bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethics Regulation By The Accounting Profession
Authors: Healy-Burress Joanne P.
Published: February 2016

Because of recent accounting and management scandals, the accounting profession is under attack.  Accountants have been accused of taking unethical actions such as overstating revenues.  This paper examines the changes in ethical standards of the accounting profession in the United States and the role of ethics regulation by the State Boards of Accountancy.  This research finds a difference in the ethical requirements across the 53 State Boards of Accountancy in the United States.  Nineteen of the 53 Boards (35.8 percent) require no separate ethics testing.  The increase in litigation and debate over ethical issues in recent years has failed to lead to an increase in separate ethics testing by the Boards.  This finding could be attributed to the change in the Business Law section of the CPA exam.  We find that some state Boards believe that ethics is now adequately being tested within the exam.
A Mathematical Approach To Demand Estimation In Multi-Segment Oligopoly Markets - With An Application To The Automobile Market
Authors: Culp Robert P.
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this paper is to develop a purely mathematical approach to determining consumer demand. The model developed allows the researcher to derive demand in an oligopoly market from observed firm output and market prices using only assumptions about each firm, modest restrictions on consumer behavior, and limitations on market structure. The advantage of this revealed demand approach is that it does not require the specification of the consumer’s utility function or any firm’s production function. In addition, this mathematical approach allows for the estimation of own price and cross price elasticities of demand without statistical regression.

 

The mathematical model developed is applied to the automobile industry assuming a market characterized by Cournot-Nash behavior and divided into five homogenous vehicle segments. A global optimization program is used to mathematically determine the range of values the coefficients of demand must take in each segment to satisfy market equilibrium. These coefficients can be used to estimate own and cross price elasticities of demand and construct demand equations.

 

The elasticity estimates generated by the mathematical model of the automobile industry are compared to other estimates of elasticity found by statistical estimation. It is shown that the mathematical model generates results that are consistent with the statistical methods of the automobile market used by other researchers. 
County Poverty: The Case Of Los Angeles
Authors: Mogull Robert G.
Published: February 2016

This study serves two purposes.  First, it demonstrates a method of estimating and projecting annual poverty at the sub-national level.  Data obtained from decennial censuses provide the benchmarks from which poverty is estimated and projected for various demographic groups.  Projections are based upon curvilinear trends both of rates and of counts for each group.  The methodology can be easily applied in a variety of jurisdictional settings and levels.  The second objective is to provide a specific portrait of poverty by demographic group within the County of Los Angeles.  The evidence indicates a substantial increase over the next decade both in the incidence of poverty and in the number of impoverished residents.  The primary source of County poverty is the growth in its Hispanic community.
An Artificial Neural Network For Hedging Crude Oil
Authors: Najafi Hossein , Rahgozar Reza , Champlin Brian
Published: February 2016

A neural network model for hedging crude oil is introduced.  The NYMEX futures prices is used to investigate the effectiveness of this model. Empirical results show that the neural network model reduces price risk more than other approaches.
Miscommunication Of Uncertainties In Financial Statements: A Study Of Preparers And Users
Authors: Capriotti Kim , Waldrup Bobby E.
Published: February 2016

The focus of this study is management's communication of uncertainty (attested to by auditors) and the potential for miscommunication due to the communication mode used in accounting disclosures. Two hypotheses are addressed to determine if financial statement users differentiate among three levels of uncertainty (using SFAS No. 5 as a vehicle for study), and whether their judgments differ when numerical probabilities replace the prescribed verbal expressions in communicating these uncertainties. The participants for this study are drawn from commercial loan officers from a major regional bank. Results lend evidence that both the level of uncertainty and the mode of communication are significant factors influencing the level of risk revision in an uncertainty exercise.  Support is found that miscommunication may exist between the preparers and users of financial statements. However, support is not found that the “vagueness” of SFAS No. 5 verbal expressions of uncertainty is detrimental to users’ decision-making abilities.
Sufficient Conditions For An Optimal Solution To The Problem Of Scheduling A Bottleneck Of An N-Stage Process
Authors: Morrell Joseph S. , Pence Norman
Published: February 2016

This paper discusses the application of an algorithm for scheduling the bottleneck of an n-stage process involving multiple products to information systems development.  The algorithm is presented along with Pence’s Theorem, conditions sufficient for an optimal solution are presented, and the application of this algorithm and theorem to the development of information systems.
Twelve Choices: A Framework For Interpersonal Process And Strategy
Authors: Khandekar Rajendra P.
Published: February 2016

