bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are metaphorical paths and roads ever paved?
Authors: Johansson Falck Marlene
Published: May 2013

This paper provides a corpus linguistic analysis of verbs included in English path-, road- and way-sentences. My claim is that many of the differences between metaphorical and non-metaphorical patterns including these terms are related to a qualitative difference between real and imagined journeys. Both non-metaphorical and metaphorical instances go back to our experiences with real-world paths, roads and ways. Path and road-sentences are connected with motion along the specific artifacts that these terms refer to. Way-sentences refer to motion through space. Differences between prototypical and un-prototypical paths, roads and ways, however, and a close connection between prototypical instances and metaphorical meaning, result in differences between non-metaphorical and metaphorical patterns. The findings explain why the source domain verbs in metaphorical path- and road-sentences are more restricted than the verbs in the non-metaphorical sentences. They show why metaphorical ways, but hardly ever metaphorical paths and roads, are paved.
Diet controls Drosophila follicle stem cell proliferation via Hedgehog sequestration and release
Authors: Hartman Tiffiney R. , Strochlic Todd I. , Ji Yingbiao , Zinshteyn Daniel , O’Reilly Alana M.
Published: May 2013

A healthy diet improves adult stem cell function and delays diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and neurodegeneration. Defining molecular mechanisms by which nutrients dictate stem cell behavior is a key step toward understanding the role of diet in tissue homeostasis. In this paper, we elucidate the mechanism by which dietary cholesterol controls epithelial follicle stem cell (FSC) proliferation in the fly ovary. In nutrient-restricted flies, the transmembrane protein Boi sequesters Hedgehog (Hh) ligand at the surface of Hh-producing cells within the ovary, limiting FSC proliferation. Upon feeding, dietary cholesterol stimulates S6 kinase–mediated phosphorylation of the Boi cytoplasmic domain, triggering Hh release and FSC proliferation. This mechanism enables a rapid, tissue-specific response to nutritional changes, tailoring stem cell divisions and egg production to environmental conditions sufficient for progeny survival. If conserved in other systems, this mechanism will likely have important implications for studies on molecular control of stem cell function, in which the benefits of low calorie and low cholesterol diets are beginning to emerge.
Stem cells get a cholesterol test
Authors: Short Ben
Published: May 2013

Study reveals that dietary cholesterol regulates Hedgehog signaling and stem cell proliferation in flies.
Variations in Identification of Healthcare-Associated Infections
Authors: Keller Sara C. , Linkin Darren R. , Fishman Neil O. , Lautenbach Ebbing
Published: May 2013

Objective.

Little is known about whether those performing healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance vary in their interpretations of HAI definitions developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). Our primary objective was to characterize variations in these interpretations using clinical vignettes. We also describe predictors of variation in responses.

Design.

Cross-sectional study.

Setting.

United States.

Participants.

A sample of US-based members of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Research Network.

Methods.

Respondents assessed whether each of 6 clinical vignettes met criteria for an NHSN-defined HAI. Individual- and institutional-level data were also gathered.

Results.

Surveys were distributed to 143 SHEA Research Network members from 126 hospitals. In total, 113 responses were obtained, representing at least 61 unique hospitals (30 respondents did not identify a hospital); 79.2% (84 of 106 nonmissing responses) were infection preventionists, and 79.4% (81 of 102 nonmissing responses) worked at academic hospitals. Among the 6 vignettes, the proportion of respondents correctly characterizing the vignettes was as low as 27.3%. Combining all 6 vignettes, the mean percentage of correct responses was 61.1% (95% confidence interval, 57.7%–63.8%). Percentage of correct responses was associated with presence of a clinical background (ie, nursing or physician degrees) but not with hospital size or infection prevention and control department characteristics.

Conclusions.

Substantial heterogeneity exists in the application of HAI definitions in this survey of infection preventionists and hospital epidemiologists. Our data suggest a need to better clarify these definitions, especially when comparing HAI rates across institutions.
Evaluating Application of the National Healthcare Safety Network
Central Line—Associated Bloodstream Infection Surveillance Definition: A Survey of Pediatric Intensive Care and Hematology/Oncology Units
Authors: Gaur Aditya H. , Miller Marlene R. , Gao Cuilan , Rosenberg Carol , Morrell Gloria C. , Coffin Susan E. , Huskins W. Charles
Published: May 2013

Objective.

