bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Re-examining the content validation of a grammar test: The (im)possibility of distinguishing vocabulary and structural knowledge
Authors: Alderson J. Charles , Kremmel Benjamin
Published: July 2013

“Vocabulary and structural knowledge” (Grabe, 1991, p. 379) appears to be a key component of reading ability. However, is this component to be taken as a unitary one or is structural knowledge a separate factor that can therefore also be tested in isolation in, say, a test of syntax? If syntax can be singled out (e.g. in order to investigate its contribution to reading ability), this test of syntactic knowledge would require validation. The usefulness and reliability of using expert judgments as a means of analysing the content or difficulty of test items in language assessment has been questioned for more than two decades. Still, groups of expert judges are often called upon as they are perceived to be the only or at least a very convenient way of establishing key features of items. Such judgments, however, are particularly opaque and thus problematic when judges are required to make categorizations where categories are only vaguely defined or are ontologically questionable in themselves. This is, for example, the case when judges are asked to classify the content of test items based on a distinction between lexis and syntax, a dichotomy corpus linguistics has suggested cannot be maintained. The present paper scrutinizes a study by Shiotsu (2010) that employed expert judgments, on the basis of which claims were made about the relative significance of the components ‘syntactic knowledge’ and ‘vocabulary knowledge’ in reading in a second language. By both replicating and partially replicating Shiotsu’s (2010) content analysis study, the paper problematizes not only the issue of the use of expert judgments, but, more importantly, their usefulness in distinguishing between construct components that might, in fact, be difficult to distinguish anyway. This is particularly important for an understanding and diagnosis of learners’ strengths and weaknesses in reading in a second language.
Mechanochemical ablation in patients with chronic venous disease: A prospective multicenter report
Authors: Bishawi M , Bernstein R , Boter M , Draughn D , Gould CF , Hamilton C , Koziarski J
Published: July 2013

Background

There are several endovenous methods to ablate the saphenous vein, all of which require tumescent anesthesia. This report was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a tumescent-free technique using mechanochemical ablation (MOCA).

Methods

This was a prospective observational multicenter report on the efficacy of MOCA in selected patients with lower extremity chronic venous disease. Demographic information, clinical and procedural data were collected on a customized database. The distribution and extent of venous reflux and the closure rate of the treated veins were assessed with duplex ultrasound. Pain was evaluated during the procedure and postoperatively using an analog scale. The presence and severity of complications were recorded. Patient improvement was assessed by clinical-etiology-anatomy-pathophysiology (CEAP) class and venous clinical severity score (VCSS).

Results

There were 126 patients that were included at baseline, 81% females, with a mean age of 65.5 ± 14 years. The average BMI was 30.5 ± 6. The mean diameter of the great saphenous vein in the upper thigh was 7.3 mm and the mean treatment length was 38 cm. Adjunctive treatment of the varicosities was performed in 11% of patients during the procedure. Closure rates were 100% at one week, 98% at three months, and 94% at six months. Post-procedure complications included hematoma 1%, ecchymosis 9%, and thrombophlebitis 10%. There were no cases of venous thromboembolism. There was significant improvement in VCSS ( p < 0.001) for all time intervals.

Conclusion

MOCA of the saphenous veins has the advantage of endovenous ablation without tumescent anesthesia, making it an almost pain-free procedure. High occlusion rates with significant clinical improvement can be achieved with this method at short term.
Revisiting the Golden Arches in China
Authors: Gao Zhihong
Published: July 2013

This article reports an analysis of the Chinese discourse on McDonald’s during three historical periods: 1978-1991, 1992-2000, and 2001-2012. It finds that the Chinese discourse had gradually diversified in its content and agents involved. It argues that the evolving meaning of McDonald’s in China was a product of, and closely reflected, China’s pluralizing political and economic structure. The Chinese case illustrates that, to acquire a balanced and nuanced understanding of brand meaning, scholars should not only examine agency but also structure so as to avoid the pitfalls of either blind pessimism or naïve optimism.
Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of salivary glands with gustatory stimulation: comparison before and after radiotherapy
Authors: Zhang Yunyan , Ou Dan , Gu Yajia , He Xiayun , Peng Weijun , Mao Jian , Yue Lei , Shen Xigang
Published: July 2013

Background

Xerostomia is the most prominent complication in patients with head and neck carcinoma after radiotherapy (RT). Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) with gustatory stimulation may contribute to the evaluation of salivary gland function.

Purpose

To investigate the value of DWI for quantifying physiological changes of the parotid gland during gustatory stimulation in patients before and after RT.