The Twelve Choices framework integrates theories by William Schutz and W.R. Bion to offer a way to visualize our choices of emotive overtones in relating to others.  Every interpersonal behavior can have one or both of a task component and an emotive component.  The emotive overtones in interpersonal behavior can be categorized on four dimensions, with two extremes and a midpoint on each dimension resulting in twelve major labels for emotive overtones.  The four emotive dimensions are Control, Affection, Aggression, and Flight.   Control dimension has “Pre-emptive (or controlling)” behaviors at one extreme, “Interdependence” in the middle, and “Dependence (or submissive / compliant)”at the other extreme.  Affection dimension has “Love” at one extreme, “Empathy” in the middle, and “Apathy” at the other extreme. Aggression dimension has “Aggression towards the other” at one extreme, “Confrontation” in the middle, and “Self-flagellation” at the other extreme.  Flight dimension has “Escape” at one extreme, “Humor” in the middle, and “Withdrawal” at the other extreme.  Managers may utilize this framework to understand their own and others’ patterns of emotive responses, and to learn about the impact of individual and interpersonal behaviors on group dynamics, and to visualize their options for interpersonal behavior.
Locus Of Control And Dysfunctional Audit Behavior
Authors: Bryan David O. , Quirin Jeffrey J. , Donnelly David P.
Published: February 2016

The Panel on Audit Effectiveness suggested that dysfunctional audit behavior (DAB) was associated with decreased audit quality (Public Oversight Board 2000).  Recent, notable audit failures have also rekindled criticisms of audit quality.  The current study presents the results of a survey in which 134 auditors were asked to report their perceived levels of three widely-cited DABs in their firms: occurrence of premature sign-offs, altering/replacing audit procedures, and underreporting of time.  Although the overall results can be characterized as positive for the auditing profession, a systematic pattern in the results was identified.  Specifically, statistical analysis suggests that perceptions of DAB were associated with a common personality variable, locus of control.  Practical implications of this interesting finding are subsequently presented in the paper.
Organizational Intelligence: Antecedents And Consequences
Authors: Kalkan Veli Denizhan
Published: February 2016

This article seeks to conceptualize the construct of organizational intelligence with its antecedents and consequences and offer an overall view of organizational intelligence. It also makes a conceptual contribution to form the missing link between individual intelligence research and organizational intelligence studies. Based on a comprehensive literature review, a number of propositions are developed concerning the relationships of organizational intelligence with its antecedents and consequences. Then, a model is presented depicting the relationships proposed, and implications for future research and managerial practice are discussed. Suggested implications include a more significant managerial emphasis on improving organizational intelligence as well as increased attention to social and cultural aspects regarding the development of employees and organization, besides utilizing advanced information technologies.
Repurchase Dividend Reinvestment Plans (Repurchase DRIPS)
Authors: Larkin Patrick , Lee Baeyong , Wane Abdoul
Published: February 2016

We investigate the determinants of firms' decision to offer Repurchase Dividend Reinvestment Plans (Repurchase DRIPs). Firm size, managerial share holding, and free cash flow are statistically significant in explaining a firm’s decision to employ Repurchase DRIPs.  We find that managerial stock ownership is negatively related to use of Repurchase DRIPs. Economies of scale in marketing and maintaining DRIP program and excess cash flows are positively related to Repurchase DRIP adoption.  We find no evidence that information asymmetry is a major motivation to the likelihoods of using Repurchase DRIPs.
IPO Returns: Pre And Post Dotcom Bubble
Authors: Kayne Danny , Laux Judith
Published: February 2016

This study inspects the relative first-day returns of tech/internet IPOs before, during, and after the 1999-2000 dotcom “bubble” to investigate whether market inefficiency and agency conflicts were resolved.  Using IPOs during the 1990 to 2004 period, we discover significant reversals in underpricing of internet IPOs following the large-scale investigation of IPO valuation practices led by New York State Attorney General Elliot Spitzer.
Case Study: Potential Trademark Infringements
Authors: Cosgrove Michael , Marsh Daniel , Chester J.F.
Published: February 2016

This is a case study of trademark infringement disputes.  One of the authors (Cosgrove) incorporated The Econoclast, Inc. that owns a registered trademark (Econoclast®) that has provided capital market publications to financial and nonfinancial institutions since 1979.  Over the years, others have used the same name for similar services.  The case study explains the basics of trademark law and the meaning of trademark infringement.  The authors describe the practical steps Cosgrove undertook to prevent infringement of his trademark in three different situations. There remains an on-going dispute involving possible international infringement in one of the illustrations.
Tips For Maximizing The Value Of Your Retirement Investment Portfolio
Authors: VanZante Neal R. , Wagman George R. , Fritzsch Ralph B.
Published: February 2016

Recent studies suggest that many retired and near-retirement age individuals do not understand basic investment strategy.  One study concludes that “Boomers are in a state of financial paralysis” (Guardian Life, 2004).  This article provides tips about which types of securities to include in various retirement accounts to maximize the value of the retirement portfolio.  The article also considers social security and its possible effect on retirement investment strategy.
Why The Quantity Of Money Still Matters
Authors: Cosgrove Michael , Marsh Daniel
Published: February 2016

The operating procedure of Federal Reserve policy focuses almost exclusively on interest rates, in particular short term rates such as the federal funds rate. Conventional wisdom today interprets a low federal funds rate as an indicator of an expansionary monetary policy, and a high federal funds rate as indicative of a contractionary policy.