To evaluate the application of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) definition in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and pediatric hematology/oncology units (PHOUs) participating in a multicenter quality improvement collaborative to reduce CLABSIs; to identify sources of variability in the application of the definition.

Design.

Online survey using 18 standardized case scenarios. Each described a positive blood culture in a patient and required a yes-or-no answer to the question “Is this a CLABSI?” NHSN staff responses were the reference standard.

Setting.

Sixty-five US PICUs and PHOUs.

Participants.

Staff who routinely adjudicate CLABSIs using NHSN definitions.

Results.

Sixty responses were received from 58 (89%) of 65 institutions; 78% of respondents were infection preventionists, infection control officers, or infectious disease physicians. Responses matched those of NHSN staff for 78% of questions. The mean (SE) percentage of concurring answers did not differ for scenarios evaluating application of 1 of the 3 criteria (“known pathogen,” 78% [1.7%]; “skin contaminant, >1 year of age,” 76% [SE, 2.5%]; “skin contaminant, ≤1 year of age,” 81% [3.8%]; P = .3 ). The mean percentage of concurring answers was lower for scenarios requiring respondents to determine whether a CLABSI was present or incubating on admission (64% [4.6%]; P = .017) or to distinguish between primary and secondary bacteremia (65% [2.5%]; P = .021).

Conclusions.

The accuracy of application of the CLABSI definition was suboptimal. Efforts to reduce variability in identifying CLABSIs that are present or incubating on admission and in distinguishing primary from secondary bloodstream infection are needed.
Infection Related to Implantable Central Venous Access Devices in Cancer Patients: Epidemiology and Risk Factors
Authors: Freire Maristela P. , Pierrotti Ligia C. , Zerati Antônio E. , Araújo Pedro H. X. N. , Motta-Leal-Filho J. M. , Duarte Laiane P. G. , Ibrahim Karim Y. , Souza Antonia A. L. , Diz Maria P. E. , Pereira Juliana , Hoff Paulo M. , Abdala Edson
Published: May 2013

Objective.

To describe the epidemiology of infections related to the use of implantable central venous access devices (CVADs) in cancer patients and to evaluate measures aimed at reducing the rates of such infections.

Design.

Prospective cohort study.

Setting.

Referral hospital for cancer in São Paulo, Brazil.

Patients.

We prospectively evaluated all implantable CVADs employed between January 2009 and December 2011. Inpatients and outpatients were followed until catheter removal, transfer to another facility, or death.

Methods.

Outcome measures were bloodstream infection and pocket infection. We also evaluated the effects that the creation of a multidisciplinary team for CVAD care, avoiding in-hospital implantation of CVADs, and limiting CVAD insertion in neutropenic patients have on the rates of such infections.

Results.

During the study period, 966 CVADs (mostly venous ports) were implanted in 933 patients, for a combined total of 243,792 catheter-days. We identified 184 episodes of infection: 154 (84%) were bloodstream infections, 21 (11%) were pocket infections, and 9 (5%) were surgical site infections. During the study period, the rate of CVAD-related infection dropped from 2.2 to 0.24 per 1,000 catheter-days (P< .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that relevant risk factors for such infection include surgical reintervention, implantation in a neutropenic patient, in-hospital implantation, use of a cuffed catheter, and nonchemotherapy indication for catheter use.

Conclusions.

Establishing a multidisciplinary team specifically focused on CVAD care, together with systematic reporting of infections, appears to reduce the rates of infection related to the use of these devices.
Reducibility of slow quasi-periodic linear systems
Authors: Wu Jian , You Jiangong
Published: May 2013

In this note, we prove that the reducibility of analytic quasi-periodic linear systems close to constant is irrelevant to the size of the base frequencies. More precisely, we consider the quasi-periodic linear systems
\[

X
˙

=
(
A
+
B
(
θ
)
)
X
,

θ
˙

=

λ

−
1

ω

\dot {X} =(A+B(\theta ))X,\quad \dot {\theta }=\lambda ^{-1}\omega

\]
in

C

m

,

\mathbb {C}^{m},

where the matrix

A
A

is constant and

ω
\omega

is a fixed Diophantine vector,

λ
∈

R

∖
{
0
}

\lambda \in \mathbb {R}\backslash \{0\}

. We prove that the system is reducible for typical

A
A

if

B
(
θ
)

