bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Three SU UMa-Type Dwarf Novae in the Kepler Field
Authors: Kato Taichi , Osaki Yoji
Published: March 2014

We studied Kepler light curves of three SU UMa-type dwarf novae: a background dwarf nova of KIC 4378554, V585 Lyr, and V516 Lyr. Both the background dwarf nova and V516 Lyr showed a combination of a precursor and a main superoutburst, during which superhumps always developed in the fading branch of the precursor. This finding supports that the thermal-tidal instability theory explains the origin of superoutburst. A superoutburst of V585 Lyr recorded by Kepler did not show a precursor outburst, and the superhumps developed only after the maximum light: namely, the first-ever example in the Kepler data. Such a superoutburst is understood based on the thermaltidal instability model to be a “case B” superoutburst, discussed by Osaki and Meyer (2003, A&A, 401, 325). From the observation of V585 Lyr, Kepler first clearly revealed the positive period derivative commonly seen in the “stage B” superhumps of dwarf novae with a short orbital period. In all three objects, there was no strong signature of a transition to the dominating stream impact-type component of superhumps. This finding suggests that there is no strong indication of an enhanced mass-transfer following the superoutburst. In V585 Lyr, there were “mini-rebrightenings” with an amplitude of 0.2–0.4 mag and its period of 0.4–0.6d during the period between the superoutburst and the rebrightening. We have determined that the orbital period of V516 Lyr is 0.083999(8)d. In V516 Lyr, some of outbursts were double outbursts with varying degrees. The preceding outburst in the double was of the inside-out nature, while the following one was of the outside-in nature. One of the superoutbursts in V516 Lyr was preceded by a double precursor. The preceding precursor failed to trigger a superoutburst, and the following precursor triggered a superoutburst by developing positive superhumps. We have also developed new methods of reconstructing the light curve of superhumps, and of measuring the times of maxima from poorly sampled Kepler LC data.
An Observational Study of the Temperature and Surface Density Structures of a Typical Full Disk around MWC480
Authors: Akiyama Eiji , Momose Munetake , Kitamura Yoshimi , Tsukagoshi Takashi , Shimada Shota , Koyamatsu Shin , Hayashi Masahiko
Published: March 2014

This paper presents observations of a protoplanetary disk around a Herbig Ae star,MWC480, in $^{12}\textrm {CO} (J=1-0),^{12}\textrm {CO} (J=3-2),^{13}\textrm {CO} (J=1-0), \textrm {and} \textrm {C}^{18} \textrm{O} (J=1-0) $ emission lines. Double-peaked emission profiles originating from the rotating circumstellar disk were detected in all of the lines. The vertical temperature and radial surface density structures of the outer region of the disk were derived by applying the similarity solution in the standard accretion disk model. Taking advantage of differences in the height of the photosphere among the CO lines, the temperature in the uppermost $^{12}\textrm {CO} (J=3-2)$ emitting layer was shown to be about 3-times higher than that of any other CO emitting region, suggesting that there are at least two distinct temperature regions. Our modeling succeeds in describing all of the observational results obtained in the four CO lines, particularly different emission extents at different frequencies, by a single set of the parameters for a disk model. Since the similarity solution model could be the most suitable for the radial surface density structure, it is likely that the disk around MWC480 evolves by transferring angular momentum outward via viscous diffusion. Although further quantitative studies are required for identifying what disk model is the best for describing physical disk structures, our results suggest the potential advantage of the similarity solution model, indicating that disks around Herbig Ae/Be stars likely have diffused gas in the outer regions, and that the disk surface density exponentially decreases with increasing radial distance.
Obscuration of Flare Emission by an Eruptive Prominence
Authors: Gopalswamy Nat , Yashiro Seiji
Published: March 2014

We report on the eclipsing of microwave flare emission by an eruptive prominence from a neighboring region as observed by the Nobeyama Radioheliograph at 17 GHz. The obscuration of the flare emission appears as a dimming feature in the microwave flare light curve. We use the dimming feature to derive the temperature of the prominence and the distribution of heating along the length of the filament. We find that the prominence is heated to a temperature above the quiet Sun temperature at 17 GHz. The duration of the dimming is the time taken by the eruptive prominence in passing over the flaring region. We also find evidence for the obscuration in EUV images obtained by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) mission.
Measurements of Coronal and Chromospheric Magnetic Fields Using Polarization Observations by the Nobeyama Radioheliograph
Authors: Iwai Kazumasa , Shibasaki Kiyoto
Published: March 2014

