pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Bayesian one-step IPD network meta-analysis of time-to-event data using Royston-Parmar models

Network meta‐analysis (NMA) combines direct and indirect evidence from trials to calculate and rank treatment estimates. While modelling approaches for continuous and binary outcomes are relatively well developed, less work has been done with time‐to‐event outcomes. Such outcomes are usually analysed using Cox proportional hazard (PH) models. However, in oncology with longer follow‐up time, and time‐dependent effects of targeted treatments, this may no longer be appropriate. Network meta‐analysis conducted in the Bayesian setting has been increasing in popularity. However, fitting the Cox model is computationally intensive, making it unsuitable for many datasets. Royston‐Parmar models are a flexible alternative that can accommodate time‐dependent effects. Motivated by individual participant data (IPD) from 37 cervical cancer trials (5922 women) comparing surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, this paper develops an IPD Royston‐Parmar Bayesian NMA model for overall survival. We give WinBUGS code for the model. We show how including a treatment‐ln(time) interaction can be used to conduct a global test for PH, illustrate how to test for consistency of direct and indirect evidence, and assess within‐design heterogeneity. Our approach provides a computationally practical, flexible Bayesian approach to NMA of IPD survival data, which readily extends to include additional complexities, such as non‐PH, increasingly found in oncology trials.Peer-reviewedPublisher Versio
Introduction, comparison, and validation of Meta-Essentials

We present a new tool for meta‐analysis, _Meta‐Essentials_, which is free of charge and easy to use. In this paper, we introduce the tool and compare its features to other tools for meta‐analysis.We also provide detailed information on the validation of the tool. Although free of charge and simple, _Meta‐Essentials_ automatically calculates effect sizes from a wide range of statistics and can be used for a wide range of meta‐analysis applications, including subgroup analysis, moderator analysis, and publication bias analyses. The confidence interval of the overall effect is automatically based on the Knapp‐Hartung adjustment of the DerSimonian‐Laird estimator. However, more advanced meta‐analysis methods such as meta‐analytical structural equation modelling and meta‐regression with multiple covariates are not available. In summary, _Meta‐Essentials_ may prove a valuable resource for meta‐analysts, including researchers, teachers, and students
The feasibility of a search filter for the adverse effects of nondrug interventions in MEDLINE and Embase

Authors and indexers are increasingly including terms for adverse drug effects in the titles, abstracts or indexing of records in MEDLINE and Embase. However, it is not clear if this is the same for studies with non-drug adverse effects data. We therefore assessed the feasibility of using adverse effects terms when searching MEDLINE or Emabse to retrieve papers of non-drug adverse effects. A collection of papers that reported data on non-drug adverse effects was sought from included studies of systematic reviews. Each included study was analysed to ascertain whether the corresponding record in MEDLINE and Embase included adverse effects terms in the title, abstract or indexing. From 9,129 records screened from DARE (Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects), 30 reviews evaluating non-drug adverse effects met our inclusion criteria. From these, 635 unique papers were included in our analysis. Sensitive searches for adverse effects required generic and specific named adverse effects terms using the title, abstract and indexing. Records relating to surgical interventions were more likely to contain adverse effects terms than records relating to non-surgical interventions. Using any adverse effects terms in the title, abstract or indexing in MEDLINE and Embase would have identified an average of 94% of papers on surgical adverse effect interventions per systematic review and 72% of papers on non-surgical adverse effects per systematic review. Hence, while a generic non-drug adverse effect search filter may not yet be feasible, a filter for the adverse effects of surgical interventions may be within reach
Evaluation of a new method for librarian-mediated literature searches for systematic reviews

Objective: To evaluate and validate the time of completion and results of a new method of searching for systematic reviews, the exhaustive search method (ESM), using a pragmatic comparison. Methods: Single-line search strategies were prepared in a text document. Term completeness was ensured with a novel optimization technique. Macros in MS Word converted the syntaxes between databases and interfaces almost automatically. We compared search characteristics, such as number of search terms and databases, and outcomes, such as number of included and retrieved references and precision, from ESM searches and other Dutch academic hospitals identified by searching PubMed for systematic reviews published between 2014 and 2016. We compared time to perform the ESM with a secondary comparator of recorded search times from published literature and contact with authors to acquire unpublished data. Results: We identified 73 published Erasmus MC systematic reviews and 258 published by other Dutch academic hospitals meeting our criteria. We pooled search time data from 204 other systematic reviews. The ESM searches differed by using 2 times more databases, retrieving 44% more references, including 20% more studies in the final systematic review, but the time needed for the search was 8% of that of the control group. Similarities between methods include precision and the number of search terms. Conclusions: The evaluated similarities and differences suggest that the ESM is a highly efficient way to locate more references meeting the specified selection criteria in systematic reviews than traditional search methods. Further prospective research is required
A design-by-treatment interaction model for network meta-analysis and meta-regression with integrated nested Laplace approximations