B(\theta )

is analytic and sufficiently small (depending on

A
,
ω

A, \omega

but not on

λ
\lambda

).
Emergence of the Arctic Themisto libellula (Amphipoda: Hyperiidae) on the southeastern Bering Sea shelf as a result of the recent cooling, and its potential impact on the pelagic food web
Authors: Pinchuk Alexei I. , Coyle Kenneth O. , Farley Edward V. , Renner Heather M.
Published: May 2013

Pinchuk, A. I., Coyle, K. O., Farley, E. V., and Renner, H. M. 2013. Emergence of the Arctic Themisto libellula (Amphipoda: Hyperiidae) on the southeastern Bering Sea shelf as a result of the recent cooling, and its potential impact on the pelagic food web. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 1244–1254. The eastern Bering Sea shelf experienced a sequence of warm years after a regime shift in the late 1970s. Following a series of unusually warm years in the early 2000s, the climate shifted again in 2007 to a series of extremely cold years that were marked by intense ice coverage and late ice retreat. Spatial and temporal variability in zooplankton communities during the recent cold period was investigated as part of the collaborative BEST-BSIERP program. An increasing presence of the Arctic hyperiid Themisto libellula, which had not been reported from the southeastern Bering Sea since the 1970s, was observed in the Middle Shelf Domain, indicating a developing structural shift in the zooplankton community in response to continuous cold conditions. Simultaneously, T. libellula became an increasingly dominant prey in the diets of zooplanktivorous fish and seabirds, demonstrating the important role for T. libellula in the pelagic food web. Our analysis suggests that T. libellula is capable of controlling copepod populations, thus it may become a potential contributor to top-down regulation of Calanus spp. in the eastern Bering Sea.
Evidence for density-dependent changes in body condition and pregnancy rate of North Atlantic fin whales over four decades of varying environmental conditions
Authors: Williams Rob , Vikingsson Gisli A. , Gislason Astthor , Lockyer Christina , New Leslie , Thomas Len , Hammond Philip S.
Published: May 2013

Williams, R., Vikingsson, G. A., Gislason, A., Lockyer, C., New, L., Thomas, L., and Hammond, P. S. 2013. Evidence for density-dependent changes in body condition and pregnancy rate of North Atlantic fin whales over four decades of varying environmental conditions. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 1273–1280. A central theme in ecology is the search for pattern in the response of a species to changing environmental conditions. Natural resource management and endangered species conservation require an understanding of density-dependent and density-independent factors that regulate populations. Marine mammal populations are expected to express density dependence in the same way as terrestrial mammals, but logistical difficulties in data acquisition for many large whale species have hindered attempts to identify population-regulation mechanisms. We explored relationships between body condition (inferred from patterns in blubber thickness) and per capita prey abundance, and between pregnancy rate and body condition in North Atlantic fin whales as environmental conditions and population size varied between 1967 and 2010. Blubber thickness in both males and females declined at low per capita prey availability, and in breeding-age females, pregnancy rate declined at low blubber thickness, demonstrating a density-dependent response of pregnancy to prey limitation mediated through body condition. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a quantitative relationship among per capita prey abundance, body condition, and pregnancy rate has been documented for whales. As long-lived predators, marine mammals can act as indicators of the state of marine ecosystems. Improving our understanding of the relationships that link prey, body condition, and population parameters such as pregnancy rate and survival will become increasingly useful as these systems are affected by natural and anthropogenic change. Quantifying linkages among prey, fitness and vital rates will improve our ability to predict population consequences of subtle, sublethal impacts of ocean noise and other anthropogenic stressors.
Genetic Variation and Association Mapping of Protein Concentration in Brown Rice Using a Diverse Rice Germplasm Collection
Authors: Bryant Rolfe J. , Jackson Aaron K. , Yeater Kathleen M. , Yan Wengui G. , McClung Anna M. , Fjellstrom Robert G.
Published: May 2013

