bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corporate rebranding and brand preference
Authors: Nhat Hanh Le Angelina , Ming Sung Cheng Julian , Kuntjara Hadi , Ting-Jun Lin Christy 
Published: September 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating roles of brand name attitude and product expertise on the impact of different corporate rebranding strategies on consumer brand preference. Rebranding strategies include evolutionary and revolutionary rebranding strategies, while brand name attitude is consumer attitude towards a firm's original brand name and consumer product expertise refers to the consumer knowledge related to the brand's product or service.

Design/methodology/approach
– A 2×2 factorial experimental design is used to examine the proposed hypotheses. In total, 220 undergraduates from a public university in Taipei of Taiwan participate in the experiment.

Findings
– The findings indicate that given brand repositioning is preferable, the use of evolutionary rebranding strategies is superior in enhancing consumer brand preference in the case of pleasant original brand name attitude, while the use of revolutionary strategies is superior when consumers hold less pleasant attitude. In addition, expert consumers show similar responses towards the two rebranding strategies, whereas evolutionary strategies seem to be more effective than revolutionary ones in enhancing consumer brand preferences in the case of novice consumers.

Research limitations/implications
– A convenient sampling method was employed and undergraduate students were the research subjects. Besides, a fictitious brand was used in the experiment design. As a result, the generalisability and applicability of the current research findings should be considered and carried out with cautions.

Practical implications
– The findings of the research provide empirical understanding on the use of rebranding strategies to generate higher levels of brand preference under contingencies, thus helping brand managers apply a more appropriate type of rebranding strategies when necessary.

Originality/value
– The current study is the preliminary causal-oriented work to provide guidance with appropriate rebranding strategies under the contingencies of consumers’ original brand name attitude and product expertise.
Implications of life span variation within a leaf cohort for evaluation of the optimal timing of leaf shedding
Authors: Osada Noriyuki , Oikawa Shimpei , Kitajima Kaoru 
Published: September 2014

SummaryLeaf life span (LLS) has been intensively studied as a key functional trait, and it is thought to have evolved and acclimates so as to optimize carbon balance or nitrogen use. However, empirical studies have produced inconsistent results in support of the theoretical predictions of optimalLLS.How rapidly daily carbon gain declines with leaf age is a critical parameter in the theories of optimalLLS, and it is often estimated from empirical data on the mean daily carbon gain of surviving leaves at each age class. We predict that such statistical approach should result in overestimation of daily carbon gain at the meanLLS, especially whenLLSvariation is large in the leaf cohort.This prediction is supported by simple simulations; daily carbon gain linearly declines to zero at the death of each individual leaf within a cohort (Case 1), and daily carbon gain linearly declines to zero at the cohort meanLLS(Case 2). In addition, variance in the initial carbon gain is considered, with the inverse relationship between the initial carbon gain andLLSbut other assumptions are same as in the Case 1 (Case 3). Under the Cases 1 and 3, the mean daily carbon gain of surviving leaves atis always positive, and it increases with increasingLLSvariance within a cohort. Under the Case 2, the mean daily carbon gain of surviving leaves atis zero regardless of variation inLLS, but this case is unrealistic as some leaves with negative carbon balance are assumed to survive for long‐time whenLLSvariability is large.Published data on multiple species demonstrate a positive relationship of photosynthetic capacity atwithLLSvariability as predicted by our simulation under the Cases 1 and 3. This strongly suggests that the age‐related decline of carbon gain may be underestimated in many previous studies that neglect within‐cohort variation in LLS.In conclusion, we call attention to the importance ofLLSvariations within a leaf cohort, which should be considered in empirical test of the theories of optimalLLS.
Oxidative stress is a potential cost of breeding in male and female northern elephant seals
Authors: Sharick Jeffrey T. , Vazquez‐Medina Jose P. , Ortiz Rudy M. , Crocker Daniel E. 
Published: September 2014

Summary

The trade‐off between current reproductive effort and survival is a key concept of life‐history theory. A variety of studies support the existence of this trade‐off, but the underlying physiological mechanisms are not well understood. Oxidative stress has been proposed as a potential mechanism underlying the observed inverse relationship between reproductive investment and life span. Prolonged fasting is associated with oxidative stress including increases in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative damage and inflammation.