 

Our thesis is that this conventional wisdom is flawed. We develop a quantity theory model to illustrate how changes in the real money supply can impact both the price level and real output. We present data showing that when the Fed slows the rate of growth of the monetary base to approximately the growth rate of GDP, that this slowdown also impacts real variables. However, according to comments, the Federal Reserve pays little attention to the quantity of money.

 

Finally we asked: Since the Federal Reserve pays little attention to the quantity of money, what variables does the FOMC likely consider in deciding to alter the federal funds rate? The answer, perhaps not surprisingly, appears to be variables readily measured and easily related to by the general public – prices and capacity.
An Analysis Of The Ability Of Individuals To Predict Their Own Risk Tolerance
Authors: Moreschi Robert W.
Published: February 2016

This paper analyzes the capability of individuals to accurately estimate risk tolerance.  Using a database of respondent answers to a psychometrically valid questionnaire, calculated risk tolerance scores are compared to respondent self-assessed risk tolerance scores.  In general, gender and education are the most significant factors in explaining the ability of individuals to accurately forecast their own risk tolerance score.
From Number Crunching To Organizational Leadership: Can Distance Education Adequately Handle The Range Of Graduate Business Classes?
Authors: Gropper Daniel M. , Schaninger, Jr. William S. , Niebuhr Robert E.
Published: February 2016

With distance education delivery technology improving almost continuously, many Universities are seeking out distance education opportunities to expand their programs.   We seek to examine the effectiveness of the distance delivery approach across the range of types of courses offered in MBA programs – from the organizational leadership classes to the more quantitative “number crunching” classes.   Student performance in several types of MBA courses was evaluated as a result of presenting the same material on-campus (synchronously) and via distance education (asynchronously) in three different kinds of graduate business courses; a course in organizational leadership, an analytical course in managerial economics, and a quantitative methods course.   A number of individual variables (e.g., GMAT scores, undergraduate GPA) were included as explanatory factors regarding student performance.   Using multiple hierarchical regression analysis, the asynchronous distance delivery model was determined to have no adverse impact on student performance across all of these different types of MBA courses, indicating that indeed distance education techniques can adequately handle this broad range of graduate business classes.
Accounting Scandal Announcements: A Test Of Market Efficiency
Authors: McLeod Dana , Laux Judith A.
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the hypothesis that the stock market overreacted to accounting scandals during 2002, resulting in extensive drops in share value followed by return reversals that reveal market inefficiencies.  Data are gathered for nine firms directly involved in an accounting scandal, as well as the major competitors of those firms.  An empirical test of returns for all thirty-three firms reveals that an investment strategy of selling short scandal firms and their competitors, followed by a contrarian investment strategy of buying those same stocks, resulted in risk-adjusted returns well above those expected for a period of one year after the scandal.  These results reveal stock market inefficiencies and a potential to realize abnormal returns by capitalizing on investor overreaction. 
Exploring Why People Love Their Jobs: A Multi-Industry Case Study
Authors: Smith Alan D. , Manna Dean R.
Published: February 2016

Unfortunately, many businesses discuss that rather than valuing people as their most important asset, firms are focusing their efforts on downsizing, outsourcing and taking other actions in order to reduce their labor costs.  Instead, developing employee loyalty through inspiring leadership, knockout facilities, and a sense of purpose, management strategically leverages the three most popular traits that employees love about their companies.  By questioning HR representatives, managers, and fellow co-workers, the authors were able to determine our own version of the most common traits that employees develop loyalty at Mellon Financial Corporation, the Abreon Group, and the Pine-Richland School District.  A number of interesting trends from surveying both administrator and employees of these three diverse settings in Pittsburgh, PA were found.  Toxic worry was minimized and loyalty maximized when employees are encouraged to professionally and personally enjoy the people they work with, since this is extremely important to tactical on-time issues with minimum conflict.     
Activity-Based Costing System Required For Successful Customer Relationship Management
Authors: Bordovsky Tiffany , VanZante Neal R. , Wagman George R.
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of Activity-Based Costing to successful Customer Relationship Management.  The value a customer adds to a company through customer loyalty, using Customer Profitability Analysis.
The Impacts Of Institutional Stock Ownership On Stock Returns And Performance: A Financial Market Perspective
Authors: Osagie Johnston , Osho Gbolahan Solomon , Sutton Cynthia
Published: February 2016

Recent studies indicate that corporations with high Institutional ownership have higher stock prices than those with less Institutional ownership. Even small companies with high Institutional ownership have higher stock prices in their range. Institutions have researchers and analysts to investigate the financials and the industry potential of the firms. As a result, the perception is that high institutional ownership indicates good value. This study investigates if the percentage of institutional ownership directly correlates with the price of stocks.  The relationship between the Institutional ownerships and price was prevalent. This was more indicative among the large cap stocks than the small caps stocks.  It was also found that the higher the percentage of Institutional ownership does reflect a higher stock price.  This was manifest among the large caps than the small caps.
Crisis Planning: Increasing Effectiveness, Decreasing Discomfort
Authors: Hough Michelle G. , Spillan John E.
Published: February 2016

