bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water balance of lake-catchment systems with transformed water distribution
Authors: Ferencz Beata , Dawidek Jaroslaw
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the scale of changes in the distribution of water and their influence on the components of the hydrological balance in two lake catchments situated in the Leczna-Wlodawa Lake District.

Design/methodology/approach

– In order to estimate the scale of man-made modification of water distribution an analysis of published cartographic materials was used. The maps cover time-scale of over 150 years. The analysis was completed by territorial research carried out during water years 2007-2009. The elements of water balance equation were calculated on the basis of daily water levels, discharge, precipitations and lake volumes. Evaporation was calculated as the difference of balance gains and losses (runoff deficit).

Findings

– The study has shown high permanent human pressure on lake-catchment systems under study, since the 50 of the nineteenth century. Naturally drainless lakes were connected to the system of surface runoff, which modified radically directions and pace of water circulation. The most pronounced hydrologic changes of the lake-catchment systems under study occurred in the 60 of the twentieth century. Human pressure on water conditions resulted in changes of water balance elements relation (increased surface inflow and outflow).

Originality/value

– In the ecosystems with zonal watersheds, even slight modification of water distribution may lead to radical changes in the structure of lake-catchment systems’ water balance. The paper is first in polish literature that documents major water divide translocation, as well as bifurcation in the drainage area of the highest cascade lake. Man-made modifications cause natural ecosystems degradation, especially in the areas built with peat-bogs.
River sediments’ monitoring: impact of tannery discharges
Authors: Ostoich Marco , Carcereri Marco , Barbaro Jvan
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The tannery industry impacts strongly on water bodies due to the presence of chemical substances, such as chlorides, sulphates, chromium and other pollutants. This study has been carried out with a view to enhance the environmental compatibility of the Arzignano tannery district (northern Italy) which is the largest in Italy, by improving the quality of the Fratta-Gorzone River. Sediment quality, according to the driving forces-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) scheme, has been developed as a significant impact indicator to be applied at basin level. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the above issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were produced during institutional monitoring and control activities carried out by ARPAV (Veneto Region Environmental Prevention and Protection Agency) according to official methods. To define the environmental impacts on the river basin, a statistical assessment was performed on water and sediment quality data to establish the degree of correlation for the main pollutants along the river stem.

Findings

– In the basin considered, sediment quality presents high levels of contamination from heavy metals – in particular chromium (Cr) (III) – as well as organic pollutants. Investigation of the pressure sources revealed that the discharge from the Arzignano tannery district is the main source of Cr (III), according to background studies performed in the same area.

Practical implications

– The quality of river sediments must be improved in order to avoid the re-suspension/solubility of pollutants; dredged materials with high polluting substances must be managed with specific precautions in order to safeguard the environment.

Originality/value

– The river studied is currently the only significant water body in which sediment monitoring has been performed in the Veneto Region (Italy) since 2002. This study presents issues linked to the characterization of river sediment and the correlation between sediment quality and water pollution and prior and current pressure sources.
Market structure, strategic choices and bank performance: a path model
Authors: Belkhaoui Samir , Lakhal Lassaad , Lakhal Faten , Hellara Slaheddine
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a conceptual model of bank performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The papers build a system of causal relationships between market structure, strategic choice and bank performance using the path analysis method. The sample includes commercial banks from 11 emerging countries.

Findings

– Results show that market structure has a positive and indirect effect on bank performance, and that market share has a positive and direct effect on bank performance. Strategic variables related to risk taking and diversification affect directly and indirectly bank performance. The indirect effect occurs via market share. The results suggest that the mediating role played by the strategic choice in the relationship between market structure and performance is complete.

Originality/value

– The contribution of this paper is threefold. The first one is to develop a conceptual model to explain bank performance. The model includes simultaneously direct and indirect causal relationships between market structure, strategic choice and bank performance. The second one is the use of the path analysis method to estimate the direct and indirect relationships. The third one is related to the sample including commercial banks in emerging markets.
International diversification among Islamic investments: is there any benefit
Authors: Bahlous Mejda , Mohd. Yusof Rosylin
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the benefits to investors of international diversification among only Islamic funds. Compared to conventional investors who are not restricted in their choice of funds, Islamic investors are restricted to investing inshari’a-compliant funds, thus giving up some diversification benefits. The possibility of international diversification among only Islamic funds may thus help Islamic investors to invest in accordance to their religious beliefs and still benefit from diversification.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper assesses the benefits of diversification by analyzing the extent of co-integration among four regional Islamic funds and by estimating the short-term and long-term structural dynamics of and among these funds. The paper uses an Autoregressive-Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to testing the long-run relationships among these funds and use variance decomposition and impulse response functions to examine the structural dynamics of the relationship between these funds. These methods can also be used for predictive purposes and represent, in authors opinion, a useful approach that complements the traditional methodology of static covariance matrix to find the efficient frontier at a given moment in time.