Northern elephant seals (NES) undergo prolonged fasts while maintaining high metabolic rates during breeding. We investigated NES of both sexes to assess oxidative stress associated with extended breeding fasts. We measured changes in the plasma activity or concentrations of markers for oxidative stress in 30 adult male and 33 adult female NES across their 1–3 month breeding fasts. Markers assessed included a pro‐oxidant enzyme, several antioxidant enzymes, markers for oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and DNA and markers for systemic inflammation.

Plasma xanthine oxidase (XO), a pro‐oxidant enzyme that increases production of oxidative radicals, and several protective antioxidant enzymes increased over breeding in both sexes. Males showed increased oxidative damage to lipids and DNA and increased systemic inflammation, while oxidative damage to proteins declined across breeding. In contrast, females showed no oxidative damage to lipids or DNA or changes in inflammation but showed increases in oxidative damage to proteins. XO activity, antioxidant enzymes, oxidative damage markers and inflammatory markers were strongly correlated in males but these relationships were weaker or non‐existent in females.

Northern elephant seals provide evidence for oxidative stress as a physiological cost of reproduction in a capital breeding mammal. Both sexes strongly up‐regulated antioxidant defences during breeding. Despite this response, and in contrast to similar duration non‐breeding fasts in previous studies on conspecifics, there was evidence of oxidative damage to tissues. These data demonstrate the utility of using plasma markers to examine oxidative stress but also suggest the necessity of measuring a broad suite of plasma markers to assess systemic oxidative stress.
Determining the major Bt refuge crops for cotton bollworm in North China
Authors: Ye Le‐Fu , Fu Xue , Ouyang Fang , Xie Bao‐Yu , Ge Feng 
Published: September 2014