Coronal and chromospheric magnetic fields are derived from polarization and spectral observations of the thermal free-free emission using the Nobeyama Radioheliograph (NoRH). In magnetized plasma, the ordinary and extraordinary modes of free-free emission have different optical depths. This creates a circularly polarized component in an atmosphere with a temperature gradient. We observed an active region on 2012 April 13 to derive its coronal and chromospheric magnetic fields. The observed degree of circular polarization was between 0.5% and 1.7%. The radio circular polarization images were compared with ultraviolet images observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly and the photospheric magnetic field observed by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager, both on board the Solar Dynamic Observatory. At the edge of the active region, the radio circular polarization was emitted mainly from coronal loops, and the coronal magnetic field was derived to be about 70 G. At the center of the active region, the chromospheric and coronal components cannot be separated. The derived magnetic field is about 20% to 50% of the corresponding photospheric magnetic field, which is an emission-measure-weighted average of the coronal and chromospheric magnetic fields.
Unusual Migration of Prominence Activities in the Southern Hemisphere during Cycles 23-24
Authors: Shimojo Masumi
Published: March 2014

The solar activity in Cycles 23-24 shows differences from the previous cycles that were observed with modern instruments, e.g., long cycle duration and a small number of sunspots. To appreciate the anomalies further, we investigated the prominence eruptions and disappearances observed with the Nobeyama Radioheliograph for over 20 years. Consequently, we found that the occurrence of prominence activities in the northern hemisphere is normal because the period of the number variation is 11 years, and the migration of the producing region of the prominence activities traces the migration of 11 years ago. On the other hand, the migration in the southern hemisphere significantly differs from that in the northern hemisphere and the previous cycles. The prominence activities occurred over -50° latitude in spite of the late decay phase of Cycle 23, and the number of prominence activities in the higher latitude region (over -65°) is very small, even near the solar maximum of Cycle 24. The results suggest that the anomalies of the global magnetic field distribution started at the solar maximum of Cycle 23. A comparison of the butterfly diagram of the prominence activities with the magnetic butterfly diagram indicates that the timing of “the rush to the pole” and the polar magnetic field closely relates to unusual migration. Considering that the rush to the pole is made of the sunspots, the hemispheric asymmetry of the sunspots and the strength of the polar magnetic fields are essential for understanding the anomalies of the prominence activities.
Evolution of the Source of Quasi-Periodic Microwave Pulsations in a Single Flaring Loop
Authors: Kupriyanova Elena G. , Melnikov Victor F. , Shibasaki Kiyoto
Published: March 2014

Quasi-periodic pulsations (QPP) of the microwave emission of a solar flare on 2002 July 3, observed with the Nobeyama Radioheliograph (Japan), were investigated with emphasise on the spatial structure of the emission source. It was shown that the time profiles of the variation of the distance between two main sources of the emission and the microwave flux are similar, with a common quasi-periodicity. The most significant QPP is found to be at 30 s. The increase in the microwave emission flux from the Northern source, as well as the increase in the spatiallyintegrated signal, is accompanied by a decrease in the distance between the sources. In contrast, the decrease in the flux corresponds to the decrease in the source separation. This behaviour, together with the observed spatial localisation of the QPP, is very consistent with the vertically polarised global kink mode of the flaring loop.
Relations between Strong High-Frequency Microwave Bursts and Proton Events
Authors: Grechnev Victor V. , Meshalkina Nataliya S. , Chertok Ilya M. , Kiselev Valentin I.
Published: March 2014

Proceeding from close association between solar eruptions, flares, shock waves, and CMEs, we analyze relations between bursts at 35 GHz recorded with the Nobeyama Radio Polarimeters during 1990–2012, on the one hand, and solar energetic particle (SEP) events, on the other hand. Most west to moderately east solar events with strong bursts at 35 GHz produced near-Earth proton enhancements of $J(E \gt 100 \textrm{MeV} \gt 1)$ pfu. The strongest and hardest of those caused ground-level enhancements. There is a general, although scattered, correspondence between proton enhancements and peak fluxes at 35 GHz, especially pronounced if the 35 GHz flux exceeds 104 sfu and the microwave peak frequency is high. These properties indicate emission from numerous high-energy electrons in very strong magnetic fields suggesting a high rate of energy release in the flare-CME formation process. Flaring above the sunspot umbrae appears to be typical of such events. Irrespective of the origin of SEPs, these circumstances demonstrate significant diagnostic potential of high-frequency microwave bursts and sunspot-associated flares for space weather forecasting. Strong prolonged bursts at 35 GHz promptly alert to hazardous SEP events with hard spectra. A few exceptional events with moderate bursts at 35 GHz and strong proton fluxes look challenging, and should be investigated
Oscillating Magnetic Trap and Non-Thermal Emission from Solar Flares
Authors: Tsap Yuri , Kopylova Yulia , Goldvarg Tatiana , Stepanov Alexander
Published: March 2014

