bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comments on the Model Testing by Goodwin and Meeran (2012): Comparison of the Utility‐based and the Gompertz Curve Approach for High‐technology Product Sales Forecasting
Authors: Gnibba‐Yukawa Kumiko , Decker Reinhold 
Published: June 2012

Starting from a comprehensive examination of recent empirical studies focusing on consumer behavior in high‐technology markets and the resulting identification of factors probably affecting individual buying decisions as well as aggregate product sales, Decker and Gnibba‐Yukawa developed and empirically verified a utility‐based sales forecasting approach in their earlier work. Based on data for 14 consumer electronic products and using the Gompertz curve as a benchmark, Goodwin and Meeran carried out a “more extensive testing” of this proposal. However, at least from a practical point of view, the plausibility of their testing framework regarding the market potential m is not unquestionable.This paper, therefore, first discusses some theoretical aspects of both approaches by addressing issues challenged by Goodwin and Meeran, especially regarding the use of short time series and the consideration of replacement purchases. Then, the quasi‐endogenous estimation method for m favored by Goodwin and Meeran for the Gompertz curve is examined in terms of sensitivity to better understand its influence on sales forecasts, and the adequacy of the suggested range for m in the case of the approach by Decker and Gnibba‐Yukawa is investigated. In addition, the results presented in Goodwin and Meeran are considered from a more distant perspective, and possible causes of the variations in forecasting accuracy are discussed, which finally reveals that the forecasting performance of the utility‐based approach is not that “disappointing” as claimed. It provides more accurate (or at least equivalent) forecasts than the Gompertz curve approach in 64% of the cases considered. Furthermore, if product 14 (portable MP3 players) is excluded from the analysis because of the nonconsideration of probably existing product improvement effects, then the utility‐based approach, on average, outperforms the benchmark in all forecasting years.Altogether, this suggests that the approach by Decker and Gnibba‐Yukawa could achieve more accurate forecasts when applying a more reasonable range for m, rather than varying it between 2 and 15 times the cumulative sales by the end of year 7 as proposed by Goodwin and Meeran. It turns out that the Gompertz curve approach can perform on a par with the utility‐based approach in high‐technology product sales forecasting based on short time series if the market potential m is estimated exogenously. A combination of the outcomes of both approaches can even lead to more accurate forecasts as when being used individually insofar as composite forecasting seems to be a practicable approach to the problem of shorter time series compelled by the accelerated diffusion speed in high‐technology markets, rather than relying on one presumably “best” model.
Current cell models for bioengineering a salivary gland: a mini‐review of emerging technologies
Authors: Nelson J , Manzella K , Baker OJ 
Published: June 2012

Oral Diseases (2013) 19, 236–244Saliva plays a major role in maintaining oral health. Patients afflicted with a decrease in saliva secretion (symptomatically, xerostomia) exhibit difficulty in chewing and swallowing foods, tooth decay, periodontal disease, and microbial infections. Despite recent improvements in treating xerostomia (e.g., saliva stimulants, saliva substitutes, and gene therapy), there is a need of more scientific advancements that can be clinically applied toward restoration of compromised salivary gland function. Here we provide a summary of the current salivary cell models that have been used to advance restorative treatments via development of an artificial salivary gland. These models represent initial steps toward clinical and translational research, to facilitate creation of clinically safe salivary glands. Further studies in salivary cell lines and primary cells are necessary to improve survival rates, cell differentiation, and secretory function. Additionally, the characterization of salivary progenitor and stem cell markers are necessary. Although these models are not fully characterized, their improvement may lead to the construction of an artificial salivary gland that is in high demand for improving the quality of life of many patients suffering from salivary secretory dysfunction.
