bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal mortality and severe morbidity from sepsis in the Netherlands
Authors: KRAMER HANNAH M.C. , SCHUTTE JOKE M. , ZWART JOOST J. , SCHUITEMAKER NICO W.E. , STEEGERS ERIC A.P. , VAN ROOSMALEN JOS 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjective. To assess incidence and risk factors of maternal mortality and severe morbidity from sepsis in the Netherlands. Design. A nationwide confidential enquiry into maternal mortality from 1993 to 2006 and severe maternal morbidity from 2004 to 2006. Setting. All 98 Dutch maternity units in the Netherlands. Population. All pregnant women in the Netherlands from 1993 to 2006. Methods. All reported cases of maternal death from sepsis during 1993–2006 were reported to the Maternal Mortality Committee. Cases of severe maternal morbidity from sepsis from 2004 to 2006 were collected in a nationwide design. Main outcome measures. Incidence, case fatality rates, and possible risk factors. Results. The maternal mortality ratio from direct maternal mortality from sepsis was 0.73 per 100,000 live births (20/2,742,265). The incidence of severe maternal morbidity from sepsis was 21 per 100,000 deliveries (78/371,021), of which 79% was admitted to the intensive care unit. High age, multiple pregnancies, and the use of artificial reproduction techniques were significant risk factors for developing sepsis in univariate analysis. The overall case fatality rate for sepsis during 2004–2006 was 7.7% (6/78). Group A streptococcal infection was in 42.9% (9/21), the cause of direct maternal mortality from sepsis (1993–2006). In 31.8% (14/44), Group A streptococcal infection was the cause of obstetric morbidity from sepsis (2004–2006). Conclusions. With a case fatality rate of 7.7%, sepsis is a life threatening condition for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium.
The Swedish Birth Defects Registry: Ascertainment and incidence of spina bifida and cleft lip/palate
Authors: AMINI HASHEM , AXELSSON OVE , OLLARS BIRGITTA , ANNEREN GÖRAN 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjectives. To assess the ascertainment of spina bifida and cleft lip/palate (CLP) in newborns and in fetuses from terminated pregnancies (ToPs) in the Swedish Birth Defects Registry (BDR) and to estimate the true incidences of these two anomalies. Design. Retrospective register study. Setting. Center for Epidemiology at the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, and Uppsala University Hospital. Population. Newborns and fetuses from ToPs with spina bifida (1999–2004) and CLP (1999–2002) in Sweden. Methods. Data from four registries/sources were used to estimate ascertainment in BDR and incidences of spina bifida and CLP. Main outcome measure: Ascertainment, under‐ascertainment, and true incidence. Results. For newborns, under‐ascertainment of spina bifida and CLP were 6 and 13%, respectively, in BDR after record linkage with the Medical Birth Registry. Ascertainment of cleft palate increased when accompanied by cleft lip. The under‐ascertainment of spina bifida in ToPs after 18 gestational weeks was 27%. Ascertainment of CLP in all ToPs and of spina bifida in ToPs before the 18th gestational week could not be estimated. The majority (109/155, 70%) of ToPs with spina bifida occurred before the 18th week. The estimated incidence of spina bifida per 10,000 births was 6.1 (2.4 newborns and 3.7 ToPs) and of CLP 20.1 (18.9 newborns and 1.2 ToPs). Conclusion. The ascertainments are relatively high for newborns in BDR, but lower or unknown for ToPs, which has an impact on the surveillance of spina bifida in view of the high proportion of ToPs.