Network meta-analysis (NMA) is gaining popularity for comparing multiple treatments in a single analysis. Generalized linear mixed models provide a unifying framework for NMA, allow us to analyze datasets with dichotomous, continuous or count endpoints, and take into account multiarm trials, potential heterogeneity between trials and network inconsistency. To perform inference within such NMA models, the use of Bayesian methods is often advocated. The standard inference tool is Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), which is computationally expensive and requires convergence diagnostics. A deterministic approach to do fully Bayesian inference for latent Gaussian models can be achieved by integrated nested Laplace approximations (INLA), which is a fast and accurate alternative to MCMC. We show how NMA models fit in the class of latent Gaussian models and how NMA models are implemented using INLA and demonstrate that the estimates obtained by INLA are in close agreement with the ones obtained by MCMC. Specifically, we emphasize the design-by-treatment interaction model with random inconsistency parameters (also known as the Jackson model). Also, we have proposed a network meta-regression model, which is constructed by incorporating trial-level covariates to the Jackson model to explain possible sources of heterogeneity and/or inconsistency in the network. A publicly available R package, nmaINLA, is developed to automate the INLA implementation of NMA models, which are considered in this paper. Three applications illustrate the use of INLA for a NMA
Prioritising references for systematic reviews with RobotAnalyst: A user study.

Screening references is a time-consuming step necessary for systematic reviews and guideline development. Previous studies have shown that human effort can be reduced by using machine learning software to prioritise large reference collections such that most of the relevant references are identified before screening is completed. We describe and evaluate RobotAnalyst, a Web-based software system that combines text-mining and machine learning algorithms for organising references by their content and actively prioritising them based on a relevancy classification model trained and updated throughout the process. We report an evaluation over 22 reference collections (most are related to public health topics) screened using RobotAnalyst with a total of 43 610 abstract-level decisions. The number of references that needed to be screened to identify 95% of the abstract-level inclusions for the evidence review was reduced on 19 of the 22 collections. Significant gains over random sampling were achieved for all reviews conducted with active prioritisation, as compared with only two of five when prioritisation was not used. RobotAnalyst's descriptive clustering and topic modelling functionalities were also evaluated by public health analysts. Descriptive clustering provided more coherent organisation than topic modelling, and the content of the clusters was apparent to the users across a varying number of clusters. This is the first large-scale study using technology-assisted screening to perform new reviews, and the positive results provide empirical evidence that RobotAnalyst can accelerate the identification of relevant studies. The results also highlight the issue of user complacency and the need for a stopping criterion to realise the work savings
Multi-context versus Context-specific qualitative evidence syntheses: discussing their value for practice and policy decision making processes

There is an increasing interest in the conduct of qualitative evidence syntheses (QES), particularly in the field of health care.  Approaches to QES vary in the way they conduct a search, a critical appraisal or the data-analysis.  To date, the use of comprehensive versus context-specific QES has not yet been fully considered. We used the insights from a recently conducted, context-specific QES to map out potential strengths and weaknesses of these two approaches and make recommendations regarding the future conduct of QES. We propose two ways of combining the best of both: the production of umbrella reviews of context-specific syntheses and/or the trans-cultural modification and trans-contextual adaptation of findings from comprehensive syntheses.status: publishe
Fostering Chinese firms through entrepreneurship, globalisation and international finance

The success of ventures that have pursued non traditional marketing approaches may be attributed to a range of forward thinking practices which it is argued here, should be the starting and finishing points for Chinese companies. Chinese multinationals need to develop entrepreneurial ability more compatible with their growth in the international markets. Chinas educational framework is still largely based on rote learning, which is a method typically seen as ill suited to modern needs. Many Chinese high tech sectors are still dominated by overseas know-how and the ongoing strength of wholly foreign- owned enterprises
Performance and international investments in microfinance institutions

Preprint of the published version of an article from Strategic ChangeUsing data from 319 microfinance institutions (MFIs) in 68 developing countries, we study the degree to which international debt investments are related to the financial and social performances of MFIs. We find that commercial investments are mainly related to financial performance and level of professionalisation of the MFIs. The targeting of women is not a priority, even though international commercial investors target MFIs that provide small loans. Subsidised investments, however, are mainly driven by the targeting of women, while financial performance and the level of professionalisation of the MFI is not a priority
Servitization: is a paradigm shift in the business model and service enterprise required?