Material and Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 28 consecutive patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma before and after RT and clinical xerostomia was also assessed. A DWI sequence was performed once at rest and continually repeated seven times during stimulation with ascorbic acid. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps for parotid glands at different time points and the range of increase with stimulation were calculated. Paired two-tailed Student t tests were used to compare the ADC values before and after stimulation, and before and after RT.

Results

Before RT, the ADC showed an initial increase ( P < 0.001) and then fluctuated during stimulation. After RT, as the clinical xerostomia changed from Grade 0 to Grade 2, the mean ADC at rest increased compared with the pre-RT value ( P < 0.001). A similar response to stimulation was observed, but the range of increase between the maximum ADC during stimulation and the baseline value at rest was higher post-RT than pre-RT ( P = 0.022). The minimum ADC during stimulation was higher than the baseline value post-RT ( P = 0.028), but there was no difference pre-RT ( P = 0.603).

Conclusion

DWI combined with gustatory stimulation seems to display the physiological changes of the parotid gland following RT and may be a potential tool for non-invasively assessing salivary gland function.
Liquidity in asset pricing: New Australian evidence using low-frequency data
Authors: Chai Daniel , Faff Robert , Gharghori Philip
Published: July 2013

Employing a new proxy for liquidity, this paper examines its impact on stock returns in the context of the Fama-French framework. We augment the Carhart four-factor model with a liquidity factor in our asset pricing tests. Using an extensive dataset drawn from the Australian equities market, we find that liquidity explains a portion of the common variation in stock returns even after controlling for size, book-to-market and momentum. However, our findings suggest that the liquidity factor only adds marginal explanatory power to contemporary asset pricing models.
Effect of zinc borate on flammability/thermal properties of ethylene vinyl acetate filled with metal hydroxides
Authors: Sabet Maziyar , Hassan Azman , Ratnam Chantara Thevy
Published: July 2013

In this work, zinc borate was used as a flame retardant in ethylene vinyl acetate/magnesium hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide flame-retardant formulations. High content zinc borate leads to significant improvements of flame retardancy through limiting oxygen index, UL-94 and cone calorimeter experiments. The protective char formation revealed significant structural modifications due to the presence of zinc borate. It was demonstrated that during polymer heating, aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide decomposed to Al2O3 and MgO which resulted an increase in ignition time. Moreover, formation of Al2O3 or MgO in situ from aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide during polymer combustion is the first event. Concurrently, zinc borate degraded and formed a vitreous protective coating, which yielded the substrate with an efficient char which acted as a physical barrier and a glassy cage for better protection of polymer substrate.
Investigation of chemically treated longitudinally oriented snake grass fiber-reinforced isophthallic polyester composites
Authors: Sathishkumar TP , Navaneethakrishnan P , Shankar S , Rajasekar R
Published: July 2013

Snake grass fibers are subjected to various chemical surface modifications such as alkali, benzoyl peroxide, benzoyl chloride, potassium permanganate and stearic acid. These fibers are utilized to fabricate the longitudinal oriented fiber-reinforced composites at 40% weight fraction of fiber. The mechanical properties of treated fiber composites are found to be higher than those of raw ones. Potassium permanganate treated fiber composites has optimum mechanical properties than other chemicals treated snake grass fibers composites. The scanning electron microscopic images of the tensile and impact fractured composites containing treated and untreated fibers have been examined. The fiber pull-out from the specimen has been found low for the treated fibers compared to untreated fiber composites. The kinetics of water absorption of the composites studied at various time intervals and temperature reveals that the treated fiber-reinforced composites has less water uptake compared to untreated one.
Salary Dispersion for Lower Stratum Employees as a Predictor of Oligarchic Salary Practices
Authors: Weinberger Theodore E.
Published: July 2013

Company salary practices vary in terms of the average rate differential between upper- and lower stratum employees. Those companies with high interstrata rate multiples—typically run by a small, oligarchic leadership—are likely to evoke perceptions of vertical inequities among employees paid below the top echelon. This is especially a concern for small companies where all employees may work in close proximity. To mitigate the risk of dysfunctional behavior (e.g., turnover) stemming from interstrata rate disparities, companies with more oligarchic practices are predicted to engender greater salary dispersion within the lower stratum of employees, relative to those with more egalitarian practices, to “camouflage” the phenomenon. This article presents the results of an archival study that lends support for this prediction.
Undignified care
Authors: Gustafsson Lena-Karin , Wigerblad Åse , Lindwall Lillemor
Published: July 2013

