bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organizational change capacity and organizational performance
Authors: ramezan majid , Sanjaghi Mohammad  Ebrahim , Rahimian Kalateh baly Hassan
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The main purpose of this study is examining the relationship between organizational change capacity (OCC) and organizational performance (OP).

Design/methodology/approach

– After extensive researches in organizational literature about change and performance, the OCC model from Judge and Douglas consists of eight dimensions (trustworthy leadership, involved mid-management, capable champions, innovative culture, trusting followers, systems thinking, accountable culture, and effective communication), and the OP model from Lee consists of six dimensions (stakeholders' satisfaction, organizational communication, organizational growth, strategic performance, knowledge management, and team collaboration); were considered. In order to test the hypothesis, a series of 130 qualified employees in a knowledge-based organization were questioned. The measurement tool was a two-part questionnaire (OCC and OP). Validity of questionnaire well approved based on face validity method by experts, specialists and professors of management. Using the results of pre-test, Cronbach's α was showed the very high reliability.

Findings

– Moreover, the results of regression analysis showed that regression line ascribes changes in dependent variable (OP) to independent variable (OCC). It means that high percentage of change in OP (77.3 percent) will be explainable and predictable with OCC. Then, with utilizing of parametric and non-parametric tests, the relationship between OCC and OP; and between components of OCC and OP was investigated. Finally, Pearson and Spearman correlation tests results confirmed the significant relationships. Overall, the results of this study show the significant, positive, strong relationship between OCC and OP.

Originality/value

– As not many studies have been done about the impact of organizational change on OP, the paper's findings will be useful to assess the adaptation ability of organization with changing environment and the impact of this adaptation on OP.
Small business incubators in the USA: a historical review and preliminary research findings
Authors: Shepard Jeffrey M
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this study was to discuss the historical evolution of business incubators from 1959 to the present. Three cohort periods were defined: 1959-1979, 1980-1999 and 2000-2012. The business characteristics of corporate mission, plans and strategies, leadership/management, staff competence and expertise, facilities and resources and technology were described for each generation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach of this research was to gain an understanding of potential best practices and study what has been characteristically significant in small business incubators over the past 50 years.

Findings

– The historical study findings indicate that the basic premise of business incubators remained unchanged across time. The idea of nurturing a new and fledgling business until it can manage on its own, much like an incubator does for premature and newborn babies, still provides the impetus for business incubators today. However, business characteristics have evolved and grown more sophisticated over the years in response to situational and contextual forces. Certain characteristics have been retained, while others have undergone change.

Research limitations/implications

– In light of the discussion in this research, it is clear that comprehensive and systematic historical review from literature on small business incubators reveals that past incubators have provided many lessons for future models. The model has evolved dramatically but questions still revolve around the current state, and what is essential for future models.

Practical implications

– Although various models have been developed to explain the trajectories of such growth, it is clear that access to a network of business and financial forms of support, patented knowledge creation, and inter-firm partnerships are crucial.

Originality/value

– The value of this research is it defines three periods in small business incubator history in the USA defining what are consistent best practices for success. In addition, this research concerning small business incubators serves as a clear comprehensive and systematic historical review from literature revealing that past incubators have provided many lessons for future models.
Social climate as a mediator between leadership behavior and employee well-being in a cross-cultural perspective
Authors: Muhonen Tuija , Jönsson Sandra , Denti Leif , Chen Kan
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the direct effects of empowering and employee-centered leadership on well-being, and the indirect or mediating role of social organizational climate between leadership behavior and well-being in a cross-cultural perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– Questionnaires were distributed in two furniture retail stores in Sweden and two stores in China belonging to the same company. The final sample consisted of 483 participants from the Chinese and 254 participants from the Swedish stores.

Findings

– The results of the structural equation modeling showed that there was no direct effect between leadership behavior (employee-centered leadership and empowering leadership) and well-being in either the Swedish or the Chinese sample. Further, the findings of the study indicate that social climate mediates the relationship between leadership behavior and employee well-being, but this seems to be culturally contingent. The mediating effect is prevalent in a culture that has been considered as having a collective orientation and where the power distance is high.

Research limitations/implications

– Despite some methodological limitations such as the cross-sectional design and problems with acquiescence in responses, the results indicate the complexity of the role of culture in organizational behavior.

Practical implications

– Managers working in increasingly globalized contexts need to take into consideration that some organizational behaviors gradually become more universal, whereas others remain culturally contingent.

