bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noise coupling between through-silicon vias and active devices for 20/14-nm technology nodes
Authors: FANG Runiu , SUN Xin , MIAO Min , JIN Yufeng
Published: March 2015

Although a through-silicon via (TSV) is widely used in three-dimensional integrated circuit systems, one of its major design challenges is noise coupling between TSVs and active devices. This paper investigates noise coupling between TSVs and active devices for 20/14-nm technology nodes. The effect of variations of structural parameters on noise coupling was examined using a three-dimensional full-wave electromagnetic field solver and its result was explained. Additionally, transient analysis on coupling noise was conducted with Synopsys TCAD. Furthermore, a combined strategy employing doped signal TSVs and ‘bare’ ground TSVs was proposed and compared with conventional signal/ground schemes. Demonstrated to improve noise isolation effectively, the proposed strategy is inherently advantageous to circuits of advanced technology nodes compared with other noise isolation schemes, for it demands no modification of the original circuit design, placement and routing.
Decay Dynamics of N, N-Dimethylthioacetamide in S3(ππ*) State
Authors: Chen Xiao , Xue Jia-dan , Zheng Xu-ming
Published: March 2015

The decay dynamics of N, N-dimethylthioacetamide after excitation to the S3(ππ*) state was studied by using the resonance Raman spectroscopy and complete active space self-consistent field method calculations. The UV-absorption and vibrational spectra were assigned. The A-band resonance Raman spectra were obtained in acetonitrile, methanol and water with the laser excitation wavelengths in resonance with the first intense absorption band to probe the Franck-Condon region structural dynamics. The CASSCF calculations were carried out to determine the excitation energies and optimized structures of the lower-lying singlet states and conical intersection point. The A-band structural dynamics and the corresponding decay mechanism were obtained by the analysis of the resonance Raman intensity pattern and the CASSCF calculated structural parameters. The major decay channel of S3,FC(ππ*)→S3(ππ*)/S1(nπ*)→S1(nπ*) is proposed.
Nanosecond Rapid Crystallization of Water Induced by Quartz Glass under Dynamic Compression
Authors: Li Yong-hong , Zhang Ning-chao , Wang Wen-peng , Liu Fu-sheng
Published: March 2015

Optical transmission characteristics of water between quartz glass under shock compression are in situ observed by using the technique of missile-borne light source. Through these transmission properties, the phase transition of liquid water is studied. The experimental results show that liquid water exhibits transparency decline phenomenon when the pressure is lower than 2 GPa under shock compression process, and the transparency variation is related to the existence of quartz glass. So, the transparency decline is attributed to a quartz-induced freezing phenomenon of water.
Piracy and the production of security space
Authors: Glück Zoltán
Published: March 2015

Since the emergence of Somali piracy as a threat to the circulation of cargo and capital through the Gulf of Aden, we have seen a massive effort on the part of global institutions, states, militaries, and private sector actors to protect this major artery of global commerce. This paper offers an analysis of the new institutional patchwork of ‘counterpiracy’ through the lens of the production of security space. What comes into focus then are the historical and contemporary processes of securing the conditions of capital circulation through war, law, primitive accumulation, and the enclosure of maritime spaces. By bringing together Foucault’s analysis of security and Marx’s analysis of capital circulation under the rubric of the production of space, I put forth a theory of production of security space as forming part of an infrastructure of circulation. Ultimately, I argue that legal, carceral, bureaucratic, and military practices are constitutive of this process of spatial production. Under the rubric of counterpiracy, law and discipline (as Foucault once wrote) have become ‘armatures’ in the apparatus of security. They have also become cornerstones of the new infrastructure of global capital circulation.
Prevention of postnatal mental health problems in women: knowledge exchange in primary care in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Rowe Heather J. , Fisher Jane R. W.
Published: March 2015

Issue addressed

What Were We Thinking (WWWT) is a psychoeducation group program for the primary prevention of postnatal mental health problems in women. It addresses two neglected risks for postnatal depression and anxiety: unsettled infant behaviour and adjustments in the partner relationship after the birth of a first baby. WWWT has evidence of efficacy when facilitated by specialist nurses. It is designed to be facilitated by trained nurses as part of standard postnatal primary care. The aim of this study is to assess nurses' understanding of their role in prevention of postnatal mental health problems, the requirements for and feasibility of implementing WWWT, and nurses' current practice and specific training needs.

Methods

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) coordinators emailed nurses at all Victorian MCH centres an invitation to participate in a study about parent‐infant mental health. Semi‐structured interviews and group discussions were conducted. Responses were analysed thematically.

Results

MCH nurses demonstrated a willingness to implement a structured mental health‐promotion intervention into clinical practice. Successful implementation will require changes to enable routine attendance of fathers at group sessions and recommendations to parents about the use of infant behaviour management strategies.