Findings

– The results indicate that international diversification can help reduce risk if Asia Pacific Islamic funds and MENA region Islamic funds are invested contemporaneously and/or Asia Pacific Islamic funds and North America Islamic funds, and/or Europe funds and MENA funds. The paper also finds that investors would benefit from investing in North American funds and MENA funds both in the long run and in the short run. Conversely, the paper finds that Europe funds and North American funds are co-integrated in the long-run precluding the opportunity for substantial diversification benefits from these particular portfolio mixes.

Research limitations/implications

– The long-run analysis helps passive fund managers and investors in composing their portfolio by providing evidence that some portfolio mixes of different regional Islamic funds lead to better risk return performance than one regional Islamic fund portfolios. The short-run analysis however helps the active fund managers and investors as it suggests that diversifying in the short run and reviewing their portfolio on a regular basis would be beneficial as well.

Originality/value

– This analysis justifies the promotion of Islamic finance as the negative correlation between several Islamic funds across the regions studied suggests better opportunities of investments via international diversification making Islamic funds more desirable.
The timing of seasoned equity offerings: a duration analysis
Authors: Qian Hong
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– Using a sample of 6,198 US firms that went public from 1975 to 2004, the purpose of this paper is to examine when these firms come back to the equity market and investigate the determinants of the timing decision.

Design/methodology/approach

– By properly modeling the time between two consecutive equity offerings using the duration analysis, the author tests different hypotheses in a unified framework and investigates their relative importance in explaining the timing decision of seasoned equity issuance.

Findings

– The paper documents that firms often return for a new round of equity issuance shortly after the preceding one. First seasoned equity offerings (SEOs) after the IPO are more likely to be conducted at a faster speed than subsequent (follow-on) SEOs. The duration analysis shows that first SEOs are more likely to ride the aggregate stock market wave and take advantage of the idiosyncratic mispricing of the stock than follow-on SEOs. On the contrary, both macroeconomic and firm-specific growth opportunities are more important for follow-on SEOs than for first SEOs.

Originality/value

– The paper employs a novel econometric method to depict a dynamic picture of SEO decisions. The results provide a possible explanation to reconcile the discrepancies in the findings of prior studies. Namely, those studies examining mostly first SEOs could bias toward the timing hypothesis, while those studies focussing on follow-on SEOs is more likely to find evidence that supports the need for growth.
“Walking wounded or wounded healer?” Does personal experience of mental health problems help or hinder mental health practice? A review of the literature
Authors: Conchar Catherine , Repper Julie
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– A systematic review of the literature on “wounded healers” was undertaken to identify, define and interpret the term and its application within the mental health environment. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Eight key medical/social sciences databases were interrogated. In total, 835 papers were identified in the systematic database search and abstracts were obtained for each to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. In total, 237 sources were retrieved for critical reading, to assess relevance and value to the review, and 125 documents were subsequently included. Through thematic analysis a number of themes and sub themes were identified

Findings

– The archetypal image of the wounded healer originates in ancient mythology and crosses many cultures. There are many interpretations and applications of the belief that having healed their own wounds a person is in a better position to heal others, however, the evidence to support this is not so robust. Of more direct relevance to contemporary practice are reports of supporting staff with mental health problems to make a contribution to mental health services, most recently through the employment of peer support workers.

Originality/value

– As peer support workers are increasingly being employed in mental health services, it is helpful to consider the many existing staff who bring personal experience of mental health problems. This paper explores the evidence that their lived experience makes a difference to the way that they work and considers their employment support needs.
Uncovering the values that motivate people in relation to payments for involvement in research
Authors: Roca Teresa , Bates Peter
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to response to the 2013 health and welfare reform in the UK by looking specifically at how health research stakeholders in the East Midlands perceive reimbursements for their participation in research.

Design/methodology/approach

– In keeping with the government research agenda, a survey was distributed to patient and public involvement in research volunteers and other stakeholders in the East Midlands region. In total, 251 useful returns were statistically analysed using descriptive and frequency based statistics and factor analysis. Principal Component Analysis and Varimax Rotation with Kaiser Normalisation were used. This was supplemented by thematic analysis of the content of open questions.

