bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organisational capabilities and the long-term survival of new technology-based firms
Authors: Löfsten Hans
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This study aims to analyse organisational capabilities among new technology-based firms (NTBFs) and examine how these capabilities are linked to the firms’ long-term survival.

Design/methodology/approach

The study leverages a data set of 131 NTBFs located at 16 incubators in Sweden. The first part of the analysis seeks suitable organisational capabilities as determinants of firm survival. The second part is a statistical analysis. The organisational capabilities comprise six variables concerning business experience, financing and international markets.

Findings

The study comprises two data collections, with the first data collection being conducted in 2005, and the second in 2014. The survival rate for these firms was 55 per cent according to their respective annual reports in 2013. First, this study showed that the logistic regression model that included the three organisational capabilities is significant. Second, one variable is significant at the variable level: business experience. In addition, the control variable firm size is also significant.

Originality/value

Further empirical research in this area is required as the current research on organisational capabilities is quite limited and mainly conceptual in nature. Very few related studies focus on NTBFs and their survival. This study demonstrates a significant logistic regression model to determine links between organisational capabilities and firm survival.
Industry-specific CSR: analysis of 20 years of research
Authors: Dabic Marina , Colovic Ana , Lamotte Olivier , Painter-Morland Mollie , Brozovic Silvana
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the literature on industry-specific corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a multiple-keyword search, the authors identified 302 articles reporting on such practices, published in 99 different academic journals between 1995 and 2014. These articles were analyzed to map the CSR literature, identify which industries have been under greater scrutiny and distinguish trends in the most researched industries.

Findings

The authors’ findings indicate that the CSR studies are very unevenly distributed and that the issues studied and the methods used vary widely across industries. The authors also map this field of study and propose suggestions on where research on industry-specific CSR should go in the future.

Originality/value

The first extensive, systematic analysis of the industry-specific CSR literature is provided. The current research adds value to the literature by highlighting the key issues investigated, as well as those that require further inquiry.
Effect of women’s migration on urban children’s health in India
Authors: K Anil Kumar , S Reshmi R , N Hemalatha
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– In India, the number of migrants to urban areas is increasing over time. Unlike in earlier years where male migration was prominent, recent trend shows an increasing trend of female and family migration. As migration and health status are highly correlated, the nature of relationship deserves greater attention from researchers. Although literature on internal migration in India is abundant, little attention is given to the research on the effect of migration on the health status of children. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present paper, based on National Family Health Survey 3 data, examines the health status of migrant and non-migrant children in the urban areas of India.

Findings

– Distribution according to social and demographic characteristics is disadvantageous for urban children who are born to migrant women. As seen from various child health indicators, urban children’s health in general and the health situation of migrant women’s children in particular leaves much to be desired. Pattern of migration tends to have an impact on child health in urban areas; children of women who migrate from rural areas are in an adverse position. Duration of migration has a negative influence on health status of urban children. Overall, it was found that migration status of mothers has an independent effect on child health outcomes; children of migrant mothers have a lower health status.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfills the need to study the health status of migrant and non-migrant children in the urban areas of India.
Success factors and criteria in the management of international development projects
Authors: Bayiley Yitbarek Takele , Teklu Getachew Kahsay
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the results of a survey that aims to explore and identify the European Union (EU) Development Cooperation project success factors and criteria and explain the relationship between the critical success factors (CSFs) and project success as perceived by the project managers and team members of the organizations participated in the survey.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research followed interpretive research philosophy, abductive approach, survey as a strategy, a cross-sectional time horizon and questionnaire as data collection instrument. It also employed exploratory design to identify CSFs and explanatory design to explain relationships between success factors and project success. Both primary and secondary data were used to gather data. Unstructured interviews were conducted with the project team members of EU delegation to Ethiopia, government organizations and NGOs while the secondary sources of data included extensive review of literature.

Findings

– Using principal component analysis the study identified a specific set of four CSFs for projects funded by EU: intellectual capital, sound project case, key manpower competency and effective stakeholder engagement. Moreover, the descriptive statistics of the survey highlighted five critical success variables: clear policy of donors and recipient government, strong local ownership of project, effective consultation during planning, high motivation and interest, and compatible rules and procedures. The study ranked relevance, impact, effectiveness, sustainability, and efficiency according to their level of importance by the participants of the survey.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is temporally, spatially, and contextually delimited to EU funded projects from the period 2010 to 2014 that are completed and still ongoing. Moreover, the current study focusses only on aid projects funded by EU in Ethiopia which might limit its generalizability into ID projects in developing countries funded by bodies other than EU such as World bank, United Nations and its different bodies, African Union, Japanese government to mention some.

