bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge elicitation and mapping in the design of a decision support system for the evaluation of suppliers’ competencies
Authors: Cannavacciuolo Lorella , Iandoli Luca , Ponsiglione Cristina , Zollo Giuseppe 
Published: November 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to present a methodology for the mapping and evaluation of suppliers’ competencies and know-how. The authors operationalize the concept of organizational competence and provide companies with a customized management tool to map suppliers’ critical competencies for screening strategic from non-strategic suppliers and providing inputs for suppliers’ development.Design/methodology/approach– Competencies assessment, carried out through a fuzzy knowledge management system (VINCI), is performed through the aggregation of indicators related to the control of critical resources, the degree of implementation of critical processes, the competitive positioning and the financial situation of a supplier. Competencies description and operationalization are based on the bottom-up elicitation of the subjective knowledge managers actually use to assess suppliers’ capability. Such subjective knowledge is then validated and formalized through a top-down approach based on strategic literature.Findings– The authors tested VINCI on a sample of 38 suppliers of a large company. The results show that the methodology provides its users with a highly customizable knowledge map and its associated decision support tool that keeps into account the peculiar strategic needs of the company in the management of an existing portfolio of suppliers.Practical implications– VINCI outcomes can be used to perform benchmarking analyses, define entry criteria and thresholds for suppliers’, identify improvement targets and service levels to be considered in the definition of supply contracts, supporting the alignment of supplier’s management with business strategy.Originality/value– The most important original contribution of this work resides in the operationalization and measurements of firms’ competencies based on the elicitation of subjective knowledge that managers use in the actual assessment. A further distinctive feature of this paper is that the method is applied to small and medium companies, whereas large part of the literature on core or organizational competencies assessment is focused on large companies.
Toll‐like receptor 5 is not essential for the promotion of secretory immunoglobulin A antibody responses to flagellated bacteria
Authors: Hashizume‐Takizawa Tomomi , Yamamoto Masafumi 
Published: November 2015

ABSTRACTToll‐like receptor 5 recognizes bacterial flagellin, plays a critical role in innate immunity, and contributes to flagellin‐specific humoral immunity. Further, TLR5‐expressing dendritic cells play an important role in IgA synthesis in the intestine; however, the contribution of TLR5 to antigen (Ag)‐specific mucosal immunity remains unclear. Thus, whether TLR5 is essential for the induction of intestinal secretory (S)IgA antibody (Ab) responses against flagellin and bacterial Ags attached to the bacterial surface in response to an oral flagellated bacterium, Salmonella, was explored in this study. Our results indicate that when TLR5 knockout (TLR5−/−) mice are orally immunized with recombinant Salmonella expressing fragment C of tetanus toxin (rSalmonella‐Tox C), tetanus toxoid (TT)‐ and flagellin (FliC)‐specific systemic IgG and intestinal SIgA Abs are elicited. The numbers of TT‐specific IgG Ab‐forming cells (AFCs) in the spleen and IgA AFCs in the lamina propria (LP) of TLR5−/− mice were comparable to those in wild‐type mice. rSalmonella‐Tox C was equally disseminated in TLR5−/− mice, TLR5−/− mice lacking Peyer's patches (PPs), and wild‐type mice. In contrast, TLR5−/− PP‐null mice failed to induce TT‐ and FliC‐specific SIgA Abs in the intestine and showed significantly reduced numbers of TT‐specific IgA AFCs in the LP. These results suggest that TLR5 is dispensable for the induction of flagellin and surface Ag‐specific systemic and mucosal immunity against oral flagellated bacteria. Rather, pathogen recognition, which occurs in PPs, is a prerequisite for the induction of mucosal immunity against flagellated bacteria.
Women's experience of HIV as a chronic illness in South Africa: hard‐earned lives, biographical disruption and moral career
Authors: Wouters Edwin , De Wet Katinka 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThis article presents findings from a longitudinal qualitative study (48 in‐depth interviews with 12 women on antiretroviral treatment (ART)) exploring the experience of living with HIV as a chronic illness in South Africa by applying the structural and interactionist perspectives on chronic illness. The structural perspective indicates that the illness experience needs to be contextualised within the wider framework of the women's hard‐earned lives: throughout the interviews, the women tended to refuse singularising HIV/AIDS and continuously framed the illness within the context of general hardship and adversity. Employing an interactionist perspective, the repeated interviews demonstrated the partial applicability of the concept of biographical disruption to the illness experience: most women experienced feelings of denial and disbelief upon diagnosis, but the availability of ART clearly mitigated the impact of HIV on their biographies. In addition, our findings demonstrate that the interaction between structural aspects, (stigmatising) social relations, and the illness (and its treatment) determines the never‐ending cycle of identity appraisals, revisions and improvements, rendering the moral career of the HIV‐positive women on ART a continuous work in progress.