Effects of photoperiod and temperature on diapause induction in Conogethes punctiferalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Xu Li‐Rong , Ni Xinzhi , Wang Zhen‐Ying , He Kang‐Lai 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe yellow peach moth, Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenée), a multivoltine species that overwinters as diapausing larvae, is one of the most serious insect pests on maize in China. Effect of photoperiod and temperature on larval diapause was examined under empirical laboratory conditions. Short‐day treatments caused larval diapause at 25°C, and the critical photoperiod was between 12 and 13 h (or 12 h 51 min) light per day. No sensitive instar was identified for diapause induction under alternated short‐ (L : D 11 : 13 h) and long‐day (L : D 14 : 10 h) treatments at different larval stages. However, accumulative treatment of three instars and 10 d under short‐day treatment was required for the induction of 50% larval diapause. All larvae entered diapause at 20°C, whereas less than 3% did so at 30°C, irrespective of the long‐ or short‐day treatment. Furthermore, under the short‐day treatment, more than 90% of larvae went into diapause with temperatures ≤ 25°C, but less than 17% did so at 28°C. In contrast, under the long‐day treatment, less than 19% of larvae went into diapause with temperatures ≥ 23°C. The forward shift (5°C) of critical temperature under the long‐day regime demonstrated the compensatory effect of temperature and photoperiod on diapause induction. In conclusion, C. punctiferalis had a temperature‐dependent type I photoperiodic diapause response; there was no sensitive instar for diapause determination, but the photoperiodic accumulation time countermeasures both of the short‐day cycles and the number of instars exposed, and the photoperiodic diapause response, was a temperature‐compensated phenomenon.
Mosquito autogeny in Aedes caspius (Diptera: Culicidae): alterations of larval nourishments reservation upon bacterial infection
Authors: Ahmed Ashraf M. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe present study recorded mosquito autogeny for the first time amongst Aedes caspius species in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Laboratory rearing showed an obligatory autogenous species of Ae. caspius since it foregoes blood feeding during its first ovarian cycle, even in the presence of the hosts (CD mouse), but produces its second egg batch only if ingested a blood meal. Both morphological and molecular identification confirmed that both autogenous and anautogenous strains belong to the same species of Ae. caspius. Data from biochemical analysis showed significant 2, 1.6, and 1.4 folds higher total carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids reserves respectively in the fourth larval instar of the autogenous strain compared to that of the anautogenous ones. In addition, exposing the fourth larval instars of autogenous strain to the infection stress by the mosquito larvicidal bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki has significantly reduced total carbohydrates, proteins and lipids reserves by 29%, 35%, and 46%, respectively, at 12 h postinfection compared to those of uninfected ones. These reductions in nourishment reserves were more pronounced at 24 h postinfection in the case of proteins and lipids, but not carbohydrates. These results may indicate that bacterial infection is a health stress that significantly reduced nourishments reservation, which may interrupt the success of adult autogeny. However, the impact of infection‐induced decline in larval nourishments reservation on successful adult autogeny is still to be investigated.
Improving water supply and sanitation programme effectiveness: lessons from WaterAid's outcome evaluation studies
Authors: Cotton Andrew , Adams Jerry , Shaw David 
Published: June 2012

AbstractMany low income countries are off‐track to reach the Millennium Development Goals for water supply and sanitation. This paper develops a theoretical framework and methodology to improve the evaluation of water and sanitation programme outcomes, focusing on relevance, effectiveness and sustainability. The resulting set of evaluation questions are applied to seven independent evaluations of WaterAid's country programmes. Results are synthesised by assigning an ordinal ranking to the findings which are aggregated to assess overall outcome status that has validity at an organisational level, rather than just at country programme level. Strong areas of performance are partnership development, policy advocacy, equity and inclusion. Areas requiring attention are organisational learning, programme structure and government partner capacity for sustainability. The findings will be used to prioritise future programme management and are clustered into seven outcome areas that are of generic interest and significance to other organisations managing water supply and sanitation programmes.