Patient dignity in involuntary psychiatric hospital care is a complex yet central phenomenon. Research is needed on the concept of dignity’s specific contextual attributes since nurses are responsible for providing dignified care in psychiatric care. The aim was to describe nurses’ experiences of violation of patient dignity in clinical caring situations in involuntary psychiatric hospital care. A qualitative design with a hermeneutic approach was used to analyze and interpret data collected from group interviews. Findings reveal seven tentative themes of nurses’ experiences of violations of patient dignity: patients not taken seriously, patients ignored, patients uncovered and exposed, patients physically violated, patients becoming the victims of others’ superiority, patients being betrayed, and patients being predefined. Understanding the contextual experiences of nurses can shed light on the care of patients in involuntary psychiatric hospital care.
Global Ambition and Human Resource Reorientation of Indian and Malaysian Managers: Some Indicative Empirical Evidence
Authors: Chatterjee Samir Ranjan , Pearson Cecil A.L. , Liu Yi
Published: July 2013

Transforming managerial competencies and mindsets is one of the most significant challenges facing contemporary Indian and Malaysian economies. This article provides empirical evidence demonstrating how managers in India and Malaysia are navigating the challenge of acquiring talented personnel to better facilitate central business activities in contemporary economic and cultural contexts. A salient theme of the article is that Indian and Malaysian managers are pursuing notions of human capital accumulation within a premise that the better deployment of resources is linked to an improvement in management systems and practices. The article posits that companies in the South East Asian landscapes are focusing on designing better selection and recruitment strategies to engage in continuous and innovative reform to cope with the demanding pressures of globalization.
Conceptualization, Measure Development and Empirical Assessment of Career Oriented Attitudes and Employability of Technology Graduates
Authors: Jain Ravindra , Jain Sheelam
Published: July 2013

The present study is an attempt to develop a theoretical framework of career oriented attitudes (COAs) and employability of technology graduates from Indian institutions and also to develop scales to measure the same. Secondly, in this study, ( a) the existing levels of such attitudes (viz., career-task involvement, career-goal sensitivity, career-purpose social networking and career-linked self-efficacy) and competitive strength for employability (CSEMP) have been measured and ( b) the impact of such career oriented attitudes on competitive strength for employability of those graduates has been assessed. The two scales were administered to 222 technology graduates from three different segments of selected technology institutions. Career-purpose social networking was found very strong and the other three attitudes as well as CSEMP were found strong among the technology graduates. Correlation analysis shows that all the four attitudes are correlated with each other and regression analysis reveals that such attitudes have positive impact on Competitive Strength for Employability of the Indian technology graduates. The theoretical framework presented in this article and the measures developed for COAs and CSEMP are significant value addition to the body of knowledge in the organization and management area.
Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment Relationship: Effect of Personality Variables
Authors: Srivastava Shalini
Published: July 2013

The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment and to investigate the moderating effects of Trust and Locus of Control on the relationship between Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment. The study was administered on 247 middle level managers belonging to private sector organizations. Four validated instruments were used in the study. Statistical tools like Descriptive Statistics, Factor Analysis, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Hierarchical Regression Analysis were used to analyze the data. The study found that Job satisfaction was positively related to Organizational Commitment and Trust and Locus of Control moderated Job satisfaction and Organizational Commitment relationship. The findings of this study can assist the administrator and policy makers to understand the managerial effectiveness from the perspective of personal traits. Efforts can be made to explore managers’ perception towards themselves and their roles. The future academic endeavours might make use of the present study as a stepping-stone for further exploratory and confirmatory research towards a more complete understanding of the satisfaction considerations in particular.
Book Review: Business Environment
Authors: Chikara M.S.
Published: July 2013

Ajay Tankha, Banking On Self-Help Group: Twenty Years On. New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 2012, xxi + 294 pp., ₹ 595 [Paperback].
Book Review: New Forms of Urban Governance in India: Shifts, Models, Networks and Contestations
Authors: Narain Vishal
Published: July 2013

I.S.A. Baud and J. de Wit (Eds), New Forms of Urban Governance in India: Shifts, Models, Networks and Contestations. New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 2008, 402 pp., ₹ 850. [Hardback].
Book Review: Human Resource Management
Authors: Tripathy Manas Ranjan
Published: July 2013

T.V. Rao and Charu Sharma, 100 Managers in Action. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill Education Private Limited, 2012, xv + 392 pp., ₹ 475 [Paperback].
Book Review: General Management
Authors: Jain Neetu
Published: July 2013

Subhash Sharma, New Earth Sastra: Towards Holistic Development and Management (HDM). Bangalore: IBA Publications, 2012, vii + 201 pp., ₹ 290 [Paperback].
Book Review: Speaking as a Leader: How to Lead Every Time You Speak...From Boardrooms to Meeting Rooms, From Town Halls to Phone Calls
Authors: Jacob Wallace
Published: July 2013