Emotion in obesity discourse: understanding public attitudes towards regulations for obesity prevention
Authors: Farrell Lucy C. , Warin Megan J. , Moore Vivienne M. , Street Jackie M. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIntense concern about obesity in the public imagination and in political, academic and media discourses has catalysed advocacy efforts to implement regulatory measures to reduce the occurrence of obesity in Australia and elsewhere. This article explores public attitudes towards the possible implementation of regulations to address obesity by analysing emotions within popular discourses. Drawing on reader comments attached to obesity‐relevant news articles published on Australian news and current affairs websites, we examine how popular anxieties about the ‘obesity crisis’ and vitriol directed at obese individuals circulate alongside understandings of the appropriate role of government to legitimise regulatory reform to address obesity. Employing Ahmed's theorisation of ‘affective economies’ and broader literature on emotional cultures, we argue that obesity regulations achieve popular support within affective economies oriented to neoliberal and individualist constructions of obesity. These economies preclude constructions of obesity as a structural problem in popular discourse; instead positioning anti‐obesity regulations as a government‐endorsed vehicle for discrimination directed at obese people. Findings implicate a new set of ethical challenges for those championing regulatory reform for obesity prevention.
Auricular Surface Aging: Comparing Two Methods that Assess Morphological Change in the Ilium with Bayesian Analyses
Authors: Hens Samantha M. , Godde Kanya 
Published: November 2015

AbstractModern standards in forensic anthropology require rigorous testing and evaluation of methods used for aging skeletal remains. Age estimation has been criticized for bias, inaccuracy, and population specificity; issues which are minimized by the application of Bayesian methodology. Using Bayesian statistics, we compare the Lovejoy et al. (Am J Phys Anthropol, 68, 1985, 15) (original) and Buckberry and Chamberlain (Am J Phys Anthropol, 119, 2002, 231) (revised) auricular surface aging methods. Transition analysis parameters derived from American males (n = 372), in combination with a Thai male (N = 37) informative prior, statistically model age in Portuguese males (n = 221). Cumulative binomial tests assess the accuracy of the generated age ranges. Overall, the application of transition analysis and Bayesian statistics significantly improved age estimation with both methods (also outperforming Suchey‐Brooks pubic symphysis aging). Moreover, the accuracy of the original method was low without statistical modeling, whereas the revised method can be applied accurately without further statistical analysis. Additionally, reference tables for aging Portuguese males are provided.
Advances in Mycotoxin Research: Public Health Perspectives
Authors: Lee Hyun Jung , Ryu Dojin 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone are of significant public health concern as they can cause serious adverse effects in different organs including the liver, kidney, and immune system in humans. These toxic secondary metabolites are produced by filamentous fungi mainly in the genus Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium. It is challenging to control the formation of mycotoxins due to the worldwide occurrence of these fungi in food and the environment. In addition to raw agricultural commodities, mycotoxins tend to remain in finished food products as they may not be destroyed by conventional processing techniques. Hence, much of our concern is directed to chronic health effects through long‐term exposure to one or multiple mycotoxins from contaminated foods. Ideally risk assessment requires a comprehensive data, including toxicological and epidemiological studies as well as surveillance and exposure assessment. Setting of regulatory limits for mycotoxins is considered necessary to protect human health from mycotoxin exposure. Although advances in analytical techniques provide basic yet critical tool in regulation as well as all aspects of scientific research, it has been acknowledged that different forms of mycotoxins such as analogs and conjugated mycotoxins may constitute a significant source of dietary exposure. Further studies should be warranted to correlate mycotoxin exposure and human health possibly via identification and validation of suitable biomarkers.
It is safe to go out on a limb: within‐tree leaf age and location do not alter predation risk for insect herbivores
Authors: Low Petah A , McArthur Clare , Hochuli Dieter F 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAnimals must trade off foraging gains against the risk of being preyed upon. For insect herbivores, feeding on young foliage typically enhances nutritional performance, but it may also increase risk of death. Young foliage typically grows at the ends of branches and contains higher volatile terpene concentrations than old foliage. Together, these characteristics may make herbivores more chemically and visually apparent as they eat young foliage, and hence expose them to greater predation risk from natural enemies. We aimed to test this prediction by conducting two field experiments. First, we compared survival of Doratifera casta Scott (black slug cup moth) caterpillars on young and old Eucalyptus foliage using various predator exclusion treatments. Second, we assessed predation rates on plasticine model caterpillars associated with either young or old Eucalyptus foliage. The second aim of our study was to test the validity of using model caterpillars as surrogates for real caterpillars in predation studies. We found that neither caterpillar survival nor attack rates on models were influenced by foliage age, providing no evidence for differential predation risk. Both approaches, however, indicated that crawling arthropods were the most important predator type in this system. Caterpillar survival tended to increase more by excluding crawling invertebrates than by excluding vertebrates; arthropods were responsible for the majority of attacks on the model caterpillars. Our results indicate no conflict between nutrient acquisition and predation risk for caterpillars feeding on young eucalypt foliage. Importantly, the consistency in responses from both our experimental approaches is compelling support for using model caterpillars as surrogates for real ones when studying predation risk.