Numerical Evaluation of Spherical Geometry Approximation for Heating and Cooling of Irregular Shaped Food Products
Authors: Uyar Rahmi , Erdogdu Ferruh 
Published: June 2012

Abstract:  Irregular shapes of food products add difficulties in modeling of food processes, and using actual geometries might be in expense of computing time without offering any advantages in heating and cooling processes. In this study, a three‐dimensional scanner was used to obtain geometrical description of strawberry, pear, and potato, and cooling–heating simulations were carried out in a computational heat transfer program. Then, spherical assumption was applied to compare center and volume average temperature changes using volume to surface area ratios of these samples to define their characteristic length. In addition, spherical assumption for a finite cylinder and a cube was also applied to demonstrate the effect of sphericity. Geometries with sphericity values above 0.9 were determined to hold the spherical assumption.Practical Applications:  Irregular shapes of food products add difficulties in modeling of heating and cooling processes of food products. In addition, using actual geometries are in expense of computational time without offering any advantages. Hence, spherical approximation for irregular geometries was demonstrated under sphericity values of 0.9. This approach might help in developing better heating and cooling processes.
Comparison of the Cytodiff flow cytometric leucocyte differential count system with the Sysmex XE‐2100 and Beckman Coulter UniCel DxH 800
Authors: Park Borae G. , Park Chan‐Jeoung , Kim Sue , Yoon Chan‐Hee , Kim Duck‐Hee , Jang Seongsoo , Chi Hyun‐Sook 
Published: June 2012

SummaryIntroductionRoutine automated haematology analysers categorize leucocytes into five types. The Cytodiff (Beckman Coulter) is a 16‐part leucocyte differential analysis system that uses six markers and five colours. We compared leucocyte differential counts obtained by the Cytodiff with five‐part differential counts obtained by routine automated haematology analysers.MethodsWe collected 477 EDTA blood samples from healthy individuals and patients with malignancies, sepsis and multi‐organ failure. Leucocyte differential counts were simultaneously analysed by a Cytodiff multiparametric flow cytometric system and the XE‐2100 (Sysmex) and UniCel DxH 800 (Beckman Coulter) automated haematology analysers. Regression and correlation analyses were performed between the different systems.ResultsOur Cytodiff results were well correlated with those produced using the DxH 800 and XE‐2100 analysers except for monocytes and basophils. The correlations were poorer for leukopenic than for nonleukopenic samples. For most samples, Cytodiff obtained a higher correlation with manual counts according to a case analysis; however, in several samples, the Cytodiff generated false decreases in monocyte levels and false increases in basophil levels.ConclusionThe Cytodiff may have an advantage, as it could sensitively detect blasts and immature granulocytes. Additionally, it was less labour‐intensive than manual counting, and therefore, the Cytodiff might be useful for differential counts.
Enhancing floral diversity to increase the robustness of grassland beetle assemblages to environmental change
Authors: Woodcock B.A. , Bullock J.M. , Nowakowski M. , Orr R. , Tallowin J.R.B. , Pywell R.F. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIntensive grassland management has produced floristically species poor swards supporting a limited invertebrate fauna. Low cost seed mixtures can be used to increase floristic diversity and so diversify the food resource of phytophagous invertebrate. We quantify trophic links between plants and phytophagous beetles in grasslands established using three seed mixtures. Using food webs, we model secondary extinctions from the beetle communities caused by the loss of host‐plants. Plant species were eliminated according to three scenarios: (1) drought intolerant first; (2) low nutrient status first; (3) stress tolerant first. Diverse seed mixtures containing grasses, legumes, and nonlegume forbs, were more robust to secondary beetle extinctions. The highest diversity seed mixture increased robustness under scenarios of extreme drought in three out of four tested management regimes. Simple and low cost seed mixtures have the potential to promote landscape scale robustness to future environmental change for native invertebrates.
Conditional modelling of ring‐recovery data
Authors: McCrea Rachel S. , Morgan Byron J. T. , Brown Daniel I. , Robinson Rob A. 