Protein is the second most abundant constituent in the rice grain next to starch. Association analysis for protein concentration in brown rice was performed using a “mini‐core” collection, which represents the germplasm diversity found in the USDA rice world collection. Protein concentration was determined in replicated trials conducted in two southern U.S. locations, and association mapping was performed by using 157 genomewide DNA markers. Protein concentration ranged from 5.4 to 11.9% among the 202 accessions. Protein variation owing to accession and accession × location interaction were highly significant. Ample variation was seen within each subpopulation by ancestry, as well as within the 14 geographic regions where the accessions originated. Accessions from Eastern Europe had the highest level of protein. Ten markers on eight chromosomes were significantly associated with protein concentration. Five of these markers occurred near known protein precursor genes or quantitative trait loci, and the other five markers were novel for the association with protein concentration in rice. The germplasm and genetic markers identified in this study will assist breeders in developing cultivars tailored for applications requiring specific protein concentration in the rice grain. The research results contribute to the potential discovery of novel rice storage protein pathways in the endosperm.
Correlation of Sensory, Cooking, Physical, and Chemical Properties of Whole Grain Rice with Diverse Bran Color
Authors: Bett‐Garber Karen L. , Lea Jeanne M. , McClung Anna M. , Chen Ming‐Hsuan
Published: May 2013

Whole grain rice is nutrient dense because of the intact bran layer. The literature indicates that there is genetic variability for compounds in the bran layer of whole grain rice with some compounds in high concentrations in varieties with pigmented bran. The purpose of this study was to compare factors that impact sensory characteristics between different classes of rice bran color. Ten varieties, two from each of five bran colors (white, light brown, brown, red, and purple), were evaluated for descriptive flavor and texture, physical characteristics, gelatinization temperature, apparent amylose content, and polyphenols. Rice that has red or purple pigmented bran has higher contents of phenols and flavonoids, and these varieties were strongly correlated with some flavor attributes. The bran/hay/straw attribute correlated with bran weight and bran thickness, and sweet taste negatively correlated with amylose content. The texture attribute of hardness was significantly different among bran colors, and a 64% variance can be explained by kernel density and bran thickness. Physical traits of kernel width, kernel thickness, and bran weight can explain 68.7% of cook time variance. This report advances our understanding of contributing factors to the flavor and texture attributes of the whole grain rice with diverse bran color.
Characteristics of Modern Triticale Quality: The Relationship Between Carbohydrate Properties, α‐Amylase Activity, and Falling Number
Authors: Dennett Angela L. , Wilkes Meredith A. , Trethowan Richard M.
Published: May 2013

Triticale is a high‐yielding cereal crop with potential to increase grain production for human consumption over the coming decades. Minimal targeted selection has been conducted to produce cultivars with α‐amylase, amylose, and nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) content appropriate for a milling market. Nevertheless, genotypic variability exists. Standard quality screening methods used for wheat, including pasting properties, falling number, and quantification of α‐amylase activity were employed to assess the environmental and genotypic variability among modern triticale cultivars and to investigate the suitability of these tests for triticale. Samples of 11 triticale lines from four environments were compared with five wheat cultivars bred for various end uses. Triticale exhibited a greater range than wheat for most tested variables, and the ranges usually overlapped. Triticale exhibited higher NSP content, generally equivalent pasting properties, higher α‐amylase activity, and lower falling number on average compared with wheat checks. However, low falling number was not indicative of high α‐amylase activity; the relationship with NSP level and other factors is discussed, and caution is recommended for interpretation of previous research. Three cultivars with equivalent α‐amylase activity to wheat and two with partially waxy starch were identified. These findings have great significance for research and the emerging triticale milling market.
Geometric principles in the assembly of α-helical bundles
Authors: Pratap J. V. , Luisi B. F. , Calladine C. R.
Published: May 2013