Conclusions

This study contributes to comprehensive knowledge exchange about the implementation of a complex intervention in standard primary care. This knowledge is essential for generating practice‐based evidence of the WWWT mental health‐promotion program's effectiveness.
‘The secret shame’: a content analysis of online news reporting of a celebrity admitting smoking while pregnant
Authors: Carroll Beverley , Freeman Becky
Published: March 2015

Issue addressed

Around one in 10 Australian women report that they smoke while pregnant, and this may be a significant underestimation. In 2013, Australian celebrity Chrissie Swan announced publicly that she had been smoking during her pregnancy, generating substantial media coverage. This study sought to identify the main themes in the reporting of the ‘Swan pregnant and admitting smoking’ story by online news media.

Methods

Between 6 February 2013 and 18 February 2013 inclusively, a content analysis was conducted of Australian online news items using the keywords: ‘Chrissie Swan smoking’, and ‘Chrissie Swan pregnant and smoking’. News items were coded for nine themes.

Results

A total of 124 items were identified. The most frequent themes were: ‘celebrity story’ (90.32%) and ‘societal judgement of pregnant smokers’ (69.35%). Less than one‐half (45.97%) of the news items included ‘quitting is hard’ content and only 29.03% of the news items included ‘smoking and health’ content. Specific quit‐referral content was found in only 13.71% of the news items.

Conclusions

There was a missed opportunity to promote positive, non‐judgemental smoking and pregnancy messages and health information that support pregnant women to quit smoking.
Effects of Korean Red Ginseng extract on hepatic lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells
Authors: Lee Mak-Soon , Kim Chong-Tai , Kim In-Hwan , Kim Yangha
Published: March 2015

In this study, we investigated the effects of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRGE) on hepatic lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. KRGE decreased hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Further, KRGE suppressed expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. These results suggest that KRGE may reduce hepatic lipid accumulation by inhibition of FAS and HMG-CoA reductase expression in HepG2 cells.
Identification and characterization of a novel gene encoding the NBS1 protein in Pyricularia oryzae
Authors: Narukawa-Nara Megumi , Sasaki Kengo , Ishii Akira , Baba Kouhei , Amano Kanako , Kuroki Misa , Saitoh Ken-ichiro , Kamakura Takashi
Published: March 2015

The ascomycete Pyricularia oryzae (teleomorph: Magnaporthe oryzae) causes one of the most serious diseases known as rice blast. The Nijmegen breakage syndrome protein (NBS1) is essential for DNA repair; thus, we studied the P. oryzae NBS1 homolog (PoNBS1). A PoNBS1 null mutant exhibited high sensitivity to DNA damage-inducing agents. The mutant also exhibited the retarded hyphal growth, and induced abnormal conidial germination and shape, but showed normal appressorium formation. The phenotypes of the null mutant were complemented by introducing the cDNA of PoNBS1 driven by a TrpC promoter of Aspergillus nidulans. In addition, the null mutant similarly complemented with the PoNBS1 cDNA lacking the FHA domain that had a normal phenotype except for hyphal growth. These results suggest that PoNBS1 is involved in DNA repair and normal development in P. oryzae. Moreover, the FHA domain of PoNBS1 participates in normal hyphal growth.
At Last We Have Gotten Together
Authors: Roll David L.
Published: March 2015

This chapter focuses on Harry Hopkins's role as intermediary in the conference between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill in August 1941 in Placentia Bay. It examines the issues relating to lend-lease and World War II that Roosevelt and Churchill discussed during the conference, including the provisions of the Atlantic Charter and Churchill's objective of persuading the U.S. president to declare war against Germany. It also considers the agreement between Roosevelt and Churchill for a three-power supply meeting in Russia in late September 1941.
Fault Lines
Authors: Roll David L.
Published: March 2015

This chapter focuses on Harry Hopkins's role as chief intermediary between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin in an effort to repair U.S.-Soviet relations during World War II. In the weeks following the Casablanca conference, Stalin put Roosevelt and Winston Churchill on the defensive, sending a series of messages reminding them of their earlier promises to launch a cross-Channel invasion of France “as early as 1942 or this spring at the latest” and complaining that the two-month winter pause of Anglo-American forces in Tunisia had enabled Germany to transfer as many as thirty-six fresh divisions to fight the Red Army on the eastern front. This chapter also considers the discussions between Roosevelt and Churchill at the Trident conference, with particular reference to the debates over the Allies' planned invasion of Italy and whether to bomb rail lines leading into Auschwitz or Auschwitz itself.
A Leave of Absence from Death
Authors: Roll David L.
Published: March 2015

