bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of obesity in the immune response during sepsis
Authors: Kolyva A S , Zolota V , Mpatsoulis D , Skroubis G , Solomou E E , Habeos I G , Assimakopoulos S F , Goutzourelas N , Kouretas D , Gogos C A 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Background/Objectives:
Sepsis is one of the most important causes of mortality in the developed world, where almost two-thirds of the population suffer from obesity. Therefore, the coexistence of both conditions has become frequent in clinical practice and a growing number of clinical studies attempts to examine the potential effect of obesity on sepsis with controversial results up to now. The present study investigates how obesity influences the immune response of septic patients, by assessing the number and activation state of adipose tissue macrophages, serum and adipose tissue tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) levels and plasma oxidative stress markers.

Subjects/methods:
The study included 106 patients, divided into four groups (control n=26, obesity n=27, sepsis n=27 and sepsis and obesity n=26). The number of macrophages in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue (SAT and VAT) and their subtypes (M1 and M2) were defined with immunohistochemical staining techniques under light microscopy. TNFα mRNA levels were determined in SAT and VAT using real-time reverse transcription-PCR. Serum levels of TNFα were determined with sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma oxidative stress was evaluated using selective biomarkers (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)).

Results:
Sepsis increased the total number of macrophages and their M2 subtype in (VAT), whereas obesity did not seem to affect the concentration of macrophages in fat. Obesity increased TNFα mRNA levels (P<0.05) in VAT as well as the plasma TBARS (P<0.001) and protein carbonyls (P<0.001) in septic patients. The plasma TAC levels were decreased and the serum TNFα levels were increased in sepsis although they were not influenced by obesity.

Conclusions:
Obesity is associated with elevated TNFα adipose tissue production and increased oxidative stress biomarkers, promoting the proinflammatory response in septic patients.
Persistent Environmental Contamination with USA300 Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusand Other Pathogenic Strain Types in Households withS. aureusSkin Infections
Authors: Eells Samantha J. , David Michael Z. , Taylor Alexis , Ortiz Nancy , Kumar Neha , Sieth Julia , Boyle-Vavra Susan , Daum Robert S. , Miller Loren G. 
Published: September 2014

Objective.To understand the genotypic spectrum of environmental contamination ofStaphylococcus aureusin households and its persistenceDesign.Prospective longitudinal cohort investigation.Setting.Index participants identified at 2 academic medical centers.Participants.Adults and children withS. aureusskin infections and their household contacts in Los Angeles and Chicago.Methods.Household fomites were surveyed for contamination at baseline and 3 months. All isolates underwent genetic typing.Results.We enrolled 346 households, 88% of which completed the 3-month follow-up visit.S. aureusenvironmental contamination was 49% at baseline and 51% at 3 months. Among households with a USA300 methicillin-resistantS. aureus(MRSA) body infection isolate, environmental contamination with an indistinguishable MRSA strain was 58% at baseline and 63% at 3 months. Baseline factors associated with environmental contamination by the index subject’s infection isolate were body colonization by any household member with the index subject’s infection isolate at baseline (odds ratio [OR], 10.93 [95% confidence interval (CI), 5.75–20.79]), higher housing density (OR, 1.47 [95% CI, 1.10–1.96]), and more frequent household fomite cleaning (OR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.16–2.27]). Household environmental contamination with the index subject’s infection strain at 3 months was associated with USA300 MRSA and a synergistic interaction between baseline environmental contamination and body colonization by any household member with the index subject’s infection strain.Conclusions.We found that infectingS. aureusisolates frequently persisted environmentally in households 3 months after skin infection. Presence of pathogenicS. aureusstrain type in the environment in a household may represent a persistent reservoir that places household members at risk of future infection.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2014;35(11):1373–1382
The Brezis-Nirenberg result for the fractional Laplacian
Authors: Servadei Raffaella , Valdinoci Enrico 
Published: September 2014

The aim of this paper is to deal with the non-local fractional counterpart of the Laplace equation involving critical non-linearities studied in the famous paper of Brezis and Nirenberg (1983). Namely, our model is the equation
\[

{

(
−
Δ

)
s

u
−
λ
u
=

|

u

|

2
∗

−
2

u

a
m
p
;

in

Ω
,

u
=
0

a
m
p
;

in

R

n

∖
Ω

,

\left \{ \begin {array}{ll} (-\Delta )^s u-\lambda u=|u|^{2^*-2}u & {\mbox { in }} \Omega ,\\ u=0 & {\mbox { in }} \mathbb {R}^n\setminus \Omega \,, \end {array} \right .