α-Helical coiled coils are usually stabilized by hydrophobic interfaces between the two constituent α-helices, in the form of ‘knobs-into-holes’ packing of non-polar residues arranged in repeating heptad patterns. Here we examine the corresponding ‘hydrophobic cores’ that stabilize bundles of four α-helices. In particular, we study three different kinds of bundle, involving four α-helices of identical sequence: two pack in a parallel and one in an anti-parallel orientation. We point out that the simplest way of understanding the packing of these 4-helix bundles is to use Crick's original idea that the helices are held together by ‘hydrophobic stripes’, which are readily visualized on the cylindrical surface lattice of the α-helices; and that the ‘helix-crossing angle’—which determines, in particular, whether supercoiling is left- or right-handed—is fixed by the slope of the lattice lines that contain the hydrophobic residues. In our three examples the constituent α-helices have hydrophobic repeat patterns of 7, 11 and 4 residues, respectively; and we associate the different overall conformations with ‘knobs-into-holes’ packing along the 7-, 11- and 4-start lines, respectively, of the cylindrical surface lattices of the constituent α-helices. For the first two examples, all four interfaces between adjacent helices are geometrically equivalent; but in the third, one of the four interfaces differs significantly from the others. We provide a geometrical explanation for this non-equivalence in terms of two different but equivalent ways of assembling this bundle, which may possibly constitute a bistable molecular ‘switch’ with a coaxial throw of about 12 Å. The geometrical ideas that we deploy in this paper provide the simplest and clearest description of the structure of helical bundles. In an appendix, we describe briefly a computer program that we have devised in order to search for ‘knobs-into-holes’ packing between α-helices in proteins.
Virus sensor based on single-walled carbon nanotube: improved theory incorporating surface effects
Authors: Elishakoff Isaac , Challamel Noël , Soret Clément , Bekel Yannis , Gomez Thomas
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we deal with the theoretical framework for a single-walled carbon nanotube serving as a virus or bacterium sensor, with the complicating influences of non-locality and surface effects taken into account. It is demonstrated that these effects are not negligible as is often assumed in the literature; they may greatly influence both the vibration behaviour as well as the identification process of the virus or bacterium.
On damping in the vicinity of critical points
Authors: Virgin L. N. , Wiebe R.
Published: May 2013

The effect of damping on the behaviour of oscillations in the vicinity of bifurcations of nonlinear dynamical systems is investigated. Here, our primary focus is single degree-of-freedom conservative systems to which a small linear viscous energy dissipation has been added. Oscillators with saddle–node, pitchfork and transcritical bifurcations are shown analytically to exhibit several interesting characteristics in the free decay response near a bifurcation. A simple mechanical oscillator with a transcritical bifurcation is used to experimentally verify the analytical results. A transcritical bifurcation was selected because it may be used to represent generic bifurcation behaviour. It is shown that the damping ratio can be used to predict a change in the stability with respect to changing system parameters.
Contact patch memory of tyres leading to lateral vibrations of four-wheeled vehicles
Authors: Takács Dénes , Stépán Gábor
Published: May 2013

It has been shown recently that the shimmy motion of towed wheels can be predicted in a wide range of parameters by means of the so-called memory effect of tyres. This delay effect is related to the existence of a travelling-wave-like motion of the tyre points in contact with the ground relative to the wheel. This study shows that the dynamics within the small-scale contact patch can have an essential effect on the global dynamics of a four-wheeled automobile on a large scale. The stability charts identify narrow parameter regions of increased fuel consumption and tyre noise with the help of the delay models that are effective tools in dynamical problems through multiple scales.
Parallels between wind and crowd loading of bridges
Authors: McRobie Allan , Morgenthal Guido , Abrams Danny , Prendergast John
Published: May 2013

Parallels between the dynamic response of flexible bridges under the action of wind and under the forces induced by crowds allow each field to inform the other. Wind-induced behaviour has been traditionally classified into categories such as flutter, galloping, vortex-induced vibration and buffeting. However, computational advances such as the vortex particle method have led to a more general picture where effects may occur simultaneously and interact, such that the simple semantic demarcations break down. Similarly, the modelling of individual pedestrians has progressed the understanding of human–structure interaction, particularly for large-amplitude lateral oscillations under crowd loading. In this paper, guided by the interaction of flutter and vortex-induced vibration in wind engineering, a framework is presented, which allows various human–structure interaction effects to coexist and interact, thereby providing a possible synthesis of previously disparate experimental and theoretical results.
Reduced-order models for nonlinear vibrations, based on natural modes: the case of the circular cylindrical shell
Authors: Amabili Marco
Published: May 2013

Reduced-order models are essential to study nonlinear vibrations of structures and structural components. The natural mode discretization is based on a two-step analysis. In the first step, the natural modes of the structure are obtained. Because this is a linear analysis, the structure can be discretized with a very large number of degrees of freedom. Then, in the second step, a small number of these natural modes are used to discretize the nonlinear vibration problem with a huge reduction in the number of degrees of freedom. This study finds a recipe to select the natural modes that must be retained to study nonlinear vibrations of an angle-ply laminated circular cylindrical shell that the author has previously studied by using admissible functions defined on the whole structure, so that an accuracy analysis is performed. The higher-order shear deformation theory developed by Amabili and Reddy is used to model the shell.
A simulation model for emergency evacuation time of a library facility using EVACNET4
Authors: Ashraf Tashrifullahi Syed , Hassanain Mohammad A.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The objectives of this article are to present the findings of a case study conducted to determine the optimal emergency egress time for the main library of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, using an evacuation simulation model; discuss the importance of the use of evacuation simulation models to architects, fire protection engineers and facilities managers; and demonstrate the importance of using an evacuation simulation model in understanding evacuation performance and conducting building safety assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have reviewed the published literature in the field of evacuation analysis considering level of service (LOS) as a significant factor; studied the input requirements of the evacuation simulation model EVACNET4 and estimated the same for the library facility at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals; and examined selected results and validated the same using FPETool.

