bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The optimized GPM(1,1) for forecasting small sample oscillating series
Authors: Wang Zheng‐Xin , Dang Yao‐Guo , He Shawei 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a modeling approach using grey power model with first‐order one‐variable (abbreviated as GPM(1,1)) for forecasting small sample oscillating series.Design/methodology/approachAn optimization method is used to determine the initial value in GPM(1,1) model, and furthermore, the power value in the model is optimized by utilizing a non‐linear programming model. An operations research software LINGO is employed to solve the non‐linear optimization model.FindingsThe results show that the optimized GPM(1,1) model can flexibly adjust the parameters to make the forecasting results more in line with the actual data; therefore, for a given small sample oscillating series, if an appropriate way to find the optimal parameters is taken, accurate predictions should be obtained.Practical implicationsThe modeling approach proposed in the paper can be used to forecast new product sales, new industry development trend, equipment remaining life, disaster emergency material demand, etc.Originality/valueThe paper extends the application range of the grey model for forecasting small sample oscillating series by using grey power model GPM(1,1).
Coordination of incentive conflict based on Grey‐Stackelberg model under the main manufacturers‐suppliers model
Authors: Lifang He , Hongzhuan Chen 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to find an incentive strategy to enhance the interests of the main manufacturer by inducing the suppliers to conflict the fixed incentive provided by the main manufacturer.Design/methodology/approachThe main manufacturer‐supplier model is widely applied in the R&D procedure of complex products such as aeroplanes. Because of the uncertainty in the R&D, the effort of the suppliers has an important effect on it. Considering the dynamic interaction between the main manufacturers and suppliers, with the main manufacturers as leaders and suppliers as followers, this paper establishes a Grey‐Stackelberg model to analyze the best change of the incentive strategies of the main manufacturers and the effort strategies under incentive‐conflict of suppliers under the uncertain environment. A numeric example is also computed in the last part of the paper.FindingsThe results show that the main manufacturer can increase its benefit without damaging the interests of suppliers by controlling the fixed incentives.Originality/valueThe paper succeeds in establishing the Grey‐Stackelberg model by analysing the grey area among the main manufacturer and the suppliers, and helps to develop grey systems theory.
Further refinement of the nature of the communication impairment in Cornelia de Lange syndrome
Authors: Hoddell Jill , Moss Jo , Woodcock Kate , Oliver Chris 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– Research into the communication skills of individuals with Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is extremely limited. This paper aims to evaluate the nature of these skills and impairments in CdLS using a detailed informant assessment of pre-verbal communication skills.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study used the Pre-verbal Communication Schedule to evaluate communication skills in individuals with CdLS (n=14), aged five to14 years. The group was compared with a contrast group of individuals with Cri du Chat syndrome (CdCS; n=14) who were matched for age and intellectual ability.

Findings
– A significant difference was identified in understanding non-vocal communication (p<0.005), with the CdLS group showing a greater deficit. These findings indicate the presence of a syndrome-specific deficit in understanding non-verbal communication in individuals with CdLS and suggest that there may be a dissociation between the processing of verbal and non-verbal communication.

Originality/value
– The findings indicate that, in many ways, these two syndrome groups are not dissimilar in terms of their communication skills. However, individuals with CdLS show a syndrome-specific deficit in understanding non-vocal communication relative to the CdCS group.
Soliton Technologies – financing growth in uncertain times
Authors: Thillai Rajan A. 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
Venture capital and private equity.

Study level/applicability
This case is suitable for II MBA/Executive MBA (venture capital and private equity/entrepreneurship/business models/managing family business) courses.

Case overview
Soliton is a technology and software services company with operations in India and the USA providing machine vision products and virtual instrumentation services. Soliton was started by Ganesh Devaraj in 1998 after his return from the United States after higher studies. Ganesh hails from a business family in Coimbatore that had interests in the textile spinning sector. The family had been in the textile business since the early 1940s and had revenues of Rs 400 million and employed about 700 people. Ganesh, not wanting to continue in the traditional family business, ventured into the technology sector using his academic and professional experience. His family was supportive of his venture and funded his company for the first two years of operation and for scaling up operations. Ganesh is now evaluating various sources of raising additional capital at a time when there was general slowdown in the automobile sector as a result of the global financial crisis.