Originality/value

– The paper illustrates the complex relationship between leadership behavior, social climate, and employee well-being in the same corporate culture, but in different cultural settings.
Learning collaborations’ with your executive education provider for mutual benefit
Authors: E. Haskins Mark , R. Shaffer George
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a number of ways organizations can collaborate with their primary, university-based executive education provider (EEP) in order to co-create learning and enhance a company's strategy-development and strategy-execution capability.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper synthesizes the multi-varied ways in which one leading, globally oriented business school has collaborated with a Fortune 200 company over the past eight years, involving over 1,200 of the company's managers.

Findings

– In total, 14 fruitful ways to leverage an existing corporate/EEP relationship in order to foster a company's strategy-development and strategy-execution capabilities at the business unit level are presented.

Practical implications

– The field-inspired ideas presented here are immediately, broadly, and beneficially applicable across the corporate landscape.

Originality/value

– Readers are provided with a number of specific, actionable ways to tap into the often-underutilized capabilities of an existing EEP affiliation with the intent of transforming that affiliation into an on-going collaboration that enhances various corporate personnel, strategy, and operational capabilities.
SEC adopts new financial responsibility and reporting requirements for US-registered broker-dealers
Authors: Curzon Elliott , Wingler Jeanette
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to summarize the SEC's recent approval of amendments to its net capital, customer protection, books and records, notification and reporting requirements for broker-dealers, in an effort to enhance financial responsibility and investor asset safekeeping obligations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper summarizes new requirements for broker-dealers relating to custody, reporting, and Rules 15c3-3 (customer protection rule), 15c3-1 (net capital rule), 17a-3 and 17a-4 (books and records rules) and 17a-11 (notification rule) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; explains that several of the amendments approved codify long-standing SEC staff interpretations of the rules and accounting standards that govern these requirements; clarifies whether the requirements apply to broker-dealers that carry customer accounts on their books (commonly referred to as “carrying brokers”) and/or to limited-purpose broker-dealers that do not carry customer accounts on their books.

Findings

– Although certain of the amendments codify long-standing SEC staff interpretations of the rules and accounting standards, broker-dealers will be subject to additional legal and regulatory requirements resulting from the amendments commencing in October 2013.

Practical implications

– Broker-dealers should begin to consider whether changes to operations, policies and procedures, and reporting obligations will be required as a result of the amendments.

Originality/value

– The paper provides practical explanation by experienced financial services lawyers.
Neural network using Bayesian algorithm for estimation of petroleum reservoir
Authors: Odin Komari Alaei Hesam , Yazdizadeh Alireza
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This paper is concerned with the estimation of reservoir parameters in the presence of noise and outliers using neural network (NN) and Bayesian algorithm. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Outlier detection is of great importance to prediction of time series data. A reliable predictive methodology is proposed based on NN and Bayesian algorithm to efficiency estimates of the parameters of a petroleum reservoir. This strategy is applied to estimate the parameters of Marun reservoir located in Ahwaz, Iran utilizing available geophysical well log data.

Findings

– For an evaluation purpose, the performance and generalization capabilities of Bayes-ANN are compared with the common technique of back propagation (BP).

Practical implications

– The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid Bayes-NN algorithm is able to reveal a better performance than conventional BP NN algorithms.

Originality/value

– Helped oil and gas companies to estimation of petroleum reservoir parameters more accurate than other methods in the presence of noise and outliers.
Recognition of nursing activity with accelerometers and RFID
Authors: Takebe Yoshihiro , Kanai-Pak Masako , Kuwahara Noriaki , Maeda Jukai , Hirata Miwa , Kitajima Yasuko , Ota Jun
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to construct a recognition system of nursing activities.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors used accelerometers and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to ensure patient privacy in practical nursing care environments. The accelerometers were attached to the body of the nurse, and the RFID was attached to apparatuses and objects. In addition, a pattern classification algorithm using a support vector machine and filtering methodology were applied.

Findings

– The accuracy using accelerometers and RFID was 73 percent. When the filtering algorithm was applied, the results were 79 percent. The results showed that activities with short execution times or those that resembled others in posture had low recognition accuracy.

Research limitations/implications

– Activities requiring only a short period of time tend to be misrecognized.

Practical implications

– It is possible to construct a training system for nursing activities with the system that recognizes the sequence of nursing activities and how much time is spent for individual activities.

Originality/value

– The originality of the paper is to construct the system that considers the following characteristics of nursing activities: about 13 activities that are fundamental for nurses can be recognized, privacy of the patient is considered, several activities utilizing only part of the body (not whole body) can be recognized, and activities involving and not involving some types of apparatus can be recognized.
Innovation: a systemic perspective – developing a systemic innovation theory
Authors: Johannessen Jon-Arild
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The primary aim of the article is to create a systemic innovation theory.

