Search

Bargaining with suppliers is a key Purchasing and Supply Management (PSM) activity but there is considerable ambiguity over what bargaining entails and the concept currently lacks a systematic treatment, despite its significant interest to PSM professionals. The literature shows that bargaining can be seen as an adversarial approach to negotiation (in contrast to more integrative/collaborative ones) and also the back-and-forth discussion over price and other variables between buying and supplying organisations to reach an agreement. In addition, many will move between fundamentally distributive and integrative approaches as the discussions play out. A systematic literature review of the Scopus, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, JSTOR and Web of Science databases was undertaken to address this gap, identifying 427 relevant journal papers that were systematically analysed. First, descriptive techniques identified the trajectory of published papers, methods, theories and their industrial context. Second, content analysis identified the key constructs and associated operational measures/variables of bargaining. Third, the constructs have then been ordered temporally and by areas of location (organisational/departmental and individual levels) to generate a model and inform a series of practice-based recommendations at different stages of the bargaining process. The findings will allow future researchers to use the constructs either directly in developing focused hypotheses to test relationships or as a basis for refinement and extension in cumulative theory building and testing. In addition, a series of focused research gaps have been identified, such as addressing the current contradictory findings of the effect of purchasing volume or organisational size on bargaining power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate LEED, BREEAM, Green Star, and CASBEE certification systems and assess their integration potential with BIM as facilitator to test different project alternatives in order to help achieve certification system requirements. A literature review was conducted, in which 299 articles were retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases and refined using the Bibliometrix tool, resulting in a total of 271 published articles. Of these, 15 used tools to facilitate BIM-LEED integration and were therefore selected for analysis. The results indicate that integrating BIM and green building rating systems can make the process more agile and standardized. However, more research in this field is needed, especially investigating the suitability of BIM authoring tools other than Revit, and evaluating the efficiency of commercial tools and those developed in scientific research to assist in the certification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a bibliometric analysis of the scientific production around the epistemic injustice construct in the period 1998–2023. The data to perform the analysis was retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, and its analysis tool was used to obtain the bibliometric indicators. As part of the analysis, the most relevant authors, the journals with the greatest impact, the countries with the greatest scientific production, and the areas where the subject has had a broader development are presented. In addition, a review of the articles with the greatest impact on scientific production under this theme is included. It is concluded that epistemic injustice is a concept that continues to develop and expand in the humanities and social sciences, health sciences, education and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paint contains various complex chemical mixtures, such as aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons (primarily toluene), ketones, and benzene as reported at previous studies. Toxicity from some chemicals can cause early DNA damage with various factors. A scoping review was conducted via literature review on relevant studies on the effect of paint exposure on paint workers and DNA damage. A systematic search was conducted in October 2021 via PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The key terms used were paint, solvent-based paint, organic solvent, mixed organic solvent, occupational exposure and DNA damage, oxidative stress, genotoxicity on a painter, paint worker. From 561 articles, only 13 articles were finally selected based on the inclusion, exclusion criteria, and eligibility criteria. The literature showed that biomonitoring studies on painters were consistently reporting positive and significant DNA damage due to exposure to different types of compounds mixed in a paint. However, there were fewer studies on paint manufacturing factory workers compared to painters while paint manufacturing workers exposed various chemical everyday during the paint production which potentially susceptible to occupational toxicity. In conclusion, this review suggests that exposure to paints could induce early DNA damage among paint workers and further investigations on paint exposure among paint manufacturing factory workers and the DNA damage were needed in order to improve occupational health among paint workers in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Shelters are an important part of a full response to survivors, as stated in many international conventions, such as the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BDPfA). This study aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the establishment of shelters for women survivors of violence. Materials and methods: This narrative review was conducted based on the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA). The MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase, Ovid, and EBSCO databases in English and Magiran and Scientific Information Database (SID) in Persian were searched for related documents. Also, WHO, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) guidelines and instructions for shelter services for women and girls who have been subjected were searched up to July 31, 2023. A qualitative synthesis was carried out on the 28 eligible articles and instructions out of the 420 retrieved documents. Results: "A "shelter" describes emergency and temporary "safe accommodation for women and children who have been subjected to or are at risk of (typically male) domestic abuse. Types of shelters include emergency shelters or safe homes, second-stage or transitional housing facilities, third-stage housing, and alternative accommodation during (and