A comparative analysis of the fine time structure of microwave and hard X-ray emissions from the flare event on 1992 November 5 is given. Based on wavelet analysis, quasi-periodic pulsations with a fundamental period of 6 s in both wave bands have been revealed. The anticorrelation of time profiles of microwave and hard X-ray emissions as well as time delays between the emission peaks in different wave bands are explained by the excitation of sausage oscillations of a flare loop modelling by a magnetic trap. It has been shown that the intermediate pitch angle diffusion regime of trapped electrons into the loss-cone should be realized in flare loops. The relation between time delays of emission peaks at different wave bands and the pulse duration has been investigated.
Sepsis Is Associated with a Preferential Diaphragmatic Atrophy
Authors: Jung Boris , Nougaret Stephanie , Conseil Matthieu , Coisel Yannaël , Futier Emmanuel , Chanques Gerald , Molinari Nicolas , Lacampagne Alain , Matecki Stefan , Jaber Samir
Published: March 2014

Background:

Diaphragm and psoas are affected during sepsis in animal models. Whether diaphragm or limb muscle is preferentially affected during sepsis in the critically ill remains unclear.

Methods:

Retrospective secondary analysis study including 40 patients, comparing control (n = 17) and critically ill patients, with (n = 14) or without sepsis (n = 9). Diaphragm volume, psoas volume, and cross-sectional area of the skeletal muscles at the third lumbar vertebra were measured during intensive care unit (ICU) stay using tridimensional computed tomography scan volumetry. Diaphragm strength was evaluated using magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation. The primary endpoint was the comparison between diaphragm and peripheral muscle volume kinetics during the ICU stay among critically ill patients, with or without sepsis.

Results:

Upon ICU admission, neither diaphragm nor psoas muscle volumes were significantly different between critically ill and control patients (163 ± 53 cm3
vs. 197 ± 82 cm3 for the diaphragm, P = 0.36, and 272 ± 116 cm3
vs. to 329 ± 166 cm3 for the psoas, P = 0.31). Twenty-five (15 to 36) days after admission, diaphragm volume decreased by 11 ± 13% in nonseptic and by 27 ± 12% in septic patients, P = 0.01. Psoas volume decreased by 11 ± 10% in nonseptic and by 19 ± 13% in septic patients, P = 0.09. Upon ICU admission, diaphragm strength was correlated with diaphragm volume and was lower in septic (6.2 cm H2O [5.6 to 9.3]) than that in nonseptic patients (13.2 cm H2O [12.3 to 15.6]), P = 0.01.

Conclusions:

During the ICU stay, both diaphragm and psoas volumes decreased. In septic patients, the authors report for the first time in humans preferential diaphragm atrophy compared with peripheral muscles.
Efficacy of Sugammadex for the Reversal of Moderate and Deep Rocuronium-induced Neuromuscular Block in Patients Pretreated with Intravenous Magnesium
Authors: Czarnetzki Christoph , Tassonyi Edömér , Lysakowski Christopher , Elia Nadia , Tramèr Martin R.
Published: March 2014

Background:

Magnesium enhances the effect of rocuronium. Sugammadex reverses rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block. The authors investigated whether magnesium decreased the efficacy of sugammadex for the reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block.

Methods:

Thirty-two male patients were randomized in a double-blinded manner to receive magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) 60 mg/kg or placebo intravenously before induction of anesthesia with propofol, sufentanil, and rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg. Neuromuscular transmission was monitored using TOF-Watch SX® acceleromyography (Organon Ltd., Dublin, Ireland). In 16 patients, sugammadex 2 mg/kg was administered intravenously at reappearance of the second twitch of the train-of-four (moderate block). In 16 further patients, sugammadex 4 mg/kg was administered intravenously at posttetanic count 1 to 2 (deep block). Primary endpoint was recovery time from injection of sugammadex to normalized train-of-four ratio 0.9. Secondary endpoint was recovery time to final T1.

Results:

Average time for reversal of moderate block was 1.69 min (SD, 0.81) in patients pretreated with MgSO4 and 1.76 min (1.13) in those pretreated with placebo (P = 0.897). Average time for reversal of deep block was 1.77 min (0.83) in patients pretreated with MgSO4 and 1.98 min (0.58) in those pretreated with placebo (P = 0.572). Times to final T1 were longer compared with times to normalized train-of-four ratio 0.9, without any difference between patients pretreated with MgSO4 or placebo.

Conclusion:

Pretreatment with a single intravenous dose of MgSO4 60 mg/kg does not decrease the efficacy of recommended doses of sugammadex for the reversal of a moderate and deep neuromuscular block induced by an intubation dose of rocuronium.
Seasonality and Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Lee Grace J. , Dotson Jennifer L. , Kappelman Michael D. , King Eileen , Pratt Jesse M. , Colletti Richard B. , Bistrick Sarah , Burkam Jennifer L. , Crandall Wallace V. ,   ImproveCareNow Network
Published: March 2014

Objectives:

Seasonal and geographic variations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exacerbations have been described in adults, with inconsistent findings. We sought to determine whether disease activity in pediatric‐onset IBD is associated with a seasonal pattern.