Design/methodology/approach

– In discussing the above, the article will draw on institutional theory, Miller's theory of living systems and systemic thinking. North's “action theory” and Asplund's “motivation theory” are also used to explain aspects of institutional innovations.

Findings

– A systemic innovation theory, based on 14 propositions.

Research limitations/implications

– Further research should investigate the connection between innovation and economic crises.

Practical implications

– Organizations, countries or regions, such as the EU, must make institutional changes that promote economic changes.

Originality/value

– First, the article provides a new understanding of processes which foster innovation. Second, it attempts to provide a brief elaboration of Williamson's transaction cost theory. Third, it provides a new classification of service innovation, making it possible to make an analytical distinction between tangible and intangible service innovations. This distinction makes it possible to integrate service innovation as a natural element in all organizations. Fourth, the article provides a conceptual framework (“coin the frame”) around what the author has termed Asplund's “motivation theory” and North's “action theory”.
Social identity, electronic word-of-mouth and referrals in social network services
Authors: Arenas-Gaitan Jorge , Javier Rondan-Cataluña Francisco , Esteban Ramírez-Correa Patricio
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The main aim of this work is to explore the mechanisms that promote the transmission and reception of online opinions (electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and referrals) by travel services buyers in the context of social networks services (SNS).

Design/methodology/approach

– The research examines two areas of study: social identification theory and word-of-mouth communication in the virtual environment (eWOM). Based on these theories an explicative model has been proposed applying structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis to a sample of SNS users buying travel services. Partial least squares was chosen as a method to conduct an SEM analysis.

Findings

– First, the results support the central role of social identification in SNS communication. Second, the results show that SNS users give greater importance to the transmission of communication than to its reception. This fact supports the idea that SNS is used more as a tool for highlighting and maintaining social status than as a channel for information.

Originality/value

– The study highlights the role of social identification as the core element which drives SNS. It then analyses the development of eWOM communication in the new context provided by SNS. In addition eWOM communication is studied from two perspectives: from the standpoint of the communicator, but also the receiver. Finally, it seems appropriate to differentiate between virtual communities discussing tourism (e.g. www.TripAdvisor.com) and the SNS (e.g. www.facebook.com, www.twitter.com). While the former seems to be a growing source of information, the latter acts rather more in a social context.
A multi-criteria group decision making model for knowledge management system selection based on TOPSIS with multiple distances in fuzzy environment
Authors: Li Ming
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to develop a model for the selection of knowledge management system (KMS), in which the assessment criteria are defined and the TOPSIS method with multiple distances in fuzzy environment is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, the paper establishes the evaluation criteria from functional, performance and economic aspects. Second, a new TOPSIS method is proposed to deal with the linguistic evaluation information. In the proposed method, in order to eliminate the bias of TOPSIS with single distance, six kinds of distances that are commonly used in TOPSIS including Hamming distance, Euclidean distance, Dp,q distance, Hausdorff distance, L2 distance and vertex distance are extended in fuzzy environment and employed in the TOPSIS to generate six independent pre-rankings. Afterwards these pre-rankings are combined by Condorcet method to generate the final joint ranking.

Findings

– Since the final ranking is the collective result, the bias in each single pre-ranking is eliminated and the selection is more objective and accurate. The example shows the proposed model is practical.

Research limitations/implications

– The linguistic preferences are given in the single granularity linguistic information.

Practical implications

– The proposed model can be applied as a tool for decision makers in the evaluation and selection of KMS.

Originality/value

– The paper gives an overall evaluation of KMS and proposes the new TOPSIS method with multiple distances in fuzzy environment.
An introduction to alysidal algebra (V): phenomenological components
Authors: Antonio Nescolarde-Selva Josué , Usó-Domenech Jose-Luis
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to refer to a subjective approach to a type of complex system: human ecosystems, referred to as deontical impure systems (DIS) to capture a set of properties fundamental to the distinction between human and natural ecosystems. There are four main phenomenological components: directionality, intensity, connection energy and volume. The paper establishes thermodynamics of deontical systems based on the Law of Zipf and the temperature of information.

Design/methodology/approach

– Mathematical and logical development of human society structure.

Findings

– A fundamental question in this approach to DIS is the intensity or forces of a relation. Concepts are introduced as the system volume and propose a system thermodynamic theory. It hints at the possibility of adapting the fractal theory by introducing the fractal dimension of the system.

Originality/value

– This paper is a continuation of other previous papers and developing the theory of DIS.
Assignment of project members considering capability and personality balance
Authors: Wei Chiu-Chi , Lai Ming-Chun , Wei Chiou-Shuei , Peng Li-Hui
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to construct for the first time a link between the project members' assignment and personality balance.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study develops a project assignment quantitative model that maximizes the team's personality balance while meeting the capability requirements.