occasionally after) the period of residence. The shelter delivers a wide range of services, including health services, socio-economic services, and legal services. These principles consisted of a comprehensive perspective, quality of service, organization, funding, and the right issues. Conclusion: Women who are survivors need holistic, interdisciplinary, and specialist care that focuses on safety and needs. The adoption of regulations with robust enforcement guarantees and the facilitation of approvals for the construction of non-governmental shelters and safe houses should be on the agenda setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gliosarcomas (GS) are sporadic malignant tumors classified as a Glioblastoma (GBM) variant with IDH-wild type phenotype. It appears as a well-circumscribed lesion with a biphasic, glial, and metaplastic mesenchymal component. The current knowledge about GS comes from the limited literature. Furthermore, recent studies describe peculiar characteristics of GS, such as hypothesizing that it could be a clinical–pathological entity different from GBM. Here, we review radiological, biomolecular, and clinical data to describe the peculiar characteristics of PGS, treatment options, and outcomes in light of the most recent literature. A comprehensive literature review of PubMed and Web of Science databases was conducted for articles written in English focused on gliosarcoma until 2023. We include relevant data from a few case series and only a single meta-analysis. Recent evidence describes peculiar characteristics of PGS, suggesting that it might be a specific clinical–pathological entity different from GBM. This review facilitates our understanding of this rare malignant brain tumor. However, in the future we recommend multi-center studies and large-scale metanalyses to clarify the biomolecular pathways of PGS to develop new specific therapeutic protocols, different from conventional GBM therapy in light of the new therapeutic opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current review is focused on compiling a comprehensive overview of the zirconia surface modification for implant interface osseointegration. Background: During the past few decades, the importance of osseointegration for patients has significantly increased, and this importance has been reflected in a sharp growth in the number of relevant items and treatments in that field of implant dentistry, as well as a parallel rise in publications on the subject. The search has been conducted through various databases including Cochrane, Web of Science databases, and Google Scholar, and Ovid Medline, on the given topic. The preferred method of zirconia surface treatment and its effect on osseointegration are briefly reviewed in this article in order to provide a concise summary of the current scientific and clinical viewpoints. Zirconia surface treatment is controversial topic in terms of surface treatment. Surface bio-inertness of zirconia implants result in limited osseointegration compared to titanium implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among territorial birds, the number of conspecific neighbours sets the social context of communication. There have been many investigations of vocal behaviour and its important role in territory defense and mate attraction in birds; however, the effect of the density of conspecific neighbours on avian communication has received little attention. In this study, we reviewed the literature on the influence of local density on vocal communication in birds, exploring how the number of conspecific neighbours influences avian vocal behaviour, by conducting a literature review following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) in two databases: Web of Science and Scopus. We also included additional articles from a more flexible search in Google Scholar. We found 19 studies of birds that included data on vocal behaviour in relation to the number of conspecific neighbours. The majority of these studies (14 of 19) showed that local density influences avian vocal behaviour. Overall, these studies revealed an effect of local density of conspecifics on song rate (expressed as song rate, syllable rate, solo song rate, or singing rate). Other vocal behaviours that were shown to vary with local density included song-type switching, song duration, peak frequency, and song variation. Most studies focused on temperate-zone species where males are the predominant singers. Our results reveal a bias towards the study of male songs in the context of local density, with very few studies on female song; this corresponds with a historical geographical focus on temperate birds. We present experimental design suggestions for future investigations, including predictions for males and females of tropical and temperate species. Finally, we argue that more research on this topic is needed, and that investigations of vocal communication will benefit from further study of the influence of density on avian vocal behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital transformation has recently introduced itself as a groundbreaking phenomenon with profound impacts on societies, industries, businesses, and even individuals. Accordingly, several studies have attempted to give a literature review or analysis of digital transformation research during the last few years. However, most of them are domain-specific studies based on small data samples or subjective review methods, so we lack a general and robust understanding of the landscape of this field of research across different disciplines and domains. Taking a step toward filling this gap, the current study aims to shape an overall and reliable picture of the research realm on digital transformation. To the aim, a computational method namely topic modeling was applied to two big texts, one of which includes all digital transformation-related publications that were indexed in well-known Scopus and Web of Science databases (8639 documents), and the other one only contains studies that were published by high-quality JCR journals (1264 documents). As a result, 20 and 13 topics were respectively introduced as the underlying themes of the global trends and core knowledge in digital transformation research along with their temporal evolutionary paths throughout the recent years. Also, by comparing these two groups of topics, it was known that there are nine developing trends in this field of research that require more attention and advancements to establish themselves as the core knowledge of the field. Complementing the contributions of previous domain-specific or subjective reviews on digital transformation, this study tries to favor a better understanding of this scholarship through multidisciplinary and multidimensional analyses of digital transformation-related publications by using the topic modeling approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) are compounds that alter functions of the endocrine system due to their ability to mimic or antagonize endogenous hormones, or that alter their synthesis and metabolism, causing adverse health effects. Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a reliable method to assess human exposure to chemicals through measurement in human body fluids and tissues. It identifies new sources of exposure and determines their distribution, thereby enabling detection of the most exposed populations. Blood and urine are commonly used for HBM of EDC, but their interest is limited for compounds presenting short half-lives. Hair appears as an interesting alternative insofar as it provides a large exposure window. For the present study, we evaluated the relevance of hair in determining EDC exposure. With this in mind, we undertook a literature review focusing on the bioanalytical aspects and performances of methods developed to determine EDC in hair. The literature review was performed through methodical bibliographical research. Relevant articles were identified using two scientific databases: PubMed and Web of Science, with search equations built from a combination of keywords, MeSH terms and Boolean operators. The search strategy identified 2949 articles. After duplicates were removed, and following title, abstract, and full-text screenings, only 31 were included for qualitative synthesis. Hair collection was mainly performed in the back of the head and preparation involved two processes: cutting into small pieces or grounding to powder. The off-line LC-MS/MS method remains the main technique used to assess EDC through hair. Differences regarding the validation of analytical methods and interpretation of HBM results were highlighted, suggesting a need for international harmonisation to obtain reliable and comparable results. External contamination of hair was identified as a main limitation in the interpretation of results, highlighting the need to better understand EDC transfers through hair and to develop relevant hair decontamination processes. [Display omitted] • Review of analytical methods for the assessment of EDCs through hair. • Work especially focused on extraction processes and analytical performance. • Discussion about the relevance of hair matrix as a biomarker of exposure to EDCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health concern, necessitating continuous investigation into its etiology and potential risk factors. Recent research has shed light on the potential role of pKs-positive Escherichia coli (pKs + E. coli) and colibactin in the development and progression of CRC. Therefore, this review aimed to provide an updated analysis of the prevalence and implications of pKs + E. coli in colorectal cancer. We conducted a literature review search in major scientific databases to identify relevant studies exploring the association between pKs + E. coli and CRC. The search strategy included studies published up to the present date, and articles were carefully selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. Thus, the present study encompasses scientific evidence from clinical and epidemiological studies supporting the presence of pKs + E. coli in CRC patients, demonstrating a consistent and significant association in multiple studies. Furthermore, we highlighted the potential mechanisms by which colibactin may promote tumorigenesis and cancer progression within the colorectal mucosa, including the production of genotoxic virulence factors. Additionally, we explored current diagnostic methods for detecting pKs + E. coli in clinical settings, emphasizing the importance of accurate identification. Moreover, we discussed future strategies that could utilize the presence of this strain as a biomarker for CRC diagnosis and treatment. In conclusion, this review consolidated existing evidence on the prevalence and implications of pKs + E. coli in colorectal cancer. The findings underscore the importance of further research to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking this strain to CRC pathogenesis and to explore its potential as a therapeutic target or diagnostic marker. Ultimately, a better understanding of the role of pKs + E. coli in CRC may pave the way for innovative strategies in CRC management and patient care. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a world of ever-increasing amounts of scientific information, the ability to effectively find, analyze, and apply scientific information is becoming a critical skill in all fields of study1 . The Finding answers to research questions through scientific literature research workshop is designed to enable cardiovascular care nurses to effectively formulate research questions and find answers in complex scientific information databases. Through an interactive format, participants will learn about key aspects of defining research questions and hypotheses and will develop the skills needed to effectively search and evaluate the scientific literature. Strategies for reading academic papers quickly and critically as well as techniques for recording and summarizing information effectively are discussed, and insights are provided into the art of putting together a coherent and controversial literature review. Workshops provide opportunities to put learned skills into practice. Through exercises and case studies, participants are encouraged to apply the knowledge gained to concrete examples in their field of study. In addition, interactive experience sharing and discussion sessions are planned to provide opportunities for participants to network and collaborate. By the end of the workshop, participants will have acquired the tools and knowledge that will enable them to confidently navigate the research process and accurately and effectively identify, analyze, and use relevant scientific resources to formulate and validate their research questions and hypotheses. This seminar combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications to provide a foundation for developing nursing research skills that are critical for academic and professional excellence in today’s scientific society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]