Methods:

We examined children with Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) using data from the ImproveCareNow Collaborative between December 2008 and November 2010. We compared the proportion of patients in continuous remission for all recorded visits in each season. We also compared the distribution of all recorded visits with a physician global assessment (PGA) of remission or active disease across seasons.

Results:

A total of 1325 patients with CD (6102 visits) and 587 patients with UC (2394 visits) were included. The proportion of patients with UC in continuous remission during each season was highest in the summer (67%) and lowest in the winter (55%) (P = 0.01). A similar pattern was found for CD but was not significant. Similarly, the proportion of visits in remission was highest in the summer and lowest in the winter for both UC (29%, 21%; P < 0.001) and CD (28%, 23%; P < 0.001); however, the distribution of visits with active disease was not significantly different across seasons.

Conclusions:

The higher proportion of patients with UC in continuous remission in the summer may be related to the higher proportion of remission visits in the summer, because the proportion of visits with active disease was similar across seasons. These findings do not support any strong associations between season of the year and disease activity in pediatric IBD.
rhBSSL Improves Growth and LCPUFA Absorption in Preterm Infants Fed Formula or Pasteurized Breast Milk
Authors: Casper Charlotte , Carnielli Virgilio P. , Hascoet Jean‐Michel , Lapillonne Alexandre , Maggio Luca , Timdahl Kristina , Olsson Birgitta , Vågerö Mårten , Hernell Olle
Published: March 2014

Objectives:

Preterm infants often experience suboptimal growth, which can affect organ development. The aim of this study was to improve growth by treatment with bile salt–stimulated lipase (BSSL), naturally present in breast milk, but lost after pasteurization, and absent in formula.

Methods:

Two clinical trials were performed with a predefined analysis of combined data to investigate the effects of recombinant human BSSL (rhBSSL) treatment on growth velocity and fat absorption in preterm infants. The studies were randomized and double‐blinded comparing 7‐day treatment with rhBSSL and placebo, administered in pasteurized breast milk or formula, using a crossover design.

Results:

Sixty‐three infants were evaluated for safety. At randomization, the mean (standard deviation) weight was 1467 (193) g and mean postmenstrual age was 32.6 (0.5) weeks. Sixty and 46 infants were evaluated for growth velocity and fat absorption, respectively. rhBSSL treatment significantly improved mean growth velocity by 2.93 g · kg−1 · day−1 (P < 0.001) compared with placebo (mean 16.86 vs 13.93 g · kg−1 · day−1) and significantly decreased the risk of suboptimal growth (<15 g · kg−1 · day−1) (30% vs 52%, P = 0.004). rhBSSL significantly increased absorption of the long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid by 5.76% (P = 0.013) and 8.55% (P = 0.001), respectively, but had no significant effect on total fat absorption. The adverse‐event profile was similar to placebo.

Conclusions:

In preterm infants fed pasteurized breast milk or formula, 1 week of treatment with rhBSSL was well tolerated and significantly improved growth and long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid absorption compared to placebo. This publication presents the first data regarding the use of rhBSSL in preterms and the results have led to further clinical studies.
Improving environmental management legislation to facilitate post-disaster reconstruction
Authors: Olabode Bamidele Rotimi James , Wilkinson Suzanne
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The study aims to explore improvements to environmental management legislation that will enable the implementation of post-disaster reconstruction activities after the built environment has been affected by a natural disaster.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study programme collates opinions from building and development control officers and other disaster practitioners based in New Zealand. The objective was to determine the practical implication of implementing reconstruction arrangements under the Resource Management Act (RMA). The survey was administered online, and a data set of 80 responses was used for the analyses.

Findings

– The survey results show that the current reconstruction framework in New Zealand may cause procedural constraints and become burdensome to property owners who desire early recovery from a disaster event. Therefore, improvements are suggested to certain aspects of the RMA reconstruction provisions, so that it facilitates early recovery from natural disasters.

Originality/value

– The paper is one aspect of a doctoral study that reviewed the implications of implementing reconstruction under existing legislative framework. It highlights the need for improvements to environmental management legislation to enable effective reconstruction after natural disasters in New Zealand. These have wider implications to other countries to revise their legislation before any disaster, thus reducing the problems that may be experienced while implementing environmental and developmental legislation.
Service quality and satisfaction in the banking sector
Authors: Kayeser Fatima Johra , Abdur Razzaque Mohammed
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The aims of this paper are to examine the antecedent and mediation effects of core, relational and tangible service quality on rapport and customers' overall satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey has been conducted on 212 bank customers to validate the conceptual model. Structural equation modeling is used by AMOS for data analysis.