Measurement properties of adult quality‐of‐life measurement instruments for eczema: a systematic review
Authors: Heinl D. , Prinsen C. A. C. , Deckert S. , Chalmers J. R. , Drucker A. M. , Ofenloch R. , Humphreys R. , Sach T. , Chamlin S. L. , Schmitt J. , Apfelbacher C. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) initiative has identified quality of life (QoL) as a core outcome domain to be evaluated in every eczema trial. It is unclear which of the existing QoL instruments is most appropriate for this domain. Thus, the aim of this review was to systematically assess the measurement properties of existing measurement instruments developed and/or validated for the measurement of QoL in adult eczema.MethodsWe conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed and Embase identifying studies on measurement properties of adult eczema QoL instruments. For all eligible studies, we assessed the adequacy of the measurement properties and the methodological quality with the COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. A best evidence synthesis summarizing findings from different studies was the basis to assign four degrees of recommendation (A–D).ResultsA total of 15 articles reporting on 17 instruments were included. No instrument fulfilled the criteria for category A. Six instruments were placed in category B, meaning that they have the potential to be recommended depending on the results of further validation studies. Three instruments had poor adequacy in at least one required adequacy criterion and were therefore put in category C. The remaining eight instruments were minimally validated and were thus placed in category D.ConclusionsCurrently, no QoL instrument can be recommended for use in adult eczema. The Quality of Life Index for Atopic Dermatitis (QoLIAD) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) are recommended for further validation research.
Symmetry in early response to intravitreal ranibizumab in bilateral diabetic macular oedema
Authors: Guillard Margaux , Dupas Bénédicte , El Sanharawi Mohamed , Erginay Ali , Tadayoni Ramin , Massin Pascale 
Published: November 2015

AbstractPurposeTo study the symmetry in response to bilateral diabetic macular oedema (DME) treated with bilateral intravitreal injections of ranibizumab (IVR).MethodsThe charts of 36 eyes of 18 patients treated with a loading dose of three monthly IVR in both eyes were retrospectively reviewed. Favourable anatomical response was defined as a decrease by more than 10% in baseline central macular thickness (CMT), and favourable functional response was defined as an increase in visual acuity (VA) ≥5 letters. A symmetric response was defined as a similar anatomical and/or functional response in the first (FE) and second (SE) treated eyes.ResultsThe VA improved significantly after ranibizumab treatment in both eyes (p < 0.01). A statistically significant positive correlation was found for the functional response to ranibizumab between the FE and the SE (R2 = 0.26, p = 0.03). The mean CMT decreased significantly in both eyes (p < 0.01). A strong positive correlation was observed between the anatomical response to ranibizumab in the FE and the SE (R2 = 0.37, p = 0.01). Symmetric favourable anatomical and functional responses were observed in 13 patients (72%). In two additional patients, an asymmetric functional response was observed despite a decrease in retinal thickness in both eyes.ConclusionSymmetric anatomical and functional responses were observed in 72% of patients with DME after three initial IVR in each eye. This finding could be of clinical interest in the decision to treat the fellow eye, in a disease where a bilateral involvement is frequent.
Comparison between the perioperative results of single‐access and conventional laparoscopic surgery in rectal cancer
Authors: Sirikurnpiboon Siripong 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIntroductionLaparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer has low rates of morbidity and mortality and achieves comparable pathologic outcomes. With improved instruments and surgical techniques, many surgeons have recently begun using single‐access laparoscopic surgery (SALS) to minimize scars and pain. Since 2011, most reports of SALS for rectal cancer have shown comparable pathologic outcomes to those of conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS). However, SALS is said to be superior to CLS in reducing complications, producing less discomfort, and faster recovery rates. This study aimed to compare the technical feasibility and early postoperative outcomes of these approaches.MethodsFrom January 2011 to January 2014, 78 cases of adenocarcinoma of the rectum and anal canal were enrolled in the study. Anterior, low anterior, intersphincteric, and abdominoperineal resections were performed. Data collected included technical feasibility and outcomes of operation, such as morbidity, mortality, severity of pain, analgesic usage, and length of hospital stay.ResultsSALS was performed on 35 patients, and CLS was performed in 36 cases. Demographic data, including age, sex, BMI, ASA classification and clinical staging, were similar between the groups. Operative time, blood loss, and conversion rate were similar (P > 0.05). Postoperatively, the only significant difference between the groups was pain score, which was significantly lower in the SALS group (P < 0.001).ConclusionSALS and CLS for rectal and anal cancer had the same intraoperative, pathologic, and early postoperative results. However, SALS patients had slightly better pain scores in the first 24 and 48 h postoperatively.