Although the percentage of businesses involved in crisis planning increased after September 11, 2001, it is still alarmingly low.  Some managers believe crisis planning unnecessary, while others become overwhelmed when attempting to plan for all potential crises.  Even those managers who develop plans may find them overly-simplistic or ineffective when crises occur.  This work discusses the importance of crisis planning and presents a five-step process to simplify planning efforts while increasing their effectiveness.  Effective crisis preparedness can be achieved by forming a crisis team, analyzing vulnerabilities, creating strategies, working the plans, and assessing plan performance. 
Identifying A Profile Of Key Competencies For Financial Planners
Authors: Bedard Gerald J. , Prefontaine Jacques , Poirier-Proulx Lise
Published: February 2016

In order to provide quality professional education programs to advance knowledge, skills and competencies of individuals in the financial services industry and in continuing education courses, there is a need to identify a professional’s key competencies profile. In recent years, many financial planning associations worldwide have become interested in establishing competency-based requirements for certifying professionals and have adopted competency-based approaches for continuing education. The purpose of this paper is to identify a profile of key competencies for financial planners.  The empirical study is carried out through a stratified survey of financial planners within insurance companies, commercial banks, consulting firms, credit unions, security dealers and brokers, trusts and independent professionals.  More than individual knowledge or skills, this research views professional competence as result-oriented, expressing an optimal mobilization and use of resources available in the multidisciplinary areas of financial planning, according to professional standards and in harmony with best practices to achieve customer satisfaction. The research design presents an innovative conceptual framework which facilitates the identification of a profile of key competencies for financial planners. Findings enable an advance in knowledge, both at an academic and a professional level, by identifying a profile of twelve specific dimensions of key competencies for financial planners within the financial services industry.
Fiscal Policy And Economic Growth: The Effect of Fiscal Volatility
Authors: Ali Abdiweli M.
Published: February 2016

This paper investigates the effect of fiscal policy on economic growth.  Unlike the literature on growth that emphasizes the level and the nature of fiscal parameters, this paper focuses on the effect of fiscal volatility on economic growth.  The literature on growth ignores the micro-economic instability associated with frequent changes of fiscal policy. The empirical results of this paper indicate that the effect of fiscal policy on economic growth is inconclusive.  Most of the fiscal policy parameters commonly used in the growth literature had failed to explain growth differences across countries.  However, when fiscal policy instability variables are used in the growth equation, almost all of the variables are significantly and negatively correlated with economic growth.
High Performance Work Strategies: Empowerment Or Repression For The Working Class?
Authors: Browne James H.
Published: February 2016

A brief overview of work organization from pre-industrial times to today is presented.  The importance of lean production and just-in-time inventory (JIT) as high performance work organization techniques in manufacturing assembly operations is highlighted as important business strategies for firms competing in the global auto industry.  Lean production and JIT strategies, when properly implemented, positively impact the need for manufacturing flexibility and customer demands for high quality and short delivery time.  However, there is growing concern that these strategies are having an unintended and negative impact on worker well being.  Recent empirical work on the lean production and JIT in auto assembly plants is presented in light of its impact on workers.  In addition, an assessment is made as to whether these strategies empower or repress members of today's working class.             
Independence: The Fall Of Andersen And The Rise Of Sarbanes Oxley
Authors: Bush H. Francis
Published: February 2016

In this study, the author examines the audit firms’ fees associated with audit services and audit-related services as a percentage of total fees charged to individual firms as reported to the SEC.  This study was motivated by discussion of the impacts on audit opinions of the amount of work beyond an audit for which an auditing firm contracts.  The results indicate that the fees that Arthur Andersen charged its individual clients indeed had a lower percentage of total fees associated with audit work.  Further, for the year 2002, on average, firms reported a higher percentage of fees from auditors were associated with audit work.  Firms that previously contracted with Arthur Andersen contracted significantly less non-audit services than their counterparts.
Operations Research And Operations Management: From Selective Optimization To System Optimization
Authors: Fuller Jack A. , Martinec C. Lee
Published: February 2016

The focus of this research paper is to discuss the development of Operations Management (OM) and Operations Research (OR) with respect to their use within the organization’s decision-making structure.  In addition, the difference in the tools and techniques of the two fields is addressed.  The question is raised as to how distinct the two academic fields have become in light of the application of their models to the service industry.  Suggestions are made regarding the possibility of incorporating OM/OR models and their output into the decision making structure of the organization towards the goal of “system optimization”.
Strategies For Successful Diversity Training In Corporate America
Authors: Gibson Jane Whitney , Kimis Cheryl
Published: February 2016