Findings

The study revealed that the evacuation times obtained using both EVACNET4 and FPETool for the library are different and vary 49 seconds in magnitude.

Originality/value

Risk to life as a result of fire in buildings is a key concern for facility managers, architects and insurance companies. This study could be of practical help to fire protection engineers and facilities managers from the viewpoint of emergency evacuation planning in specific facilities, and to architects during the process of designing the spatial layout of the library facility, where even minor changes in the layout can have large impacts on egress time.
An investigation on daylighting performance in educational institutions
Authors: İnan Tuğba
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate natural illumination properties of one of the classrooms in the School of Architecture at Izmir Institute of Technology, located in Turkey, which is the northern hemisphere.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the definitions of the basic terms in daylighting, such as daylight factor, illuminance, glazing ratio, are given first. Then, a luxmeter and a lighting simulation software, Velux, are used in order to calculate variable lighting factors during daytime, at different storeys, at different directions, for the classes. Velux is a proprietary software and it enables natural lighting analysis practically.

Findings

Chosen classrooms are examined regarding their having sufficient natural illumination. The height of windows from the floor is changed, and the resultant effects on natural lighting in the classrooms are determined by using the lighting simulation program, Velux. The study shows that daylight factor and illumination near the window decreases as the height of the window above the floor increases. However, the illumination increases away from the window, giving greater uniformity to the lighting. At the same time, the usable depth of the classroom increases. The tall and narrow windows bring the daylight near themselves.

Social implications

Practical window design decisions can help architects to provide effective and healthy natural lighting for interiors.

Originality/value

Adjustment of the dimensions of the windows is important in order to balance the energy consumption of buildings. This study investigates natural lighting depending on both experimental measurements and simulation software, Velux.
Controlled relative humidity in crawl spaces: a new treatment methodology
Authors: Delgado J.M.P.Q. , de Freitas V.P. , Guimarães A.S. , Ferreira C.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Crawl space ventilation became essential to avoid moisture damage. Historical houses with wood floor and crawl spaces unventilated correctly often face problems of biological degradation. This paper seeks to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work a case study of the Egas Moniz museum house, in Estarreja, Portugal, with different building pathologies, such as biological degradation and development of micro‐organisms and fungi, is presented. An experimental campaign was carried out with continuous monitoring of the relative humidity and temperature, to validate the real climatic conditions in the crawl spaces. Additionally, the authors analyse the treatment technologies used in the past and the characteristics of the rehabilitation solutions in order to control the hygrothermal behaviour. Simultaneously, numerical simulation was done using the software tool WUFI‐2D to simulate the hygrothermal building behaviour and a sensitivity study of parameters used was done.

Findings

The in‐situ experimental results showed that high values of relative humidity imply biological degradation of the wood floor and the numerical and analytical models used showed the same tendency. The numerical results showed the importance of crawl spaces with a good ventilation to avoid mould growth and, also, suggested that controlled mechanical ventilation is preferable to strongly continuous mechanical ventilation in this type of spaces. The experimental study shows that the continuous functioning of a ventilation system may lead to the occurrence of interior condensation, so a hygro‐regulated system is thus essential to control unwanted condensation, with an appropriate functioning criterion.

Practical implications

In accordance with the numerical and experimental results, the authors proceeded to the implementation of a hygro‐regulated system to ventilate the crawl spaces of the Egas Moniz museum house.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new proposed intervention methodology, in crawl spaces, to avoid mould growth, based on an extraction controlled by a hygro‐regulated ventilator.
Achievement motivation, strategic orientations and business performance in entrepreneurial firms
Authors: Deshpandé Rohit , Grinstein Amir , Kim Sang-Hoon , Ofek Elie
Published: May 2013

Purpose

– There is a lack of research on the link between the personal disposition of an entrepreneurial firm's founder, the firm's strategic orientation and its performance outcomes. Also, there is a lack of cross-national research on entrepreneurial firms’ strategic orientations. This paper seeks to address these gaps by exploring the differences in strategic orientation choices and their performance outcomes for American and Japanese entrepreneurial firms, focusing on founders’ achievement motivation as a key personal disposition.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was conducted among 397 Japanese founders and 189 American ones.