Expected learning outcomes
The goal of this case study is to illustrate the complexities that exist in financing growth of companies in uncertain times. This following are the expected learning outcomes: discuss and understand the nuances between different sources of early stage funding: personal wealth, family, and angels; compare and contrast the differences between family funding and venture funding; and highlight the benefits and limitations of family funding.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available.
KK Metals: CNC process costing
Authors: Singhania Monica , Gandhi Gagan 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
The application of activity based costing (ABC); calculating the cost of a CNC Process using ABC; designing a pricing strategy.

Study level/applicability
The case can be used in the following courses: MBA program with specialisation in finance (to teach students the application of costing in services sector); MBA program in general management (to highlight the concept of activity based costing and its application); and under an elective course on management control systems in MBA programs (to highlight the strategy to determine price effectively).

Case overview
The case highlights the application of activity based costing in arriving at cost and finally leading to development of price to be charged by KK Metals. The company wishes to compute the activity based cost of CNC process and develop the selling price for 194 precision turning services scientifically as opposed to the present strategy of being a price taker, largely on the basis of what essentially is prevalent in the local market within which KK Metals operates. The case gives an insight to numerous control variables that the management can consider while pricing its services.

Expected learning outcomes
The case can be used to understand management concepts such as ABC, pricing and the role of efficiency in business processes. It can be used to: teach complexities involved in identifying activity driver(s) in case of ABC as far as application to service sector is concerned; help understand the use of costing as an effective tool in pricing strategy of the company; and help students realize the significance of inputs used for calculating per hour cost.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available. Consult your librarian for access.
“One life, one chance”: Cordlife Sciences India Pvt. Ltd. Preserving the precious gift
Authors: Paul Rik , Sardana Nitika 
Published: November 2014

Subject area
Marketing.

Study level/applicability
This case is suitable for MBA/MS courses for students of services marketing; courses such as sustainable development of business and integrated marketing communications.

Case overview
Cordlife Limited entered the Indian market for cord blood banking in 2006 and by 2011 held third place in market share. However, the management of Cordlife had identified a major problem as a lack of awareness of the potential of cord blood banking among the Indian middle class, and the lack of a proper infrastructure for transportation of biological packages. Cordlife undertook several marketing initiatives to spread awareness. Marketing such a sophisticated service like cord blood banking called for heavy investments. The case provides an opportunity to closely examine various marketing activities in detail and understand how problems associated with intangible services can be managed. In addition to marketing of services the case highlights the existence of several gaps in designing a delivery in a service. The scope of the case can also be extended to the concept of service pricing and also integrated services marketing communications.

Expected learning outcomes
The case is designed for class discussions and in understanding the following concepts: the service gaps model; service pricing; and integrated service marketing communications.

Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available. Consult your librarian for access.
The influence of retail display storage on the fatty acid composition of modified atmosphere packaged Graviera Agraphon cheese
Authors: Fletouris Dimitrios J , Govari Maria A , Botsoglou Evropi N 
Published: November 2014

In this study, changes in the fatty acid profile including conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) of grated Graviera Agraphon cheese packaged in modified atmosphere under retail display lighting for up to 60 days at 4 °C, were determined. Saturated fatty acids increased, while monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids including CLA decreased by day 30 of storage and remained stable thereafter. In the aerobically packaged and light‐exposed samples, lipid hydroperoxides increased by day 30 of storage and declined thereafter while malondialdehyde was increasing continuously during storage. Unlike the light‐exposed modified atmosphere samples, these samples showed much lower hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde concentrations throughout storage.
Diversity of small RNAs expressed in Pseudomonas species
Authors: Gómez‐Lozano María , Marvig Rasmus L. , Molina‐Santiago Carlos , Tribelli Paula M. , Ramos Juan‐Luis , Molin Søren 
Published: November 2014

SummaryRNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) has revealed several hundreds of previously undetected small RNAs (sRNAs) in all bacterial species investigated, including strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas syringae. Nonetheless, only little is known about the extent of conservation of expressed sRNAs across strains and species. In this study, we have used RNA‐seq to identify sRNAs in P. putida DOT‐T1E and Pseudomonas extremaustralis 14‐3b. This is the first strain of P. extremaustralis and the second strain of P. putida to have their transcriptomes analysed for sRNAs, and we identify the presence of around 150 novel sRNAs in each strain. Furthermore, we provide a comparison based on sequence conservation of all the sRNAs detected by RNA‐seq in the Pseudomonas species investigated so far. Our results show that the extent of sRNA conservation across different species is very limited. In addition, when comparing the sRNAs expressed in different strains of the same species, we observe that numerous sRNAs exhibit a strain‐specific expression pattern. These results support the idea that the evolution of most bacterial sRNAs is rapid, which limits the extent of both interspecies and intraspecies conservation.
The brown coat colour of Coppernecked goats is associated with a non‐synonymous variant at the TYRP1 locus on chromosome 8
Authors: Becker D. , Otto M. , Ammann P. , Keller I. , Drögemüller C. , Leeb T. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryThe recent development of a goat SNP genotyping microarray enables genome‐wide association studies in this important livestock species. We investigated the genetic basis of the black and brown coat colour in Valais Blacknecked and Coppernecked goats. A genome‐wide association analysis using goat SNP50 BeadChip genotypes of 22 cases and 23 controls allowed us to map the locus for the brown coat colour to goat chromosome 8. The TYRP1 gene is located within the associated chromosomal region, and TYRP1 variants cause similar coat colour phenotypes in different species. We thus considered TYRP1 as a strong positional and functional candidate. We resequenced the caprine TYRP1 gene by Sanger and Illumina sequencing and identified two non‐synonymous variants, p.Ile478Thr and p.Gly496Asp, that might have a functional impact on the TYRP1 protein. However, based on the obtained pedigree and genotype data, the brown coat colour in these goats is not due to a single recessive loss‐of‐function allele. Surprisingly, the genotype distribution and the pedigree data suggest that the 496Asp allele might possibly act in a dominant manner. The 496Asp allele was present in 77 of 81 investigated Coppernecked goats and did not occur in black goats. This strongly suggests heterogeneity underlying the brown coat colour in Coppernecked goats. Functional experiments or targeted matings will be required to verify the unexpected preliminary findings.
Posterior capsular opacification and Nd:YAG capsulotomy rates with the iMics Y‐60H and Micro AY intra‐ocular lenses: 3‐year results of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Schriefl Sabine M. , Leydolt Christina , Stifter Eva , Menapace Rupert 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPurposeTo compare the incidence and intensity of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and neodymium:yttrium‐aluminium‐garnet (Nd:YAG) capsulotomy rates between two microincision intra‐ocular lenses (IOLs) 3 years after surgery.MethodsSixty‐five patients randomly received a Y‐60H IOL (HOYA Surgical Optics, Singapore) in one eye and a Micro AY IOL (PhysIOL, Liège, Belgium) in the contralateral eye during same‐day bilateral cataract surgery. Eyes were examined 1 week, 20 months and 3 years after surgery. The amount of PCO (score: 0–10) was assessed subjectively at the slit lamp and objectively using automated image analysis software (aqua). Additionally, the Nd:YAG capsulotomy rate was noted.ResultsThree years postoperatively, the objective PCO score of Y‐60H IOLs was 1.9 ± 1.7 compared to PCO score of 1.7 ± 2.2 for the Micro AY IOLs (p = 0.66). Thirty‐four percentage of the Y‐60H eyes had undergone Nd:YAG capsulotomy, compared to 49% of the Micro AY eyes (p = 0.04). Significantly, more capsular folds were observed in the Y‐60H IOL group (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in best‐corrected visual acuity, rhexis/IOL overlap and anterior capsule opacification 3 years after surgery.ConclusionBoth microincision IOLs showed high YAG rates and comparable PCO scores 3 years after surgery. In the light of this unsatisfying PCO performance, the advantage of the present microincision IOLs over conventional IOLs must be questioned.
Integrated semi‐physiological pharmacokinetic model for both sunitinib and its active metabolite SU12662
Authors: Yu Huixin , Steeghs Neeltje , Kloth Jacqueline S. L. , de Wit Djoeke , van Hasselt J. G. Coen , van Erp Nielka P. , Beijnen Jos H. , Schellens Jan H. M. , Mathijssen Ron H. J. , Huitema Alwin D. R. 
Published: November 2014