Social implications

– The current study has clearly identified intellectual capital which covers social capital as the most important success factor for projects funded by EU in Ethiopia. Accordingly, the study underscored the importance of securing continuous support from all stakeholders and holding effective consultations of stakeholders during planning, implementation and closing phases of EU funded projects.

Originality/value

– The study identified new CSFs specific to projects funded by EU and the incompatibility in the perceived importance of project success criteria among different stakeholders implicating differences in the priority they set.
Improving workers’ health in project-based work: job security considerations
Authors: Turner Michelle , Lingard Helen
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of health promotion interventions in Queensland, Australia. During the research period, the workers’ employing organization, a large contracting organization, was engaged in a competitive tender to renew their service contract. The research therefore provided an opportunity to examine the impact of health promotion interventions in project-based work environments under conditions of job insecurity.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample comprised of workers contracted to provide facility maintenance and management services for a power station. Data were collected using a longitudinal survey of workers’ health, weekly logs recording health behaviour, and a post-intervention evaluation workshop. Health interventions implemented sought to encourage workers to eat more fruit and participate in a physical exercise programme.

Findings

– Findings revealed that workers’ health was generally lower than the Queensland male population when measured using a standardized norm-based tool. The log data revealed that health behaviour fluctuated over time but did not show significant or sustained improvement with the introduction of the health interventions. The evaluation workshop revealed that workers’ concerns about their job security during the research period impacted their health behaviours.

Originality/value

– The need to address the structural and organizational factors that influence the health of project-based workers is highlighted. In particular, concerns about continuity of work may otherwise reduce the beneficial effect of health promotion programmes.
The logic of projects and the ideal of community development
Authors: Cicmil Svetlana , O'Laocha Eamonn
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between project-based organizing and the initiatives labelled as “development” by critically engaging with some unchallenged assumptions inherent in the notion of both projects as a means through which social change can be achieved and the wider possibility of delivering social good as an objective of development.

Design/methodology/approach

– From a phenomenologically informed critical participatory perspective the authors focus on contradictions within the practices of community development (CD) by attending to the interplay between the dominant project form of organizing that frames those practices and the rhetoric of “development”.

Findings

– Drawing on two CD examples, the authors illustrate and discuss the contradictions and damaging consequences of the developmentalism-projectification double-act. The position is that social good is local and contextual and draws expediently and contingently on the means through which it can be achieved by the collective action of those who co-define and co-create the social good.

Social implications

– The authors propose that there is a need to open the dialogue with development practitioners, funders, project managers, project workers, and the recipients and stimulate multiple participation.

Originality/value

– The authors believe the critical participatory approach that the authors have taken to CD project management could be both novel and useful as it refocuses attention to non-performative aspects of CD, arguing for de-naturalization of project organizing logic and encouraging emancipation from dominant epistemic inequalities. With an uncompromising focus on embedded practices, the authors hope to spur further debate on the important issue of CD and the possibilities of creating “social good”.
Is lean service promising? A socio-technical perspective
Authors: Hadid Wael , Mansouri S. Afshin , Gallear David
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of lean practices in the service sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper examines the impact of lean service on firm operational and financial performance. Exploratory factor analysis is used to reduce the data and identify the underlying dimensions of lean service, and partial least squares structural equation modelling is used to test the developed model.

Findings

– The results indicate that the social bundles of lean service had an independent positive impact on firm operational and financial performance. Furthermore, while the technical bundles had an independent positive effect on only the operational performance, they interacted with the social bundles to improve both the operational and financial performance. The findings suggest that service managers must follow a systematic approach when implementing lean service practices without focusing on one side of the system at the expense of the other.

Practical implications

– The paper highlights the importance of implementing lean service as a socio-technical system (STS) if service firms are to achieve the best possible benefits from their implementation. The motivation factor (social side) and the customer value factor (technical side) are capable of improving all operational performance dimensions and profit margin even if implemented alone. Therefore, service managers with limited resources are encouraged to start lean service implementation with practices within these factors. However, they can also expect improved operational and financial performance from implementing other factors as they positively interact to further improve performance.