\]
where

(
−
Δ

)
s

(-\Delta )^s

is the fractional Laplace operator,

s
∈
(
0
,
1
)

s\in (0,1)

,

Ω
\Omega

is an open bounded set of

R

n

\mathbb {R}^n

,

n
>
2
s

n>2s

, with Lipschitz boundary,

λ
>
0

\lambda >0

is a real parameter and

2
∗

=
2
n

/

(
n
−
2
s
)

2^*=2n/(n-2s)

is a fractional critical Sobolev exponent.

In this paper we first study the problem in a general framework; indeed we consider the equation
\[

{

L

K

u
+
λ
u
+

|

u

|

2
∗

−
2

u
+
f
(
x
,
u
)
=
0

a
m
p
;

in

Ω
,

u
=
0

a
m
p
;

in

R

n

∖
Ω

,

\left \{ \begin {array}{ll} \mathcal L_K u+\lambda u+|u|^{2^*-2}u+f(x, u)=0 & \mbox {in } \Omega ,\\ u=0 & \mbox {in } \mathbb {R}^n\setminus \Omega \,, \end {array}\right .

\]
where

L

K

\mathcal L_K

is a general non-local integrodifferential operator of order

s
s

and

f
f

is a lower order perturbation of the critical power

|

u

|

2
∗

−
2

u

|u|^{2^*-2}u

. In this setting we prove an existence result through variational techniques.

Then, as a concrete example, we derive a Brezis-Nirenberg type result for our model equation; that is, we show that if

λ

1
,
s

\lambda _{1,s}

is the first eigenvalue of the non-local operator

(
−
Δ

)
s

(-\Delta )^s

with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary datum, then for any

λ
∈
(
0
,

λ

1
,
s

)

\lambda \in (0, \lambda _{1,s})