Prevalence of cervical human papillomavirus infection and types among women immigrated to Sicily, Italy
Authors: GIOVANNELLI LUCIA , VASSALLO ROSITA , MATRANGA DOMENICA , AFFRONTI MARIO , CALECA MARIA PIA , BELLAVIA CARMELINA , PERINO ANTONIO , AMMATUNA PIETRO 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe determined the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) cervical infection and HPV genotypes among 115 women immigrating to Sicily (Italy), with regard to abnormal cytology and socio‐behavioral characteristics in a cross‐sectional, observational study. Information was collected with the help of cultural mediators/translators. HPV‐DNA was assayed by the INNOLiPA HPV assay and a nested PCR/sequencing method. Sixty (52.2%) women came from sub‐Saharan Africa and 55 (47.8%) from Eastern Europe. HPV infection was found in 55 (47.8%) women. The most frequent types were the oncogenic types HPV‐16 (7.8%), HPV‐18 and 51 (6.0% each), HPV‐52 (5.2%), 31, 53, and 68 (4.3% each). Twenty‐seven (23.5%) women had cytological abnormalities associated with HPV infection (p = 0.04). Being single (OR = 2.98; 95%CI: 1.30–6.84) and parity (OR = 0.29; 95%CI: 0.12–0.65) were consistent predictors of HPV infection. Only 21 (18.2%) women returned to collect the results of their Pap and HPV tests.The high prevalence of HPV infection and oncogenic types among immigrant women make them a priority group for cervical cancer screening. Linguistically and culturally appropriate prevention efforts are needed to sensitize immigrant women regarding HPV‐related issues and to conduct vaccine strategies for cervical cancer prevention.
Vascular endothelial function predicts mortality risk in patients with advanced ischaemic chronic heart failure†
Authors: Shechter Michael , Matetzky Shlomi , Arad Michael , Feinberg Micha S. , Freimark Dov 
Published: May 2009

AimsEndothelial function is impaired in advanced chronic heart failure (ACHF) patients. We explored a possible association between endothelial function and subsequent mortality risk in ACHF.Methods and resultsWe prospectively assessed brachial flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) in 82 consecutive New York Heart Association class IV ischaemic ACHF patients with a mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 22 ± 3%. Following overnight fasting and discontinuation of all medications for ≥12 h, percent increase in FMD (%FMD) and nitroglycerin‐mediated vasodilation were assessed using linear array ultrasound. All patients were followed for 14 ± 2 months for adverse cardiovascular events, including death, hospitalization for CHF exacerbation, or myocardial infarction. Patients were divided into two groups: those with an FMD lesser than or equal to the median %FMD of 4.6% (n = 41) and those with an FMD above the median (n = 41). Both groups were comparable regarding cardiovascular risk factors, LVEF, and concomitant medications. During follow‐up, 22 (53.6%) patients with FMD lesser than or equal to the median had composite adverse cardiovascular events compared with only eight patients (19.5%) with FMD above the median (P < 0.01). Furthermore, fiver deaths (12.1%) occurred in patients with FMD lesser than or equal to the median, compared with no deaths in patients with FMD above the median (P < 0.03). Cox regression analyses revealed that FMD was an independent predictor for these events.ConclusionFlow‐mediated dilation is associated with increased mortality risk in ischaemic ACHF patients.
Effect of Some Extrusion Variables on Residual Quantity of Cyanogenic Compounds in an Organic Breakfast Cereal Containing Passion Fruit Fiber
Authors: Vernaza Gabriela , Matsuura Fernando C. A. U. , Chang Yoon K. , Steel Caroline J. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTOrganic passion fruit fiber is obtained from organic passion fruit rind and is an interesting source of dietary fiber with potential for use in food products such as breakfast cereals. However, various researchers have confirmed the presence of cyanogenic compounds in passion fruit. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the thermoplastic extrusion process on the residual quantity of total cyanogenic compounds (TCC) in extruded organic breakfast cereal produced with corn flour and different levels of passion fruit fiber added to the formulation. For the production of the extrudates, a 23 complete factorial design was followed, that permitted the analysis of the results by response surface methodology. The effects of the quantity of passion fruit fiber (0–30%), feed moisture content (18–28%) and barrel temperature (120–160°C) on the residual quantity of TCC were studied. The raw passion fruit fiber presented 748.3 mg/kg of TCC. The extruded products presented TCC contents of 0–254.1 mg/kg, increasing significantly with the increase of the quantity of passion fruit fiber. The residual quantity of TCC was influenced by feed moisture, while temperature had no significant effect on this response. Nevertheless, only a small reduction of cyanogenic compounds was verified in the breakfast cereals produced by thermoplastic extrusion. Thus, it was concluded that the toxicity of the cereal blends was not improved by the extrusion process.
