bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Supplier selection using grey theory: a case study from Indian banking industry
Authors: Thakur Vikas , Anbanandam Ramesh 
Published: October 2015

Purpose– As the suppliers of any organization are considered as the strategic partners and taken as the integral part of the supply chain network, hence it is very crucial decision to select the suppliers in order to get the competitive edge. Whenever, any organization select its suppliers then organization evaluates every supplier with respect to certain criteria, which are already listed in the organization’s policies. Since supplier selection is based on the evaluation of various attributes of each alternative; therefore this problem is a multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) problem. The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for selecting the best supplier.Design/methodology/approach– This paper reports the implementation of grey theory to choose the appropriate supplier with uncertain information. Grey values have been used to give the ratings and weightage to various criteria which are being used to evaluate the different supplier alternatives. And finally the grey possibility degree has been calculated to rate the various alternatives.Findings– This paper proposed a MADM model based on grey theory to select the optimal supplier and finally, the proposed model has been applied to select the best supplier for “optimizing digital banking” in the Indian context.Research limitations/implications– The selection criteria selected here through literature review may not fit the whole industry and moreover this paper can be extended into the field where multiple-supplier selection is required, like in manufacturing sector where the authors cannot rely always on single supplier. So, in that case the authors need to pick more than one best alternatives.Practical implications– The grey theory approach can be applied almost all the services industries, where the exact information about the suppliers in quantitative terms is very difficult to find. So the authors can use the grey numbers to rate the suppliers.Social implications– Since, the coming generation is more dependent on the internet banking, so it becomes very much necessary for the banking sector to update the existing system. Due to lack in technical skills, outsourcing the information technology and software development is the best option. Hence, Grey theory based model can be used in selecting the best supplier under uncertain information.Originality/value– Very few studies have been done in India using grey theory approach for supplier selection and moreover, to the best knowledge of the authors’ this is the first study which employs grey theory for selecting the best supplier in banking industry. Moreover the digital banking system is the future of banking industry, so every player should provide the digital banking structure in order to survive in the market.
Understanding the integration mechanisms practiced during organizational change
Authors: Bansal Anjali 
Published: October 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to report a study of post-integration mechanisms carried out by five multinational mergers and acquisitions (M & A) transactions taken place in Indian context. This study has been woven around the concept of human integration and task integration as separate objectives of acquiring organizations to be achieved.Design/methodology/approach– This study is based on descriptive research design. Qualitative data were collected, where the managers from the acquiring organizations and employees from the acquired firms have taken part in the data collection process through interviews. Interview schedule was developed for managers consisting questions on organizations’ strategy to achieve success post-M & A integration (PMI), while interview schedule developed for employees investigated their reactions after organizational change.Findings– Results revealed that the organizations where human integration mechanisms were given due credence also harbored highly committed employees from their organizational counterparts, whereas the transactions where task integration objective was given preference while ignoring human integration, employees developed the negative emotions of anger and insecurity for their newly merged firm.Research limitations/implications– The M & A literature observes a huge gap in the field of M & As in India, especially in PMI mechanisms worldwide, as the emphasis has always been on financial and operational aspects of M & As. Thus, this study addresses this gap in research and opens the avenues for M & A researchers to consider HR as the strategic partner during M & As.Practical implications– The study has important implications for MNCs operating in India and for those which want to excel the Indian market through M & A.Originality/value– This paper is based on the original field work and every information given is authentic.
A discursive textscape of workplace spirituality
Authors: Long Brad S. , Driscoll Cathy 
Published: October 2015

Purpose
– Based on themes the authors observed in workplace spirituality texts, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the historicity of these texts and induce a model to help them understand how this discourse of workplace spirituality came into being.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors perform intertextual analysis to show how authors draw upon concepts available in the broader discursive context, from which the authors produced a textscape of the workplace spirituality discourse to depict these layers of discursive interconnections.

Findings
– The expressed novelty and recency of workplace spirituality as a form of management knowledge, the authors argue, is made ambiguous by its heavy borrowing from other discourses. The authors show how existent spiritual, organizational and societal-level discourses create the conditions of possibility for the discourse of workplace spirituality to emerge. Most of the authors within the corpus engaged the same theories in organizational studies that created the kind of workplaces they now seek to change.

Practical implications
– The power of the workplace spirituality discourse to improve the state of workers and work and achieve the expressed desire for change may be diminished through the discursive practices of its authors.