there exists a non-trivial solution of the above model equation, provided

n
⩾
4
s

n\geqslant 4s

. In this sense the present work may be seen as the extension of the classical Brezis-Nirenberg result to the case of non-local fractional operators.
Accounting for experimental noise reveals that mRNA levels, amplified by post-transcriptional processes, largely determine steady-state protein levels in yeast
Authors: Csárdi Gábor , Franks Alexander , Choi David S. , Airoldi Edoardo M. , Drummond D. Allan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractCells respond to their environment by modulating protein levels through mRNA transcription and post-transcriptional control. Modest observed correlations between global steady-state mRNA and protein measurements have been interpreted as evidence that mRNA levels determine roughly 40% of the variation in protein levels, indicating dominant post-transcriptional effects. However, the techniques underlying these conclusions, such as correlation and regression, yield biased results when data are noisy, missing systematically, and collinear—properties of mRNA and protein measurements—which motivated us to revisit this subject. Noise-robust analyses of 24 studies of budding yeast reveal that mRNA levels explain more than 85% of the variation in steady-state protein levels. Protein levels are not proportional to mRNA levels, but rise much more rapidly. Regulation of translation suffices to explain this nonlinear effect, revealing post-transcriptional amplification of, rather than competition with, transcriptional signals. These results substantially revise widely credited models of protein-level regulation, and introduce multiple noise-aware approaches essential for proper analysis of many biological phenomena.
Millennial cultural consumers: co-creating value through brand communities
Authors: Vaux Halliday Sue , Astafyeva Alexandra 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise millennial cultural consumers (MCCs) to bring together strands of consumer theory with branding theory to consider how to attract and retain younger audiences in arts organisations. Within that the authors single out for attention how “brand community” theory might apply to MCCs.Design/methodology/approach– This paper is a conceptual paper that reviews and comments on concepts relevant to helping arts organisations develop strategies to attract and retain younger consumers in their audiences.Findings– Thoughtful conceptual insights and four research propositions for further work by academics and/or practitioners on Millennials and the art and culture world are derived from this review and commentary. Managerial implications are also drawn out.Originality/value– This paper contributes to the knowledge development of such concepts as value and brand communities. It also provides an explanation of these concepts conncecting academic thought on value with pressing management challenges for arts organisations, suggesting ways to apply brand community thinking to innovatiely conceptualised MCCs.
Enhancing museum brands with experiential design to attract low-involvement visitors
Authors: Ober-Heilig Nadine , Bekmeier-Feuerhahn Sigrid , Sikkenga Joerg 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– This purpose of this paper is to discuss how experiential design can provide a basis for museums’ branding strategies in order to attract visitors, particularly those visitors with a low involvement with museums.Design/methodology/approach– The authors first analyze the experiential motives that museums should consider as relevant in attracting potential visitors. Consequently, the authors examine effects of experiential design on the participants’ behavior and attitudes, which are relevant for achieving branding objectives and institutional objectives of museums. In an experiment, using computer simulations, the authors tested the effects of an experiential vsus a non-experiential museum design on potential, especially low-involved participants.Findings– The results of the experiment show a positive impact of the multidimensional experiential design on low-involved participants concerning branding relevant behavior, such as loyalty and perceived differentiation. There is also a positive influence on institutional goals such as perceiving the museum as role model and a positive change of attitude toward museums in general.Research limitations/implications– Because of the virtual character of the examined museum the results show only a tendency for potential behavior of real museum visitors. Future studies should test the effects of experience design for a real museum with a distinct brand profile.Practical implications– The study reveals that once in a museum, potential visitors with a low involvement can be addressed by a museum design that appeals to their experiential motives and which, at the same time, communicates a differentiated brand profile of the museum. Following the visit, this impression can help to overcome barriers in terms of further museum visits and stimulate positive word-of-mouth advertising to other potential visitors.Social implications– The results suggest that from a global perspective, experience inducing museums can become role models for other museums, thus altering the image, expectations, and attitude of potential visitors with low-involvement toward museums as social institutions.Originality/value– For the first time the explicit effects of a strategic experiential museum design on potential visitors are analyzed in terms of relevant branding and institutional objectives of museums.
Brands in the arts and culture sector
Authors: Baumgarth Carsten , O’Reilly Daragh 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– The purposes of this editorial are first, to review the background to, and development of, the Special Issue call for papers issued in March 2013 on the topic of “Brands in the Arts and Culture Sector”, second, to introduce the eight papers in the double issue (seven in the Special Issue plus one paper (by Caldwell)) which was submitted to the journal in the normal course and whose topic fits well with the arts and cultural branding topic, and third, to set out a framework designed to facilitate the analysis of individual arts and cultural brands, as well as the directions for future research in the area.Design/methodology/approach– The papers in this Special Issue use a variety of approaches-some qualitative (e.g. ethnography, expert interviews), others quantitative (e.g. laboratory experiment, surveys); others deal with conceptual issues for individual artists and for the arts market.Findings– Findings and insights relate to topics such as: how the “in-between spaces” (e.g. art studios) can be key building blocks of a strong artist’s brand; the importance of western ideas for the Chinese art market; how pro-activeness, innovation, and risk-taking are the three key drivers for the decision to integrate blockbusters as a sub-brand in museum brand architecture; the importance of experiential design for low-involvement museum visitors; the utility of the notion of brand attachment in explaining volunteering; the potential of visual arts branding for general branding theory; the concept of millennial cultural consumers and how to reach them; and celebrity casting in London’s West End theatres.Research limitations/implications– The authors believe that all of the papers have implications for future thinking, research, scholarship, paedagogy, and practice in the area of arts and cultural branding.Originality/value– As far as the editors are aware, this is the first ever journal Special Issue on arts and cultural branding. More specifically, the authors have taken the opportunity to present in this editorial essay the “C-Framework” of arts and cultural brands, which offers a new way of thinking about arts and cultural brands − one which can accommodate classical or so-called “mainstream” branding ideas as well as insights from cultural, media, and consumer studies, and other disciplines. This framework can be applied to individual arts and cultural brands as well as to the entire field.
Artist brand building: towards a spatial perspective
Authors: Sjöholm Jenny , Pasquinelli Cecilia 
Published: September 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to analyse how contemporary artists construct and position their “person brands” and reflects on the extent to which artist brand building results from strategic brand management.

Design/methodology/approach
– A conceptual framework proposes a spatial perspective on artist brand building to reach an analytical insight into the case of visual artists in London. The empirical analysis is qualitative, based on serial and in-depth interviews, complemented by participant observations.

Findings
– Artist brand building relies on the creation and continuous redefinition of “in-between spaces” that exist at the blurred boundaries separating an individual and isolated art studio, and the social and visible art scene. Artist brand building is a bundle of mechanisms that, mainly occurring without strategic thinking, are “nested” within the art production process throughout which learning, producing and performing are heavily intertwined.

Research limitations/implications
– This study was undertaken with a focus on visual artists and specific operations and spatialities of their individual art projects. Further empirical research is required in order to fully explore the manifold of practices and spatialities that constitute contemporary artistic practice.

Practical implications
– This study fosters artists’ awareness of branding effects that spillover from artistic production, and thus potentially opens the way to a more strategic capitalization on these.