Findings

– This paper's key counterintuitive finding is that Japanese and American founders of entrepreneurial firms are more similar than is often suggested. The paper first finds that in both Japan and the US, achievement motivation is positively related to customer orientation and cost orientation while not being related to technological orientation. Second, it is found that the adoption of customer orientation is positively related to the profitability of both Japanese and American entrepreneurial firms, although the effect is stronger in the US. It is also found that the adoption of technology orientation is negatively related to the profitability of both Japanese and American firms, although the effect is less negative in Japan. Finally, it is found that the adoption of cost orientation does not have an impact on the profitability of either Japanese or American entrepreneurial firms.

Originality/value

– This is one of the first studies to examine how founders of entrepreneurial firms use their personal disposition to shape the strategic orientation of their firm.
Predicting business failure using cash flow statement based measures
Authors: Bhandari Shyam B. , Iyer Rajesh
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Business failures during the economic recession of 2008‐2010 years were unusually high in the USA. The purpose of this paper is to build a new model to predict business failure, using mostly cash flow statement based measures as predictor variables and discriminant analysis technique.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors' data matrix consisted of 100 firms and seven predictor variables. A total of 50 “failed” firms were matched with 50 non‐failed firms according to Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code and size. Financial statement data for the year prior to failed year were pulled from COMPUSTAT database. Seven predictor variables were selected, namely Operating cash flow divided by current liabilities, Cash flow coverage of interest, Operating cash flow margin, Operating cash flow return on total assets, Earning quality, Quick ratio and Three‐year sales growth. The SPSS‐19 software was used to perform discriminant analysis (DA).

Findings

The DA model classified 83.3 percent of original grouped cases correctly. The cross‐validated approach (jackknife or leave‐one‐out method) correctly classified 79.5 percent of cases. The chi‐square test of Wilks' lambda was significant at 0.000 level which means the model as a whole performed very well in predicting business failure.

Originality/value

This study is unique in many respects. First, the sample companies are not industry specific. They come from more than 20 different two‐digit SIC codes, which means the authors' model is very generic in nature. Second, the seven predictor variables (financial ratios) they selected are logically justified; these are not an outcome of step‐wise procedure. Third, most of the predictor variables use operating cash flow information from the cash flow statement. Fourth, all the failed firms in the authors' test sample are from the most recent, 2008‐2010, period.
An examination of the relationship between the Economic Freedom Index value and the matching country specific exchange traded fund return
Authors: Peterson Timothy
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The paper aims to determine if a country's Economic Freedom Index value has any relationship to the return of the related country specific exchange traded fund.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 36 country specific exchange traded funds were selected for use in this study. The historical returns for 2011, the three‐year period ending in 2011, and the five‐year period ending in 2011 were recorded if available for each exchange traded fund. Each exchange traded fund (ETF) was placed into one of four groups based upon its country's overall Economic Freedom Index value. The range of Economic Index values for each group was the same ones used by the publishers of the Economic Freedom Index. The mean ETF return and standard deviation for 2011, three‐year, and five‐year periods were calculated for each of the four groups. The mean/standard deviation of the Economic Freedom Index and each of its components for 2011, the mean of the three‐year period, and the mean of the five‐year period were calculated for each of the four groups. The degree of statistical significance between the mean returns of the four groups was determined by using ANOVA. The correlation coefficients and the degree of statistical significance were calculated between each component of the index, between each component and the overall index value, and between the overall index value and the ETF returns.

Findings

The correlations between the components of the Economic Freedom Index generally tend to be positive and statistically significant. The correlations between the components of the Economic Freedom Index and the Economic Freedom Index tend to be positive and statistically significant. The correlation between the mean ETF returns of the various groups and the value of the mean Economic Freedom Index tends to be mixed. There appears to be no statistical significance of the difference between the mean ETF returns of each group and the mean overall score of the Economic Freedom Index for that group. For the year 2011 the level of significance was 0.103, for the three‐year period the level of significance was 0.541, and for the five‐year period the level of significance was 0.132. The differences within each group are more than the differences between the groups. The value of the Economic Freedom Index does not appear to correlate with the return of the country specific exchange traded fund.