Microinjection of Bichir (Polypterus) Embryos
Authors: Takeuchi Masaki , Okabe Masataka , Aizawa Shinichi 
Published: May 2009

INTRODUCTIONAxis and germ-layer formations are central issues in vertebrate embryology. An intriguing question is how the mechanisms that existed in an ancestral vertebrate have been modified during vertebrate evolution. A major stream of vertebrates (Osteichthyes) evolved in two monophyletic lineages: the Sarcopterygii and Actinopterygii. There are many differences in the molecular and cellular mechanisms of embryogenesis between teleosts (actinopterygians) and amphibians (sarcopterygians), including the differences in bauplan (body plan). Polypterus diverged from all other actinopterygians ~400 million years ago (Mya) during the Devonian period, soon after the divarication of an ancestral bony fish into Actinopterygii and Sarcopterygii. Polypterus is thus uniquely well suited for studies assessing the ancestral state or bauplan of Osteichthyes and Actinopterygii, as well as the divergence of embryogenetic processes in teleosts and amphibians. This protocol describes the collection of Polypterus embryos and the method for microinjection.
Efficient weld seam detection for robotic welding based on local image processing
Authors: Shi Fanhuai , Lin Tao , Chen Shanben 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe weld seam detection is required for a welding robot to preplan the weld seam track before the actual welding. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this subject in natural lighting conditions.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents an efficient algorithm of weld seam detection for butt joint welding from a single image. The basic idea of the approach is to find a pair of weld seam edges in local area first. Then, starting from the two endpoints of each edge, search for the remnant edge by iterative edge detection and edge linking.FindingsThe proposed method is insensitive to the variance of the background image and can apply to most shapes of weld seams in butt joint welding.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed method is designed only for butt joint welding, and it is performed before actual welding.Practical implicationsThe system is applicable to preplan the weld trajectory for most shapes of weld seams in butt joint welding. In addition, the proposed technique may have some potential applications in the field of tailor‐welded blanks.Originality/valueThe proposed algorithm is based on local image processing and detects the whole weld seam from a single image without giving any initial seam, which is insensitive to the variance of the background image and has low‐computation cost.
The consumer‐perceived value of non‐traditional media: effects of brand reputation, appropriateness and expense
Authors: Dahlén Micael , Granlund Anton , Grenros Mikael 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the consumer‐perceived value of non‐traditional media, and the moderating effects of brand reputation, appropriateness and expense.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes the form of an experimental study of six (real) campaigns, manipulating media type and brand reputation (with appropriateness and expense measured within subjects).FindingsNon‐traditional media enhance consumer‐perceived value. The effects are greater for low‐ than for high‐reputation brands. High‐reputation brands are more sensitive to the appropriateness and expense of the marketing. Consumer‐perceived value leads to higher purchase and word‐of‐mouth intentions.Research limitations/implicationsThe analysis of the mediating effects of consumer‐perceived value is exploratory and requires follow‐up. Being a first test of the effects of non‐traditional media, no discrimination was made between different types. This requires further attention.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that non‐traditional media enhance the consumer‐perceived value of marketing, and suggests that consumer‐perceived value is important in generating purchase and word‐of‐mouth intentions. The approach also gives advice with respect to brand reputation, budget (expense) and appropriateness of marketing.Originality/valueThe paper is a first academic test of non‐traditional media/guerrilla marketing; it argues that marketing must generate consumer‐perceived value in order to be successful and finds support for this; and employs previously neglected (but highly current) variables such as appropriateness and expense. The paper is valuable in its high action‐orientation.