This is the submitted version of the following article: BARNETT, N. ... et al, 2013. Servitization: is a paradigm shift in the business model and service enterprise required? Strategic Change\ud
Special Issue: New Entrepreneurial Models, 22 (3-4), pp. 145–156, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jsc.1929Servitization is the move by firms to gain value from service associated with their products, which requires a strategic rather than incremental change in the provider firm. There are multiple challenges associated with the transformation from product to service provision, including strategy, organization and enterprise management, contracting, risk, culture, and operations.\ud
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High-tech capital equipment firms attracted by the potential revenue benefits are choosing to move from supplying products only to supplying products and services.\ud
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A paradigm shift may need to occur, changing both managers' perspectives and the business models employed to provide service
‘Reductionistic’ and ‘Holistic’ Views of Resource-Based Theory: A Review of the Literature

Resource-Based Theory (RBT) has become an acceptable theory to describe the importance of resources and capabilities in generating high performance. Our literature review shows that there are two approaches to RBT: reductionistic and holistic. Adopting a reductionistic approach has led to an inconsistency in the findings about the relationship between RBT constructs (i.e. resources and capabilities), and their impact on performance. This paper proposes that a holistic approach to RBT has a greater power to explain the complex interrelationships between dynamic capabilities, firm’s resources and competitive strategies. Through a critical review on both views, this study highlights areas in which future research is needed for greater understanding of the co-impact of a firm’s internal factors and competitive strategies on performance
The territorial economic impact of entrepreneurial youthfulness

Entrepreneurship and youth population interact to enhance economic performance, and actions oriented to bring down social barriers linked to the fear to entrepreneurial failure are as important as policies focused on access to finance or human capital formation. Entrepreneurship generates opportunities for professional development, social and economic integration, the maintenance of the rural population and the attraction of new residents to these territories. Young entrepreneurs face more than financial constraints, as local economic conditions and their risk aversion are important barriers to engage in entrepreneurial activities. To achieve greater rates of entrepreneurship amongst rural youths, policy should mould the value system of the community in general, and not exclusively that of young adults.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft
Small Firm Adaptive Capability, Competitive Strategy and Performance Outcomes:  Competing Mediation vs Moderation Perspectives

In small firms, adaptive capability exercises a handling grip on competitive strategy for superior performance primarily acting as a mediator and may offset, through attenuation, the adverse impact of limited resources. Besides exercising a handling grip on competitive strategy adaptive capability is more important than competitive strategy per se for superior performance. Adaptive capability simultaneously undertakes additional secondary roles reinforcing innovation competitive strategy for innovation related outcomes. Adaptive capability reflects managerial proficiency for competitive actions which is why it may offset, through attenuation, the adverse impact of small firm limited resources
The impact of corporate social responsibility on customer loyalty: a case of Nike and Adidas in China

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in China has been a central debate worldwide. This paper explores how two leading International sportswear companies operating in China are communicating their CSR initiatives to the Chinese customers. This study analyses customer’s degree of interest in CSR and other related attributes as well as their impact on developing customer’s loyalty about the company. The findings suggest strong impact of the CSR dimensions (e.g. workplace, marketplace and environment support) and other related attributes (e.g. price, product quality and uniqueness) on developing customer loyalty. The study has also identified the regional difference in relation to customer’s CSR perceptions and the likelihood of being influenced by the company’s CSR initiatives. The implications of this study are relevant to both of the international and Chinese local companies for strengthening their social responsibility associations with the customers
International Investment by State-controlled Enterprises: A Source for Concern?