This chapter examines the aftermath of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's death, with particular reference to its impact on Harry Hopkins's role for the United States during World War II. It first considers Hopkins's hospitalization due to nontropical sprue (or celiac disease) before turning to the speeches and pronouncements of Roosevelt and Winston Churchill about the Yalta conference. It then looks at the birth of the United Nations and the reactions of Hopkins, Churchill, and Joseph Stalin to Roosevelt's death, It also discusses Hopkins's meeting with Stalin in Moscow and his trip to Berlin before concluding with an assessment of his “serious doubts as to the possibility of genuine collaboration with the Soviet Union”.
Structure-PPi: a module for the annotation of cancer-related single-nucleotide variants at protein–protein interfaces
Authors: Vázquez Miguel , Valencia Alfonso , Pons Tirso
Published: March 2015

Motivation: The interpretation of cancer-related single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) considering the protein features they affect, such as known functional sites, protein–protein interfaces, or relation with already annotated mutations, might complement the annotation of genetic variants in the analysis of NGS data. Current tools that annotate mutations fall short on several aspects, including the ability to use protein structure information or the interpretation of mutations in protein complexes.

Results: We present the Structure–PPi system for the comprehensive analysis of coding SNVs based on 3D protein structures of protein complexes. The 3D repository used, Interactome3D, includes experimental and modeled structures for proteins and protein–protein complexes. Structure–PPi annotates SNVs with features extracted from UniProt, InterPro, APPRIS, dbNSFP and COSMIC databases. We illustrate the usefulness of Structure–PPi with the interpretation of 1 027 122 non-synonymous SNVs from COSMIC and the 1000G Project that provides a collection of ∼172 700 SNVs mapped onto the protein 3D structure of 8726 human proteins (43.2% of the 20 214 SwissProt-curated proteins in UniProtKB release 2014_06) and protein–protein interfaces with potential functional implications.

Availability and implementation: Structure–PPi, along with a user manual and examples, isavailable at http://structureppi.bioinfo.cnio.es/Structure, the code for local installations at https://github.com/Rbbt-Workflows

Contact:  tpons@cnio.es

Supplementary Information  :  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Novel model-based dosing guidelines for gentamicin and tobramycin in preterm and term neonates
Authors: Valitalo Pyry A. J. , van den Anker John N. , Allegaert Karel , de Cock Roosmarijn F. W. , de Hoog Matthijs , Simons Sinno H. P. , Mouton Johan W. , Knibbe Catherijne A. J.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

In the heterogeneous group of preterm and term neonates, gentamicin and tobramycin are mainly dosed according to empirical guidelines, after which therapeutic drug monitoring and subsequent dose adaptation are applied. In view of the variety of neonatal guidelines available, the purpose of this study was to evaluate target concentration attainment of these guidelines, and to propose a new model-based dosing guideline for these drugs in neonates.

Methods

Demographic characteristics of 1854 neonates (birth weight 390–5200 g, post-natal age 0–27 days) were extracted from earlier studies and sampled to obtain a test dataset of 5000 virtual patients. Monte Carlo simulations on the basis of validated models were undertaken to evaluate the attainment of target peak (5–12 mg/L) and trough (<0.5 mg/L) concentrations, and cumulative AUC, with the existing and proposed guidelines.

Results

Across the entire neonatal age and weight range, the Dutch National Formulary for Children, the British National Formulary for Children, Neofax and the Red Book resulted in adequate peak but elevated trough concentrations (63%–90% above target). The proposed dosing guideline (4.5 mg/kg gentamicin or 5.5 mg/kg tobramycin) with a dosing interval based on birth weight and post-natal age leads to adequate peak concentrations with only 33%–38% of the trough concentrations above target, and a constant AUC across weight and post-natal age.

Conclusions

The proposed neonatal dosing guideline for gentamicin and tobramycin results in improved attainment of target concentrations and should be prospectively evaluated in clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this treatment.
Promotion and evolution of sustainability performance measurement systems from a perspective of business process management
Authors: Pádua Silvia Inês Dallavalle , Jabbour Charbel José Chiappetta
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to create a conceptual proposal that considers the relevant aspects to guide the promotion and evolution of corporate sustainability performance measurement systems (SPMSs) from a perspective of business process management.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is divided into two phases. The first phase is a literature review with the study question was, “Which aspects need to be considered for promoting and evolving SPMS with a focus on business processes?” The second phase involved comparing these approaches and presenting a conceptual proposal with the relevant aspects for promoting and evolving a corporate SPMS.

Findings

– In the literature review, the following aspects were considered relevant to promoting sustainability: strategy, integration, stakeholders, evolution over time and business processes. The conceptual proposal found each aspect relevant and complementary presented consideration for each, forming one SPMS pentagon.

Research limitations/implications

– The comparison between the approaches is conceptual.

Practical implications

– This study can help organizations address the evolution of their measurement systems systemically.