Findings

– 29 per cent of respondents reported experience with payments and/or reimbursement of expenses for participation in research. Three main factors emerged from the exploratory factor analysis indicative of the values that underpin participants motivation to participate in research. These were “as an opportunity for self-development”, “volunteering”, and “work and market forces”. This revealed that local organisations were somewhat out of step with stakeholders motivations.

Research limitations/implications

– It is a small study, and therefore has limited power to predict. Wider societal factors were not taken into account and may also impinge on the responses given, especially if respondents are dependent on welfare benefits and vulnerable to shifting community attitudes.

Practical implications

– This study has got practical implications for policy makers, ethics committees, agencies promoting patient and public involvement, and research organisations. It should influence the design of health research, allow systems to be aligned with individual motivation, maximise recruitment to research and enhance the validity of research findings.

Social implications

– Genuine coproduction will enhance the quality of health and social care research, and will be strengthened by payment systems that respond the ethical position of participants rather than simply organise around welfare benefit regulations. This study also has the potential to influence guidance from major funders of health research.

Originality/value

– This study offers an unique contribution into a neglected, complex yet significant area of research practice.
Volunteer to Work (V2W) scheme
Authors: Kaur Japleen
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the Volunteer to Work scheme running as part of a return to work pathway.

Design/methodology/approach

– Illustrative account of the origin, structure and processes involved.

Findings

– Personal narrative accounts by current volunteers evidence the social and emotional benefits of volunteering. Of the 237 people who have engaged as volunteers, 27 are now in paid employment.

Originality/value

– A case study of one innovative project which has the capacity to grow and to be transferred to other organisations.
Francis, Berwick and culture change – an opportunity to engage patients and increase transparency in mental health
Authors: Corlett Sophie
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The Policy Watch series reflects on recent and forthcoming developments in mental health policy across the UK. The purpose of this paper is to review recent developments in mental health policy, specifically the implications and learning for mental health services of recent scandals such as Mid Staffordshire and Winterbourne View and the various responses to them.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reviews and summarises recent developments in national mental health policy in England and their implications for mental health service provision.

Findings

– The paper outlines how learning from recent scandals such as Mid Staffordshire and Winterbourne View can be applied in mental health services.

Originality/value

– The paper updates and discusses recent policy developments in the NHS and their implications for mental health services.
Wafer damage issue study by heavy Al wire wedge bonding
Authors: Zhang Hanmin , Hu Ming , Zong Fei , Yin Baoguan , Ye Denghong , He Qingchun , Wang Zhijie
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to attempt to confirm the root cause of wafer damage issue by heavy Al wire wedge bonding and propose some permanent solutions for it.

Design/methodology/approach

– The infra red–optical beam-induced resistance change (IR-OBIRCH) analysis defines the position of an abnormal hotspot. A cross section and an scanning electron microscope (SEM) confirmed the wafer damage issue and its position. Based on the position of wafer damage, the wedge tool with different life and Al buildup was checked found to be on the wedge tool. Finite element analysis (FEA) modeling analysis and simulation experiment guarantee the Al buildup, and low wedge deformation thickness (WDT) can cause the wafer damage issue. Finally, design of experiment (DOE) experiments are designed to optimize wedge tool dimension and wedge-bond parameters to eliminate wafer damage issue.

Findings

– Wafer damage issue caused the Vpwr-OUTPUT leakage issue by IR-OBIRCH analysis. Al buildup was found on wedge tool with different life and its size gets larger along with the increase in wedge tool life. Low WDT and bigger Al buildup can cause the wafer damage. Designing new wedge tool and parameters optimization can increase WDT.

Research limitations/implications

– Because of the limitation of time and resources, finite element method (FEM) modeling and wedge tool dimension could not be studied more deeply.

Originality/value

– This paper sets an example on how to find out the root cause of wafer damage by a step-by-step analysis and put forward a quick solution accordingly for the issue.
Connection of electronic and microelectronic modules
Authors: Sandera Josef
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to describe the design of electronic and microelectronic modules and, in particular, it focuses on connecting system of electrical modules to the main board of printed board. The theory of thermomechanical loading of system is presented. New methods of rigid solder connection for electronic modules are also presented.

Design/methodology/approach

– A newly developed system with chip or cylindrical components is presented. The article describes a practical solution of connection with 0.603 and mini-metal electrode leadless face (MELF) surface mount device (SMD) resistors.