The international business activities of state-controlled enterprises appear to differ from those of otherwise comparable private-sector firms, giving rise to issues that provide a basis for corrective policy actions. The rapid growth in international investment by state-controlled enterprises (SCEs), particularly those of China, has raised considerable public disquiet and policy challenges in a number of host countries. Examination of the issues associated with Chinese SCEs reveals grounds for policy concern with regard to transparency and accountability, the pursuit of non-commercial goals, and the deployment of artificially created competitive advantages resulting from government subsidization, preferential treatment, and structural distortions. In light of these concerns, we discuss possible policy responses at the level of the home country, the host economy, and through international regulation
Sector process and episodes of change : an analysis of daily newspapers in the Netherlands

This paper presents a framework for analysing sector change based on the theory of social becoming. It is argued that: There are four levels of social structure that characterize a sector. These are the opportunity level, the normative level, the ideal level and the interactional level. Change is paired with contradiction with regard to one or more of these four levels of social structure. Contradictions occur in a successive collection of episodes, with an episode of change defined as a sequence of events during which contradiction comes to the surface and is acted upon. This article presents two episodes of change that occurred in the Dutch daily newspaper sector over the period 1991–1997 with each episode characterized in terms of the four ￼￼levels of social structure
Differentiation or path dependency: a critical look at the Australian wine industry

In 2007 the Australian wine industry is at a crossroads, both organizationally and culturally. Having achieved considerable success over the past three decades, the industry is now operating in the shadow of that success. Rather than adapting to new and multiple operating pathways of a global wine landscape, industry organizations continue to steer their sector along the entrenched and restrictive pathways of previous achievement. This paper examines strategies that have locked the industry into a saturated, price-sensitive, commodity wine market. It explains how these strategies will inherently fail to address current challenges and opportunities, and based on empirical data, why a differentiated, region-specific approach to wine production is the most likely strategy for survival
Can China overcome the difficulties of establishing successful global brands?

Abstract\ud
It is clear to most observers that China is taking an increasing role in world trade not only through political interventions but as a result of its strategy regarding acquisitions. There have been a significant number of these recently, some of which like the Rover take over in the UK and more recently Geely taking over Volvo, have been high profile. This paper provides a brief overview of these developments. It is then argued that an important issue facing the Chinese companies involved in these take overs is one of brand equity and country of origin effects. This issue is of equal importance to China’s global competitors as well. A review of the literature shows that consumer perception constructs, such as perceived quality, have been well researched through numerous country-of-origin papers. A key issue to explore here however, is the extent to which the new nationality of brand ownership will have an impact on consumer perception constructs of brand equity. This paper discusses these two areas and examines their relationship in conceptual terms. A research agenda is then suggested, which forms the basis of a proposed interpretative project aimed at establishing the views of consumers regarding the phenomenon of well known brands being taken over by a new country of origin - evidence from the car industry draws on the progress being made in this area. The research aims to examine the implications for consumer based valuations of brand equity and the types of new strategic thinking this could engender. It is argued that the Chinese brand lacks the main components for global success in several areas though in time these factors will be addressed. .In the short term more focus will be made on supplying the local Chinese market though experienced gained from increased exports of components and collaboration in research from abroad as shown in the examples of the car industry will help strengthen the reputation of Chinese products in the longer term as well as helping to establish more Chinese global brands
Effect of previous chilled storage on rancidity development in frozen horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus)

8 páginas, 2 tablas, 7 figurasRancidity development during frozen storage ( 20°C) of an underutilised medium-fatcontent\ud
fish species, horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), was studied. Special attention was given\ud
to the effect of previous chilled storage (0, 1, 3 and 5 days) on the quality of the frozen fish. For this,\ud
chemical (free fatty acid and conjugated diene contents; peroxide value, PV; thiobarbituric acid index,\ud
TBA-i; fluorescent compound formation) and sensory (rancid odour and taste) analyses were carried\ud
out. Hydrolytic rancidity showed an increase with frozen storage time; however, no effect of previous\ud
chilling time was observed on the frozen product. Oxidative rancidity measured by chemical (PV,\ud
TBA-i and fluorescence) and sensory (odour and taste) indices increased with frozen storage time and\ud
also with previous chilling time. Satisfactory quality was maintained up to 7 months of frozen storage\ud
of horse mackerel provided that a short chilling time (not longer than 3 days) was employed.The authors are\ud
grateful for the financial support provided by the Cooperation\ud
Program (1999–2000) Germany–Spain\ud
(MCyT–INIA) of Agricultural Research and the\ud
Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología\ud
(project ALI 99-0869; 2000–2002).Peer reviewe