Judith Humphrey, Speaking as a Leader: How to Lead Every Time You Speak...From Boardrooms to Meeting Rooms, From Town Halls to Phone Calls. New Delhi: Wiley India Pvt. Ltd., 2012, xii + 250 pp., ₹ 595 [Hardback], ISBN: 9788126536566.
Investment in Indian Sectors: Price Multiple Perspective
Authors: Pandey Asheesh
Published: July 2013

The case presents a situation wherein an investment company based out of US wants to increase returns to its investors and how it chooses to invest in emerging markets. Then the case proceeds with a unanimous decision by the management to invest in Indian economy. It shows how the fund manager goes about selecting the valuation technique namely, Relative valuation for decision making. There is a comparison being shown of relative valuation versus discounted cash flow (DCF) technique and why relative valuation is chosen over DCF. Further, it shows how the fund manager analyzed various sectors based on price multiples. The sectoral analysis of 18 sectors of BSE 500 Index has been done for a total period of 1990–2010 and three sub-periods. The case also highlights the importance of normality test before making decisions on the basis of summary statistics of price distributions. Finally, the case provides a decision situation to students in which they have to decide which sectors to choose for the investment and they are also required to provide a rationale of their choice.
Book Review: The Little Book of Big Customer Satisfaction Measurement
Authors: Sharma Kirti
Published: July 2013

Ajit Rao and Subhash Chandra, The Little Book of Big Customer Satisfaction Measurement, New Delhi: SAGE Response, 2012, xv + 164 pp., ₹ 350 [Paperback].
Book Review: Organizational Schizophrenia—Impact on Customer Service Quality
Authors: Saini Debi S.
Published: July 2013

Gopal K. Gureja, Organizational Schizophrenia—Impact on Customer Service Quality. New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 2013, xxx + 346 pp., ₹ 550 [Paperback].
Preparing Students With Learning Disabilities for Large-Scale Writing Assessments
Authors: Olinghouse Natalie G. , Colwell Ryan P.
Published: July 2013

This article provides recommendations for teachers to better prepare 3rd through 12th grade students with learning disabilities for large-scale writing assessments. The variation across large-scale writing assessments and the multiple needs of struggling writers indicate the need for test preparation to be embedded within a comprehensive, evidence-based writing curriculum. In addition, students with learning disabilities can benefit from instruction in self-monitoring and self-evaluation of their writing and in understanding writing test formats. Finally, teachers should support the affective needs of students when they are taking large-scale writing assessments. Teacher vignettes as illustrative examples are provided for each recommendation.
Prospective Study of the Effect on Gait of a Two-Component Total Ankle Replacement
Authors: Choi Jae Hyuck , Coleman Scott C. , Tenenbaum Shay , Polo Fabian E. , Brodsky James W.
Published: July 2013

Background:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome as measured by prospective gait analysis of patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty using a 2-component Salto Talaris total ankle prostheses with a fixed polyethylene bearing.

Methods:

Twenty-one patients with severe ankle arthritis who underwent unilateral total ankle arthroplasty using a 2-component Salto Talaris device with a fixed polyethylene bearing were studied prospectively. Mean age was 69 years in 16 female and 5 male patients, and mean follow-up was 37.2 (range, 24-50) months. Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed using a 12-camera digital-motion capture system preoperatively and repeated at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Temporospatial measurements included velocity, cadence, step length, and support times. Measured kinematic parameters included sagittal plane range of motion of the ankle, knee, and hip. Kinetic parameters included sagittal plane ankle power and ankle plantarflexion moment.

Results:

There was significant improvement in temporospatial parameters, including step length ( P = .014) and walking velocity, which increased from 0.9 to 1 m/s ( P = .01). Kinematic results showed sagittal plane range of motion of the ankle increased significantly from a mean of 15.8 degrees preoperatively to 20.6 degrees ( P = .00005) postoperatively with the increase occurring primarily in dorsiflexion. Kinetic results showed ankle peak power increased from a mean of 0.7 Nm/kg to 1.1 Nm/kg ( P = .004).

Conclusions:

A prospective study of gait in patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty using a 2-component Salto Talaris device with a fixed polyethylene bearing showed, at midterm follow-up, significant improvements in multiple parameters of gait when compared to the patients’ own preoperative function.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, prospective case series.
The Neurobiology of X-Linked Intellectual Disability
Authors: Bassani Silvia , Zapata Jonathan , Gerosa Laura , Moretto Edoardo , Murru Luca , Passafaro Maria
Published: July 2013