What can new technology tell us about the reviewing process for journal submissions in BJET?
Authors: Hartley James , Cabanac Guillaume 
Published: November 2015

AbstractNew technology allows us to collect rich and voluminous data about refereeing—something that was not possible before. In this quantitative study, we consider data about the dates of sending (1) suitable papers to BJET, (2) the papers to referees and (3) when the referees' reports are returned to the editor. To do this, we examined data from over 11 000 reports collected between 2005 (when BJET began using ScholarOne as its online editorial manager) and October 2014. We found that most of the submissions and responses were made in the earlier part of the week, with some evidence of academics (and the editor) working on Sundays. We also found modest agreement between referees on the quality of individual papers.
TLR4/TIRAP polymorphisms are associated with progression and survival of patients with symptomatic myeloma
Authors: Bagratuni Tina , Terpos Evangelos , Eleutherakis‐Papaiakovou Evangelos , Kalapanida Despoina , Gavriatopoulou Maria , Migkou Magdalini , Liacos Christine‐Ivy , Tasidou Anna , Matsouka Charis , Mparmparousi Despoina , Dimopoulos Meletios A. , Kastritis Efstathios 
Published: November 2015

SummaryMyeloma cells thrive in an environment of sustained inflammation, which impacts the development and evolution of the disease, as well as drug resistance. We evaluated the impact of genetic polymorphisms in the Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway, which have been implicated in different inflammatory responses in the outcomes of patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM) who have received contemporary therapies. We found that the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in both the TLR4 and toll/interleukin‐1 receptor (TIR)‐associated protein (TIRAP) genes was associated with lower response to primary therapy mainly for patients who received immunomodulatory drugs but not in patients treated with bortezomib‐based therapies. Furthermore, TIRAP SNP was associated with a significantly shorter progression‐free survival and overall survival, independently of other prognostic factors, such as age, transplant, International Staging System stage, lactate dehydrogenase and cytogenetics. This is the first study to demonstrate the effect of SNPs in TLR4/TIRAP in MM. Our data indicate that genetic variability in the immune system may be associated with different responses to antimyeloma therapies and may be a critical component affecting the natural history of the disease, providing the basis for further investigation of the role of these pathways in myeloma.
Work or Schooling? On the Return to Gaining In‐School Work Experiences
Authors: Cabus Sofie J. , Haelermans Carla 
Published: November 2015

AbstractWages are a composite measure of the return to education and the return to work experiences. Work experiences are often defined as workers who gain experiences on‐the‐job. However, work experiences can also be part of a study curriculum in vocational secondary education. We estimate the return to in‐school work experiences by comparing the Heckman selection model and the Rubin matching model. First, we show that students with in‐school work experiences earn +16% more in the first years of labour than their theoretical peers. Second, we indicate that both empirical models do not appropriately deal with censored observations in the presence of an informal market. Including information on a set of censored observations increases the effect to +22%.
‘I felt a little bubbly in my tummy’: eliciting pre‐schoolers' accounts of their health visit using a computer‐assisted interview method
Authors: Bokström P. , Fängström K. , Calam R. , Lucas S. , Sarkadi A. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundIn the health care services, children's rights to participate in all matters that concern them are considered important. However, in practice this can be challenging with young children. In My Shoes (IMS) is a computer‐assisted interview tool developed to help children talk about their experiences. The aim of the study was to evaluate the IMS' ability to elicit pre‐schoolers' subjective experiences and accurate accounts of a routine health visit as well as the children's engagement in the interview process.MethodsInterviews were conducted with 23 children aged 4–5 years, 2–4 weeks after their health visit. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a method inspired by Content Analysis to evaluate IMS's ability to elicit accounts about subjective experiences. Accurate accounts were assessed by comparing the transcribed interviews with the filmed visits at the child health centre. The children's engagement was defined by the completion and length of the interviews, and the children's interaction with the software.ResultsAll children gave accounts about their subjective experiences, such as their emotional state during the visit, available toys or rewards they received. All children related to the correct event, they all named at least one person who was present and 87% correctly named at least one examination procedure. The majority of children (91%) completed the interview, which lasted 17–39 min (M = 24), and 96% interacted with the IMS software.ConclusionsIMS was feasible to help children describe their health care experiences, in both detail and depth. The children interacted with the software and maintained their interest for an extended period of time.