Findings

– The findings indicate that a more balanced project team that contributes to project performance can be obtained before project starts.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper is limited to the exploration of Belbin's personality types. However, it offers a generic approach that can be applied to other personality categorization.

Practical implications

– The paper helps practitioners form a personality balanced project team to improve the project performance by reducing the complexity of project communication and problem solving.

Originality/value

– The paper develops for the first time a project assignment model that considers both capability and personality and allocates project personnel in such a way that the most suitable personnel is selected from a group of qualified capable candidates, to increase the possibility of success for the project.
Factors impacting end-users' usage of ERP in China
Authors: Zhang Suodi , Gao Ping , Ge Zhiyuan
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the influence of organizational support, subjective norm and output quality on end-users' usage of enterprise resource planning (ERP) in China.

Design/methodology/approach

– A conceptual framework is formed based on technology acceptance model literature. Data were collected through a survey on 127 ERP users in small- to middle-sized Chinese firms. Multiple regression analysis was employed.

Findings

– Subjective norm and output quality determine the perceived usefulness of ERP. Communication has a significant impact on both perceived usefulness and perceived ease of the use of ERP, which further influence ERP usage.

Research limitations/implications

– Future research should consider the adoption of different kinds of ERP systems in other countries.

Practical implications

– The findings may help organizations effectively use ERP and other kinds of technology systems. In particular, efficient training should be a focus of organizational support in systems implementation.

Originality/value

– This study focuses on the impact of organizational training and output quality on end-users' usage of ERP in China.
The impact of organizational virtuality on financial effectiveness
Authors: Manzin Massimo , Bavec Cene
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The research focused on the question how the authors could assess the impact of organizational virtuality on financial efficiency using primary data from company accounting records. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The implemented model was based on the assumption that the authors could define virtuality with the joint effects of outsourcing and IT utilization. The authors also assumed that they could define virtuality with available financial indicators. The authors tested the model on a sample of tourist organizations in Slovenia. The main methodological challenges were hidden by diverse methods in calculating and keeping financial records in individual organizations. In some cases, the authors had to recalculate and adjust individual indicators in the particular company to make them methodologically comparable with others. As the modeling and testing tool the authors used structural equation modeling with two latent variables: organization virtuality and financial effectiveness.

Findings

– The authors confirmed the basic research hypothesis that higher organizational virtuality leads to higher financial effectiveness in studied organizations. The authors also confirmed that they could develop a functional model of organizational virtuality on financial data only. However, the authors concluded that accuracy of the model could be improved if the authors would include also nonfinancial data that would provide a more holistic model of virtual organization.

Practical implications

– The authors recognized that general concepts of organizational virtuality were often too academic and unpractical for managers in the real business. Therefore, the authors argued that financial indicators would provide managers with more convenient and management-like tools for assessing the level and the impact of virtuality.

Originality/value

– Modeling organizational virtuality with financial indicators only extended the perception of virtuality and provided some original research and practical guidelines.
Efficiency analysis of GCC academic libraries: an application of data envelopment analysis
Authors: Mohamed Shahwan Tamer , Kaba Abdoulaye
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore and measure the relative efficiency of the academic libraries within the GCC countries in terms of their abilities to transform their allocated resources into a specific level of outputs using a non-parametric frontier method – data envelopment analysis (DEA).

Design/methodology/approach

– In order to estimate the overall efficiency score, as well as the technical and scale efficiency of the academic libraries within the GCC countries, online questionnaire is first addressed to academic libraries’ managers and directors. Second, three output measures – circulation, number of books added, and number of registered members and three input factors – number of books held, number of library staff, and the actual allocated budget are used in the analysis for the academic year 2010/2011. Third, the output-oriented version of DEA model is deployed to assess the performance and resource utilization efficiency of 11 academic libraries from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Findings

– Among the 11 academic libraries analyzed, five libraries are rated fully efficient whereas inefficiency of the other six libraries is attributed to pure technical inefficiency rather than scale inefficiency. The results also shed light on the area of improvement required for inefficient libraries.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample is small due to the culture of high tendency toward secrecy and confidential in the GCC region. Moreover, follow-up research using panel data derived from GCC countries is required to investigate the impact of policy changes on libraries performance as an attempt to test and generalize the current results.