Findings

– Results show that relational service qualities have significant antecedent and mediation impact on the rapport-satisfaction relationship. Core quality has only antecedent influence on rapport, whereas none of the relationships is found significant in the case of tangible service quality.

Research limitations/implications

– The study has been conducted on one single country and focused on one type of services – banking services. Therefore, future research endeavors may consider different countries as well as a variety of services.

Practical implications

– Providing individual attention to each customer and understanding their specific need are the most important steps required from service employees for building successful rapport with customers. Keeping promises and offering flawless services are also more significant for customers than the tangible features of a bank. Management should consider these issues to develop effective rapport because it has a direct and strong effect on customers' overall satisfaction.

Originality/value

– The paper reveals the importance of relational service quality for developing customer rapport and satisfaction. It also identifies the antecedent role of core service quality for rapport.
Survey concerning electronic textbooks
Authors: Duncan Selby Roger , P. Carter Korey , H. Gage Stuart
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– A survey of students in different undergraduate majors and years asked where they bought their textbooks, the types of electronic devices they used, and their post-class use of textbook material. The research goal was to determine the groups of students likely most receptive to e-textbooks and to assess the potential environmental benefits of e-textbook adoption. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The student population of freshmen and juniors registered at Michigan State University were surveyed via e-mail/online in summer 2010. 477 freshmen (7.8 percent of surveyed) and 652 juniors (10.2 percent of surveyed) responded. Responses were grouped together into seven categories by student major.

Findings

– Surveyed students used far more print textbooks than e-textbooks. Laptops were the dominant student device and their future promise for e-textbook use is limited. The higher-than-expected rate of e-waste generation by students indicates that the environmental benefits of e-textbook adoption may be limited without improvements in e-waste management. However, results suggest that students from all majors and years were willing to experiment with different textbook vendors, so if functionality and cost incentives are improved, e-textbook adoption will likely be a widespread campus phenomenon.

Originality/value

– Research on e-textbooks often focuses on educational value or student preference; this research instead provides results assessing whether current e-device use on campus will support e-textbooks and whether adopting e-textbooks will have an environmental benefit over print textbooks. The study also reveals that many students learn to adapt their purchasing behavior with experience, and that this trend is widespread throughout all majors.
Are personal innovativeness and social influence critical to continue with mobile commerce?
Authors: Lu June
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report a study investigating the impact of personal innovativeness in information technology (PIIT) and social influence on user continuance intention toward mobile commerce (m-commerce) in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was conducted among undergraduate and graduate mobile users in a regional university. Structural equation modeling procedures were deployed to analyse 323 valid data points.

Findings

– The study found that among well-educated m-commerce users, user personal innovativeness as measured by PIIT and perceived usefulness, the determinants of initial adoption, remain as strong determinants of user continuance intention. PIIT also remains as the antecedent of perceived ease of use. Social influence has changed the pattern of influence on continuance intention.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is unable to investigate m-commerce user expectations and satisfaction levels. The small and convenient sample does not offer guarantee of the findings.

Practical implications

– M-commerce providers should pay adequate attention to personal innovativeness, since it affects mobile user willingness and capability to welcome and adapt to new services and features. They should always utilize social channels to gather feedback, to distribute new changes or features, and to exert positive influence.

Originality/value

– This study is one of the few examining the effect of PIIT in a post-adoption context and confirms its long-term psychological influence on continuance intention toward m-commerce. This study is also one of the initial to use discursive power perspective to study social influence on continuance intention in the mobile context.
Antecedents for user intention to adopt another auction site
Authors: Tseng Fan-Chen , Teng Ching-I.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Multiple adoption (the adoption of another auction site in addition to the present one) enables startup or non-leading firms to survive and grow by eroding the customer bases of market leaders. Thus understanding multiple adoption is important. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to propose and examines antecedents of user intention to adopt another online auction site.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study utilized a cross-sectional design and an online survey, obtaining 495 valid responses.

Findings

– Analytical results indicate that self-efficacy and inherent novelty seeking contribute to the intention to adopt another auction site. Moreover, transaction opportunities enhance the intention. Perceived network externality also increases the intention. However, perceived relational switching costs reduce such intention.

Originality/value

– This study is new in investigating why users intend to use another auction site and identifying the antecedents.
Managing brand presence through social media: the case of UK football clubs
Authors: McCarthy Jeff , Rowley Jennifer , Jane Ashworth Catherine , Pioch Elke
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute knowledge on the issues and benefits associated with managing brand presence and relationships through social media. UK football clubs are big businesses, with committed communities of fans, so are an ideal context from which to develop an understanding of the issues and challenges facing organisations as they seek to protect and promote their brand online.