X-linked intellectual disability (XLID) affects 1% to 3% of the population. XLID subsumes several heterogeneous conditions, all of which are marked by cognitive impairment and reduced adaptive skills. XLID arises from mutations on the X chromosome; to date, 102 XLID genes have been identified. The proteins encoded by XLID genes are involved in higher brain functions, such as cognition, learning and memory, and their molecular role is the subject of intense investigation. Here, we review recent findings concerning a representative group of XLID proteins: the fragile X mental retardation protein; methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 and cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 proteins, which are involved in Rett syndrome; the intracellular signaling molecules of the Rho guanosine triphosphatases family; and the class of cell adhesion molecules. We discuss how XLID gene mutations affect the structure and function of synapses.
Mathematical model and vibration analysis of aircraft with active landing gears
Authors: Sivakumar S , Haran AP
Published: July 2013

This paper deals with the study and comparison of the dynamic response of aircraft with passive and active landing gears due to runway irregularities while the aircraft is taxying. This paper develops a detailed full aircraft mathematical vibration model to describe an active landing gear system. The derived dynamic equations are used to analyze the active landing gear system using proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers. The performance of this system is compared with the passive landing gear system by numerical simulations. The active landing gear system is able to increase the ride comfort and good track holding by reducing the fuselage acceleration, vertical fuselage displacement caused by landing and runway excitations.
Suppression of vibration and noise radiation in a flexible floating raft system using periodic structures
Authors: Song Yubao , Wen Jihong , Yu Dianlong , Wen Xisen
Published: July 2013

This paper investigates the suppression of vibration and noise radiation in a flexible raft system through the use of periodic structure theory. A floating raft isolation system is constructed. The transfer matrix method, the finite element method and periodic structure theory are combined to calculate the dynamic response of the system and the dispersion relations of the periodic structure. The effects of substructure resonances on vibration and noise radiation are analyzed. Next, the periodic isolation structure is used to suppress the vibration and noise radiation in the floating raft system. The isolation performance of the combination of periodic structures and continuous isolators are investigated. Additionally, the influences of the parameters of the floating raft system on vibration and noise are discussed. The numerical results demonstrate that vibration and noise are significantly suppressed in stop bands and are not worsened in pass bands.
A Prophetic Text
Authors: Gorman Geraldine
Published: July 2013

This essay explores the relationship between seemingly unrelated natural and personal events and the political upheavals in our global community.
An Interview with Bernie Auchter
Authors: DeKeseredy Walter S.
Published: July 2013

Since the creation of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Bernie Auchter and his colleagues affiliated with the National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) Violence Against Women Research and Evaluation Program have done much to assist the efforts of progressive researchers, practitioners, activists, and policy makers. Their work also helped enhance the health and well-being of countless women victimized by violence. This article is based on an interview with Bernie and chronicles some of his key contributions to the field.
The Use of Lifestyle and Behavioral Modification Approaches in Obesity Interventions for Black Women
Authors: Walker Renee E. , Gordon Melanie
Published: July 2013

The alarming obesity prevalence in Black women is well documented yet poorly understood. Obesity interventions for Black women have failed to produce long-term reductions in weight. Recommendations to incorporate a lifestyle and behavioral modification approach have been made to address obesity in this population. The purpose of this article was to provide a comprehensive review of the literature to identify lifestyle and behavioral modification obesity intervention studies for Black women. We included articles published between February 1992 and January 2013. This search identified 28 articles from the PsycInfo, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus databases. Results of these studies were summarized primarily into six categories. The importance of modest improvements in health outcomes that result from adapting healthier behaviors was highlighted. Future research is required for identifying the most salient intervention component or combination of components that lead to the best outcomes for ensuring intervention success and minimizing weight regain postintervention.
Modeling synthetic aperture radar computation with Aspen
Authors: Spafford Kyle , Vetter Jeffrey S. , Benson Thomas , Parker Mike
Published: July 2013

This case study presents an analytical performance model for the DARPA UHPC streaming sensor challenge problem developed using Aspen, a domain-specific language for performance modeling. The model focuses on the exploration of algorithmic tradeoffs, data structures and storage, and the impact of an important tiling factor in the image formation kernel of a synthetic aperture radar image-processing computation.
Towards making autotuning mainstream
Authors: Basu Protonu , Hall Mary , Khan Malik , Maindola Suchit , Muralidharan Saurav , Ramalingam Shreyas , Rivera Axel , Shantharam Manu , Venkat Anand
Published: July 2013

Autotuning systems employ empirical techniques to evaluate the suitability of a search space of possible implementations of a computation. Autotuning has emerged as a critical strategy for achieving high performance as architectural complexity grows. Present-day autotuning technology augments the capabilities of expert users or is hidden inside compilers, but to date has not been adopted as a mainstream technology. Based on our prior experience and the experience of others in developing autotuning technology and applying it to libraries and applications, this paper examines some of the barriers to adoption of the technology and future research areas to break down these barriers.
Enhancing Hotel Employees’ Brand Understanding and Brand-Building Behavior in China
Authors: King Ceridwyn , So Kevin Kam Fung
Published: July 2013