AbstractEvaluation of the effectiveness of refuge strategies involved in cotton bollworm Bt resistance management would be aided by technologies that allow monitoring and quantification of key factors that affect the process under field conditions. We hypothesized that characterization of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in adult bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) moths may aid in determining the larval host that they developed upon. We found moths reared from larvae fed on peanut, soybean or cotton, respectively, could be differentiated using isotopic analyses that also corresponded to their respective larval host origins. These techniques were then used to classify feral second‐generation bollworm moths caught in Bt cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fields into different populations based on their isotopic signatures. In 2006–2007 feral moths captured in Bt cotton fields predominantly correlated with the peanut (Arachis hypogea) having served as their larval host, indicating this is the most important refuge crop for Bt‐susceptible bollworm individuals (providing 58%−64% individuals) during independent moth peaks for the second generation in North China. The remaining feral moths correlated with soybean (Glycine max) (0−10%); other C3 plant (20%−22%) and non‐C3 plant (12%−14%) host types also provided some Bt‐sensitive moths. Field observations showed that peanut constitutes the primary refuge crop contributing to sustaining Bt‐susceptible moths dispersing into cotton in North China. These results suggest that peanut may be a more effective refuge to sustain Bt‐susceptible bollworm individuals and reduce the risk of development of a Bt‐resistant biotype.
No Sustained Impact of Intermittent Extracorporeal Liver Support on Thrombocyte Time Course in a Randomized Controlled Albumin Dialysis Trial
Authors: Klammt Sebastian , Mitzner Steffen R , Reisinger Emil C , Stange Jan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractReduction of platelets is a common finding in patients with liver disease and can be aggravated by extracorporeal therapies, e.g. artificial liver support. The impact of extracorporeal albumin dialysis on the time count and time course of platelets in liver failure patients was evaluated in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Mean thrombocyte reduction during a single extracorporeal liver support therapy was −15.1% [95%CI: −17.7; −12.5]. No differences were found between treatments of patients with a more reduced platelet count (<100 GPT/L: −15.6% [−19.5; −11.7%]; n = 43) compared to patients with normal or slightly decreased thrombocytes (−14.6% [−18.3%; −11.0%]; n = 43; P = 0.719). The variation of platelet count within 24 h after onset of extracorporeal therapy treatment was less, albeit significant (−3.5% [−6.3%; −0.7%], P < 0.016). Absolute thrombocyte variability was comparable between both groups (with extracorporeal therapy −5.6 GPT/L [−9.7; −1.4], without extracorporeal therapy −1.3 GPT/L [−7.3; 4.7]; P = 0.243), whereas relative decrease of thrombocytes within a 24‐h period of extracorporeal therapy was greater than the changes in patients without extracorporeal therapy (−3.5% [−6.3%; −0.7%] vs. 2.0% [−2.0%; 5.9%]; P = 0.026]. Within a period of two weeks after enrollment, no significant differences of platelet count were observed either between the two groups or in the time course (Pgroup = 0.337, Ptime = 0.277). Reduction of platelets during intermittent extracorporeal liver support was less pronounced within a 24‐h period as before and after a single treatment and was comparable to variations in the control group without extracorporeal therapy.
Validity of a Checklist for Hemodialysis Patients Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
Authors: Tsutsui Hideyo , Ojima Toshiyuki , Tsuruta Yoshinari , Kato Sawako , Yasuda Yoshinari , Oshida Yoshiharu 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIn 2009, we reported a “100‐category checklist” for hemodialysis (HD) patients based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of this checklist. The present study included 100 participants who had been on HD for at least 5 years when they were interviewed using the checklist. Subjects were asked whether they had experienced problems in each category since starting HD treatment. Categories for which more than 25% of subjects answered “yes” were extracted as problem categories. Additionally, the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) instrument was administered to the study subjects. Content validity was evaluated using the frequency and percentage of subjects who had a problem in each category. Criterion validity was performed based on correlation of the findings from the “100‐category checklist” categories with the findings of the KDQOL. Construct validity was assessed based on the number of problem categories extracted as external criteria in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), anemia, and secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). For reliability evaluation, we used Cronbach's coefficient alpha. Content validity showed that 54 were identified as problem categories. Criterion validity showed that 45 categories in all components correlated significantly with each subscale of the KDQOL. Construct validity showed that CTS, anemia, and SHPT contributed to an increased number of problems associated with HD. Cronbach's coefficient alpha of the “100‐category checklist” was 0.86. This study confirmed the validity and reliability of the “100‐category checklist”.
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients Treated in Medical Intensive Care Unit: Technical Considerations
Authors: Seczyńska Bożena , Królikowski Wiesław , Nowak Ilona , Jankowski Miłosz , Szułdrzyński Konstanty , Szczeklik Wojciech 
Published: September 2014

AbstractExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used as a salvage therapy in refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although technological progress in the ECMO systems improved the survival rate, prognosis is still significantly worsened by acute kidney injury (AKI), particularly if renal replacement therapy (RRT) is required. There are no exact guidelines recommending which techniques of ECMO and continuous RRT (CRRT) should be used for management of AKI coexisting with respiratory or circulatory failure, and how to combine them. The aim of this review is to describe methods of CRRT and ECMO simultaneous application, and to present advantages of various technical approaches versus possible complications.
Multicenter Study of Pegylated Interferon α‐2a Monotherapy for Hepatitis C Virus‐Infected Patients on Hemodialysis: REACH Study
Authors: Kikuchi Kan , Akiba Takashi , Nitta Kosaku , Masakane Ikuto , Ando Ryoichi , Izumi Namiki , Atsukawa Masanori , Yamazaki Chikao , Kato Fumi , Hotta Naoki , Tominaga Yoshihiro , Orito Etsuro , Hora Kazuhiko , Nagasawa Masaki , Kasahara Hiroshi , Kawaguchi Masanori , Kimura Hiroyuki , Ikebe Norisato , Kawanishi Hideki , Moriishi Misaki , Shigemoto Kenichiro , Harada Takashi , Hirakata Hideki , Watanabe Hiroshi , Nosaki Tsuyoshi , Tsubouchi Hirohito , Imawari Michio , Akizawa Tadao 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMany studies have reported poor vital prognosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected dialysis patients. The rate of HCV‐infected dialysis patients in Japan is as high as 9.8%, and antiviral therapy is believed to be important for improving vital prognosis. We conducted a multicenter study to examine the administration method for pegylated interferon α‐2a (PEG‐IFNα‐2a) monotherapy in HCV‐infected dialysis. We studied 56 patients: 14 with low viral loads (HCV RNA < 5.0 log IU/mL) were treated with 90 μg PEG‐IFNα‐2a weekly, 42 with high viral loads (HCV RNA ≥ 5.0 log IU/mL) were treated with 135 μg PEG‐IFNα‐2a weekly. We examined the sustained virological response (SVR), factors affecting the SVR, and treatment safety. The overall SVR rate was 39% (22/56); that for genotype 1, genotype 2, low viral loads, and high viral loads was 29%, 67%, 93%, and 21%, respectively. From receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the HCV RNA cutoff values likely to achieve SVR for genotypes 1 and 2 were <5.7 log IU/mL (SVR rate: 64% 9/14) and <6.5 log IU/mL (SVR rate: 88% 7/8), respectively. If there was HCV RNA negativation at 4 weeks (rapid virological response), the SVR rate was 94% (16/17), whereas it was 6% (1/16) if there was HCV RNA positivity at 24 weeks. The rate of treatment discontinuation from adverse events or aggravated complications was 25% (14/56). High SVR rates can potentially be achieved with PEG‐IFN monotherapy by identifying the target patients, based on virus type and viral load before initiating treatment and by modifying therapy during treatment according to responsiveness.
Therapeutic Applications of Mesothelial Cell Sheets
Authors: Kawanishi Kunio , Nitta Kosaku , Yamato Masayuki , Okano Teruo 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMesothelial cells are an integral part of the peritoneum and play an important role in maintaining its structural and functional properties. In recent years a number of studies on mesothelial cells have been performed to evaluate the localization, secretional properties and the ability of regeneration and transdifferentiation of these cells. They are also involved in the repair of the peritoneum damage following surgery or peritonitis. Mesothelial cells produce several cytokines, growth factors and extracellular matrix components, possessing anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Based on previous research, cell sheet engineering has made it possible to transplant cells that retain the cells' function, and stacking different cells in layers has also become possible. Arranging blood vessels between the cell layers is a problem when stacking cells in layers. Whether adequate blood flow can be obtained for the cell layers to survive long‐term is the difference between success and failure. Mesothelial cell transplantation for peritoneal regeneration needs to be performed under conditions in which the surface area of the visceral peritoneum is large and the mesothelial cell damage area is small. In this article we explain cell sheet engineering as one of the technologies for transplanting cells with a variety of intercellular adhesion and cell membrane molecules maintained intact, and its application to peritoneal regeneration.
Proportion of tadalafil‐treated patients with clinically meaningful improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia – integrated data from 1 499 study participants
Authors: Nickel John Curtis , Brock Gerald B. , Herschorn Sender , Dickson Ruth , Henneges Carsten , Viktrup Lars 
Published: September 2014