Published: June 2012

Summary1. Ring‐recovery data can be used to obtain estimates of survival probability which is a key demographic parameter of interest for wild animal populations. Conditional modelling of ring‐recovery data is needed when cohort numbers are unavailable or unreliable. It is often necessary to include in such analysis a recovery probability that is declining as a function of time, and failure to do this can result in biased estimates of annual survival.2. Corresponding estimates of survival probability need to be reliable in order for correct conclusions to be drawn regarding the effects of climate change.3. We show that standard logistic modelling of a decline in recovery probability is unsatisfactory, and propose and investigate a range of alternative procedures.4. Methods are illustrated by application to a recovery data set on grey herons. The model selected is a scaled‐logistic model, and it is shown to provide a unifying analysis of several data sets collected on different common bird species. The model makes specific predictions, providing potential new insights and avenues for ecological research. The wider performance of this model is evaluated through simulation.5. In this study, we propose a new scaled‐logistic model for the analysis of ring‐recovery data without cohort numbers, which incorporates a reporting probability that declines over time. The model is shown to perform well in simulation studies and for both a single real data set and several real data sets in combination. Its use has the potential to reduce bias in estimates of wild animal survival that currently do not incorporate such reporting probabilities. Alternative models are shown to possess undesirable features.
Successful outcome in a case of equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) treated with valacyclovir
Authors: Schwarz B. , Schwendenwein I. , van den Hoven R. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryEquine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) is a progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease, which has been associated with γ‐herpesviruses. This report describes a 22‐year‐old Warmblood stallion diagnosed with EMPF on the basis of clinical examination, laboratory results, lung radiographs and ultrasound, lung biopsy and inclusion bodies found in macrophages of broncho‐alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as well as an identification of EHV‐5 DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The horse recovered after one week of treatment with valacyclovir (40 mg/kg bwt per os q. 8 h) and is clinically healthy 2 years later. To our knowledge this is the first report describing treatment of EMPF with valacyclovir.
Parainguinal laparotomy as an alternative surgical approach for removal of an enterolith in the small colon of a horse
Authors: Barrett E. J. , Munsterman A. S. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThis report describes the use of a parainguinal approach to the abdomen to remove an obstruction in the small colon that could not be removed using an initial ventral midline approach. The use of a parainguinal approach should be considered for removal of an obstruction in the distal portion of the small colon.
A Clinical Validation Study of Impaired Physical Mobility of Patients Submitted to Cardiac Catheterization
Authors: Paganin Angelita , Rabelo Eneida Rejane 
Published: June 2012

PURPOSE:  To conduct a Fehring model‐based clinical validation of the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis of impaired physical mobility in a sample of 250 patients.METHOD:  Cross‐sectional study.FINDINGS:  Three of the 11 NANDA‐International defining characteristics assessed in this study were validated: limited range of motion, limited ability to perform gross motor skills, and difficulty turning. Although discomfort was not validated due to the rarity of occurrence, there was excellent interrater agreement as to its relevance (kappa coefficient).CONCLUSIONS:  In this setting, three characteristics were validated.IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE:  Validation studies are important for advancing evidence‐based practice.