Originality/value

– Viewing lean service as a STS, this paper incorporates a larger set of lean practices than previous studies and demonstrates empirically their capability of improving service firms’ operational and financial performance. It contributes significantly to the emerging literature on lean service by empirically testing the mechanism through which lean service affects firm performance.
Recommendations for supplier innovation evaluation from literature and practice
Authors: Winter Stefan , Lasch Rainer
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Companies have to assess the benefit of supplier innovation before realization. The specific situation of supplier innovation differs from conventional innovation evaluation because a supplier innovation refers to a subproduct for which the supplier is responsible. To date, supplier innovation evaluation has not been comprehensively discussed in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to focus on how supplier innovation should be evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

– For this purpose, a case study based on expert interviews has been conducted to identify how supplier innovation is evaluated in practice. On the basis of the empirical findings the specific situation of supplier innovation is discussed in relation to theoretical basics about the object, objective, time, reference, person, recipient, criteria, and methods of evaluation as well as the evaluation and selection process.

Findings

– Results are recommendations for the special situation of supplier innovation evaluation before their realization in the purchasing company.

Research limitations/implications

– Based on the recommendations, a systematic and comprehensive approach with evaluation criteria and methods should be developed. Future research should address useful evaluation criteria and methods.

Practical implications

– Managers can use the recommendations to evaluate supplier innovation in practice and to establish a systematic evaluation and selection process for supplier innovation.

Originality/value

– The research findings contribute to the literature about innovation management and supplier management research by providing insights into the special situation of supplier innovation evaluation; in particular, this is the first paper which provides a systematic and comprehensive discussion about supplier innovation evaluation.
Empowering the elderly population through ICT-based activities
Authors: Hur Mann Hyung
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to focus on elderly people who have adopted Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and participated in ICT-based activities, and explore variables associated with their individual and collective empowerment by using data collected by a questionnaire survey.

Design/methodology/approach

– A set of 14 questions was developed to measure older adults’ perceived psychological empowerment. A factor analysis was conducted to condense 14 individual variables into several large categories. Finally, a set of multiple regression analyses was employed to identify variables associated with the elderly’s individual and collective empowerment.

Findings

– Three factors, including a sense of meaning; competence/self-determination; and collective empowerment were extracted from the 14 questions. Multiple regression models revealed that elderly empowerment is not a matter of social skills, ICT skills, or complementary skills, but is more likely to result from their being interested in ICT and ICT-based activities. Learning activities in ICT-based activities and participation frequency were found to be predictors of both meaning and competence/self-determination dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

– The major finding of this study concerns the development of a measure that assesses three factors of empowerment in older adults, i.e., sense of meaning, competence/self-determination, and collective empowerment. This study represents an initial step in establishing the measure, and therefore, further work is needed to establish its psychometric properties, particularly external validity.

Originality/value

– This study is one of the first studies to focus on older people’s empowerment construct and its relation to ICT-based activities.
Analysis of influencing factors on the IPTV subscription
Authors: Park Sungbum , Kang Sang-ug , Zo Hangjung
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how user-perceived video quality, measured by computer assisted web survey, interacts with content richness (CR) and interactivity (IA). It also analyzes how those internet protocol television (IPTV) idiosyncrasies impacts audience perceptions (perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived resistance (PR)) and actual subscriptions.

Design/methodology/approach

– A computer assisted web survey was administered in Korea to collect data. A structural equation model and Z-test analyses were conducted to address the research hypotheses.

Findings

– User-perceived video quality influences audience perceptions (PU and PR) through interaction with CR and IA. Subscriber perceptions have a causal relationship with IPTV subscriptions.

Practical implications

– Balanced improvement of the IPTV value chain, from content to technical (platform, network, and terminal) perspectives, are necessary for IPTV diffusion. Also, IPTV providers should establish the diffusion strategies, minimizing the user-perceived restrictiveness as well as maximizing the PU.

Originality/value

– This study shows computer assisted assessment of video quality can be applied to behavior science. The research model suggests PR, which has been relatively unnoticed is included in existing technology acceptance theories. The introduced antecedents of IPTV subscriptions can be referred to as key performance indicators regarding new media adoption studies.
Does contract farming improve smallholder income? The case of avocado farmers in Kenya
Authors: Mwambi Mercy Maiwa , Oduol Judith , Mshenga Patience , Saidi Mwanarusi
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Contract farming (CF) is seen as a tool for creating new market opportunities hence increasing incomes for smallholder farmers. Critics, however, argue that CF is likely to pass risks to small scale farmers, thus favouring large scale farmers at the expense of smallholder farmers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of CF on smallholder farmers’ income using a case study of avocado farmers in Kandara district in Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses data collected from 100 smallholder avocado farmers in Kandara district in Kenya and employs an instrumental variable model (Probit-2SLS) to control for endogeneity in participation in the contract and examine the effect of CF on household, farm and avocado income.