Originality/value

– The paper is original in its application where the current study, as far as authors are aware, represents the first attempt to apply DEA approach for evaluating academic libraries performance in this part of the world.
In search of quality of life for a practical centenarian and his artistic wife
Authors: Stevenson Annie
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this case study is to highlight the importance of empowering and meeting the “higher needs” of the very old, which prolong a fulfilling life. Frailty in old age need not be feared and abhorred if society would accept that all of us need to live our lives as we wish until the end, and value those who assist us to do this. With the right attitudes to ageing and death and with the appropriate investment for a seamless care system that listens to, and functions well for those who need it, old age should be as enriching as any other time in life.

Design/methodology/approach

– Personal narrative of the author's parents ageing, this paper gives the background and personality of the frail older person and his wife, that contextualises the challenges they face in his very old age. The professional and personal experiences of the author as she tackles the obstacles to support them are drawn from her career in social care with memories from diaries written, as she accompanies her parents on their journey of physical and mental deterioration along with a quest for realising what they have and making the most of it.

Findings

– Given how challenging this journey is for an informed family, the implications are that in 2013 our “civilised” society still misunderstands the special and complex needs of frail older people, devalues them, and writes them off with institutionalised, rigid attitudes and services instead of working creatively to improve their lives. The paper observes how deeply rooted this is in us all.

Originality/value

– The combination of the author's background in social work and expertise in health and care with living so close to relatively unusually long-lived parents, offers a unique insight into why it is so challenging to achieve quality of life for very older people needing care and should be of interest to CCGs, social services departments, older people's care providers and carer and user organisations.
Living in France
Authors: Rowlands David
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to offer a personal insight from a retired care professional into attitudes to the ageing process and being old. It shows how moving to another country in later life can improve quality of life.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is an invited opinion piece and comment based on the author's experiences in dealing with their own ageing. It is an autobiographical account which challenges conventional views about the expected ways to meet the challenges of ageing.

Findings

– Retirement need not lead to a “static” view of one's life. Meeting the challenge of moving to another country in later life can lead to new and renewed friendships, improvements in memory in learning a new language and developing enhanced awareness of other cultures. Moving house and home can be a stimulating adventure even when one is older.

Originality/value

– Personal insights from experienced care professionals can demonstrate ways of responding to the challenge of ageing that are constructive and positive. It could encourage others to take up and confront their own forms of “adventure” as they grow older.
Making meaningful connections: assessing for clinical work in a child residential setting
Authors: Onions Caryn
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the clinical assessment of children and the development of a multi-disciplinary team in an established residential school for children aged five to 12.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using clinical examples the paper describes how assessment can identify different levels of therapeutic need, and then how the decision is made whether or not to offer milieu therapy, music therapy, dramatherapy or psychotherapy.

Findings

– The paper suggests that children who have early histories of abuse and trauma have differing clinical needs.

Practical implications

– The implication is that children will engage better with the therapy if the level of intervention is sensitive to their state of mind, which in turn will help them make better use of the environmental provision of the school.

Originality/value

– The paper offers an original perspective on the possibilities and limitations of psychotherapeutic work with extremely vulnerable damaged children in a residential therapeutic setting, the Mulberry Bush.
Deconstructing Emo lifestyle and aesthetics: a netnographic research
Authors: Mortara Ariela , Ironico Simona
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to analyse the role of creative re-appropriation of goods, symbols, and other manifestations of the dominant material culture in the Emo subculture identity construction process.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted an ethnographic study on a purposive sample of social networks, blogs, discussion forums and online platforms for images sharing. Verbatim and visual texts as photos, drawings and moodboards were qualitatively content analysed in order to understand the network of meanings underlying the ambiguous amalgam of signs composing the Emo style.

Findings

– Consistent with the literature, the qualitative content analysis of texts, images, videos, drawings and other forms of fan art typical of this micro culture revealed four key areas of semantic value: the aestheticization of inner pain, the sense of alienation and isolation from socio-cultural mainstream, the search for authenticity, and the need for emotional connection.

Research limitations/implications

– The research followed a quite new research method, the netnographic approach, originally developed to analyse brand communities.

Practical implications

– Emo creative practices of re-appropriation of goods, symbols and icons of the dominant culture reveal a subtle message of protest against the consumer society and the commodification of everyday life.