To participate effectively in the present Chinese hotel market, multinational companies must achieve a competitive advantage, which they attain by building the brand. This study promotes employee brand understanding as a precursor to positive brand-building behavior. Results indicate that internally oriented brand activities, especially brand-oriented recruitment, brand-oriented training, and brand-oriented support, exert a significant influence on employees’ brand understanding, leading to subsequent exhibition of pro-brand behavior. In developing brand understanding, hotels must take into account the potentially limited knowledge of mainland Chinese employees regarding global hotel brands. The findings suggest that Chinese hotel employees’ understanding of multinational hotel groups’ brand is critical to successful brand-building behavior.
The influence of the weather on tourist experiences
Authors: Jeuring Jelmer HG , Peters Karin BM
Published: July 2013

As one of its main resources, weather is an integral part of tourism. Yet little is known about how individual tourists experience the weather and how it affects the subjective perception of their holidays. The weather appears to have a prominent place in language and the use of the weather in narratives of tourists can provide insight into how the weather affects tourist experiences. Based on a qualitative analysis of online travel blogs written by Dutch tourists, 16 weather themes could be distinguished, representing how the weather was narrated about by tourists. Moreover, different impact themes emerged describing how the weather impacted the tourists: tourists revealed positive, negative or neutral evaluations about the weather impacts. The findings of this study can be used for future research on tourist behaviour and how specific weather types and impacts influence the decision making of tourists in terms of itineraries and activities.
Summer camping
Authors: Triantafillidou Amalia , Siomkos George
Published: July 2013

This study explored the influence of core-consumption experience on the nostalgia intensity, word-of-mouth activity and revisit intentions of Greek summer campers. An online survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. The link for the online survey was posted on the Facebook fan pages of some of the most popular Greek campsites. Results suggested that core-consumption experience strongly affects nostalgia felt by campers, which in turn influences campers’ word-of-mouth activity, praise, and revisit intentions. Based on the findings, marketers should carefully design and manage campers’ experiences in order to enhance nostalgia, leading to an increase in campers’ word-of-mouth recommendations and loyalty.
An investigation of push and pull motivations of visitors to private parks
Authors: Phau Ian , Lee Sean , Quintal Vanessa
Published: July 2013

This exploratory study aims at closing an inherent gap in the literature on research on private parks. Specifically, the aim of this study is threefold: (a) to identify the push and pull factors that influence decisions to visit private parks; (b) to examine the differences in these push and pull factors for different sociodemographic groups; and (c) to investigate the interrelationships among these push and pull factors. Data were collected from 228 visitors who were intercepted at various locations in a private park. The survey instrument assessed the reasons for visiting the park (push factors) and evaluated how well the park performed on a series of selected park attributes (pull factors). The results of a factor analysis revealed three push factors and three pull factors. Other analyses included an evaluation of the interrelationship between these factors in terms of different sociodemographic subgroups and a general correlation analysis on the interrelationship among push and pull factors. This study provides useful managerial and practical implications for park managers, policymakers and communication strategists to gain an understanding of how push and pull factors affect tourists and their choice of private parks.
Destination image in travel magazines
Authors: Hsu Cathy HC , Song Hanqun
Published: July 2013

Based on the analyses of texts and pictures in the top six outbound travel magazines in Mainland China, this article presents an evaluation of the destination images of Hong Kong and Macau as portrayed in 88 travel articles over a three-year period. The results showed that the projected destination images of Hong Kong and Macau were dominated by attributes related to culture, history, and art and leisure and recreation. Hong Kong was often described by image attributes such as places and attractions, shopping, cuisine and food, hotels, and the creative industries. For Macau, history and heritage, places and attractions, gambling, cuisine and food, and hotels were the most often reported. During the study period, Hong Kong and Macau witnessed several significant changes in the image attributes featured in both texts and pictures. These changes were partly influenced by news and events over the period. In this article, implications for destination marketing organizations and directions for future research were suggested.
Exploring the relationship between the use of an interactive video website and organizational learning
Authors: Hrastinski Stefan , Monstad Therese
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we explore the impact of the use of an interactive video website, comprising videos promoting a company’s core values, on organizational learning. More specifically, we studied how the use of a video website affected the awareness of a company’s core values and whether or not this would also influence the behaviour of the employees. Two web surveys were designed for the study. The first survey was conducted prior to introducing the video website. The second survey was a follow-up survey in order to assess cognitive and behavioural effects. As a complement, we also conducted focus groups. We identified a slightly negative effect on cognition and behaviour. A number of factors that might explain the negative effect were identified. Employees that perceived themselves as active participants were more likely to prefer video, were more satisfied and perceived greater positive effect on cognition and behaviour.
Technophobia towards emerging technologies? A comparative analysis of the media coverage of nanotechnology in Austria, Switzerland and Germany
Authors: Metag Julia , Marcinkowski Frank
Published: July 2013