Originality/value
– The authors offer a visual “textscape” in which the findings are framed and hence operationalize this idea in a novel manner that contributes to the methods of discourse analysis. The findings also call for more critical reflection into whether workplace spirituality represents a solution to organizational problems when neither the workers nor work it constructs are particularly new.
Development of Active Films From Pectin and Fruit Extracts: Light Protection, Antioxidant Capacity, and Compounds Stability
Authors: Eça Kaliana S. , Machado Mariana T. C. , Hubinger Miriam D. , Menegalli Florencia C. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPectin films containing fruit extracts were developed and tested in relation to ultraviolet light transmission, phytochemical contents, and antioxidant capacity during 90 d shelf life storage. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts from 5 different fruits (acerola, cashew apple, papaya, pequi, and strawberry) were obtained. Because the alcoholic extracts from acerola, cashew apple, and strawberry presented the highest phytochemical content and antioxidant capacity, they were incorporated into pectin films individually or as a mixture. Incorporation of these extracts into pectin films provided antioxidant capacity while retaining the physical properties. The pectin films containing fruit extract acted as adequate light barrier and prevented photooxidation. Among the prepared films, the pectin film containing acerola extract afforded the highest antioxidant capacity, with a half‐life of 99 d. Overall, the results revealed that incorporation of fruit extracts into pectin films potentially produces antioxidant films and coatings for different food applications.
Continuously Ingesting Fructooligosaccharide Can't Maintain Rats’ Gut Bifidobacterium at a High Level
Authors: Li Shaoting , Gao Lijuan , Chen Long , Ou Shiyi , Y Wang , Peng Xichun 
Published: October 2015

AbstractFructooligosaccharide (FOS) has been reported to increase Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations in animal and human gut. Hence, it has been utilized to regulate the balance of gut microbiota. In this study, we compared the effects of high‐FOS (HFOS) diet on normal and obese rats’ gut Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, with high‐soybean‐fibers (HSF) diet as control. The results showed that the level of Bifidobacterium population substantially increased at week 4 in groups of rats fed the HFOS diet (P < 0.05), but significantly reduced to a small level at week 8 (P < 0.05); the abundance of Lactobacillus was increased in normal rats (P < 0.05), but decreased in obese rats (P < 0.05). The HSF diet did not promote the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in rats’ gut. The findings suggested that Bifidobacterium population could not be maintained at a high level when the rats continuously ingested the HFOS diet for 8 wk; additionally, Lactobacillus population could adapt to a relatively stable level with the consumption of HFOS diet.
A Metacognitive Strategy for Reducing Disruptive Behavior in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: GoFAR Pilot
Authors: Coles Claire D. , Kable Julie A. , Taddeo Elles , Strickland Dorothy C. 
Published: October 2015

BackgroundFetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are often characterized by disruptive behavior problems and there are few effective interventions available. GoFAR is a novel, 3‐part intervention designed to improve self‐regulation and adaptive living skills of children with FASD by improving metacognitive control of emotions and arousal.MethodsThe intervention has 3 components: (i) GoFAR: a “serious game” designed to teach a metacognitive control strategy in a computer game environment; (ii) parent training on child behavioral regulation; and (iii) Behavior Analog Therapy (BAT) sessions, a practical application of the metacognitive learning methodology by parent and child in the context of learning adaptive skills. The learning strategy (FAR) teaches the child to Focus and make a plan, Act out the plan, and Reflect back on the plan. Thirty families were randomized to 3 groups: (i) GoFAR (n = 10); (ii) FACELAND (n = 10); or (iii) CONTROL (n = 10). The 2 intervention groups, GoFAR and FACELAND, used computer games to instruct children. Both groups also received 5 sessions of parent training followed by 5 sessions of joint parent/child therapy (BAT). Assessment of disruptive behavior, including frequency of temper tantrums, frustration tolerance, impulsivity, destructiveness, aggression, and maintaining attention were carried out before enrollment at Mid‐Treatment, when game play and parent training were completed, and finally, after completing the BAT sessions.ResultsParental report of disruptive behavior overall was significantly reduced in the GoFAR group after the first components, game play and parent training, and after the BAT sessions in the FACELAND group with no changes in the CONTROL group over time.ConclusionsThe GoFAR® game was well received by children and effective in teaching the required skills. Mastering the FAR metacognitive strategy was associated with a reduction in disruptive behaviors in children with FASD suggesting that effective interventions can improve outcomes for this high‐risk group.
Brain substrates of social decision‐making in dual diagnosis: cocaine dependence and personality disorders
Authors: Verdejo‐Garcia Antonio , Verdejo‐Román Juan , Albein‐Urios Natalia , Martínez‐González José M. , Soriano‐Mas Carles 
Published: October 2015