Originality/value

– The summaries of the main considerations and evaluation issues provide starting points for organizations, researchers and students involved in sustainability-related matters. The discussion presented here can help organizations identify the strengths and weaknesses of their measurement systems and provide a basis for the promotion and implementation of improvements.
Innovation adoption across self-service banking technologies in India
Authors: Kaushik Arun Kumar , Rahman Zillur
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the various antecedent beliefs predicting customers’ attitudes toward, and adoption of, self-service technologies (SSTs) available in the banking industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– A descriptive research design with survey approach is used to develop and test a conceptual model of adoption for all three self-service banking technologies (SSBTs).

Findings

– The results of the comparative analysis showed that antecedent beliefs affecting adopters’ attitude vary across different SSBTs. It extends and tests the technology acceptance model (TAM) by including two additional antecedents from the theories of adoption behavior.

Research limitations/implications

– All three SSBTs included in the paper are from the banking industry, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other industries. Many other limitations were also reported.

Practical implications

– The findings reveal why and how customers decide to adopt different SSBTs and why a few SSBTs are more widely accepted than others. The practicality of the findings guides managers and designers of technological interfaces.

Social implications

– People will also benefit from the effective implementation of SSTs.

Originality/value

– This study stands out as one of the early studies to empirically examine the antecedents-attitude-intention relationship across different SSBTs available in Indian banking industry.

Retraction notice

The International Journal of Bank Marketing wishes to retract the article Kaushik, A.K. and Rahman, Z. (2015), “Innovation adoption across self-service banking technologies in India”, published in International Journal of Bank Marketing, Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 96-121.

It has come to our attention that the article contains substantial similarities to the following article: Curran, J.M. and Meuter, M.L. (2005), “Self-service technology adoption: comparing three technologies”, Journal of Services Marketing, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 103-113, https://doi.org/10.1108/08876040510591411.

The authors have fully cooperated with this investigation and supplied the original dataset for review. Using this dataset, the editorial team were unable to replicate the results included in the article, and as a result, the decision has been made to retract the article.

The International Journal of Bank Marketing author guidelines make it clear that articles must be original and must not infringe any existing copyright.

The journal apologises to both Professor Curran and Professor Meuter, and its readers.
Corporate governance ratings and the dividend payout decisions of Australian corporate firms
Authors: Yarram Subba Reddy
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of corporate governance on the dividend payout decisions of Australian firms by considering two related objectives. First, it considers the role of corporate governance ratings (CGRs) on the decision to pay or not to pay dividends. Second, it considers the influence of CGRs on the average dividend payout level of Australian firms.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample consists of 413 non-financial firms included in the All Ordinaries Index for the period 2004-2009. A logit model is employed to analyse the decision to pay or omit dividends. Similarly, tobit method is employed to analyse the factors influencing the dividend payout level of Australian firms. To control for unobserved heterogeneity, this study employs random effects panel logit and panel tobit models.

Findings

– This study finds that CGRs have a significant positive influence on the decision to pay dividends and on the average dividend payout level of Australian firms. Similarly, the present study finds support for signalling hypothesis as profitability has a significant positive influence and a loss dummy has a significant negative influence on the dividend payout decisions of Australian firms. The study also finds support for the life cycle hypothesis as growth opportunities have a significant negative impact on the average dividend payout level of Australian firms. This study finds no conclusive evidence of the existence of dividend tax clientele in Australia.

Research limitations/implications

– Dividends provide a complementary governance role consistent with the “outcomes model” of the agency cost theory as proposed by La Port et al. (2000).

Practical implications

– The findings have implications for corporate governance policies. Principle-based governance mechanisms work as well as the rule-based governance mechanisms in an environment characterized by high levels of investor protection and well-developed stock markets. Companies that are well governed may limit the opportunities for managers to expropriate shareholders and thus governance may reduce the contracting costs associated with compensation policies.

Originality/value

– This is the first study that examines the influence of governance on dividend policy using the CGRs developed by the WHK Horwath/University of Newcastle. Findings are robust and account for unobserved heterogeneity as random effects panel models are employed.
Turn-of-month effect in the Indian currency market
Authors: Kumar Satish
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the presence of the turn-of-month effect in the Indian currency market for selected currency pairs: USD-INR, EUR-INR, GBP-INR and JPY-INR, from January 1999 to April 2014.

Design/methodology/approach

– Ordinary least square regression analysis is used to examine the presence of the turn-of-month effect and to test the efficiency of the Indian currency market. The characteristics of the returns during the turn-of-month days are compared with that of the non-turn-of-month trading days. The sample period is later divided into two sub-periods, that is, pre- and post-2008 to capture the behavior of returns before and after the 2008 financial crisis.