A comparison of brand personality and brand user‐imagery congruence
Authors: Parker Brian T. 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the brand personality and brand user‐imagery constructs in congruity theory to examine their relationship in the image congruence model as a basis of modeling brand attitudes for publicly and privately consumed brands.Design/methodology/approachA total of 272 surveys measured subjects' self‐image perceptions and subjects' perceptions of brand personality and user‐imagery. Congruence measures were used as indicators of the difference between respondent self‐image and each brand's image, and served as independent variables in stepwise regressions with brand attitude as the dependent variable.FindingsThe results indicated that, for publicly consumed brands, user‐imagery‐based congruence measures contributed more often to the explanatory power of the model. For privately consumed brands, brand personality congruity produced significant regressions but did not account for a large portion of explained variance, while user‐imagery only entered one private brand model.Originality/valueBrand personality and brand user‐imagery are often used interchangeably in self‐congruity theory research. Although both constructs have received past research attention, no studies have compared them in the same study. The study fills the gap in the literature and enhances the usefulness of the self‐brand congruity model, providing a knowledge base for determining an overall brand positioning strategy.
The consumer inside: at its heart, all marketing speaks to human beings
Authors: Ferguson Rick 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how the current trends in B2B loyalty, technology and analytics can aid marketers in creating profitable relationships with small business owners by exploring their consumer mind.Design/methodology/approachThis approach takes the form of a discussion, with practical examples and commentary from leaders in the marketing industry, of the top tips and trends for marketers to establish a consumer‐minded B2B relationship with small‐business clients.FindingsLoyalty‐marketing efforts that focus solely on the hard‐benefit tactics still dominate, but companies are beginning to realize that small businesses, estimated at 16.7 million firms in the USA alone, come with individual needs and are not only business‐minded but consumer‐minded as well.Practical implicationsB2B marketers have the tools to delve deeper into their relationships with small‐business clients by examining them as they would consumers – by building a loyalty platform on a foundation of customer data.Originality/valueThe paper employs exclusive interviews with representatives from some of the largest marketing firms in the industry today and reports expert analysis and breakdown on loyalty marketing strategies.
An assessment of quality costs within electronic adverse incident reporting and recording systems
Authors: Walsh Kerry , Antony Jiju 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThere are three main objectives of the research presented in this paper: to examine the challenges of using an electronic adverse incident recording and reporting system; to assess the method of using a prevention appraisal and failure model; and to identify the benefits of using quality costs in conjunction with incident reporting systems.Design/methodology/approachAction diary, documentation and triangulation are used to obtain an understanding of the challenges and critical success factors in using quality costing within an adverse incident recording and reporting system.FindingsThe paper provides healthcare professionals with the critical success factors for developing quality costing into an electronic adverse incident recording and reporting system. This approach would provide clinicians, managers and directors with information on patient safety issues following the effective use of data from an electronic adverse incident reporting and recording system.Originality/valueThis paper makes an attempt of using a prevention, appraisal and failure model (PAF) within a quality‐costing framework in relation to improving patient safety within an electronic adverse incident reporting and recording system.
Relational benefits and loyalty in retailing: an inter‐sector comparison
Authors: Ruiz‐Molina Maria‐Eugenia , Gil‐Saura Irene , Berenguer‐Contrí Gloria 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically a model that reflects the different types of relational benefits perceived by customers, as well as the benefits obtained by the organization in terms of customer loyalty.Design/methodology/approachIn order to achieve the aim of this paper, a quantitative analysis through a personal survey to consumers for four types of retailing activities is performed. Data are analyzed through factor analysis and a structural equation model is estimated.FindingsConfidence benefits and special treatment benefits have major influence on customer loyalty towards the retailer. These results are consistent across retail activities.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is limited in its scope and a first approach is considered that it might inspire further research adding new constructs into the model in order to deepen into the analysis of the relationship between customer and retailer relational benefits.Practical implicationsSince the benefits related to purchase risk reduction and confidence are the most influencing on customer loyalty, the retailer should concentrate his efforts in offering guarantees for his products and carrying out communication campaigns for improving corporate image. Also actions providing special treatment benefits might have a positive influence on customer loyalty.Originality/valueRelational benefits and results for the retailer are studied in four different retail activities.