Originality/value

– The paper presents the deconstruction of Emo Lifestyle and Aesthetics analysing the system of meanings underneath the rituals Emos share through the Web.
Psychosocial Complications of Crohn's Disease and Cause of Death
Authors: Carson Henry J. , Dudley Mary H. , Knight Laura D. , Lingamfelter Daniel
Published: November 2013

Patients who suffer from Crohn's disease are prone not only to the complications of a relapsing, unpredictable disease, but also to feelings of stigmatization; depression; and increased risk of suicidal ideation, suicide, or drug and alcohol abuse. Cases performed at the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office from 2008 to 2010 were reviewed. Autopsy findings, investigator reports, toxicology results, medical records, and interviews with survivors were analyzed. Twelve cases of Crohn's disease were recovered. In 10 of these cases, inflammatory bowel disease was not the cause of death. Instead, psychosocial consequences of the disease had significant implications in the deaths. The mean age of decedents was 45 years, with a female predominance. In eight cases, the decedents lived alone. Five patients had issues of acute or chronic drug or alcohol use. Five patients committed suicide. These cases underscore the role of psychosocial factors that can contribute significantly to the cause of death in patients with Crohn's disease.
A Radiographic Study on the Utility of Cranial Vault Outlines for Positive Identifications
Authors: Maxwell Ashley B. , Ross Ann H.
Published: November 2013

A standard method for positive identification is the use of antemortem and postmortem radiographic comparisons. The purpose of this research is to test the visual accuracy of antemortem and postmortem radiographic comparisons of cranial vault outlines and to evaluate their uniqueness using geometric morphometric methods. A sample of 106 individuals with varying levels of education and forensic case experience participated in a visual accuracy test. Of the 106 individuals, only 42% correctly assigned all of the radiographs, with accuracy rates ranging from 70 to 93% for each radiographic comparison. Vault shape was further examined using elliptic Fourier analysis, and pairedt‐tests were computed on the first 10 principal components accounting for 100% of the variance, which found no significant differences. The visual accuracy test and elliptic Fourier analysis shows that vault outlines may not be unique enough for positive identifications when used as a sole indicator.
Effect of Extraction Procedure and Gas Chromatography Temperature Program on Discrimination of MDMA Exhibits
Authors: McManaman Karlie M. , Smith Ruth Waddell
Published: November 2013

Analysis of impurities in seized MDMA tablets can be used to determine the synthesis method used and to identify links among exhibits. However, no standardized method exists to generate impurity profiles, limiting comparisons among different laboratories. This research investigated the effect of extraction procedure and gas chromatography temperature program on the resulting impurity profiles. Five exhibits were extracted using liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME), then analyzed using two different temperature programs. Profiles were statistically assessed using principal components analysis. While LLE was more reproducible, more compounds were extracted using HS‐SPME, thus providing more informative chemical profiles. The longer temperature program (53 min vs. 36 min) allowed greater discrimination of exhibits, due to improved precision as a result of an extended hold time (12 min). This research further highlights the need for standardized extraction and analysis procedures to allow comparison of chemical profiles generated in different laboratories.
Acute Influence of Alcohol, THC or Central Stimulants on Violent Suicide: A Swedish Population Study
Authors: Lundholm Lena , Thiblin Ingemar , Runeson Bo , Leifman Anders , Fugelstad Anna
Published: November 2013

Alcohol and substance abuse in general is a risk factor for suicide, but very little is known about the acute effect in relation to suicide method. Based on information from 18,894 medico‐legal death investigations, including toxicological findings and manner of death, did the present study investigate whether acute influence of alcohol, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or central stimulants (amphetamine and cocaine) was related to the use of a violent suicide method, in comparison with the nonviolent method self‐poisoning and alcohol‐/illicit drug‐negative suicide decedents. Multivariate analysis was conducted, and the results revealed that acute influence of THC was related to using the violent suicide method–– jumping from a height (RR 1.62; 95% CI 1.01–2.41). Alcohol intoxication was not related to any violent method, while the central stimulant‐positive suicide decedent had a higher, albeit not significant, risk of several violent methods. The study contributes with elucidating suicide methods in relation to acute intoxication.
Influence of Paraquat on Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Infesting Minced‐beef Substrates in Kelantan, Malaysia
Authors: Mahat Naji A. , Yin Chu L. , Jayaprakash Paul T.
Published: November 2013

This study investigated the influence of paraquat, a prevalent poison used by suicides, on initial oviposition and development of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) using minced‐beef substrates. Paraquat in lethal dose for human (40 mg/kg), two times the lethal dose (80 mg/kg) and five times the lethal dose (200 mg/kg) were mixed thoroughly with respective minced‐beef substrates (1 kg each) that were decomposed in a shaded habitat fully protected from rain. Results of four replications of the above experiment revealed that the presence of paraquat neither delayed initial oviposition nor prolonged the developmental stages of C. megacephala. Therefore, estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) based on empirical baseline data obtained using animal models devoid of any poisons would still be appropriate for estimating PMI in paraquat‐related deaths.
Six new and two newly recorded species of Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) in Korea
Authors: Ree Han Il
Published: November 2013