Corporate America is facing both a workforce and a customer base which are increasingly diversified.  Diversity training initiatives are proliferating as a way to not only avoid legal problems but, more importantly, to find strategic advantage in this diversity.  This article investigates the fundamentals of diversity training by answering a series of questions including: What is diversity training? Why is diversity training needed? Who is doing diversity training? When does diversity training fail? More importantly, the article focuses on strategies by suggesting how to design a successful diversity training program.
Benchmarking CPA Firms For Productivity And Efficiency: A Decade Comparison 1994 Versus 2004
Authors: Franz David P. , Jerris Scott I.
Published: February 2016

CPA firms are continuously being ranked and compared to each other. Most rankings are based on total revenue or total clients and convey a measure of prestige. But is ranking by total revenue the best way to compare firms, and benchmark and judge performance? Linking revenues to the resources used to generate them would give a more meaningful basis for evaluating firm performance regardless of size.
Implications Of Changes In Tax Rates For Firm Debt Levels: Evidence From The 1986 Tax Reform Act
Authors: Jalbert Terrance
Published: February 2016

In a recent paper, Jalbert (2002) develops and tests valuations equations for firms that are subject to pass-through taxation and for firms that are subject to double taxation.  This work is extended by Jalbert and Dukes (2003) who examine the implications of a zero percent tax rate on dividend income.   In this paper, we extend this line of work by developing equations for the implied changes in firm capital structure around a change in tax regime.  The results show that firms change their capital structures in predictable ways when tax rates change.  These results are important for determining likely changes in firm policy around future tax regime changes. 
A VAR Model Of The Relationship Between The GDP Growth And Unemployment Rates
Authors: Ekanem Nkanta Frank
Published: February 2016

This paper concludes that the failure to realize the anticipated job growth, following the enormous fiscal injection since 2001 is mostly due to three reasons: (1) The pervasive low investors’ confidence had drastically reduced the investors’ propensity to invest to the extent that little or no investment could take place, even if interest rate, which had fallen to its lowest level could be allowed to fall further. (2) Many industrial sectors, still saturated with excess technological investment acquired in 1998-99, in their attempt to remain Y2K compatible, were trying to make effective use of their existing investment and hence had no justification for further investment, and this constrained their ability to expand production and create jobs. (3) The pressure to prevent corporate profits from falling increased the urge to move industrial plants overseas, especially to low wage countries.
Change Management And Post-Merger Organizational Outcomes: Four Organizations Merge Into One
Authors: Bennington Ashley J. , Wagman George R.
Published: February 2016

Most merger and acquisition literature looks at financial and marketing strategies, while dismissing or ignoring the people-issues. This study examines post-merger employee organizational identification and attitudes about organizational communication relationships.
Perceived Effectiveness Of Personalization
Authors: Ramnarayan Sujata
Published: February 2016

The internet, while still in infancy, has established itself as a channel for commerce and communication.  The interactive nature of its network, along with size and speed is leading to a paradigm shift in the way companies approach the marketing mix, similar to the shift in thinking from a production/sales orientation to a customer orientation to a future defined by personalization.  There are currently very few empirical studies focusing on the construct and practice of personalization in the academic literature. This study empirically tests the perceived effectiveness of personalization based on an online survey of approximately 200 marketing executives on a business panel.  As predicted, personalization was perceived as having a positive impact on both profit and customer responsiveness for the company.
Educating Accounting Students On Computer Crime And Ethics
Authors: Metrejean Eddie , Smith Howard G. , Elam Dennis
Published: February 2016

Accounting fraud has been prevalent in the popular press for the past several years.  The accounting profession has begun to stress the importance of ethics because of this negative press.  Some state boards of accountancy have begun requiring ethics courses as part of continuing education to maintain certification and licensing.  Many accounting frauds are in the form of computer crime.  Accounting students must be made aware of various types of frauds, including computer crimes, how frauds are prevented and detected, and why ethics are important in the accounting profession.  This paper describes several categories of computer crimes and technological means of preventing and detecting these crimes.  Computer crimes and prevention and detection means are as varied as the perpetrators who commit these crimes.  Finally, this paper suggests using a combination of three courses to educate accounting students on computer crime and ethics for preparation for their accounting careers.  These three courses are a traditional Accounting Information Systems (AIS) course, a fraud prevention and detection or forensic accounting course, and an accounting or business ethics course.  These three courses, used in concert, will provide accounting students with the tools they need when they are faced with incidents of fraud or ethics decisions during their accounting careers.
Individual Time Perspective And Alliance Formation Behavior
Authors: Thoms Peg , Warner Alfred G. , Totleben Janice A.
Published: February 2016

The impact of time orientation on leaders’ behavior has been largely unexplored in research.  This study examined the role of time perspective in alliance formation.  Using a game, participants formed alliances using information about past behavior.  Findings suggest that participants with future time perspective were more likely to initiate alliances and those with a past-negative perspective were more likely to cooperate.  This finding supports the Theory of Leadership and Time Orientation. 
A Meta-Analysis Of Organizational Citizenship Behavior And Leader-Member Exchange
Authors: Scott Jeannie , Craven Annette E. , Green Connie
Published: February 2016