Findings

– A new method of rigid solder connection for electronic modules is presented. This system is original and patented.

Practical implications

– This solution is not used yet. Testing of a new system is executed now.

Originality/value

– This article shows a real and original construction with chip and cylindrical chip components.
Silicon nanowire fabrication
Authors: Adam Tijjani , Hashim U.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to present reports on fabrication of silicon (Si) nanowires (NWs). The study consists of microwire formation on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) that was fabricated using a top-down approach which involved conventional photolithography coupled with shallow anisotropic etching.

Design/methodology/approach

– A 5-inch p-type silicon-on-insulator (SOI) coated with 250nm layer and Photoresist (PR) with thickness of 400nm is coated in order to make pattern transfer via binary mask, after the exposure and development, a resist pattern between 3 μm-5 μm were obtained, Oxygen plasma spreen was used to reduce the size of the PR to 800 μm, after this, the wafer with 800 μm was loaded into SAMCO inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-RIE and got silicoon microwire was obtained. Next, the sample was put into an oxidation furnace for 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes and the sample was removed and dipped into a buffered oxide etch solution for five minutes to remove all the SiO2ashes.

Findings

– The morphological characterization was conducted using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. At terminal two, gold electrodes which were designated as source and drain were fabricated on top of individual NWs using conventional lithography electrical and chemical response. Once the trimming process has been completed, the device's current–voltage (I-V) characteristic was measured by using a Keithley 4200 semiconductor parameter analyser. Devices with different width of wires approximately 20, 40, 60 and 80 nm were characterized. The wire current variation as a function of the pH variation in voltage was investigated: pH monitoring for variations of pH values between 5 and 9.

Originality/value

– This paper provides useful information on novel and yet simple cost-effective fabrication of SiNW; as such, it should be of interest to a broad readership, especially those interested in micro/nanofabrication.
Dynamic reliability approach of chip scale package assembly under vibration environment
Authors: Yang Ping , Tang Xiusheng , Liu Yu , Wang Shuting , Yang Jianming
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to perform experimental tests on fatigue characteristics of chip scale package (CSP) assembly under vibration. Some suggestions for design to prolong fatigue life of CSP assembly are provided.

Design/methodology/approach

– The CSP assembly which contains different package structure modes and chip positions was manufactured. The fatigue characteristics of CSP assembly under vibration were tested. The fatigue load spectrum of CSP assembly was developed under different excitation. The fatigue life of chips can be estimated by using the high-cycle fatigue life formula based on different stress conditions. The signal–noise curve shows the relationship between fatigue life and key factors. The design strategy for improving the fatigue life of CSP assembly was discussed.

Findings

– The CSP chip has longer fatigue life than the ball grid array chip under high cyclic strain. The closer to fixed point the CSP chip, the longer fatigue life chips will have. The chip at the edge of the printed circuit board (PCB) has longer fatigue life than the one in the middle of the PCB. The greater the excitation imposed on the assembly, the shorter the fatigue life of chip.

Research limitations/implications

– It is very difficult to set up a numerical approach to illustrate the validity of the testing approach because of the complex loading modes and the complex structure of CSP assembly. The research on an accurate mathematical model of the CSP assembly prototype is a future work.

Practical implications

– It builds a basis for high reliability design of high-density CSP assembly for engineering application. In addition, vibration fatigue life prediction method of chip-corner solder balls is deduced based on three-band technology and cumulative damage theory under random vibration so as to verify the accuracy of experimental data.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfils useful information about the dynamic reliability of CSP assembly with different structural characteristics and material parameters.
Antecedents and consequences of insurer-salesperson relationships
Authors: Yu Tsu-Wei , Tung Feng-Cheng
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents and consequences of insurer trust and salesperson trust, as well as the relationships between insurer, salesperson, and customer loyalty in order to build a conceptual model which investigates the relationships of insurer trust and salesperson trust, and finds ways to build trust and customer loyalty in the non-life insurance industry in Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data for this study were collected from the customers of non-life insurers’ policyholder service centres and were analysed using in-depth interviews and questionnaires. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was to assess the proposed research model empirically.

Findings

– This study finds that firm size did not have a significant effect on insurer trust. Customer trust in the insurer was negatively but not significantly related to customer trust in the salesperson. Additionally, when relatives or friends are insurance salespersons; it is easy to build trust with them.