Findings

– The results indicate the existence of pricing patterns which are unique to individual currencies. For the entire sample period, USD and JPY exhibit turn-of-month effect and the returns in turn-of-month trading days are significantly lower than the returns during non-turn-of-month trading days. For the sub-period before 2008, all the currencies exhibit significant turn-of-month effects and the returns in the turn-of-month trading days are significantly lower than those in the non-turn-of-month trading days. However, post-2008; this effect vanishes for all the currencies except for USD.

Practical implications

– The results have important implications for both traders and investors. The findings suggest that the investors might not be able to earn excess profits by timing their positions in some particular currencies taking the advantage of turn-of-month effect which in turn indicates that the currency markets have become more efficient with time. The results are in conformity with those reported for the developed markets.

Originality/value

– To the best of the author’s knowledge, no study has yet examined these calendar anomalies in the currency markets using data which covers two important periods, pre-2008 and post-2008. Therefore, we provide a pioneer study in which we analyze the calendar anomalies in an emerging currency market (India) by segregating the data before and after 2008 financial crisis.
Goal seeking and goal oriented projects – trajectories of the temporary organisation
Authors: Karrbom Gustavsson Tina , Hallin Anette
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the theory development of “temporary organizing.”

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper advances the theory of the temporary organization by applying a process ontological-perspective.

Findings

– This research note conceptualizes “the temporary organization” as constantly changing across time and space; as shifting between two empirically driven modes: “goal seeking” and “goal oriented.” This is done through the shift of the trajectory of the particular “project” at hand.

Practical implications

– Based on the theoretical suggestions in the paper, further research is encouraged to find empirical support of and to develop its claims.

Originality/value

– Despite a call for taking the “organizing”-aspect of temporary organizations seriously, there is still a need for theory development of the area. By introducing the concept of “trajectories” into the studies of temporary organizations, the paper builds a theoretical framework through which such studies may be undertaken.
Key indicators influencing the management of team integration in construction projects
Authors: Che Ibrahim Che Khairil Izam , Costello Seosamh B. , Wilkinson Suzanne
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to validate a list of key indicators (KIs) of team integration identified from construction management literature, identify the most significant KIs and provide suggestions on how to influence team integration, based on the opinion of an established construction peer group in New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

– A literature review was conducted to identify and consolidate a set of KIs of team integration. Subsequently, a set of questions was designed to gain insight and opinion in terms of the significance and ranking of the identified indicators, as well as suggestions on how to influence the integration practice.

Findings

– Analysis of the survey results showed that all relevant indicators have a strong influence towards determining the success of team integration in construction projects. The top-ranked indicators that contribute towards successful team integration are all relationship orientated as follows; single team focus on goals and objectives, trust and respect, commitment from top management, free flow communication and no blame culture. A framework for influencing these indicators of team integration is proposed which includes four elements: first, team formation; second, contractual model; third, teamwork principle; and fourth, operational monitoring.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings are limited to practitioners’ perceptions who are registered with an established construction peer group in New Zealand.

Practical implications

– The results of the study are expected to provide insight for construction practitioners to help them embrace team integration practice and, hence, provide both the opportunity and a platform to enhance and measure their team performance.

Originality/value

– The paper recognises that while the process of integration is a result of a combination of many indicators, it further extends the team integration literature by providing insights into what are the dominant relationship indicators of team integration, and how to influence these indicators based on a proposed framework.
From service quality to experience – and back again?
Authors: Sundbo Jon
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to analyse the movement in the focus on customers within service management and marketing theories and service research that has taken place during the past three decades. The paper addresses the question: How did we, in service research, change from emphasizing quality to emphasizing experience?

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper analyses developments in service and experience theories. Experience has come onto the theoretical agenda, both in its own right and as a concept within service marketing and management theory.

Findings

– Experience has increasingly been a concept that has replaced quality in service marketing theories. However, an independent experience economy paradigm has also emerged. Recently, the societal emphasis on productivity may lead back to functional quality re-emerges in theories; however, it will most likely be in a new version.

Originality/value

– This analysis is a profound theory-critical analysis of the actually very widely used concept experience in service theories. The analysis present an understanding of what experience means in these theories and how it relates to the quality concept. This is an original contribution to a deeper understanding of service marketing and service quality theories.
A sustainable business model in services: an assessment and validation
Authors: Høgevold Nils M. , Svensson Goran , Padin Carmen
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe a sustainable business model in a service industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study was performed during 2012-2013. It is based upon a major Scandinavian hotel chain known for having implemented documented, extensive and systematic sustainable business practices within the company and in its business network. Data were gathered from multiple sources to explore and describe their sustainable business model.

Findings

– This study provides a validation in a service industry of an assessed sustainable business model derived from a goods industry and from other industries as well. The empirical findings indicate that the model appears to be universally applicable across sources and stakeholders in the service sector beyond company- and industry-specific characteristics in services.