Numerous studies on Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory of leadership have identified various antecedents and consequences of LMX. This study is a meta-analysis (Hunter & Schmidt, 1990) of two variables—organizational citizenship behavior and leader member exchange.  The study addresses the following questions: (a) What is the correlation between organizational citizenship behavior and leader-member exchange? (b) What are the effects of moderators such as employee status, supervisory status, tenure, and perceptions outside of the United States?
Dynamic Linkages Between Monetary Policy And The Stock Market
Authors: Laopodis Nikiforos T.
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the dynamic linkages between the federal funds rate and the S&P500 index for the 1970-2003 period, decade by decade, using cointegration and error-correction methodologies. The results indicate absence of cointegration during the 1970s and the 1980s but presence of a dynamic, short-run relationship between the two variables only in the 1970s. Specifically for the 1990s, there seems to have been a disconnection between actions taken by the Fed and responses by the stock market or vice versa. Overall, the results seem to suggest that there was no concrete and consistent dynamic relationship between monetary policy and the stock market and that the nature of such dynamics was different in each of the three decades, which coincided with three different Fed operating regimes.
Regression Towards The Mean Versus Efficient Market Hypothesis: An Empirical Study
Authors: Bush H. Francis , Canning Michael D.
Published: February 2016

This study investigates the dominance of the statistical phenomenon, regression towards the means, against the market efficiency of capital markets.  Using Fortune Magazine’s ranking of America’s most admired companies to distinguish positive from negative firms, and using the Standard and Poor Index as a surrogate for market, the authors demonstrated that: (1) a portfolio of least admired forms will outperform a portfolio of most admired firms, (2) a portfolio of most admired firms will outperform the market, and (3) a portfolio of least admired firms will outperform the market.
Enterprise Resource Planning And Its Future Relationship To Decision Support System
Authors: Shariat Mohammad , Nwakanma Hudson
Published: February 2016

This paper looks at the development of ERP and DSS, with a focus on the differences between the two systems in terms of their evolution and applications and the potential for convergence in the future. For the most part, ERP and DSS have evolved in parallel, and as a result those organizations, which have already implemented ERP, are now having problems integrating DSS and data warehousing into their system. ERP vendors hold the opinion that it is comparatively simple to add on DDS applications, but this tends to be contradicted by the fact that most ERP specialists are not experienced in DSS or in data warehousing. Software analysts from both sides of the industry agree that convergence is inevitable, but differ in their views as to how this should be achieved. It would seem that a greater degree of collaboration, and the transfer of skills between the two sides, is the most practical option, coupled with a case-by-case approach to the requirements of individual customers rather than trying to find blanket solutions.
Min And Max Normal Extreme Interval Values And Statistics
Authors: Jance Marsha , Thomopoulos Nick
Published: February 2016

The method for determining the min and max normal extreme interval values and statistics: expected value, standard deviation, median, mode, and coefficient of variation is discussed.  An extreme interval value  is defined as a numerical bound, where a specified percentage α of the data is less than or equal to ga.
Assessment of genetic diversity among India Ginseng, Withania somnifera (L) Dunal using RAPD and ISSR markers
Authors: Khan Shahana , Shah Rehana Anjum
Published: February 2016

Withania somnifera is commonly known as Indian Ginseng or Ashwagandha which is listed highly medicinal plant in Ayurveda for its wide range of medicinal use. Genetic diversity among 16 genotypes of Withania somnifera collected from four different regions viz. Lucknow, Nimuch, Karnataka and Mumbai was studied using RAPD and ISSR techniques. The ISSR and RAPD together produced 89 bands across 16 genotypes of W. somnifera of which 39 were polymorphic showing 47.89% polymorphism. Over 99% of the RAPD and ISSR fragments were reproducible in the present experiment. There was 90% uniformity within the population. The neighbor joining tree also confirmed a clear grouping and differentiation based on populations of origin i.e. samples were grouped on the basis of their regions of origin. The dendrogram reveals that outgroup of W. somnifera Karnataka origin are evolutionarily related to W. somnifera Nimuch group varieties and W. somnifera Lucknow and Mumbai group varieties are evolutionarily closely related. Within population analysis of Lucknow and Nimuch location showed two sub groups of two lines each showing slight diversity. Plants from Karnataka and Mumbai region show less diversity within population.
COMPARISON OF PAI AND PAK: AN OVERVIEW OF VALUES OF MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION
Authors: Murfi Ali
Published: February 2016