Design/methodology/approach

– Due to the emergent nature of social media, and the criticality of the relationships between clubs and their fans, an exploratory study using a multiple case study approach was used to gather rich insights into the phenomenon.

Findings

– Clubs agreed that further development of social media strategies had potential to deliver interaction and engagement, community growth and belonging, traffic flow to official web sites and commercial gain. However, in developing their social media strategies they had two key concerns. The first concern was the control of the brand presence and image in social media, and how to respond to the opportunities that social media present to fans to impact on the brand. The second concern was how to strike an appropriate balance between strategies that deliver short-term revenue, and those that build longer term brand loyalty.

Originality/value

– This research is the first to offer insights into the issues facing organisations when developing their social media strategy.
Perceived value of social networking sites (SNS) in students' expressive participation in social movements
Authors: D. Borrero Juan , Y. Yousafzai Shumaila , Javed Uzma , L. Page Kelly
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to determine the beliefs that influence university students to use social networking sites (SNS) for expressive participation in social movements.

Design/methodology/approach

– The original technology acceptance model (TAM), a quantitative methodological approach, and a survey were used to collect responses from 214 university students in Spain. Structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed relationships.

Findings

– Results confirm that the perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness (PU) of SNS significantly affect a student's intention to use SNS for expressive social participation in social movements, with use intention significantly affecting actual participation. There was no significant moderating effect of students' gender on these relationships.

Originality/value

– Although there is much discussion in the popular press about how people use SNS, there is no published empirical research on the determinants that contribute to a person's intention to use and actual use of SNS in the context of social movements. This paper is one of the first studies to investigate young people's perception of the SNS usefulness and ease of the use for participation in social movements.
Interactive, direct and digital marketing
Authors: David Stone Merlin , David Woodcock Neil
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to explain how the management of the two areas business intelligence (BI) and customer insight (CI) needs to be brought together to support a company's interactive marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

– The article is based on the author's work in consultancy and in assessing client company's customer management capabilities and performance, as well as a review of some of the literature on BI and CI.

Findings

– The article suggests that companies need to pay close attention to the governance of BI, as a self-service approach to BI becomes increasingly used by CI teams.

Research limitations/implications

– The review of literature carried out by the authors suggests that the interface between BI and CI is poorly researched and would benefit from a significant research effort.

Originality/value

– The focus on the interface between BI and CI is relatively new. The authors hope that it will trigger significant research.
The effects ofhukou(official household residential status) on perceived human resource management practices and organizational justice in China
Authors: Shen Jie , Leggett Chris
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of China's official household residential status (hukou) on perceived human resource management (HRM) practices, perceived organizational justice (POJ) and its moderation of the relationship between them.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data for the study were collected from 775 employees in 36 companies in China. Missing data analysis was conducted in order to identify the pattern associated with personal demographic variables. A one-way between-groups MANOVA was performed to investigatehukoudifferences in the perceptions of HRM practices and POJ. Confirmative factor analysis was conducted on POJ's three-factor measurement model to examine the distinctiveness of the study variables.

Findings

– Employees registered as agricultural, i.e. rural,hukou, who have migrated to and found employment in urban areas, perceive HRM practices and distributive and procedural justice less favourably than do non-agricultural, i.e. urban,hukou. It also finds thathukoustatus moderates the effect of HRM on POJ. The findings therefore are that HRM that differentiates ruralhukouand urbanhukouresults in different impressions of their employing organizations, and thathukoustatus changes the strengths of the relationship between HRM and employees' perceived fairness in their organizations.

Research limitations/implications

– The use of the single data source is more likely to result in common method variance which may bias the strength of the relationships that this study proposed. Moreover, this study contributes to the literature with regard to the moderating effects of personal demographic variables on the relationship between organizational policies and POJ, buthukouis the only personal variable examined and therefore the generalisation of the study's findings may be limited. Future research should examine the moderating effects of other personal factors.

Originality/value

– The moderating effect of personal demographic variables has been constantly examined in management and psychology research, but with a focus on employees' work attitudes and behaviour. For example, gender was found to moderate the relationship between organizational commitment and turnover intention. The extent to which personal demographic variables might moderate the relationship between organizational policies and POJ has not hitherto been examined. This study fills this void.
Managing innovative work behavior: the role of human resource practices
Authors: Ma Prieto Isabel , Pilar Pérez-Santana Ma
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of high-involvement human resource practices in the innovative work behavior of employees, with the mediation of supportive work environment conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses regression analysis to test the hypotheses in a sample of 198 Spanish firms.

Findings

– The results indicate that ability-enhancing and opportunity-enhancing human resource practices are positively related to innovative work behaviors with the mediation of two work environment variables: management support and coworkers support. This study discusses results and highlights limitations and future research directions.