Adult chironomids were collected by light trap operations, sweeping grasses with insect nets, and aspiration of light‐attracted adults at various localities. All collected specimens were slide‐mounted and identified. Six species new to science were found and named: Rheotanytarsus pseudopentapoda n. sp., Cricotopus byeonsanensis n. sp., Cricotopus parajogantertius n. sp., Limnophyes bukhandecimus n. sp., Limnophyes simensis n. sp. and Orthocladius jeongnungensis. Two species, Ainuyusuroka tuberculatum (Tokunaga) and Pseudosmittia nishiharaensis Sasa and Hasegawa, are found for the first time in Korea. All species are fully described with illustrations. This is the first report of the genus Ainugusurika in Korea.
Distribution of overwintering mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in grassy fields in the Republic of Korea, 2007–2008
Authors: Shin E‐Hyun , Lee Wook‐Gyo , Chang Kyu‐Sik , Song Bong‐Gu , Lee Sang‐Kee , Chei Young‐Mi , Park Chan
Published: November 2013

Overwintering mosquitoes in a grassy field were surveyed at 13 different localities from December 2007 to February 2008 in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Mosquitoes were collected by putting a white colored tent on the grass, without the base, and heating the inside of the tent. A total of 784 female adults comprising seven species were collected during the study period, including 395 (45.6%) Anopheles pullus, 338 (43.2%) An. sinensis, 21 (2.7%) An. belenrae, 2 (0.3%) An. kleini, 43 (5.5%) Culex tritaeniorhynchus, 20 (2.5%) Cx. inatomii, and 1 (0.3%) Cx. pipiens complex. The mosquitoes showed different overwintering distributions by temperature zone and locality. Predominant species, the malaria vectors An. pullus and An. sinensis, showed different overwintering distributions. Anopheles pullus had a 90.9% collection rate except for Youngju and an average – 0.6°C temperature between December and February. Anopheles pullus showed >50% collection rate in most regions maintained below an average of −1.4°C, and the rate of An. sinensis showed more than 50% collection rate in all regions maintained at an average above −1.1°C. Other species showed regional characteristics; An. belenrae was distributed in the northwest part of the ROK, and An. kleini was collected rarely at one locality in the middle part of ROK. Culex tritaeniorhynchus, a Japanese encephalitis virus vector, was distributed in the southern and costal region and maintained at an above average of −1.0°C. Culex inatomii was collected on the coastal region of the ROK.
Effects of Water, Sodium Hypochlorite, Peroxyacetic Acid, and Acidified Sodium Chlorite on In‐Shell Hazelnuts Inoculated with Salmonella Enterica Serovar Panama
Authors: Weller Lisa D. , Daeschel Mark A. , Durham Catherine A. , Morrissey Michael T.
Published: November 2013

Recent foodborne disease outbreaks involving minimally processed tree nuts have generated a need for improved sanitation procedures. Chemical sprays and dips have shown promise for reducing pathogens on fresh produce, but little research has been conducted for in‐shell hazelnuts. This study analyzed the effectiveness of 3 chemical sanitizers for reducing Salmonella on in‐shell hazelnuts. Treatments of water, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl; 25 and 50 ppm), peroxyacetic acid (PAA; 80 and 120 ppm), and acidified sodium chlorite (ASC; 450, 830, and 1013 ppm) were sprayed onto hazelnut samples inoculated with Salmonella enterica serovar Panama. Hazelnut samples were immersed in liquid cultures of S. Panama for 24 h, air‐dried, and then sprayed with water and chemical treatments. Inoculation achieved S. Panama populations of approximately 8.04 log CFU/hazelnut. Surviving S. panama populations were evaluated using a nonselective medium (tryptic soy agar), incubated 3 h, and then overlaid with selective media (xylose lysine deoxycholate agar). All of the chemical treatments significantly reduced S. Panama populations (P ≤ 0.0001). The most effective concentrations of ASC, PAA, and NaOCl treatments reduced populations by 2.65, 1.46, and 0.66 log units, respectively. ASC showed the greatest potential for use as a postharvest sanitation treatment.
Efficacy of Antimicrobials Extracted from Organic Pecan Shell for Inhibiting the Growth of Listeria spp.
Authors: Babu Dinesh , Crandall Philip G. , Johnson Casey L. , O'Bryan Corliss A. , Ricke Steven C.
Published: November 2013