This research to reveal comparative Islamic Education (PAI) with Christian Education (PAK) through a textbook’s lesson in terms of content values of multicultural education. The comparative’s analysis includes three aspects, differences, similarities, and common platform. The results showed that substance of values of multicultural education contained in the textbooks have much in similarities which eventually became common platform both than the differences that exist, so that PAI and PAK should move bind themselves to each other in one joint effort to raise the noble values of multicultural, where both scientific traditions stand firm through efforts integration and comprehension charge of teaching materials.
PLANNING MORAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (PMEP) BASED ON TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM) AT SD ISLAM AL-IRSYAD PURWOKERTO
Authors: Wiyani Novan Ardy
Published: February 2016

This qualitative research study is intended to determine the steps in Planning Moral Education Program (PMEP) based on Total Quality Management (TQM) at SD Islam Al-Irsyad 02 Purwokerto. Hopefully, the results of this study can be used as a guideline by Islamic elementary school in implementing TQM-based PMEP as preventive measures to address the moral crisis today. The data in this study were collected by using interview techniques and documentation. The data has been collected and analyzed using inductive data analysis techniques. Based on the research results, it was obtained findings that there are four steps involved in planning TQM-based PMEP. First, developing a vision and mission of the school in favor of the PMEP. Second, preparing the quality assurance character and accomplishments with PMEP. Third, developing standards of competence homeroom teachers to support the implementation of PMEP. Fourth, preparing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of learners’ morals value to support the implementation of the PMEP.
THE ROLE OF TEACHING ISLAMIC RELIGION AT SEKOLAH ALAM INDONESIA PALEMBANG
Authors: Imtihana Aida , Sukirman Sukirman , Mardeli Mardeli , Nurlela Nurlela
Published: February 2016

The weakness of the schools in the emergence of Islamic education curriculum is the lack of facilities provided for the benefits of its curriculum. Islamic education curriculum in schools is systematic, so it cannot resolve the issue of the overall gap because it is limited to the other aspects like a limited time allocation. Therefore, Sekolah Alam Indonesia Palembang was established to optimize the learning of Islamic education. The results of this study showed that the learning process of Islamic education at the school has been in accordance with the theory of planning, implementation, and evaluation. The planning instruction consists of an annual, semester, weekly and daily program planning. In practice, the learning process is based on the planning that has been made. Further, to evaluate the learning process, oral and written tests were conducted.
VERDICT OFF (DEATH PENALTY) FOR THE DRUG OFFENDER CRIME IN PERSPECTIVE OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION
Authors: Nugraha Muhammad Tisna
Published: February 2016

This paper raises the issue of the death penalty for drug-crime actors in Islamic education perspective, especially when the President Joko Widodo refused to pardon the actors at the beginning of his reign. Although the execution was likely contrary to the wishes of human right instigators, but on the other hand, such punishment is one vehicle in providing education to the citizens as well as the efforts to actualize the law enforcement in Indonesia. The implementation of the death sentence does not touch directly the scope of formal education in Indonesia. However, this is where the emerging hope and the search for enlightenment of such punishment is seen from the eyes of Islamic education which has applied the concept of reward and punishment in its system. Thus, through this paper, it is expected that educators can assist in bridging the imposition of a death sentence as an attempt to form good citizens.
Water for Carbon, Carbon for Water
Authors: Carminati Andrea , Kroener Eva , Ahmed Mutez A. , Zarebanadkouki Mohsen , Holz Maire , Ghezzehei Teamrat
Published: February 2016

Core Ideas

Mucilage exuded by roots modifies the hydraulic properties of the rhizosphere.

In turn, the rhizosphere hydraulic properties affect transpiration and photosynthesis.

These water–carbon feedbacks in the rhizosphere help plant performance in dry soils.

Plant roots exude approximately 10% of the carbon assimilated through photosynthesis into the soil, a process referred to as rhizodeposition. Here, we show that the mucilaginous fraction of the rhizodeposits, referred to as mucilage, plays a crucial role on soil–plant water relation and it has the potential to increase plant drought tolerance. Mucilage is a gel that can absorb large volumes of water, altering the physical properties of the rhizosphere and maintaining the rhizosphere wet and conductive when the soil dries. It is hypothesized that mucilage acts as a hydraulic bridge between roots and the soil, facilitating root water uptake and maintaining transpiration in dry soils. By employing a simplified model of root water uptake coupled with mucilage dynamics, we found that in a sandy soil the benefit of mucilage in maintaining root water uptake commenced to manifest when the soil matric potential dropped below approximately −0.8 MPa. This critical matric potential varied with transpiration rate, root length, and exudation rate. Below the critical potential, mucilage maintained photosynthesis and resulted in a net gain of carbon. In summary, rhizodeposition modifies the physical soil environment and has an impact on transpiration and photosynthesis. In other words: water for carbon, but also carbon for water.
Long-term Outcome after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Compared with Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in the Elderly
Authors: Barsoum Emad A. , Azab Basem , Patel Nileshkumar , Spagnola Jonathan , Shariff Masood A. , Kaleem Umar , Morcus Rewais , Asti Deepak , McGinn Joseph T. , Lafferty James , McCord Donald A.
Published: February 2016

Background:

Elderly patients with unstable coronary artery disease (CAD) have better outcomes with coronary revascularization than conservative treatment. With the improvement in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) techniques using drug eluting-stents, this became an attractive option in elderly. Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS-CABG) is a safe and effective alternative to conventional CABG. We aimed to explore the long-term outcomes after PCI vs MICS-CABG in ≥75 year-old patients with severe CAD.