ObjectivesTo evaluate the proportion of patients achieving clinically meaningful improvement of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH‐LUTS) with tadalafil using two definitions of response.Patients and MethodsPost hoc integrated analysis of four placebo‐controlled studies in men (aged ≥45 years; International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS] of ≥13; maximum urinary flow rate [Qmax] of ≥4 to ≤15 mL/s) with BPH‐LUTS randomised to tadalafil 5 mg (752 patients) or placebo (747) for 12 weeks after a 4‐week placebo run‐in. Responders were defined as having a total IPSS improvement of ≥3 points or ≥25% from randomisation to endpoint (Week 12). Response status was calculated per patient, and relative benefit and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of tadalafil vs placebo was calculated using a logistic Generalised Mixed Model for Repeated Measures.ResultsTadalafil 5 mg once daily resulted in a significantly greater proportion of patients achieving a ≥3‐point IPSS improvement (71.1% and 56.0% for tadalafil and placebo patients, respectively [OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.5, 2.4; P < 0.001]) and achieving a ≥25% improvement in total IPSS randomisation to endpoint (61.7% and 45.5% for tadalafil and placebo patients, respectively [OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6, 2.5; P < 0.001]).ConclusionAbout two‐thirds of tadalafil‐treated patients achieve a clinically meaningful improvement in BPH‐LUTS symptoms, based on two different definitions of responder status.
Hybrid Data Visualization Based on Depth Complexity Histogram Analysis
Authors: Lindholm S. , Falk M. , Sundén E. , Bock A. , Ynnerman A. , Ropinski T. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIn many cases, only the combination of geometric and volumetric data sets is able to describe a single phenomenon under observation when visualizing large and complex data. When semi‐transparent geometry is present, correct rendering results require sorting of transparent structures. Additional complexity is introduced as the contributions from volumetric data have to be partitioned according to the geometric objects in the scene. The A‐buffer, an enhanced framebuffer with additional per‐pixel information, has previously been introduced to deal with the complexity caused by transparent objects. In this paper, we present an optimized rendering algorithm for hybrid volume‐geometry data based on the A‐buffer concept. We propose two novel components for modern GPUs that tailor memory utilization to the depth complexity of individual pixels. The proposed components are compatible with modern A‐buffer implementations and yield performance gains of up to eight times compared to existing approaches through reduced allocation and reuse of fast cache memory. We demonstrate the applicability of our approach and its performance with several examples from molecular biology, space weather and medical visualization containing both, volumetric data and geometric structures.
Semi‐Regular Triangle Remeshing: A Comprehensive Study
Authors: Payan F. , Roudet C. , Sauvage B. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractSemi‐regular triangle remeshing algorithms convert irregular surface meshes into semi‐regular ones. Especially in the field of computer graphics, semi‐regularity is an interesting property because it makes meshes highly suitable for multi‐resolution analysis. In this paper, we survey the numerous remeshing algorithms that have been developed over the past two decades. We propose different classifications to give new and comprehensible insights into both existing methods and issues. We describe how considerable obstacles have already been overcome, and discuss promising perspectives.
Maxillary sinus augmentation by crestal access: a retrospective study on cavity size and outcome correlation
Authors: Spinato Sergio , Bernardello Fabio , Galindo‐Moreno Pablo , Zaffe Davide 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectiveCone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) and radiographic outcomes of crestal sinus elevation, performed using mineralized human bone allograft, were analyzed to correlate results with maxillary sinus size.Material and methodsA total of 60 sinus augmentations in 60 patients, with initial bone ≤5 mm, were performed. Digital radiographs were taken at surgical implant placement time up to post‐prosthetic loading follow‐up (12–72 months), when CBCT evaluation was carried out. Marginal bone loss (MBL) was radiographically analyzed at 6 months and follow‐up time post‐loading. Sinus size (BPD), implant distance from palatal (PID) and buccal wall (BID), and absence of bone coverage of implant (intra‐sinus bone loss – IBL) were evaluated and statistically evaluated by ANOVA and linear regression analyses.ResultsMBL increased as a function of time. MBL at final follow‐up was statistically associated with MBL at 6 months. A statistically significant correlation of IBL with wall distance and of IBL/mm with time was identified with greater values in wide sinuses (WS ≥ 13.27 mm) than in narrow sinuses (NS < 13.27 mm).ConclusionsThis study is the first quantitative and statistically significant confirmation that crestal technique with residual ridge height <5 mm is more appropriate and predictable, in terms of intra‐sinus bone coverage, in narrow than in WS.