Research limitations/implications

– Further research that may validate or falsify current empirical findings in other business settings is presented. Suggestions for further research are provided, such as a focus on similarities and differences across companies, industries and countries worldwide.

Practical implications

– Environmental initiatives and efforts need to go hand-in-hand with the social and economic ones. The interconnection between environmental, social and economic elements is necessary and crucial if it is to be successful in the marketplace and society.

Social implications

– A sustainable business model is not about simplistic initiatives and efforts of sustainable business practices. A multitude of initiatives and efforts are required in the marketplace and society.

Originality/value

– It contributes to visualize an all-embracing perspective on the challenges, complexities and dynamics of implementing sustainable business practices within and beyond corporate or organizational boundaries toward business networks in the marketplace and society.
The information practices of Business PhD students
Authors: Bøyum Idunn , Aabø Svanhild
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to investigate how PhD students discover, choose and use information and literature for their research.

Design/methodology/approach

– Eight PhD students at the Norwegian Business School (BI) were interviewed. The interviews were based on a phenomenological approach.

Findings

– The use of both library databases and Google Scholar is frequent and contextual. The informants ranked the library databases as more useful than Google Scholar. Methods for keeping up to date varied and were contextual. Although formal information seeking in library databases was seen as more academic than the tracking of references, this latter method was more widespread. Students felt they mastered the tools associated with formal information seeking, which constituted a continuous activity in their research practices. Wilson’s (1983) theory on cognitive authority may give a better understanding of the findings.

Practical implications

– Acquiring knowledge about the information practices of PhD students in a specific discipline will help libraries to improve their services and acquire relevant resources for their users.

Originality/value

– This paper examines PhD students’ ranking of information resources, identifies preferred methods for keeping up to date and reveals in which contexts the informants use either formal or social information-seeking practices.
The influence of positive hypothesis testing on youths’ online health-related information seeking
Authors: St. Jean Beth , Subramaniam Mega , Taylor Natalie Greene , Follman Rebecca , Kodama Christie , Casciotti Dana
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to investigate whether/how youths’ pre-existing beliefs regarding health-related topics influence their online searching behaviors, such as their selection of keywords and search results, their credibility assessments and the conclusions they draw and the uses they make (or do not make) of the information they find. More specifically, we sought to determine whether positive hypothesis testing occurs when youth search for health information online and to ascertain the potential impacts this phenomenon can have on their search behaviors, their ability to accurately answer health-related questions and their confidence in their answers.

Design/methodology/approach

– An exploratory field experiment was conducted with participants in an after-school program (“HackHealth”), which aims to improve the health literacy skills and health-related self-efficacy of middle-school students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Findings

– Evidence of positive hypothesis testing among the participants was found and important impacts on their search outcomes were observed.

Practical implications

– The paper was concluded with suggestions for improving digital literacy instruction for youth so as to counteract the potentially negative influences of positive hypothesis testing.

Originality/value

– This study extends existing research about positive hypothesis testing to investigate the existence and impact of this phenomenon within the context of tweens (ages 11-14) searching for health information online.
Enhancing 3D post‐stack seismic data acquired in hardrock environment using 2D curvelet transform
Authors: Górszczyk A. , Malinowski M. , Bellefleur G.
Published: March 2015

Seismic data acquired in hardrock environment pose a special challenge for processing. Frequent lack of clear coherent events hinders imaging and interpretation. Additional difficulty arises from the presence of significant amount of cultural noise associated with production and processing of ore, which often remains in the processed, stacked data. Motivated by those challenges, we developed an efficient workflow of denoising 3D post‐stack seismic data by using 2D discrete curvelet transform aimed at improving signal‐to‐noise ratio of the data. Our approach is based on the adjustment of the thresholds according to scales and angles in the curvelet domain, making parameterization flexible. We demonstrate effectiveness of our method using 3D post‐stack volumes from the three different mining camps in Canada, which were characterized by variable data quality. Remarkable signal enhancement, confirmed by the improvements in the mean signal‐to‐noise ratio of the dataset, is obtained not only due to random energy attenuation but also by removal of certain features corrupting the data (e.g., acquisition footprint). Comparison with the F‐X/F‐XY deconvolution results shows the superiority of our algorithm in respect to signal enhancement, signal preservation, and amount of the removed noise. Imaged structures, even if initially dominated by random energy, are easier to follow after curvelet denoising and enhanced for interpretation. Therefore, our approach can significantly reduce interpretation uncertainties when dealing with the seismic data acquired in the hardrock environment.
Getting to Sweden, Part I: War and Malfeasance, 1720–1850
Authors: Teorell Jan , Rothstein Bo
Published: March 2015