Originality/value
– The adopted spatial perspective on the process of artist brand building helps to uncover “relatively visible” and “relatively invisible” spatialities that, usually overlooked in branding debate, play a significant role in artist brand building.
Management control systems and organisational learning: the effects of design and use
Authors: Hui Wee Shu , Yau Foong Soon , S.C. Tse Michael 
Published: September 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to present a study on relationships between the design of management control systems (MCS), the use of MCS and organisational learning (OL).Design/methodology/approach– This study adopted a survey method. A written questionnaire was prepared and mailed out to collect quantitative data. After analysis of the empirical results, follow-up interviews were conducted to develop a deeper understanding of the empirical results.Findings– Findings of the study show that both the design and use of MCS are significantly associated with levels of OL activities in organisations, and the use of MCS is found to be a more influential factor in OL.Originality/value– This paper contributes to the accounting literature by providing empirical evidence on the relative impacts of the design and use of MCS on OL activities in organisations and the interaction between the design and use of MCS in influencing OL.
The joint effects of management incentive and information precision on perceived reliability in fair value estimates
Authors: Du Ning , E. McEnroe John , Stevens Kevin 
Published: September 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper was to examine whether a less precise (or imprecise) estimate may increase investors’ confidence and improve investors’ perceptions of fair value reliability. The main criticism of fair value accounting has been its lack of reliability perceived by investors.

Design/methodology/approach
– A 2 × 3 randomized experiment was used where management incentive and information precision are manipulated.

Findings
– The results from this study indicate that perceived reliability is jointly affected by management’s incentives and information precision. Reliability rating is the highest for fair value stated as a point estimate with a specified confidence level attached to it. Further analysis indicates that higher perceived reliability is related to its representational faithfulness because participants perceive that a point estimate with a specified confidence level better matches uncertainty in measuring future cash flows.

Originality/value
– This is the first study to examine whether a less precise (or imprecise) estimate may increase investors’ confidence and improve investors’ perceptions of fair value reliability. Because of the subjectivity and uncertainty in fair value estimates, less precise fair value estimates may not be viewed as less reliable. In fact, using a precise format to represent fair value estimates may not be appropriate (neither reliable nor credible), because a precise point estimate fails to capture its underlying uncertainty in future cash flows. A less precise format could represent a credible choice for fair value because it reflects uncertainty and subjectivity and effectively communicates management’s assessments of variability in future cash flows.
Implementation of ISO-22000 in Spain: obstacles and key benefits
Authors: Escanciano Carmen , Leticia Santos-Vijande María 
Published: September 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the status of the implementation of ISO 22000 in the food industry in Spain. The study identifies the main difficulties faced by firms during the adoption process, the benefits obtained, and the most influential benefits on firms overall satisfaction with ISO 22000.

Design/methodology/approach
– A questionnaire was developed to identify the difficulties and benefits for ISO 22000 implementation. Data were collected among 189 Spanish certified firms. Factor analysis and multiple linear regression were used.

Findings
– ISO 22000 is used by firms operating in all links of the food chain (FC). Size of the firm is not a factor that determines its implementation. Exporter firms are more attracted to ISO 22000 certification. All sample firms experienced difficulties throughout the implementation process, being those related with time and money the most relevant. The benefits which most contributed to the firms’ satisfaction were internal in nature, in particular, those related to improved efficiency and food safety.

Practical implications
– Despite the many difficulties, both material and organizational, that sample firms experienced in implementing ISO 22000, and the complexity of the standard, the overall satisfaction is high.

Originality/value
– The sample analyzed comprised certified firms, including representatives of all links in the FC from farm to table. Prior research specifically aimed at analyzing ISO 22000 implementation and its benefits is very scarce.
Sustainable food procurement in British and Irish zoos
Authors: Hanson Jonathan , Holt Diane 
Published: September 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to assess the sustainable food procurement (SFP) of members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). It also considered the inconsistencies between their animal and human food supply chains, as well as between their procurement priorities and practices.

Design/methodology/approach
– A quantitative, cross-sectional approach was employed, involving the use of a web-based questionnaire to gather data from 41 BIAZA members across 21 indicators of food sustainability. The results were considered within a sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) framework.

Findings
– There was considerable variation amongst the issues considered by zoos during the SFP process for their animal and human food operations. For both, local expenditure, nutritional content and packaging reduction were some of the highest scoring indicators in practice and as priorities. The overall levels of SFP were found to be equal between the human and animal food supply chains. Significantly low levels of inconsistency were found between the two, practically and in terms of procurement aspirations. Within both supply chains, there was also very few significant gaps between procurement priorities and actions.

Originality/value
– The originality of this study lies in its comparison of procurement practices and priorities for two contemporaneous but distinct food supply chains. It demonstrates that it is possible to have a high overall degree of consistency between two parallel, but contrasting, supply chains, as well as between procurement priorities and priorities. It will be of use in SSCM, particularly within values-led organisations.