This article examines, through a systematic study of the German, Swiss and Austrian media framing of nanotechnology, whether the concept of a journalistic negativity bias applies to the media coverage of nanotechnology. According to this objectivist approach of risk communication, the media coverage of emerging technologies used to be comparatively too negative. However, the concept has been debated through studies revealing a positivity bias and approaches focusing on contextual elements of journalism. A standardized content analysis of German, Swiss and Austrian print media from 2000 to 2009 analyzes whether negativity bias applies to the media coverage of nanotechnology. We find the media coverage to be predominantly very positive with barely any critical coverage opposing this one-sided perspective of progress. The hypothesis of journalistic technophobia and negativity bias is not supported by the media coverage of nanotechnology. Rather, the results suggest that the media are promoting new technologies.
Keeping out of trouble: Female crack cocaine dealers in England
Authors: Fleetwood Jennifer
Published: July 2013

This paper offers a rare insight into women’s experiences dealing crack cocaine. Drawing on interviews with eight women, this research finds that, although the retail-level crack trade is male dominated, it is not simply a man’s world. This paper examines the strategies that successful female dealers employed, demonstrating that women reflexively took their gender into account to made cognizant choices about what, when and how to deal. Dealing strategies were a response not solely to the gendered nature of the drug market but also to women’s gendered social positions, relationships and identities. Performing respectable femininity was a key strategy for keeping dealing hidden and keeping out of trouble. This paper is underpinned by the concept of ‘doing gender’.
Neural Network–Based Classification of Anesthesia/Awareness Using Granger Causality Features
Authors: Nicolaou Nicoletta , Georgiou Julius
Published: July 2013

This article investigates the signal processing part of a future system for monitoring awareness during surgery. The system uses features from the patients’ electrical brain activity (EEG) to discriminate between “anesthesia” and “awareness.” We investigate the use of a neural network classifier and Granger causality (GC) features for this purpose. GC captures anesthetic-induced changes in the causal relationships between pairs of signals from different brain areas. The differences in the pairwise causality estimated from the EEG activity are used as features for subsequent classification between “awake” and “anesthetized” states. EEG data from 31 subjects obtained during surgery and maintenance of anesthesia with propofol, sevoflurane, or desflurane, are classified using a neural network with one layer of hidden units. An average accuracy of 96% is obtained.
Modeling of experts’ divergent prior beliefs for a sequential phase III clinical trial
Authors: Moatti Marion , Zohar Sarah , Facon Thierry , Moreau Philippe , Mary Jean-Yves , Chevret Sylvie
Published: July 2013

Background

There have been few Bayesian analyses of phase III sequential clinical trials that model divergent expert opinions in a single distribution.

Purpose

We used modeling of experts’ opinions to perform additional Bayesian analyses of a randomized clinical trial (designed as a sequential trial), particularly when a bimodal shape is observed. We provide an illustrative example based on a randomized trial conducted in patients aged between 65 and 75 years with multiple myeloma as the case study.

Methods

The main endpoint of the trial was overall survival (OS). Prior distribution of the log hazard ratio of death in the experimental versus the control arm ([Formula: see text]) was constructed based on elicitation of experts using a mixture of normal distributions estimated by the Expectation–Maximisation (EM) algorithm. At each interim and terminal analysis, the posterior probability of [Formula: see text] and the resulting increases in median OS in the experimental arm compared to the control were computed. The results were compared to results obtained using either skeptical, enthusiastic, or a mixture of those priors. Finally, we discuss our results in light of the frequentist approach originally designed for the trial.

Results

A total of 39 experts reported their opinion on the median OS in the experimental arm compared to the median control survival of 30 months. The resulting pooled distribution of the log hazard ratios exhibited a bimodal profile. When the prior mixture of the normal distribution was fitted to the data sets from the experts, 44% of the experts’ opinions were optimistic and 56% were doubtful. At the final analysis, the percentage of doubting experts dropped to 18%. This corresponded to a posterior probability of an improved OS in the experimental arm compared to the control arm of at least 0.98, regardless of the prior. These findings are in agreement with the original conclusion of the trial regarding the beneficial effect of the experimental treatment in this population.

Limitations

Only 39 experts among the 120 questioned physicians responded to the inquiry. Our approach was hybrid because the prior mixture was estimated using the EM algorithm, and a full Bayesian approach may have been used.