EXTENSIVE STUDY OF INTERACTION FORCE BETWEEN SPHERICAL COLLOIDS AND STAR POLYMERS
Authors: HIMMI MUSTAPHA , MOHAMMADI LAILA 
Published: June 2012

We consider a system consisting of very small colloidal particles clothed each by f end-grafted flexible polymer chains we regarded as star polymers, and hard spherical colloidal particles in a good solvent. Our main objective is to determine the expression of the interaction force between a spherical colloid and a star polymer as a function of distance between them. We limit ourselves to the case where the star polymer is smaller than the colloid. In the first part, the system is dissolved in a melt of short linear chains of polymerization degree P<N, where N denotes the polymerization degree of grafted chains. To compute the expected force, we consider two regimes: (1) high-grafting density [Formula: see text] and (2) small-grafting density (f < f*). For (f > f*), we show that the expression of the expected force coincides exactly with that of the case of a small molecular weight solvent. For (f < f*), we show that there is a change in behavior. In the second part, we assume that the lengths of the f grafted chains were randomly distributed and there is talk of a polydisperse star polymer. We show that the computation of the expected force depends on the relative values of the polymerization degree of longest grafted chain, N, when it is compared to the typical one Nc ~ f1/(α-1). Here α is the polydispersity exponent. We distinguish two regimes depending on whether N < Nc or N > Nc. For the regime with N < Nc, and comparing the expression of the force obtained for the monodisperse case, we can say that the polydispersity of grafted chains induce a drastic change of the force expression. For the regime with N > Nc, we found the existence of two distance-ranges. For small distances, the effective force expression is identical to that relative to the above case (N < Nc). But for high distances, the effective force expression is similar to the monodisperse case.
De korte loopbaan van Nicolaes Berchem de Jonge
Authors: de Kinkelder Marijke C. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIt is virtually unknown that the famous painter from Haarlem, Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem (1620-1683), had a namesake son who was also a painter. This is evident from the signature 'd'Jonge Berchem' ('The Young Berchem'), displayed on the painting Zuidelijk landschap met door een rivier trekkende herders en hun dieren, (Southern landscape with shepherds crossing a river with their cattle) (fig. 2). Nicolaes de Jonge was born in 1649 in Haarlem and died at the age of 22 in Paris. He was undoubtedly educated by his father though both his grandfathers, Pieter Claesz (1597/1598-1660) and Jan Wils (1603-1666), may also have contributed to his artistic education. His father's influence is clearly identifiable in his paintings as he made a number of citations from his work. This article reconstructs the life and work of the young artist, who died an untimely death.
The African Traditional Ritual of Cleansing the Chest of Grudges as a Ritual of Reconciliation
Authors: Nolte-Schamm Claudia 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis article describes a Southern African traditional cultural ritual which is employed in order to reconcile hostile parties, namely parties who are at loggerheads about something and wish to resolve the conflict that is dividing them. Using resources gleaned from ritual and sociological studies, as well as from theology, the author offers an interpretive analysis of the ritual. The aim of the article is to illuminate the value and significance of traditional African rituals for the promotion of social reconciliation in the South African context. The present article is one of two essays that consider the named ritual.
Porcelain and the Material Culture of the Mongol-Yuan Court
Authors: Gerritsen Anne 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
This paper offers a re-evaluation of the significance of porcelain during the Yuan dynasty by analyzing a type of ceramics known as luanbai or shufu wares. These matt white porcelains, sometimes inscribed with the characters shu and fu, have generally been seen as official wares, manufactured on the orders of the highest echelons of the Yuan central government and classified as high-quality luxury wares associated with the imperial court. This paper proposes that this conventional interpretation is misleading. Instead of understanding luanbai wares as part of the narrative of ceramics manufacture and the history of porcelain, I explore their relevance by situating them in the context of Yuan-dynasty material culture more broadly, court-sponsored craft manufactures, and the practice of inscribing objects. This approach reveals a different story, highlighting the absence of court control over ceramic production, the ensuing freedom to experiment locally with new ceramic production methods, and the significance of the demands of consumers in territories outside Yuan China.
Shared Stories and Religious Rhetoric: R. Judah the Pious, Peter the Chanter and a Drought
Authors: Baumgarten Elisheva 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
This article discusses a story about a Jewish-Christian interaction during a drought that appears in Peter the Chanter’s Verbum abbreviatum and R. Judah the Pious’ Sefer Hasidim. I suggest that the two authors had a common source, noting that Peter’s version was earlier so that R. Judah might have based his story on an account based on Peter the Chanter’s story, whether oral or written. Analyzing the tale, the article points to narrative strategies used by both authors and to what they can tell us about Jewish and Christian knowledge of each other’s religious practice and belief in medieval Christian Europe.