Originality/value

– This study provides non-life insurers with new avenues for promoting and marketing their insurance.
What drives the customer of world's largest market to participate in value co-creation?
Authors: Bharti Kumkum , Agrawal Rajat , Sharma Vinay
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the drivers of customer participation for value co-creation among bottom of the pyramid (BOP) customers. In addition, the difference, if exists, between the perception of customer and marketers belongs to this segment about the drivers of customer participation is also studied.

Design/methodology/approach

– Qualitative study has been conducted to investigate the drivers of customer participation for value co-creation in BOP market. Data collection are done through in-depth interviews from BOP customers and marketers. Spearman rank correlation is used to find out the relationship between the BOP customers and marketers responses.

Findings

– The findings enrich understanding of value co-creation in the BOP market by suggesting the various drivers that instigate BOP consumers to participate in value co-creation activities. The study also shows a strong relationship between the customers and marketers perspective on what drives BOP customers to participate in value co-creation.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is conducted qualitatively hence results cannot be generalized. The sample used for data collection is limited to one state of India.

Practical implications

– Twenty-seven factors are identified that an organization can leverage or develop to successfully practice value co-creation in the BOP markets.

Originality\value

– The paper provides a comprehensive view to help organizations manage value co-creation through customer participation in BOP market. According to author's knowledge, no prior study in BOP as well as on value co-creation literature discusses empirically the drivers of customer participation in value co-creation.
An empirical examination of customers’ adoption of m-banking in India
Authors: Deb Madhurima , Lomo-David Ewuuk
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify factors impacting the adoption of m-banking.

Design/methodology/approach

– To attain the above objective a conceptual model was developed based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and diffusion of innovation (DOI). Primary data were collected using questionnaire from 600 customers and the data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS.

Findings

– The study found empirical evidence for positive relationship between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and Social Influence to positive attitude towards m-banking. However, no support was found for FC, benevolence and privacy and security to attitude towards m-banking. The study found support for the relationship between attitude towards m-banking and intention to adopt m-banking.

Practical implications

– The study has practical implications for managers. The study suggests that m-banking adoption can be increased by improving the customer's perception of benevolence and privacy and security.

Originality/value

– This is one of the few empirical studies which have investigated the adoption of m-banking in India. Earlier build theories like TAM and DOI were adapted for their generalizability to test the adoption of m-banking technology, which resulted in the development of an advanced conceptual model. The present model adds to the existing literature of technology adoption. The findings would help the managers to work on factors that are not perceived adequate by customers. Such improvements would facilitate the adoption of new technology.
Market orientation in Islamic banks – a qualitative approach
Authors: Ahmed Zebal Mostaque , M. Saber Hussein
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of market orientation that exists in the Islamic financial institutions. The study further aims at identifying the antecedents and consequences of such market orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Considering the explorative nature, the study uses qualitative research approach, collecting data in words using in-depth interview technique, drawing sample from Islamic financial institutions of both Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates. Data were coded and categorized using inductive reasoning method and similar responses were identified from a prepared data matrix. The results were presented in a narrative way using simple frequency for the agreements and disagreements of respondents considering “street language” without being mediating the meaning of the responses.

Findings

– A different nature of market orientation called Islamic market orientation has been identified by the results of the study. The study identifies five elements (orientation on Islamic customer, orientation on information, orientation on integration, orientation on competition, and finally orientation on responsiveness) that embody the formation of Islamic market orientation. The study also identifies a different set of antecedents (attitude toward Islamic values, Islamic leadership, risk partaking, inter-relationships, government legislations, and management training) that are responsible for determining the extent of Islamic market orientation. The study further identifies a set of consequences (profitability, customer satisfaction and retention, gaining new customers, increase of employees’ team spirit and satisfaction, service quality improvement, increase of market share, and increase of work efficiency) when market-oriented behavior is being adopted by the Islamic financial institutions.

Originality/value

– To the best of the knowledge of the authors of this study, the results offer a different kind of market orientation along with its antecedents and consequences which can be considered as completely original and unique.
Informant characteristics as moderators in higher education research
Authors: L. Hammond Kevin , L. Webster Robert
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a survey of business schools examining the impact of market orientation on overall business school performance. The authors extend previous research by examining the possible moderating influence of accrediting body affiliation and administrative position of key informants on the relationships between the components of market orientation (customer orientation, competitor orientation, and inter-functional coordination) and overall performance for each of three markets (student, parent, and employer). Research objectives are stated in terms of 18 hypotheses.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors apply moderated regression analysis following the methodology used by Sharma, Durand, and Gur-Arie (1981) and Slater and Narver (1994), examining the variable relationships within schools affiliated through two accrediting bodies, from the perspective of business school deans and chief academic officers.