Originality/value

– Previous researchers have identified employees as important sources of innovation, but systemic empirical research has not been fully applied to examine the relationship between human resource management (HRM) and employees' innovative work behavior.
A vertebrate cytokine primer for eco‐immunologists
Authors: Zimmerman Laura M. , Bowden Rachel M. , Vogel Laura A.
Published: March 2014

The field of eco‐immunology seeks to address the causes and consequences of natural variation in immune responses. Recently, the development of more immunological resources for nonmodel systems along with the growing availability of genomic data has made it feasible to explore more complex immunological differences in nonmodel systems.

Cytokines are small molecular weight proteins that are the major signalling molecules of the immune system. Studies in mice and humans have demonstrated the importance of tightly regulated cytokine signalling, and thus, cytokines may play a major, unexplored role in explaining natural variation in immune responses.

In this review, we highlight cytokines that are likely to be important for eco‐immunology studies and what is currently known about their presence or absence in the major vertebrate groups. We also explore what types of questions an eco‐immunologist might ask involving cytokines and discuss potential ways to measure cytokines in nonmodel systems.

Inclusion of cytokines in eco‐immunology will advance the field as it will help us to better understand mechanisms behind both natural variation in immune responses and how different taxa respond to immune challenges.
A test of the umbrella species approach in restored floodplain ponds
Authors: Branton Margaret A. , Richardson John S.
Published: March 2014

The umbrella species approach, where conservation actions targeted for one or a group of species should benefit the broader community, may provide an effective framework to guide habitat restoration. This requires congruence in the response of umbrella and co‐occurring species to environmental stress and recovery, and the identification of potential mechanisms by which co‐occurring species benefit from conservation of an umbrella species.

Past evaluations of this approach have considered only the presence/absence of umbrella species. In addition to the presence/absence, we quantified abundance and biomass of both umbrella and co‐occurring species to support a more quantitative evaluation of species co‐occurrence. Floodplain ponds are restored in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest to benefit coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch, a presumptive umbrella species. To test its effectiveness as an umbrella species, we assessed the relationships between species richness, abundance and biomass of aquatic vertebrates, including vertebrates of conservation concern (‘listed’), and benthic invertebrates and the abundance and biomass of juvenile coho. We used ordination to evaluate relationships between species' abundance and biomass and environmental attributes.

Positive relationships were identified between coho abundance and biomass and species richness, abundance and biomass of fish and listed species. These relationships were negative for benthic invertebrates. Listed species were located close to coho in ordinations, suggesting they respond to similar environmental features while benthic invertebrates clustered away from coho.

Synthesis and applications. We found that where our umbrella species coho is most productive, so are other listed species and fish in general, a relationship that would not have been evident had evaluated species richness alone. We also reported strong relationships between some environmental features manipulated in the habitat restoration and the presence and productivity of coho and co‐occurring species. Our study demonstrates the umbrella species approach has potential to guide habitat restoration when there is congruence in the response of umbrella and co‐occurring species to environmental attributes that can be manipulated in the restoration. Where this is possible, one can use restoration designed for one or several umbrella species and successfully restore habitats that are viable for other species, including listed species.
Government Policies, Residential Mortgage Defaults and the Boom and Bust Cycle of Housing Prices
Authors: Ascheberg Marius , Jarrow Robert A. , Kraft Holger , Yildirim Yildiray
Published: March 2014

We develop a micro‐based macromodel for residential home prices in an economy where defaults on residential mortgages negatively affect housing prices. Our model enables us to study the impact of subprime defaults on prime borrowers and the impact of various government policies on the housing market boom and bust cycle. In this regard, our key conclusions are that (i) there is a contagion effect from subprime defaults to prime defaults due to the negative impact of subprime defaults and (ii) monetary policy is the most effective tool for decreasing mortgage defaults and increasing aggregate home prices in contrast to alternative government fiscal policies designed to loosen mortgage credit.
The location of origin of spontaneous extracranial internal carotid artery dissection is adjacent to the skull base
Authors: Downer Jonathon , Nadarajah Mahendra , Briggs Eliza , Wrigley Peter , McAuliffe William
Published: March 2014

Introduction

The traditional view is that spontaneous extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection (CAD) extends cranially from an intimal tear located just beyond the carotid bulb. This paper demonstrates that CAD originates in and primarily involves a more distal segment of the artery.

Methods

A retrospective study of 54 dissected ICAs in 50 consecutive patients with spontaneous or traumatic CAD was undertaken. The site of the dissection, presence of ICA redundancy, rate of acute or delayed ischaemic stroke and vessel remodelling were determined.