AimsPreviously published pharmacokinetic (PK) models for sunitinib and its active metabolite SU12662 were based on a limited dataset or lacked important elements such as correlations between sunitinib and its metabolite. The current study aimed to develop an improved PK model that circumvented these limitations and to prove the utility of the PK model in treatment optimization in clinical practice.MethodsOne thousand two hundred and five plasma samples from 70 cancer patients were collected from three PK studies with sunitinib and SU12662. A semi‐physiological PK model for sunitinib and SU12662 was developed incorporating pre‐systemic metabolism using non‐linear mixed effects modelling (nonmem). Allometric scaling based on body weight was applied. The final model was used for simulation of the PK of different treatment regimens.ResultsSunitinib and SU12662 PK were best described by a one and two compartment model, respectively. Introduction of pre‐systemic formation of SU12662 strongly improved model fit, compared with solely systemic metabolism. The clearance of sunitinib and SU12662 was estimated at 35.7 (relative standard error (RSE) 5.7%) l h−1 and 17.1 (RSE 7.4%) l h−1, respectively for 70 kg patients. Correlation coefficients were estimated between inter‐individual variability of both clearances, both volumes of distribution and between clearance and volume of distribution of SU12662 as 0.53, 0.48 and 0.45, respectively. Simulation of the PK model predicted correctly the ratio of patients who did not reach proposed PK targets for efficacy.ConclusionsA semi‐physiological PK model for sunitinib and SU12662 in cancer patients was presented including pre‐systemic metabolism. The model was superior to previous PK models in many aspects.
A population model of early rheumatoid arthritis disease activity during treatment with methotrexate, sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine
Authors: Wojciechowski Jessica , Wiese Michael D. , Proudman Susanna M. , Foster David J. R. , Upton Richard N. 
Published: November 2014

AimsTo develop a population model describing the disease activity (DAS28) time course in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with triple disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy (methotrexate, sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine).MethodsDAS28 was obtained in 263 patients with early RA from initiation of therapy until 60 weeks. Using nonmem®, base models (DAS28 vs. time) and covariate influences were investigated for the population.ResultsThe best model was an exponential model of DAS28 vs. time that was additive to baseline DAS28, with covariance between parameters, and a combined residual error model. Age and patient smoking history were covariates significantly affecting response to therapy. Population estimates were baseline DAS28 (5.7), extent of change in DAS28 (−2.8) and the half‐life of disease activity (6.2 weeks; time to steady disease state achieved within approximately 30 weeks). Older individuals exhibited more severe baseline DAS28, described by a power function centred around 57 years (baseline DAS28 for 40‐ and 70‐year‐old patients were 5.4 vs. 5.8, respectively) and current smokers took longer to achieve a steady disease state (approximately 50 weeks). There was considerable within‐patient random variability in DAS28 over time (empirical 90% CI for DAS28 in a population typical patient at 60 weeks: 1.8, 4.2 with median value of 2.8).ConclusionsThis is the first report of a disease activity model for early RA treated with triple DMARD therapy. Smoking and age were identified as covariates.
Identification of muscarinic receptor subtypes involved in catecholamine secretion in adrenal medullary chromaffin cells by genetic deletion
Authors: Harada Keita , Matsuoka Hidetada , Miyata Hironori , Matsui Minoru , Inoue Masumi 
Published: November 2014

