafil 20 mg PRN, or placebo, followed by 6‐week drug‐free washout, and 3‐month open‐label OaD treatment (all patients). Recovery of EF was defined as an International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)‐EF domain score of ≥22 and normal orgasmic function was defined based on IIEF Question 10. Both parameters were analysed at the end of washout using logistic regression including terms for treatment, country, visit, visit‐by‐treatment interaction, age group, nerve‐sparing score (perfect = 2, non‐perfect >2), and surgical approach (open surgery, robot‐assisted laparoscopy, conventional laparoscopy, other). Time to EF recovery was analysed post hoc with a Cox proportional‐hazards model including terms for treatment, age‐group, country, surgical approach and surgery‐by‐treatment interaction.ResultsOf 422 patients treated, 189 underwent open surgery, 115 robot‐assisted laparoscopy, 88 conventional laparoscopy and 30 surgery classified as ‘other’. The odds of achieving EF recovery at the end of drug‐free washout were about twice as high for the robot‐assisted laparoscopy group compared with the open surgery group (odds ratio 2.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24, 4.72; P = 0.029). Patients who underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopy were significantly more likely to recover during double‐blind treatment compared with patients who underwent open surgery (hazard ratio 1.92; 95% CI 1.17, 3.15; P = 0.010). No favourable effect of conventional laparoscopy compared with open surgery could be seen.ConclusionThese results may provide further insights into the role of surgery on EF recovery after nsRP. However, the trial was not designed for these analyses and further prospective studies are needed.