How and why some countries were able to make the historical transition from a patrimonial, nepotistic and corrupt bureaucracy to a clean, Weberian and professionalised one is still an under‐studied topic in the literature on corruption. This article presents original data on such a transition in the case of Sweden, drawing on court hearings of cases of malfeasance among public officials in the period 1720–1850. It is argued, theoretically, that an important explanation for why the Swedish bureaucracy was able to break out of the collective action trap of corruption relates to Charles Tilly's theory of the importance of war for state‐making. Rather than viewing war‐making in itself as a driver of change, however, this article pinpoints the importance of having lost a significant war – in the Swedish case, the war against Russia in 1808–9 – and the constitutional and regime changes this set in motion. Drawing on comparative data on malfeasance, the similarities in this regard between the Swedish and Danish cases are highlighted.
Penalized likelihood methods improve parameter estimates in occupancy models
Authors: Hutchinson Rebecca A. , Valente Jonathon J. , Emerson Sarah C. , Betts Matthew G. , Dietterich Thomas G.
Published: March 2015

Occupancy models are employed in species distribution modelling to account for imperfect detection during field surveys. While this approach is popular in the literature, problems can occur when estimating the model parameters. In particular, the maximum likelihood estimates can exhibit bias and large variance for data sets with small sample sizes, which can result in estimated occupancy probabilities near 0 and 1 (‘boundary estimates’).

In this paper, we explore strategies for estimating parameters based on maximizing a penalized likelihood. Penalized likelihood methods augment the usual likelihood with a penalty function that encodes information about what parameter values are undesirable. We introduce penalties for occupancy models that have analogues in ridge regression and Bayesian approaches, and we compare them to a penalty developed for occupancy models in prior work.

We examine the bias, variance and mean squared error of parameter estimates obtained from each method on synthetic data. Across all of the synthetic data sets, the penalized estimation methods had lower mean squared error than the maximum likelihood estimates. We also provide an example of the application of these methods to point counts of avian species. Penalized likelihood methods show similar improvements when tested using empirical bird point count data.

We discuss considerations for choosing among these methods when modelling occupancy. We conclude that penalized methods may be of practical utility for fitting occupancy models with small sample sizes, and we are releasing R code that implements these methods.
John Maynard Keynes and the Keynes of the Commonwealth, Douglas Copland
Authors: Millmow Alex
Published: March 2015

When Douglas Copland of the University of Melbourne was about to go abroad in 1933, a leading Australian businessman, Herbert Gepp, hailed him as the ‘Keynes of the Commonwealth’. Gepp was referring to Copland's contributions to Australian economic policy, not that of the British Commonwealth, but there were similarities between Copland and John Maynard Keynes. In full flight, Copland impressed his compatriots with his prodigious work ethic, networking skills, persuasive powers with policy‐makers, and practice of popularising economics in order to effect stabilisation policy. For a short time, there were two Keynes, one at the centre, the other at the periphery.
A Stepwise Confidence Interval Procedure Under Unknown Variances Based on an Asymmetric Loss Function for Toxicological Evaluation
Authors: Cao Lei , Tao Jian , Shi Ning‐Zhong , Liu Wei
Published: March 2015

One of the most important issues in toxicity studies is the identification of the equivalence of treatments with a placebo. Because it is unacceptable to declare non‐equivalent treatments to be equivalent, it is important to adopt a reliable statistical method to properly control the family‐wise error rate (FWER). In dealing with this issue, it is important to keep in mind that overestimating toxicity equivalence is a more serious error than underestimating toxicity equivalence. Consequently asymmetric loss functions are more appropriate than symmetric loss functions. Recently Tao, Tang & Shi (2010) developed a new procedure based on an asymmetric loss function. However, their procedure is somewhat unsatisfactory because it assumes that the variances of various dose levels are known. This assumption is restrictive for some applications. In this study we propose an improved approach based on asymmetric confidence intervals without the restrictive assumption of known variances. The asymmetry guarantees reliability in the sense that the FWER is well controlled. Although our procedure is developed assuming that the variances of various dose levels are unknown but equal, simulation studies show that our procedure still performs quite well when the variances are unequal.
The group exponential lasso for bi‐level variable selection
Authors: Breheny Patrick
Published: March 2015

In many applications, covariates possess a grouping structure that can be incorporated into the analysis to select important groups as well as important members of those groups. One important example arises in genetic association studies, where genes may have several variants capable of contributing to disease. An ideal penalized regression approach would select variables by balancing both the direct evidence of a feature's importance as well as the indirect evidence offered by the grouping structure. This work proposes a new approach we call the group exponential lasso (GEL) which features a decay parameter controlling the degree to which feature selection is coupled together within groups. We demonstrate that the GEL has a number of statistical and computational advantages over previously proposed group penalties such as the group lasso, group bridge, and composite MCP. Finally, we apply these methods to the problem of detecting rare variants in a genetic association study.
The TRPA1 channel mediates the analgesic action of dipyrone and pyrazolone derivatives
Authors: Nassini Romina , Fusi Camilla , Materazzi Serena , Coppi Elisabetta , Tuccinardi Tiziano , Marone Ilaria M , De Logu Francesco , Preti Delia , Tonello Raquel , Chiarugi Alberto , Patacchini Riccardo , Geppetti Pierangelo , Benemei Silvia
Published: March 2015