Findings

– Results suggest moderating effects for three of the 18 relationships that were tested. Intelligence gathered from survey research within higher education is indicated to vary somewhat depending on key informant characteristics (accrediting body affiliation and administrative position in this study).

Practical implications

– These results have practical implications for strategic planning within higher education. A better understanding of the differences within higher education will assist decision makers in responding to intelligence gathered within their own university, and will also assist them with strategies involving other universities (such as competitors or global partners).

Originality/value

– These results within higher education have implications for survey research more broadly, supporting concerns by Phillips (1981) and others that researchers be mindful of key informant characteristics and other factors that could bias their judgments regarding organizational properties and other variables under investigation.
Employment, chronic disease prevalence and medical care among the older population in India: an assessment of linkages
Authors: Namdevrao Yadav Priyanka , Goli Srinivas , Perianayagam Arokiasamy , Maikho Apollo Pou Ladumai
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the linkages of employment, chronic disease prevalence and medical care of the older population in India.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study used the India Human Development Survey data for the analysis. Bivariate, multinomial logit regression and multiple classification analysis are used as methods for the study.

Findings

– The findings suggest a bi-directional relationship between employment and chronic diseases: the older population who are engaged in regular paid work has lower likelihood to the risk of chronic diseases compared to those who are not working. Conversely, the older population with chronic diseases may be unable to work in regular paid jobs. The greater proportions of not-working older population with savings and retirement pensions are more likely to seek modern treatment for the chronic diseases. Overall, the results foster that employment determines and is determined by chronic disease prevalence among the older population in India.

Originality/value

– This paper for the first time presents evidence on the linkages of employment, chronic disease prevalence and medical care of the older population in India by using a unique and comprehensive data source.
The forecasting ability of world mutual funds
Authors: Rodriguez Javier
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to empirically examine the forecasting ability of US-based world mutual funds during the 2001-2007 time period.

Design/methodology/approach

– World mutual funds are treated as portfolios composed of two sets of securities, i.e. domestic and foreign and two methodologies are used to measure forecasting ability: domestic differential exposure and assertion rates. Domestic differential exposure is based on the difference between each fund exposure to the domestic market when it is the outperforming market and the portfolio exposure to the domestic market when the foreign market is outperforming. Similar to the differential exposure, assertion rates measure the ability of fund managers to pick, on a monthly basis, an outperforming market.

Findings

– Although changing economic conditions in both domestic and foreign markets provided plenty of opportunities to outperform market benchmarks, the results of two empirical tests reveal that fund managers fail to effectively manage their exposure to both markets. Some evidence of good forecasting ability is found when funds are examined on a yearly basis.

Originality/value

– This study provides the first implementation of both methodologies: domestic differential exposure and assertion rates, to examine global funds.
Service quality in an Australian private dental network
Authors: Edward Baldwin Alan
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This longitudinal research project seeks to monitor and report on the levels of patient satisfaction with the delivery of dental care provided by the Australian Unity Dental Centres (AUDC), which offer private dental care to people within Australia. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the above issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– The primary data gathering medium employed in this research was a survey based upon the SERVQUAL instrument. The research compares results obtained from the initial 2000 survey with the results of surveys conducted through to 2012. The key question addressed in this report is: how have patient perceptions of the service quality of care received at AUDC changed between the 2000 and 2012 survey periods?

Findings

– The level of expected service has improved over the study period, as has the level of perceived service delivered. A number of areas that would benefit from further improvement are identified and matched to specific actions that are being implemented by the business.

Practical implications

– A principal objective of the AUDC is to provide high-quality dental care to the patients. This objective can be best pursued through a regime that recognises that high-quality clinical outcomes are often dependent upon patients following recommended treatment pathways. This dependency pre-supposes that patients understand the treatment pathway's compliance requirements and, further, agree to comply with them.

Originality/value

– No other research projects have utilised eight iterations of SERVQUAL over a 13-year period in the dental service delivery sector.
Enterprise self-assessment analytics for sustainability, resilience and robustness
Authors: Edgeman Rick , A. Williams Joseph
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to integrate resilience, robustness, and resplendence (R
3) with sustainable enterprise excellence (SEE) and social-ecological innovation (SEI) that assist firms to progress toward continuously relevant performance proceeding from continuously responsible strategy, behavior, and other actions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Sustainable enterprise excellence, resilience, robustness, and resplendence (SEER3) model and the associated means of SEER
3 maturity assessment are introduced to explain the organizational concept.