Findings

– The results indicate that participation in CF is not sufficient to improve household, farm and avocado income. Question remains regarding efficient implementation of CF arrangements to promote spill over effects on other household enterprises.

Research limitations/implications

– The research was carried out using farmers in Kandara district in Kenya as a case study, findings might therefore not reflect the status of CF in all countries.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to the growing debate on the effect of value chain upgrading strategies such as contracting on smallholder farmers’ welfare. The form of contracting studied in this paper differs from the standard contracts in that the key stakeholders (producers) are loosely enjoined in the contract through officials of their groups.
Automation of modified marketing procedural system to maximize transparency
Authors: Modekurti Durga Prasad Venkata
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Market transactions in large vegetable markets call for transparency with utmost urgency. The reason are that buyers are located at distant places and the volume of sales is very high. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the development of an automated system in market transactions in order to bring about transparency with concrete evidence available to small and medium farmers who are then able to repose trust in the system by acquiring the right price for the right product. The farmers can also confirm the effectiveness of the system by testing it themselves.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, a theoretical framework of marketing procedures of larger vegetable markets has been constructed with tomato as a vegetable of study and the Madanapalle tomato market as a market studied through surveys. Second, methods of functioning in marketing procedures including pricing and auctioning have been modified according to the objective. An android-based application has been used to develop an automated model. Surveys have been conducted to understand the perceptions of farmers in marketing procedures and price determination at the village level, and to test the automated model in the study market.

Findings

– Both quantitative as well as qualitative approaches indicate that, the proposed automated model in the modified marketing procedural system is of benefit to all stakeholders in the supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

– In model testing, gaps in inputs from a greater number of buyers during auctioning remains a limitation of the study.

Social implications

– For sustainable growth of tomatoes or any other vegetables it is essential that the farmers trust the marketing procedural system. This is possible if farmers obtain the right price for their products. Once the automated system is implemented, buyers acquire high-quality goods at desired prices, which further encourages more buyers from other regions to participate in the auctioning/tendering process stimulating an increased demand.

Originality/value

– This paper is unique in its pricing function and scores of stakeholders. Pricing function involves the farmers’ input along with the buyers’ inputs whereas scores of these two stakeholders have been obtained through the inputs of commissioning agents.
Ethical decision making in counterfeit purchase situations: the influence of moral awareness and moral emotions on moral judgment and purchase intentions
Authors: Martinez Luis F. , Jaeger Dorothea S.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Counterfeiting is an increasingly global phenomenon that threatens the economy as a whole and also presents a risk for the consumers. The purpose of this study is to explore moral emotions along with moral awareness and moral judgment with respect to their influence in the consumption of counterfeits.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was distributed among participants (n = 225) who were asked to respond to a counterfeit purchase scenario.

Findings

Results highlight the importance of moral awareness as an essential element of moral decision-making. Also, moral emotions were found to influence moral judgment as well as purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation refers to the fact that a scenario was used to evoke participants’ emotional responses. Although the situation was realistic and the majority of the people could very well imagine experiencing the reported scenario, results might change in an actual purchase situation.

Practical Implications

This study’s findings may be particularly relevant for authorities and educators who design campaigns to curtail counterfeit consumption, thus seeking to encourage consumers to recognize the several negative consequences that result from counterfeiting behavior.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies that examine the impact of cognitive and emotional influences in a counterfeit purchase decision. Fighting this problem requires an in-depth understanding of consumers’ motivations and how they feel about engaging in this morally questionable behavior.
Credibility of a peer endorser and advertising effectiveness
Authors: Munnukka Juha , Uusitalo Outi , Toivonen Hanna
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Advertisers use various tactics to influence consumer purchases and create positive associations with their brands. The purpose of this study is to explore the formation of peer-endorser credibility and its influence on attitude formation. The role of product involvement in the formation of attitudes and endorser credibility is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative study was conducted among university students. Data were collected using an online questionnaire concerning three advertisements for which identical questionnaires were constructed; 364 responses were generated.

Findings

The authors show that the credibility of a peer endorser is constructed from trustworthiness, expertise, similarity and attractiveness dimensions that positively affect consumers’ attitude toward an advertisement and a brand. Product involvement affects advertising effectiveness indirectly through the endorser-credibility construct. Finally, the authors show that a consumer’s experience with an advertised product affects the perception of endorser credibility and the effectiveness of the advertisement.