AbstractCocaine dependence frequently co‐occurs with personality disorders, leading to increased interpersonal problems and greater burden of disease. Personality disorders are characterised by patterns of thinking and feeling that divert from social expectations. However, the comorbidity between cocaine dependence and personality disorders has not been substantiated by measures of brain activation during social decision‐making. We applied functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare brain activations evoked by a social decision‐making task—the Ultimatum Game—in 24 cocaine dependents with personality disorders (CDPD), 19 cocaine dependents without comorbidities and 19 healthy controls. In the Ultimatum Game participants had to accept or reject bids made by another player to split monetary stakes. Offers varied in fairness (in fair offers the proposer shares ~50 percent of the money; in unfair offers the proposer shares <30 percent of the money), and participants were told that if they accept both players get the money, and if they reject both players lose it. We contrasted brain activations during unfair versus fair offers and accept versus reject choices. During evaluation of unfair offers CDPD displayed lower activation in the insula and the anterior cingulate cortex and higher activation in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex and superior frontal and temporal gyri. Frontal activations negatively correlated with emotion recognition. During rejection of offers CDPD displayed lower activation in the anterior cingulate cortex, striatum and midbrain. Dual diagnosis is linked to hypo‐activation of the insula and anterior cingulate cortex and hyper‐activation of frontal–temporal regions during social decision‐making, which associates with poorer emotion recognition.
Update on food allergy
Authors: Carrard A. , Rizzuti D. , Sokollik C. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractFood allergies are a global health issue with increasing prevalence. Allergic reactions can range from mild local symptoms to severe anaphylactic reactions. Significant progress has been made in diagnostic tools such as component‐resolved diagnostics and its impact on risk stratification as well as in therapeutic approaches including biologicals. However, a cure for food allergy has not yet been achieved and patients and their families are forced to alter eating habits and social engagements, impacting their quality of life. New technologies and improved in vitro and in vivo models will advance our knowledge of the pathogenesis of food allergies and multicenter‐multinational cohort studies will elucidate interactions between genetic background, lifestyle, and environmental factors. This review focuses on new insights and developments in the field of food allergy and summarizes recently published articles.
Latest developments in allergic rhinitis in Allergy for clinicians and researchers
Authors: Ng C. L. , Wang D. Y. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractResearch efforts in allergic rhinitis have always been intense. Over the past 3 years, numerous breakthroughs in basic science and clinical research have been made, augmenting our understanding of this condition that afflicts a significant proportion of the global population. New epidemiological findings, novel insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of allergy, enhancement of current developmental theories, new concepts of the goals and endpoints of management, and latest therapeutic modalities that includes the harnessing of information technology and big data are some areas where important advances were made. We attempt to bring you a summary of the key research advances made in the field of allergic rhinitis from 2013 to 2015.
Environmental Heterogeneity Influences Successional Trajectories in Colombian Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests
Authors: Castellanos‐Castro Carolina , Newton Adrian C. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractEnvironmental characteristics have a major effect on the species composition of seasonally dry tropical forest. However, this effect has been little considered when describing secondary succession of this ecosystem. We tested the hypothesis that local environmental heterogeneity influences successional trajectories when high species richness is available. Changes in species composition and structure were described in 126 vegetation plots differing in successional stage and located along a topographical and soil nutrient gradient. Variation in community composition was partitioned between successional stage, environmental characteristics, and spatial structure using redundancy analyses. In addition, relationships between plot distance matrices for these factors were analysed by means of Mantel tests. High species turnover was observed during succession and species composition similarity was higher among late successional forest than among early and intermediate forests. A higher portion of variation in species composition was explained by environmental characteristics compared to successional stage, whereas the spatial structure of the data was weak. Our results suggest that in the region of study, variation in the successional trajectories is occurring owing to environmental heterogeneity, as well as to human disturbance and other unmeasured processes.
Scale‐Dependent Spatial Match between Fruits and Fruit‐eating Birds during the Breeding Season in Yungas Andean Forests
Authors: Blendinger Pedro G. , Jiménez Julieta , Macchi Leandro , Martín Eduardo , Sánchez Mariano S. , Ayup María Marta 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe multi‐scale spatial match between bird and food abundances is a main driver of the structure of fruit‐eating bird assemblages. We explored how the activity of fruit‐eating birds was influenced by the abundance of fruits at the local and landscape scales in Andean mountain forests during the breeding season, when most birds forage close to their nest. We measured: (1) the spatial scale of variation in the abundance of fruits, (2) the spatial scale of variation in the activity of fruit‐eating birds, and (3) the spatial match between both variables. The sampling design consisted of eleven 1.2‐ha sites, each subdivided into 30 cells of 20 × 20 m, where we sampled fruits and fruit‐eating birds. We found that fruit consumption, and to a lesser extent bird abundance, were associated with local spatial variation in abundance of selected fruit species. However, fruit‐eating birds did not modify their spatial distribution in the landscape following changes in availability of these fruits. Our study shows that fruit‐eating birds detect local spatial variation in fruit availability in their home breeding ranges, and exploit patches with large clusters of selected fruits. However, it may be unprofitable for breeding birds to stray too far from their nests to exploit fruit‐rich patches, accounting for the absence of fruit tracking at larger spatial scales.
Spatial Patterns of Haplotype Variation in the Epiphytic Bromeliad Catopsis nutans
Authors: Kartzinel Tyler R. , Campbell Dakotah A. , Trapnell Dorset W. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIdentifying factors governing the origin, distribution, and maintenance of Neotropical plant diversity is an enduring challenge. To explore the complex and dynamic historical processes that shaped contemporary genetic patterns for a Central American plant species, we investigated the spatial distribution of chloroplast haplotypes of a geographically and environmentally widespread epiphytic bromeliad with wind‐dispersed seeds, Catopsis nutans, in Costa Rica. We hypothesized that genetic discontinuities occur between northwestern and southwestern Pacific slope populations, resembling patterns reported for other plant taxa in the region. Using non‐coding chloroplast DNA from 469 individuals and 23 populations, we assessed the influences of geographic and environmental distance as well as historical climatic variation on the genetic structure of populations spanning >1200 m in elevation. Catopsis nutans revealed seven haplotypes with low within‐population diversity (mean haplotype richness = 1.2) and moderate genetic structure (FST = 0.699). Pairwise FST was significantly correlated with both geographic and environmental distance. The frequency of dominant haplotypes was significantly correlated with elevation. A cluster of nine Pacific lowland populations exhibited a distinct haplotype profile and contained five of the seven haplotypes, suggesting historical isolation and limited seed‐mediated gene flow with other populations. Paleodistribution models indicated lowland and upland habitats in this region were contiguous through past climatic oscillations. Based on our paleodistribution analysis and comparable prior phylogeographic studies, the genetic signature of recent climatic oscillations are likely superimposed upon the distribution of anciently divergent lineages. Our study highlights the unique phylogeographic history of a Neotropical plant species spanning an elevation gradient.
Increased leptin levels correlate with thyroid autoantibodies in nonobese males
Authors: MacIver Nancie J. , Thomas Steven M. , Green Cynthia L. , Worley Gordon 
Published: October 2015