Background and PurposeActivation of muscarinic receptors results in catecholamine secretion in adrenal chromaffin cells in many mammals, and muscarinic receptors partly mediate synaptic transmission from the splanchnic nerve, at least in guinea pigs. To elucidate the physiological functions of muscarinic receptors in chromaffin cells, it is necessary to identify the muscarinic receptor subtypes involved in excitation.Experimental ApproachTo identify muscarinic receptors, pharmacological tools and strains of mice where one or several muscarinic receptor subtypes were genetically deleted were used. Cellular responses to muscarinic stimulation in isolated chromaffin cells were studied with the patch clamp technique and amperometry.Key ResultsMuscarinic M1, M4 and M5 receptors were immunologically detected in mouse chromaffin cells, and these receptors disappeared after the appropriate gene deletion. Mouse cells secreted catecholamines in response to muscarinic agonists, angiotensin II and a decrease in external pH. Genetic deletion of M1, but not M3, M4 or M5, receptors in mice abolished secretion in response to muscarine, but not to other stimuli. The muscarine‐induced secretion was suppressed by MT7, a snake peptide toxin specific for M1 receptors. Similarly, muscarine failed to induce an inward current in the presence of MT7 in mouse and rat chromaffin cells. The binding affinity of VU0255035 for the inhibition of muscarine‐induced currents agreed with that for the M1 receptor.Conclusions and ImplicationsBased upon the effects of genetic deletion of muscarinic receptors and MT7, it is concluded that the M1 receptor alone is responsible for muscarine‐induced catecholamine secretion.
Antibiotic Adjuvants: Diverse Strategies for Controlling Drug‐Resistant Pathogens
Authors: Gill Erin E. , Franco Octavio L. , Hancock Robert. E. W. 
Published: November 2014

The growing number of bacterial pathogens that are resistant to numerous antibiotics is a cause for concern around the globe. There have been no new broad‐spectrum antibiotics developed in the last 40 years, and the drugs we have currently are quickly becoming ineffective. In this article, we explore a range of therapeutic strategies that could be employed in conjunction with antibiotics and may help to prolong the life span of these life‐saving drugs. Discussed topics include antiresistance drugs, which are administered to potentiate the effects of current antimicrobials in bacteria where they are no longer (or never were) effective; antivirulence drugs, which are directed against bacterial virulence factors; host‐directed therapies, which modulate the host's immune system to facilitate infection clearance; and alternative treatments, which include such therapies as oral rehydration for diarrhea, phage therapy, and probiotics. All of these avenues show promise for the treatment of bacterial infections and should be further investigated to explore their full potential in the face of a postantibiotic era.
A low postoperative nonstimulated serum thyroglobulin level excludes the presence of persistent disease in low‐risk papillary thyroid cancer patients: implication for radioiodine indication
Authors: Rosario Pedro W. , Mourão Gabriela F. , Siman Thassio Leonardo , Calsolari Maria Regina 
Published: November 2014

SummaryObjectiveTo evaluate the presence of persistent disease, including on post‐therapy whole‐body scan (RxWBS), in low‐risk patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) >1 cm who have low nonstimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) (measured with a sensitive assay), negative anti‐Tg antibodies (TgAb) and neck ultrasound (US) showing no metastases after total thyroidectomy.PatientsWe studied 154 patients with PTC >1 cm classified as low risk, who had US without metastases, negative TgAb, nonstimulated Tg ≤ 0·25 ng/ml and TSH ≤2 mIU/l about 3 months after total thyroidectomy.ResultsTg measured immediately before 131I was ≤1 ng/ml in 89·5% of the patients and >1 ng/ml in 10·5%. None of the patients showed ectopic uptake on RxWBS. Uptake in the thyroid bed was observed in 146 (94·8%) patients and was ≤2% in all of them. In the control assessment 9–12 months after ablation, stimulated Tg (sTg) ≤1 ng/ml was achieved in 150 patients (97·4%). Only one patient had sTg >2 ng/ml (2·5 ng/ml) and none of the patients had apparent disease detected by imaging methods. During further short‐term follow‐up after control assessment (median of 24 months), none of the patients had tumour recurrence.ConclusionsThe combination of nonstimulated Tg ≤0·25 ng/ml, negative TgAb and US without metastases after thyroidectomy rules out the presence of persistent disease (including on RxWBS) in low‐risk patients with PTC >1 cm. This demonstration weakens the indication of ablation with 131I in these cases.