Background and Purpose

Although still used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide, the mechanism of the analgesic action of the pyrazolone derivatives (PDs), dipyrone, propyphenazone and antipyrine remains unknown. The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channel, expressed by nociceptors, is emerging as a major pain transduction pathway. We hypothesized that PDs target the TRPA1 channel and by this mechanism produce their analgesic effect.

Experimental Approach

Calcium responses and currents were studied in cultured TRPA1‐expressing rodent dorsal root ganglion neurons and human cells. Acute nociception and mechanical hypersensitivity were investigated in naïve and genetically manipulated mice.

Key Results

Pyrazolone and PDs selectively inhibited calcium responses and currents in TRPA1‐expressing cells and acute nocifensor responses in mice evoked by reactive channel agonists (allyl isothiocyanate, acrolein and H2O2). In line with recent results obtained with TRPA1 antagonists and TRPA1 gene deletion, the two most largely used PDs, dipyrone and propyphenazone, attenuated TRPA1‐mediated nociception and mechanical allodynia in models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain (formalin, carrageenan, partial sciatic nerve ligation and the chemotherapeutic drug, bortezomib). Notably, dipyrone and propyphenazone attenuated carrageenan‐evoked mechanical allodynia, without affecting PGE2 levels. The main metabolites of PDs did not target TRPA1 and did not affect TRPA1‐dependent nociception and allodynia.

Conclusions and Implications

Evidence that in rodents the nociceptive/hyperalgesic effect produced by TRPA1 activation is blocked by PDs suggests that a similar pathway is attenuated by PDs in humans and that TRPA1 antagonists could be novel analgesics, devoid of the adverse haematological effects of PDs.
Oxidative shielding and the cost of reproduction
Authors: Blount Jonathan D. , Vitikainen Emma I. K. , Stott Iain , Cant Michael A.
Published: March 2015

Life‐history theory assumes that reproduction and lifespan are constrained by trade‐offs which prevent their simultaneous increase. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the possibility that this cost of reproduction is mediated by oxidative stress. However, empirical tests of this theory have yielded equivocal support. We carried out a meta‐analysis to examine associations between reproduction and oxidative damage across markers and tissues. We show that oxidative damage is positively associated with reproductive effort across females of various species. Yet paradoxically, categorical comparisons of breeders versus non‐breeders reveal that transition to the reproductive state is associated with a step‐change reduction in oxidative damage in certain tissues and markers. Developing offspring may be particularly sensitive to harm caused by oxidative damage in mothers. Therefore, such reductions could potentially function to shield reproducing mothers, gametes and developing offspring from oxidative insults that inevitably increase as a consequence of reproductive effort. According to this perspective, we hypothesise that the cost of reproduction is mediated by dual impacts of maternally‐derived oxidative damage on mothers and offspring, and that mothers may be selected to diminish such damage. Such oxidative shielding may explain why many existing studies have concluded that reproduction has little or no oxidative cost. Future advance in life‐history theory therefore needs to take account of potential transgenerational impacts of the mechanisms underlying life‐history trade‐offs.
The evolution of acceptance and tolerance in hosts of avian brood parasites
Authors: Medina Iliana , Langmore Naomi E.
Published: March 2015

Avian brood parasites lay their eggs in the nests of their hosts, which rear the parasite's progeny. The costs of parasitism have selected for the evolution of defence strategies in many host species. Most research has focused on resistance strategies, where hosts minimize the number of successful parasitism events using defences such as mobbing of adult brood parasites or rejection of parasite eggs. However, many hosts do not exhibit resistance. Here we explore why some hosts accept parasite eggs in their nests and how this is related to the virulence of the parasite. We also explore the extent to which acceptance of parasites can be explained by the evolution of tolerance; a strategy in which the host accepts the parasite but adjusts its life history or other traits to minimize the costs of parasitism. We review examples of tolerance in hosts of brood parasites (such as modifications to clutch size and multi‐broodedness), and utilize the literature on host–pathogen interactions and plant herbivory to analyse the prevalence of each type of defence (tolerance or resistance) and their evolution. We conclude that (i) the interactions between brood parasites and their hosts provide a highly tractable system for studying the evolution of tolerance, (ii) studies of host defences against brood parasites should investigate both resistance and tolerance, and (iii) tolerance and resistance can lead to contrasting evolutionary scenarios.