SummaryObjectiveLeptin is an adipokine that regulates body weight and appetite. It is also an inflammatory cytokine that influences immune reactivity and autoimmunity. Leptin levels are increased in obesity and are higher in women than in men. We aimed to determine whether leptin levels, independent of sex and body mass index (BMI), are associated with thyroid autoimmunity.DesignThis study uses data from The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) to test the association of leptin and thyroid autoimmunity, independent of BMI.MeasurementsThyroid‐stimulating hormone, thyroxine, antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and leptin levels were measured in 2902 men and 3280 women within the NHANES III population. BMI was calculated from height and weight.ResultsWomen had significantly higher leptin levels and anti‐TPO antibody titres than men. Correlation analyses demonstrated that leptin levels were associated with anti‐TPO antibody levels in the total population, but when men and women were analysed separately, this association was lost. We then stratified men and women into obese (BMI > 30) or nonobese (BMI ≤ 30) subgroups and determined the association between leptin levels and anti‐TPO antibody titres for each subgroup. Using regression analysis, we found that increased leptin levels correlated with thyroid autoantibodies in nonobese males, but not in obese males or in females.ConclusionsLeptin levels correlated with thyroid autoantibody titres in nonobese males. This association was not found in females. Sex and body habitus should therefore be considered in studying the role of leptin in other autoimmune conditions.
Line‐Drawing Video Stylization
Authors: Ben‐Zvi N. , Bento J. , Mahler M. , Hodgins J. , Shamir A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWe present a method to automatically convert videos and CG animations to stylized animated line drawings. Using a data‐driven approach, the animated drawings can follow the sketching style of a specific artist. Given an input video, we first extract edges from the video frames and vectorize them to curves. The curves are matched to strokes from an artist's library, while following the artist's stroke distribution and characteristics. The key challenge in this process is to match the large number of curves in the frames over time, despite topological and geometric changes, allowing to maintain temporal coherence in the output animation. We solve this problem using constrained optimization to build correspondences between tracked points and create smooth sheets over time. These sheets are then replaced with strokes from the artist's database to render the final animation. We evaluate our tracking algorithm on various examples and show stylized animation results based on various artists.