Findings

– SEER3 balances the complementary and competing interests of key stakeholder segments, including society and the natural environment and increases the likelihood of superior and sustainable competitive positioning and hence long-term enterprise success that is defined by continuously relevant and responsible governance, strategy, actions, and performance consistent with high-level organizational R3.

Originality/value

– This paper adapts the established principles from physics to characterize enterprise R3 to come up with SEE model.
Healthy and unhealthy food in Italian television ads for adults and children
Authors: Romana Puggelli Francesca , Bertolotti Mauro
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The aim of the research is to investigate how healthy and unhealthy foods (e.g., those of little nutritional value, but high fat and sugar content) are represented in televised advertising, analyzing the differences in persuasive strategies used to promote them.

Design/methodology/approach

– Content analysis was performed on 62 food advertisings broadcast on the main Italian national TV channels, focusing on target, representation of food consumption, number and gender of the main characters, visual and sound effects (i.e. music jungles etc.) and references to nutritional properties.

Findings

– Results showed that healthy food products are marketed almost exclusively to adults, using adult-oriented advertising techniques, whereas unhealthy food advertisings rely on communicative formats and appeals more suited for children and adolescents.

Originality/value

– The research first investigated, with a simple descriptive approach, how television advertising of unhealthy food products relies on specifically crafted communication in order to attract young consumers' attention and, ultimately, affect their buying intentions.
Elucidation of the Burkholderia cenocepacia hopanoid biosynthesis pathway uncovers functions for conserved proteins in hopanoid‐producing bacteria
Authors: Schmerk Crystal L. , Welander Paula V. , Hamad Mohamad A. , Bain Katie L. , Bernards Mark A. , Summons Roger E. , Valvano Miguel A.
Published: May 2014

Hopanoids are bacterial surrogates of eukaryotic membrane sterols and among earth's most abundant natural products. Their molecular fossils remain in sediments spanning more than a billion years. However, hopanoid metabolism and function are not fully understood. Burkholderia species are environmental opportunistic pathogens that produce hopanoids and also occupy diverse ecological niches. We investigated hopanoids biosynthesis in Burkholderia cenocepacia by deletion mutagenesis and structural characterization of the hopanoids produced by the mutants. The enzymes encoded by hpnH and hpnG were essential for production of all C35 extended hopanoids, including bacteriohopanetetrol (BHT), BHT glucosamine and BHT cyclitol ether. Deletion of hpnI resulted in BHT production, while ΔhpnJ produced only BHT glucosamine. Thus, HpnI is required for BHT glucosamine production while HpnJ is responsible for its conversion to the cyclitol ether. The ΔhpnH and ΔhpnG mutants could not grow under any stress condition tested, whereas ΔhpnI, ΔhpnJ and ΔhpnK displayed wild‐type growth rates when exposed to detergent, but varying levels of sensitivity to low pH and polymyxin B. This study not only elucidates the biosynthetic pathway of hopanoids in B. cenocepacia, but also uncovers a biosynthetic role for the conserved proteins HpnI, HpnJ and HpnK in other hopanoid‐producing bacteria.
Transcriptional and translational control through the 5′‐leader region of the dmpR master regulatory gene of phenol metabolism
Authors: Madhushani Anjana , del Peso‐Santos Teresa , Moreno Renata , Rojo Fernando , Shingler Victoria
Published: May 2014

Expression of pathways for dissimilation of toxic aromatic compounds such as (methyl)phenols interfaces both stress‐response and carbon catabolite repression control cascades. In Pseudomonas putida, carbon catabolite repression is mediated by the protein Crc – a translational repressor that counteracts utilization of less‐preferred carbon sources as growth substrates until they are needed. In this work we dissect the regulatory role of the 5′‐leader region (5′‐LR) of the dmpR gene that encodes the master regulator of (methyl)phenol catabolism. Using deletion and substitution mutants combined with artificial manipulations of Crc availability in P. putida, we present evidence that a DNA motif within the 5′‐leader region is critical for inhibition of the output from the Pr promoter that drives transcription of dmpR, while the RNA chaperone Hfq facilitates Crc‐mediated translation repression through the 5′‐leader region of the dmpR mRNA. The results are discussed in the light of a model in which Hfq assists Crc to target a sequence within a loop formed by secondary structure of the 5′‐LR mRNA. Our results support the idea that Crc functions as a global translational inhibitor to co‐ordinate hierarchical carbon utilization in Pseudomonads.
A genomic island integrated into recA of Vibrio cholerae contains a divergent recA and provides multi‐pathway protection from DNA damage
Authors: Rapa Rita A. , Islam Atiqul , Monahan Leigh G. , Mutreja Ankur , Thomson Nicholas , Charles Ian G. , Stokes Harold W. , Labbate Maurizio
Published: May 2014