Growers and processors of USDA certified organic foods are in need of suitable organic antimicrobials. The purpose of the research reported here was to develop and test natural antimicrobials derived from an all‐natural by‐product, organic pecan shells. Unroasted and roasted organic pecan shells were subjected to solvent free extraction to produce antimicrobials that were tested against Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes serotypes to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of antimicrobials. The effectiveness of pecan shell extracts were further tested using a poultry skin model system and the growth inhibition of the Listeria cells adhered onto the skin model were quantified. The solvent free extracts of pecan shells inhibited Listeria strains at MICs as low as 0.38%. The antimicrobial effectiveness tests on a poultry skin model exhibited nearly a 2 log reduction of the inoculated cocktail mix of Listeria strains when extracts of pecan shell powder were used. The extracts also produced greater than a 4 log reduction of the indigenous spoilage bacteria on the chicken skin. Thus, the pecan shell extracts may prove to be very effective alternative antimicrobials against food pathogens and supplement the demand for effective natural antimicrobials for use in organic meat processing.
Identification and Partial Characterization of a Bacteriocin‐Like Inhibitory Substance (BLIS) from Lb. Bulgaricus K41 Isolated from Indigenous Yogurts
Authors: Zaeim Davood , Soleimanian‐Zad Sabihe , Sheikh‐Zeinoddin Mahmoud
Published: November 2013

Forty‐two strains of Lactobacillus bulgaricus isolated from locally made yogurts were examined and compared for bacteriocin producing ability using spot on lawn assay which improved by taking photo and image processing. Lb. bulgaricus K41 exhibited the highest inhibition level against indicators. K41 Bacteriocin‐like inhibitory substance is sensitive to proteolytic enzymes (proteinase K, pepsin, and trypsin) but α‐amylase makes slight reduction in its activity and it is resistant to lipase. This antibacterial peptide is extremely heat‐stable (121 °C for 15 min) and remains active over a wide pH range (pH = 2 to 10); also nonionic detergents (Tween‐20, Tween‐80, and Triton X100) showed no effect on its activity. The inhibitory spectrum is against Gram‐positive bacteria (except Staphylococcus aureus) with extremely antilisterial activity and it is almost ineffective against Gram‐negative bacteria. The mode of its action was identified as bactericidal against Listeria monocytogenes. The properties of K41 bacteriocin‐like inhibitory substance add to its safety as a biopreservative produced by a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) bacterium suggesting it can be used in hurdle technology for ready‐to‐eat foods as one of the main sources of Listeria contaminations.
Practical directions for the use of recall data in conservation science
Authors: Golden C. D. , Wrangham R. W. , Brashares J. S.
Published: November 2013

Read the Feature Paper: Assessing the accuracy of interviewed recall for rare, highly seasonal events: the case of wildlife consumption in Madagascar

Commentaries on this Feature Paper: Unusual data in conservation science: searching for validation; Wildlife consumption and recall accuracy – but is it recall of hunting, of cooking or of eating?
Conceptions of ‘community’ among older adults living in high‐density urban areas: An Australian case study
Authors: Vine Desley , Buys Laurie , Aird Rosemary
Published: November 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the social networks of community and its connection to location for older people living in inner city high density (ICHD).

Method

Using a case study approach employing qualitative (diaries, in‐depth interviews) and quantitative (global positioning systems and geographical information systems mapping) methods, this paper explores the everyday interaction and social networks and where they manifest spatially for a group of older ICHD Australians.

Results

Social networks in two community territories were found to be of particular importance to participants in terms of influencing feelings of well‐being, support, social inclusion and cohesion. These two territories include the building where older people reside and the area immediately surrounding the building.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of recognising the spatial aspect of community to better understand the social networks of community and their effects on well‐being and social cohesion for ICHD older people.
Clinical presentation and treatment of tick paralysis in dogs and cats in Sydney (2001–2010)
Authors: Westwood MN , Emery DL , Dhand NK
Published: November 2013

Objective

To investigate associations between clinical presentations and treatment of tick paralysis in dogs and cats, particularly the relationship between the dose of tick antiserum (TAS) and time to recovery.

Design

A retrospective analysis of 325 cases of tick paralysis (227 dogs, 98 cats), from 2001 to 2010, was conducted using records from six practices in Sydney, New South Wales.

Results

Doses of TAS in excess of 2 mL/animal, 0.30 mL/kg and 1.25 mL/tick in dogs, and 2 mL/animal, 0.45 mL/kg and 0.38 mL/tick in cats did not significantly alter the time to recovery. In dogs, a longer time to recovery was associated with cases in winter than in other seasons (P = 0.0099) and with more severe gait scores (P = 0.0002). There was a trend of longer recovery times in patients with higher respiratory scores (P = 0.0561). In cats, a longer time to recovery was associated with multiple ticks (P = 0.0133) and more severe gait scores (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Within this retrospective study, minimum doses of TAS were considered optimal, negating any association between dose rate and time to recovery.