A measurement scale of “aesthetic style” applied to luxury goods stores
Authors: Godey Bruno , Lagier Joëlle , Pederzoli Daniele 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address the recent evolution of the luxury goods sector as well as the distribution strategy of some major companies. The distribution strategy must consider two different issues: first, the need to control the value chain in order to gain a competitive advantage in a sector that is becoming concentrated; second, the need to meet a desire for emotions and for aesthetic experience, as expressed by the customers of luxury goods.Design/methodology/approachFor this exploratory phase, the paper chooses to draw the data from a convenience sample made of undergraduate students from the Rouen School of Management. Slides presenting a varied selection of luxury goods stores are exposed. On the basis of this sample, a principal component factor analysis with Varimax rotation is performed. This enabled us to find a three‐factor structure. As a preliminary, tests are carried out on the suitability of the data sample for factor analysis. The paper also testes the internal reliability of this scale.FindingsThe paper introduces and validates a scale measuring the aesthetic style of consumers of luxury goods and an extension of this scale to the outlets selling these papers.Originality/valueAs for the academic aspect, it is the first application of a measurement scale of aesthetic perception to retail. Concerning the managerial aspect, the three dimensions of the scale could bring important indications to luxury goods firms as well as to shop designers concerning the elements which influence consumer perception.
Ruthenium dioxide doped manganite‐based NTC thermistors for low‐resistance applications
Authors: Jagtap Shweta , Rane Sunit , Gosavi Suresh , Amalnerkar Dinesh 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the properties of disc type negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors based on the spinel system Mn‐Co‐Ni‐O with the doping of RuO2for the low‐resistance applications.Design/methodology/approachEmphasis was placed on the properties of ruthenium dioxide doped manganite spinel system for low‐resistance applications. The properties such as microstructure, X‐ray diffraction analysis and electrical properties are reported.FindingsThe prepared NTC thermistor compositions revealed the room temperature resistance and thermistor constant in the range of 28‐2,950 Ω and 1,539‐3,428 K, respectively. Hence, the prepared NTC thermistors with low resistance and moderate sensitivity are suitable from an industrial applications point of view.Originality/valueThe paper reports upon a synthesis procedure which is a straightforward preparation of highly densified ternary oxide (Mn‐Co‐No‐O) thermistors.
The impact of alignment between supply chain strategy and environmental uncertainty on SCM performance
Authors: Sun Szu‐Yuan , Hsu Meng‐Hsiang , Hwang Wen‐Jin 
Published: May 2009

PurposeThe right supply chain (SC) strategy is widely believed to be able to improve supply chain management (SCM) performance. Ignoring the important concept of alignment means that failures in SCM resulting from a mismatch between two or more crucial factors remain common. Accordingly, Lee proposed an environmental uncertainty framework to devise the right SC strategy. However, the proposed framework has thus far remained conceptual. Therefore, this study seeks to empirically investigate Lee's uncertainty framework and examine how alignment between SC strategy and environmental uncertainty impacts perceived SCM performance.Design/methodology/approachA survey was designed and used to collect 243 usable responses from manufacturers. A profile deviation approach was applied to compute the alignment between SC strategy and environmental uncertainty.FindingsThe results of the study verify that the alignment between SC strategy and environmental uncertainty is positively associated with SCM performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe data were collected from a cross‐sectional survey and represented a snapshot of practice. Replication from a longitudinal perspective would better reflect long‐term impacts of alignment on SCM performance.Practical implicationsDifferent SC strategies are appropriate for distinct environmental uncertainties. It is not enough to simply form an SC strategy for improving SCM performance without considering the alignment between SC strategies and environmental uncertainties.Originality/valueThe study empirically examines Lee's uncertainty framework, which has received considerable attention in relation to SCM, but has not previously been clearly verified. The study also develops the a priori theoretical profiles for SC strategies by using an integrated perspective that incorporates both manufacturing and information system capabilities.