Results

Of the 51 dissections that occurred spontaneously or after indirect trauma, 25/51 (49.0%) were solely in the distal third of the artery, and 49/51 (96.1%) involved the distal two‐thirds. Only 2/51 (3.9%) originated in the proximal third. ICA redundancy was seen in 27/36 (75%) of patients with spontaneous CAD, compared with only 1/11 (9.1%) of those with CAD due to indirect trauma (P = 0.0002). Acute stroke occurred in 10/12 (83.3%) of patients with ICA occlusion secondary to CAD and in 14/38 (36.8%) with non‐occlusive CAD (P = 0.0074). Where follow‐up was available, only 2/32 (6.3%) patients had a stroke after diagnosis, and 19/33 (57.6%) ICAs recanalised or remodelled.

Conclusion

CAD occurring spontaneously or due to indirect trauma most frequently involves the distal extracranial ICA. Spontaneous CAD is associated with vessel redundancy, and the risk of acute stroke is greatest with occlusive CAD. The prognosis is good with treatment, with a low rate of recurrent stroke and a high rate of vessel remodelling.
Parties and Policymaking in Multiparty Governments: The Legislative Median, Ministerial Autonomy, and the Coalition Compromise
Authors: Martin Lanny W. , Vanberg Georg
Published: March 2014

In parliamentary democracies, governments are typically composed of multiple political parties working together in a coalition. Such governments must confront a fundamental challenge in policymaking—the preferences of coalition parties often diverge significantly, but the government can adopt only one common policy on any specific issue. This fact raises a critical question that has far‐reaching implications for the quality of democratic representation: Whose preferences are ultimately reflected in coalition policy choices? In this study, we explore three competing answers to this question derived from the theoretical literature on multiparty governance and parliamentary institutions. Our findings, based on an analysis of the legislative history of more than 1,000 government bills from three parliamentary democracies, strongly suggest that coalition policies reflect a compromise between government parties rather than the preferences of the ministers proposing them or the preferences of the median party in the legislature.
The effects of doxapram on medullary respiratory neurones in brainstem–spinal cord preparations from newborn rats
Authors: Osaka Y. , Onimaru H. , Kotani S. , Kashiwagi M. , Morisaki H. , Takeda J.
Published: March 2014

Doxapram is the only dedicated respiratory stimulant used to aid recovery of breathing after major surgery. Doxapram acts on peripheral chemoreceptors and although the central action of doxapram has been suggested, its detailed neuronal mechanism is unknown. We assessed doxapram‐induced changes in spontaneous cervical nerve (C4) inspiratory activity and the firing of action potentials in pre‐inspiratory and inspiratory neurones in the medulla. Experiments were performed in neonatal rat brainstem–spinal cord preparations, which can produce respiratory rhythm for several hours under in vitro conditions. Doxapram application (for 15 min) increased the frequency and amplitude of C4 activity dose‐dependently. Doxapram induced changes in the electrophysiological properties of pre‐inspiratory and inspiratory neurones. Our results suggest that respiratory activity enhancement was likely to be induced via effects on the potassium channels of pre‐inspiratory and inspiratory neurones and indicate the central actions of doxapram.
Adult learners' intention to adopt mobile learning: A motivational perspective
Authors: Hashim Kamarul Faizal , Tan Felix B. , Rashid Ammar
Published: March 2014

Mobile learning (m‐learning) is gaining popularity as the “anytime, anywhere” online learning channel. Academics and practitioners alike are showing interest in examining its ability to support online learning. However, prior studies have highlighted the challenges in promoting m‐learning adoption. The extant m‐learning literature has mainly focused on technology‐related factors to examine m‐learning adoption. However, few studies have investigated this topic from the users' motivation perspective and even fewer from an adult learner context. Hence, this study employs the uses and gratification theory to provide a better understanding of what motivates m‐learning adoption in adult learners. The research findings suggest that adult learners' intention to use m‐learning is influenced by their cognitive, affective and social needs through attitude. This paper concludes by noting the theoretical and practical contributions.
The impact of age and CYP2C9 and VKORC1 variants on stable warfarin dose in the paediatric population
Authors: Vear Susan I. , Ayers Gregory D. , Van Driest Sara L. , Sidonio Robert F. , Stein Charles Michael , Ho Richard H.
Published: March 2014

The influence of genetic variation on warfarin dose requirement is limited for paediatric patients. We performed a retrospective, cross‐sectional study to examine the effect of variant CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotypes on warfarin dose in 100 children. Those with VKORC1 genotype AA required 48% of the dose of homozygous wild‐type (GG, P < 0·0001). Patients with any variant CYP2C9 allele required 71% of the dose for wild‐type (P = 0·001). The effect of variant VKORC1 alleles tended to vary with age, suggesting developmental ontogeny may influence warfarin sensitivity. Age, CYP2C9 genotype, VKORC1 genotype and age:VKORC1 interaction accounted for 53% of warfarin dose variability.