Lateral gene transfer (LGT) has been crucial in the evolution of the cholera pathogen, Vibrio cholerae. The two major virulence factors are present on two different mobile genetic elements, a bacteriophage containing the cholera toxin genes and a genomic island (GI) containing the intestinal adhesin genes. Non‐toxigenic V. cholerae in the aquatic environment are a major source of novel DNA that allows the pathogen to morph via LGT. In this study, we report a novel GI from a non‐toxigenic V. cholerae strain containing multiple genes involved in DNA repair including the recombination repair gene recA that is 23% divergent from the indigenous recA and genes involved in the translesion synthesis pathway. This is the first report of a GI containing the critical gene recA and the first report of a GI that targets insertion into a specific site within recA. We show that possession of the island in Escherichia coli is protective against DNA damage induced by UV‐irradiation and DNA targeting antibiotics. This study highlights the importance of genetic elements such as GIs in the evolution of V. cholerae and emphasizes the importance of environmental strains as a source of novel DNA that can influence the pathogenicity of toxigenic strains.
Modulation of primary cell function of host Pseudomonas bacteria by the conjugative plasmid pCAR1
Authors: Takahashi Yurika , Shintani Masaki , Takase Noriyuki , Kazo Yuka , Kawamura Fujio , Hara Hirofumi , Nishida Hiromi , Okada Kazunori , Yamane Hisakazu , Nojiri Hideaki
Published: May 2014

The impacts of plasmid carriage on the host cell were comprehensively analysed using the conjugative plasmid pCAR1 in three different Pseudomonas hosts, P. putida KT2440, P. aeruginosa PAO1 and P. fluorescens Pf0‐1. Plasmid carriage reduced host fitness, swimming motility, and resistance to osmotic or pH stress. Plasmid carriage brought about alterations in primary metabolic capacities in the TCA cycle of the hosts. Differentially transcribed genes in the three hosts associated with plasmid carriage were identified by growth phase‐dependent transcriptome analyses. Plasmid carriage commonly showed a greater effect on the host transcriptome at the transition and early stationary phases. The transcriptome alterations were similar between KT2440 and PAO1. Transcriptions of numbers of genes encoding ribosomal proteins, F‐type ATPase, and RNAP core in both strains were not suppressed enough in the early stationary phase by plasmid carriage. These responses may have been responsible for the reduction in host fitness, motility and stress resistances. Host‐specific responses to plasmid carriage were transcriptional changes of genes on putative prophage or foreign DNA regions. The extents of the impacts on host phenotypes and transcriptomes were similarly greatest in KT2440 and lowest in Pf0‐1. These findings suggest that host cell function was actively regulated by plasmid carriage.
Civilizing Muslim youth: Egyptian state culture programmes and Islamic television preachers
Authors: Winegar Jessica
Published: May 2014

This article explores the similarities and differences between artist and Islamic preacher discourses on art, culture, and youth in Mubarak‐era Egypt in order to highlight the utility and limitations of current anthropological discussions of secularism and religious discursive traditions. By focusing on the shared civilizing and transformative associations of youth, art, and religion, it argues that there is an ingraining of Islamic civilizing traditions into modern governance and vice versa. Furthermore, explaining this phenomenon of ingraining requires that we give more attention to social class and geographical location, nationalism, global and national political‐economic shifts, and the complicated ways that globally circulating discourses become entangled.
Beyond family satisfaction: Family‐perceived involvement in residential care
Authors: Irving Justine
Published: May 2014

Aim

To explore perceived family involvement and its relationship with satisfaction and facility impressions.

Method

A questionnaire was posted to residents' next of kin from four South Australian residential aged care facilities.

Results

One hundred and fifty next of kin participated in the survey. Family‐perceived involvement was significantly and positively correlated with satisfaction and facility impressions.

Conclusion

The findings of this study add to the limited body of research into family involvement in long‐term residential care. Feedback from the family regarding particular aspects of involvement may also improve the experience of long‐term care for both family and resident, and assist with the identification of specific issues towards which organisations may target their quality improvement efforts.