Conclusions

Bayesian inference allows the quantification of increased survival in terms of probability distributions and provides investigators with an additional tool in the analysis of a randomized phase III clinical trial. Using a mixture of densities appears to be a promising strategy for incorporating the bimodal profile of prior opinion, with actualization of the two components along the trial as an illustration of the evolution of opinions as data are accumulated.
Talking about end-of-life care: the perspectives of older South Asians living in East London
Authors: Venkatasalu Munikumar R. , Arthur Antony , Seymour Jane
Published: July 2013

The National End-of-life Care Strategy for England identifies that a lack of open discussion about death and dying can be a barrier to achieving good quality end-of-life care. South Asians constitute the single largest ethnic minority group in the United Kingdom, yet little is known about their attitudes and expectations towards the discussion of death and dying. In this study, set in East London, five focus groups and 29 in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 55 older adults aged between 52 and 78 years. Participants from six South Asian ethnic groups were recruited from 11 local community organisations. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to analyse the data. Findings revealed two key themes which capture the perspectives of older South Asian study participants towards end-of-life care discussions. The theme ‘avoidance as a cultural norm’ relates to the relative absence of discussions around death and dying experienced by participants. Participants neither expected to have discussions about their own death and dying within their family, nor to assume any involvement in decision-making. The second theme ‘avoidance as protection’ relates to beliefs and experiences about the delegation of decision-making to family members. Future research should explore the perspectives of second-generation adult children towards end-of-life care discussions.
Scientific integrity and the market for lemons
Authors: Cottrell Richard C
Published: July 2013

Scientific integrity cannot be adequately ensured by appeals to the ethical principles of individual researchers. Research fraud has become a public scandal, exacerbated by our inability accurately to judge its extent. Current reliance on peer review of articles ready for publication as the sole means to control the quality and integrity of the majority of research has been shown to be inadequate, partly because faults in the research process may be concealed and partly because anonymous peer review is itself imperfect. Consequently, the scientific literature is mixed, with the reader unable always to distinguish the good articles from the bad. Scientific research is subject to market forces that will always provide a motivation for a range of misdemeanours. This has led to a ‘market for lemons’. Regulations, and sanctions against miscreants, need to be modelled on those historically found necessary to limit financial fraud. Practical and effective systems of process control and audit have already been devised to ensure the integrity of clinical and pre-clinical research. These should be adapted for use in a much wider range of research activities.
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: approach to treatment with focus on sunitinib
Authors: Vinik Aaron I. , Raymond Eric
Published: July 2013

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are relatively rare malignancies. With secretory tumors such as insulinomas, vasoactive intestinal peptideomas, and gastrinomas, the hormone produced causes the symptom complex (e.g. hypoglycemia, peptic ulcer disease). With nonsecretory NETs, the clinical condition is determined by tumoral growth and metastasis. The course of metastatic pNETs may be indolent for several years but progression is often more rapid at later stages, leading to significant disability and a markedly negative impact on quality of life. Until recently, there were few effective systemic treatments for pNETs. Standard chemotherapy produces limited responses and has considerable toxicity. Somatostatin analogues control symptoms in some types of pNETs, but have not yet demonstrated antitumor activity. The recent introduction of targeted therapies, including the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib and the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus, yielded new opportunities for patients with advanced/metastatic pNETs. These drugs, which target key pathways in tumor proliferation and angiogenesis, provided clear clinical benefits in phase III clinical trials, including delayed tumor progression. The pivotal sunitinib phase III trial was discontinued prematurely due to higher rates of death and serious adverse events with placebo and greater progression-free survival (PFS) with sunitinib. In this trial, sunitinib demonstrated encouraging long-term responses as well as PFS and overall survival benefits, and an acceptable safety profile that allowed patients to preserve their quality of life. In every patient subgroup, including secretory and nonsecretory tumors, the hazard ratio for progression or death favored sunitinib. Circulating biomarkers are being investigated for the prediction and monitoring of responses to sunitinib. Although not fully evaluated in pNETs, biomarkers associated with response to sunitinib in several tumor types include soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 and 3, interleukin 8, and stromal cell-derived factor 1α. Based on recent data, treatment algorithms have been updated for advanced and metastatic pNETs.
Argatroban in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: rationale for use and place in therapy
Authors: Bambrah Ramandeep K. , Pham Dat C. , Rana Fauzia
Published: July 2013

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a recognized complication of heparin and requires urgent detection and treatment. HIT can be divided into two types, type I and type II, with type I being a transient decrease in platelet count without clinical consequence. For the purpose of this review, the term HIT refers to the immune-mediated type II that causes paradoxical thrombo-emboli. The aim of this review is to familiarize clinicians with a specific direct thrombin inhibitor, argatroban, in the treatment of HIT. Argatroban has been successfully employed in treating HIT in many different subsets of patients, including those with endstage renal disease on hemodialysis and in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and those with multiorgan dysfunction syndrome.