Methods:

A total of 1454 elderly patients (≥75 year-old patients) underwent coronary artery revascularization between January 2005 and December 2009. Patients were selected in the study if they have one of the Class-I indications for CABG. Groups were divided according to the type of procedure, PCI or MICS-CABG, and 5 year follow-up.

Results:

Among 175 elderly patients, 109 underwent PCI and 66 had MICS-CABG. There was no significant difference observed in both groups with long-term all-cause mortality (31 PCI vs 21% MICS-CABG, p=0.151) and the overall 5 year survival was similar on Kaplan-Meier curve (Log rank p=0.318). The average length of stay in hospital was significantly shorter in the PCI than in the MICS-CABG group (4.3 vs 7.8 days, p<0.001). Only 4.7% of the PCI group were discharged to rehabilitation facility compared with 43.9% of the MICS-CABG group (p<0.001). The rate of repeat revascularization was significantly higher in the PCI group than in the MICS-CABG group (15 vs 3%, p=0.014).

Conclusion:

Among elderly patients, long-term all-cause mortality is similar after PCI and MICS-CABG. However, there is a significantly higher rate of repeat revascularization after PCI.
High-altitude Pulmonary Hypertension: an Update on Disease Pathogenesis and Management
Authors: Mirrakhimov Aibek E. , Strohl Kingman P.
Published: February 2016

High-altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH) affects individuals residing at altitudes of 2,500 meters and higher. Numerous pathogenic variables play a role in disease inception and progression and include low oxygen concentration in inspired air, vasculopathy, and metabolic abnormalities. Since HAPH affects only some people living at high altitude genetic factors play a significant role in its pathogenesis.

The clinical presentation of HAPH is nonspecific and includes fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive deficits, cough, and in advanced cases hepatosplenomegaly and overt right-sided heart failure. A thorough history is important and should include a search for additional risk factors for lung disease and pulmonary hypertension (PH) such as smoking, indoor air pollution, left-sided cardiac disease and sleep disordered breathing. Twelve-lead electrocardiogram, chest X-ray and echocardiography can be used as screening tools. A definitive diagnosis should be made with right-sided heart catheterization using a modified mean pulmonary artery pressure of at least 30 mm Hg, differing from the 25 mm Hg used for other types of PH.

Treatment of HAPH includes descent to a lower altitude whenever possible, oxygen therapy and the use of medications such as endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase 5 blockers, fasudil and acetazolamide. Some recent evidence suggests that iron supplementation may also be beneficial. However, it is important to note that the scientific literature lacks long-term randomized controlled data on the pharmacologic treatment of HAPH. Thus, an individualized approach to treatment and informing the patients regarding the benefits and risks of the selected treatment regimen are essential.
On trees with maximum algebraic connectivity
Authors: Abreu Nair , Markenzon Lilian , Lee Luciana , Rojo Oscar
Published: February 2016

In this paper, trees with fixed diameter and any number of vertices are
investigated. A subclass of trees with diameter 2k is introduced, the
diameter path trees (dp-trees). Two subclasses of dp-trees are defined in
which we characterize the elements that maximize the algebraic connectivity.
Also, it is proved that if any tree maximizes the algebraic connectivity
over all trees with diameter 2k then it is a dp-tree. For such trees, a
bound for the degrees of their vertices is given. In the case of the odd
diameter, 2k-1, we show that P2k is the only tree that maximizes the
algebraic connectivity.
Ab initio study of the mechanism of forming a spiro-Si-heterocyclic ring compound involving Ge from H2Ge=Si: and acetaldehyde
Authors: Lu Xiuhui , Ming Jingjing
Published: February 2016

The H2Ge=Si: and its derivatives(X2Ge=Si:, X = H, Me, F, Cl, Br, Ph, Ar??) is
a new species. Its cycloaddition reactions is a new area for the study of
silylene chemistry. The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction between
singlet H2Ge=Si: and acetaldehyde has been investigated with MP2/6-311++G** method, From the potential energy profile, it can be predicted that the reaction has a dominant reaction pathway. The reaction rule presented is that the two reactants firstly form a four-membered Ge-heterocyclic ring silylene
through the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. Because of the 3p unoccupied orbital of Si: atom in the four-membered Ge-heterocyclic ring silylene and the ? orbital of acetaldehyde form a ??p donor-acceptor bond, the
four-membered Ge-heterocyclic ring silylene further combines with
acetaldehyde to form an intermediate. Then the intermediate isomerizes to a
spiro-Si-heterocyclic ring compound involving Ge via a transition state.