Originality/value

The findings reveal new insights into the little studied area of peer-endorser effectiveness. The authors shed light on the construction of peer endorser credibility and the relative importance of specific credibility dimensions on the effectiveness of an advertisement. This study also provides information on the direct and indirect effects of consumers’ brand involvement on attitudes toward advertisements.
Polyurethane cum hydrophobic finishing of acrylic fabrics for enhanced comfort characteristics
Authors: Raza Z.A. , Anwar F. , Ahmad N. , Rehman A. , Nasir N.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The paper aims to improve the protective and comfort properties of both woven and knitted acrylic fabrics by applying a hybrid waterborne polyurethane/fluorocarbon hydrophobic finish.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, it was found that the transportation of water from fabrics is one of the important textile parameters. To improve this property, a polyurethane-based finish (Dicrylan BSRN®) and an oil- and water-repellent finish (Oleophobol ZSR®) were applied by using the pad-dry-cure method. After applying the finishes, the resultant fabric samples were investigated for various textile properties.

Findings

The application of Oleophobol ZSR® increased the absorbency time, indicating that the fabric became hydrophobic, whereas the application of Dicrylan BSRN® finish improved the moisture management properties of the woven acrylic. The tensile strength of the woven acrylic fabric was not significantly affected by the application of these finishes. The contact angle of treated knitted fabrics increased and air permeability decreased with an increase in the concentration of Oleophobol ZSR®.

Practical implications

Moisture management is one of the crucial performance criteria in today’s apparel industry. Therefore, fluorochemicals are one of the major precursors used in water-repellent finishes and waterproof membranes in outdoor garments. Based on this fact, this research work focused on the textile sector, where moisture management is required.

Originality/value

This is the first report about the combined application of waterborne polyurethane and fluorochemical-based finishes on acrylic fabrics to tune their comfort and hydrophobic properties.
Modified polyacrylonitrile-based activated carbon fibers applied in supercapacitor
Authors: Su Linjie , Li Bohong , Zhao Dongyu , Qin Chuanli , Jin Zheng
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to prepare a new modified activated carbon fibers (ACFs) of high specific capacitance used for electrode material of supercapacitor.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the specific capacitance of ACF was significantly increased by using the phenolic resin microspheres and melamine as modifiers to prepare modified PAN-based activated carbon fibers (MACFs) via electrospinning, pre-oxidation and carbonization. The symmetrical supercapacitor (using MACF as electrode) and hybrid supercapacitor (using MACF and activated carbon as electrodes) were tested in term of electrochemical properties by cyclic voltammetry, AC impedance and cycle stability test.

Findings

It was found that the specific capacitance value of the modified fibers were increased to 167 Fg-1 by adding modifiers (i.e. 20 wt.% microspheres and 15 wt.% melamine) compared to that of unmodified fibers (86.17 Fg-1). Specific capacitance of modified electrode material had little degradation over 10,000 cycles. This result can be attributed to that the modifiers embedded into the fibers changed the original morphology and enhanced the specific surface area of the fibers.

Originality/value

The modified ACFs in our study had high specific surface area and significantly high specific capacitance, which can be applied as efficient and environmental absorbent, and advanced electrode material of supercapacitor.
Effect of red mud waste filler on mechanical and thermal properties of amine functional aniline furfuraldehyde condensate (AFAFFC) modified epoxy composite
Authors: Samanta B.C. , Maity T.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the concentration effect of red mud waste filler on mechanical and thermal properties of amine functional aniline furfuraldehyde condensate (AFAFFC) modified epoxy composite along with the optimum result of modified epoxy.

Design/methodology/approach

For effective toughening, different compositions were made by adding various concentration of AFAFFC to epoxy. The concentration of 2, 5 and 10 parts per hundred parts of epoxy resin of aluminium silicate-based pristine red mud waste was incorporated into the each modified epoxy matrix. These filled modified matrixes were cured with ambient temperature curing agent triethylene tetramine and evaluated with respect to their impact, tensile and flexural strengths. The morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis. The thermal stability by thermogravimetric analysis was also reported.

Findings

The modification of epoxy resin using AFAFFC and filler showed significant enhancement of mechanical strength over unmodified epoxy. The increase depends on the concentration of the modifier and filler. The reason behind this is that in the initial stage of curing, the AFAFFC are miscible with the epoxy and form a homogeneous solution. This good mixing promotes the chemical reaction and network formation. During the curing process, as the molecular weight increases, the component separates with in the reaction medium to form a second dispersed phase.

Research Limitations/implications

The present paper discussed the effect of only one type of modifier, i.e. AFAFFC, and one filler, i.e. red mud waste filler effect. Besides these by changing the amine and aldehyde, other modifiers could be synthesised and the efficiency of modification of epoxy resin using these modifiers and other filler besides red mud waste such as paddy husk, bamboo dust, etc., could also be studied.

Originality/value

The present study regarding the concentration effect of modifier and filler was novel, and AFAFFC modified filled epoxy could be used in the field of coating, casting, adhesives, potting and encapsulation of semiconductor devices.
Clozapine administration in clinical practice: once‐daily versus divided dosing
Authors: Takeuchi H. , Powell V. , Geisler S. , DeSanti M. , Fervaha G. , Agid O. , Kane J. M. , Remington G.
Published: May 2016

Objective

While it is recommended that clozapine be administered in a divided dosing regimen, it is unclear whether this recommendation is followed in real‐world clinical practice. In two large datasets, we examined clozapine dosing frequency and patient characteristics across different dosing regimens.

Method

We conducted a cross‐sectional survey, collecting data on patients receiving clozapine in August/September 2015 from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Canada, and The Zucker Hillside Hospital (ZHH) in New York, United States.

Results

Of 676 and 308 patients included in CAMH and ZHH datasets, clozapine was prescribed once daily in 75.1% and 74.4%, even though doses exceeding 200 mg/day were administered in 88.6% and 84.4% of the respective samples. No significant difference was found in the rates of positive symptom remission between once‐daily vs. divided dosing (79.7% vs. 80.5%, P = 1.00). Higher clozapine dose and use of anticholinergic medications were significantly associated with divided dosing in both datasets. Older age or male gender was related to divided dosing in CAMH or ZHH dataset respectively.

Conclusion

Despite the product monograph recommendation, clozapine is frequently prescribed once daily in North America. Further studies are needed to compare clinical outcomes between once‐daily vs. divided clozapine dosing.
Laboratory diagnosis of thalassemia
Authors: Brancaleoni V. , Di Pierro E. , Motta I. , Cappellini M. D.
Published: May 2016

The thalassemias can be defined as α‐ or β‐thalassemias depending on the defective globin chain and on the underlying molecular defects. The recognition of carriers is possible by hematological tests. Both α‐ and β‐thalassemia carriers (heterozygotes) present with microcytic hypochromic parameters with or without mild anemia. Red cell indices and morphology followed by separation and measurement of Hb fractions are the basis for identification of carriers. In addition, iron status should be ascertained by ferritin or zinc protoporphyrin measurements and the iron/total iron‐binding capacity/saturation index. Mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin are markedly reduced (mean corpuscular volume: 60–70 fl; MCH: 19–23 pg) in β‐thalassemia carriers, whereas a slight to relevant reduction is usually observed in α‐carriers. HbA2 determination is the most decisive test for β‐carrier detection although it can be disturbed by the presence of δ‐thalassemia defects. In α‐thalassemia, HbA2 can be lower than normal and it assumes significant value when iron deficiency is excluded. Several algorithms have been introduced to discriminate from thalassemia carriers and subjects with iron‐deficient anemia; because the only discriminating parameter is the red cell counts, these formulas must be used consciously. Molecular analysis is not required to confirm the diagnosis of β‐carrier, but it is necessary to confirm the α‐thalassemia carrier status. The molecular diagnosis is essential to predict severe transfusion‐dependent and intermediate‐to‐mild non‐transfusion‐dependent cases. DNA analysis on chorionic villi is the approach for prenatal diagnosis and the methods are the same used for mutations detection, according to the laboratory facilities and expertise.
RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT AND AIR PATRONAGE IN CHINA, 1993–2012: IMPLICATIONS FOR LOW‐CARBON TRANSPORT
Authors: Li Linna , Loo Becky P.Y.
Published: May 2016

This study examines the interrelationship between railway development and air patronage in China from 1993 to 2012 by type of railway development and city pair distance. Two types of railway development are considered: railway extension and an increase in railway speed. Results of the panel data regression analysis show that railway development is associated with a reduction on air transport. However, the association between railway extension and air patronage is only significant for short‐ and medium‐haul city pairs but not for long‐haul ones, whereas the association between railway acceleration and air patronage is only significant for short‐haul city pairs. Nevertheless, the potential effect of railway development on the reduction of carbon emissions in China through a modal shift is relatively sizeable, with an approximately 6.9 percent net reduction (2.83 million tons) of the total carbon emissions from air and rail transport in 2010.
Temperature-dependent electrical instability of p-type SnO thin-film transistors
Authors: Lee Jeong-Hwan , Choi Yong-Jin , Jeong Chan-Yong , Lee Chang-Woo , Kwon Hyuck-In
Published: May 2016

The temperature-dependent electrical instability of p-type SnO thin-film transistors (TFTs) was investigated for various stress and temperature conditions. The fabricated SnO TFT was suitably passivated using an SU-8 organic layer to prevent environmental effects on the stress-induced instability. Under the negative gate bias stress, the transfer curves showed a parallel shift in the negative direction for every temperature studied (room temperature, 50 °C, and 80 °C). This result indicates that the transfer curve shift is mainly due to hole-trapping in the interface defect states of SnO TFTs. A much larger threshold voltage shift (ΔVth) was observed at higher temperatures for short stress times, but ΔVth became saturated under these conditions. This indicates that hole detrapping from the interface defect states is also accelerated at a high temperature when the stress time increases. During the recovery phase, the transfer curves shifted back toward the positive direction for each temperature point. The transfer curves moved in the positive direction with a large ΔVth when the recovery time was 10 s, but the recovery rate slowed significantly when the recovery time extended beyond 10 s. Under the positive gate bias stress, the transfer curve shifted in the positive direction, mainly due to the electron trapping in the interface defect states. Similar temperature-dependence was observed in the time dependence of ΔVth under the positive and negative gate bias stresses. During the recovery phase, the transfer curves moved back in the negative direction. The recovery rate increased with increasing temperature because of the accelerated electron detrapping from the interface defect states.
High-temperature Ta diffusion in the grain boundary of thin Cu films
Authors: Mardani Shabnam , Norström Hans , Smith Ulf , Zhang Shi-Li
Published: May 2016

In order to ascertain the applicability of the technologically well-established Cu metallization in high-temperature circuits, the authors have investigated layered metal stacks having one Ta/Cu interface at temperatures from 400 to 700 °C. The authors have found that Ta releases from the Ta layer and moves through the Cu film to the opposite interface via the grain boundaries. In the simplest bilayer stack with Cu on top of Ta, the up-diffused Ta on the surface spreads out over the Cu grains so as to cover the Cu grains completely at 650 °C. The activation energy for the grain boundary diffusion is found to be 1.0 ± 0.3 eV. The Ta diffusion in the grain boundaries leads to stabilization of the Cu grain size at 360 nm and an increase in sheet resistance of the metal stack. The latter is in fact observed for all metal stacks having Cu in contact with Ta on one side and TaN or nothing at all on the other. The implication is that the Cu metallization with one Ta/Cu interface has to be stabilized by a preanneal at the highest anticipated operating temperature before use.
Comparative study of the differential resistance of GaAs- and GaN-based laser diodes
Authors: Li Xiang , Liu Zongshun , Zhao Degang , Jiang Desheng , Chen Ping , Zhu Jianjun , Yang Jing , Le Lingcong , Liu Wei , He Xiaoguang , Li Xiaojing , Liang Feng , Zhang Liqun , Liu Jianping , Yang Hui , Zhang Yuantao , Du Guotong
Published: May 2016

The differential resistance curves of GaAs- and GaN-based laser diodes (LDs) are experimentally and numerically investigated. It is found that the dependence of the differential resistance upon the injection current differs in the GaAs- and GaN-based LDs mainly in two aspects. The first is the kink polarity of the differential resistance in the vicinity of the threshold current, and the second is the behavior of the differential resistance curve beyond the threshold current. Self-consistent calculation results suggest that the LD kink and its polarity are determined by the superposition effects of the n-side, active and p-side regions of LDs. It is found that this kink mainly differs in the differential resistance curves of the active region, while the difference in the behavior of the differential resistance curve after the lasing threshold is ascribed to a resistance change in the p-side region caused by a reduced ideality factor.
Effects of noise, reverberation and foreign accent on native and non-native listeners' performance of English speech comprehension
Authors: Peng Z. Ellen , Wang Lily M.
Published: May 2016

A large number of non-native English speakers may be found in American classrooms, both as listeners and talkers. Little is known about how this population comprehends speech in realistic adverse acoustical conditions. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of background noise level (BNL), reverberation time (RT), and talker foreign accent on native and non-native listeners' speech comprehension, while controlling for English language abilities. A total of 115 adult listeners completed comprehension tasks under 15 acoustic conditions: three BNLs (RC-30, RC-40, and RC-50) and five RTs (from 0.4 to 1.2 s). Fifty-six listeners were tested with speech from native English-speaking talkers and 59 with native Mandarin-Chinese-speaking talkers. Results show that, while higher BNLs were generally more detrimental to listeners with lower English proficiency, all listeners experienced significant comprehension deficits above RC-40 with native English talkers. This limit was lower (i.e., above RC-30), however, with Chinese talkers. For reverberation, non-native listeners as a group performed best with RT up to 0.6 s, while native listeners performed equally well up to 1.2 s. A matched foreign accent benefit has also been identified, where the negative impact of higher reverberation does not exist for non-native listeners who share the talker's native language.
Estimation of saxophone reed parameters during playing
Authors: Muñoz Arancón Alberto , Gazengel Bruno , Dalmont Jean-Pierre , Conan Ewen
Published: May 2016

An approach for the estimation of single reed parameters during playing, using an instrumented mouthpiece and an iterative method, is presented. Different physical models describing the reed tip movement are tested in the estimation method. The uncertainties of the sensors installed on the mouthpiece and the limits of the estimation method are studied. A tenor saxophone reed is mounted on this mouthpiece connected to a cylinder, played by a musician, and characterized at different dynamic levels. Results show that the method can be used to estimate the reed parameters with a small error for low and medium sound levels (piano and mezzoforte dynamic levels). The analysis reveals that the complexity of the physical model describing the reed behavior must increase with dynamic levels. For medium level dynamics, the most relevant physical model assumes that the reed is an oscillator with non-linear stiffness and damping, the effect of mass (inertia) being very small.
Accuracy of Estimating Step Counts and Intensity Using Accelerometers in Older People With or Without Assistive Devices
Authors: Park Jonghoon , Ishikawa-Takata Kazuko , Tanaka Sachiko , Bessyo Kyoko , Tanaka Shigeho , Kimura Toshihide
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of uni- and triaxial accelerometers in monitoring step counts and gait intensity in older people who did or did not use an assistive device. Forty-nine healthy and frail older adults wore uniaxial (Lifecorder, Suzuken Co. Ltd.) and triaxial accelerometers (Activity Monitor, Matsushita Electronic Works, Ltd., and Active Style Pro, Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.) during three trials at different gait speeds. All accelerometers gave relatively accurate step counts for healthy older participants compared with direct observation; however, the error was greater for frail older people with assistive devices. Gait intensity detection error was unaffected by gait speed. Among frail older people with assistive devices, the gait intensity error was smaller than for step count error. To accurately assess the steps walked or the gait intensity among frail older people using assistive devices, more study is needed on these groups of participants.
Probing allocrite preferences of 2 naturally occurring variants of the wheat LR34 ABC transporter
Authors: Rajagopalan Nandhakishore , Halasz Annamaria , Lu Yuping , Liu Enwu , Monteil-Rivera Fanny , Loewen Michele C.
Published: May 2016

For almost a century, the wheat Lr34 gene has conferred durable resistance against fungal rust diseases. While sequence homology predicts a putative ATP binding cassette transporter, the molecules that are transported (allocrites) by the encoded LR34 variants, and any associated mechanism of resistance, remain enigmatic. Here, the in vitro transport characteristics of 2 naturally occurring Lr34 variants (that differ in their ability to mediate disease resistance; Lr34sus and Lr34res) are investigated. Initially, a method to express and purify recombinant LR34Sus and LR34Res pseudo half-molecules from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is described. Subsequently, a semi-targeted chlorophyll catabolite (CC) extraction from Lr34res-expressing wheat plants was performed based on previous reports highlighting increased accumulation of CCs in Lr34res-expressing flag leaves. Following partial biochemical characterization, this extract was applied to an LR34 in vitro proteoliposome transport assay. Mass spectroscopic analyses of transported metabolites revealed that LR34Sus imported a wheat metabolite of 618 Da and that the LR34Res transporter did not. While the identity of the LR34Sus transported metabolite remains to be confirmed and any allocrites of LR34Res remain to be detected, this work demonstrates that these variants have different allocrite preferences, a finding that may be relevant to the mechanism of disease resistance.