Originality/value

The paper relates a country's environment for conducting business as represented by its Economic Freedom Index to the equity returns of firms in that country. The results of this study would be of interest to those individuals or institutions making investment decisions regarding country specific exchange traded funds. If a positive correlation exists between the index value and the return of the exchange traded fund, this information could improve the prediction of country specific exchange traded fund returns.
The determinants of consumer behavior towards email advertisement
Authors: Hsin Chang Hsin , Rizal Hamid , Amin Hanudin
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The aim of this study was to develop a theoretical model of email advertising effectiveness and to investigate differences between permission‐based email and spamming. By examining different types of email (i.e. permission‐based email and spamming), the present study empirically tested the theoretical linkage between email advertising values, perceived instrusiveness, and the attitudinal‐behavioural dispositions towards email advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted using 221 respondents from Taiwan. Two scenarios were designed for the present study. The questionnaires were equally divided into two sets, with the first half containing a scenario depicting permission‐based email, and the other half containing a scenario describing a spamming email. Each respondent only received one set of the survey.

Findings

Results from a survey of 221 Internet users in Taiwan indicate that values and attitudes toward, and the perceived intrusiveness of, email advertising significantly affect consumers’ behavioral dispositions toward email advertising. The results suggest that permission‐based email is more effective as compared to spam email advertising. For solicited email, consumers perceived less intrusiveness if the email advertisement offered them financial incentives.

Research limitations/implications

The authors acknowledge four limitations in this study. These limitations however provide further direction for future studies in the discipline. The discussion of these limitations is provided.

Practical implications

Importantly, this study yields significant theoretical and managerial implications. Concerned with the context of email advertising, the authors’ work provides theoretical support for both constructs of advertising values and perceived intrusiveness as important. Concerned with the advertisers, this study renders important implications for better planning of marketing mix strategy using email.

Originality/value

This study provides new theoretical insights into factors influencing consumers’ acceptance of email advertising by incorporating perceived intrusiveness as a mediator in the relationship between advertising values and attitudinal‐behavioral dispositions. By empirically comparing the different types of email advertisements of permission‐based email and spamming, the present study also offers better understanding and extending of the current literature on email advertising research.
Examining the mediating effect of positive moods on trust repair in e‐commerce
Authors: Chen Ying‐Hueih , Wu Jyh‐Jeng , Chang Hsin‐Tzu
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of causal attributions (locus, stability, and controllability attributes) on trust violations and the coping strategies (affective, functional, and informational initiatives) involved in trust repair on building positive moods within the context of e‐commerce.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model is tested using data collected from 513 active e‐shoppers. Structure equation modeling is employed to verify and validate the research model.

Findings

Results show that strategies for repairing trust are effective in building positive moods among consumers, while causes of negative events have a negative impact on consumer mood. Furthermore, positive moods significantly influence the rebuilding of consumer trust. This research demonstrates that positive mood is an important mediator in trust repair.

Practical implications

The research results provide insight into how e‐vendors can ease the tension associated with trust‐related disputes.

Originality/value

This study represents one of the few attempts to integrate the attribution theory with trust research and to outline the strategies of post‐encounter trust rebuilding process following a trust violation.
Investigation of optimal capital structure in Malaysia: a panel threshold estimation
Authors: Halim Ahmad Abd , Adiana Hiau Abdullah Nur
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of leverage on Malaysian listed firms' value and the optimal level of debt at which a firm could maximize its value.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ an advanced panel threshold regression estimation developed in 1999 by Hansen that will indicate whether there are positive and negative impacts of leverage on firm value. This estimation procedure has the advantage of quantifying the threshold level of debt as compared to the ad hoc classification procedure of splitting the sample.

Findings

The results show that debt is only pertinent to the firm value up to a threshold level of 64.33 per cent. Additional debt beyond the threshold level does not add to a firm's value. The appropriate level of debt should be applied, which would thus maximize the firm and stockholders' value.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to look at this issue for Malaysian listed firms. The findings from this paper may provide a critical analysis of the usage of debt in firms' capital structure. An excessive level of debt could lead to a debt overhang situation and insolvency at the microeconomic firm level; this could eventually could cause vulnerability in financial systems and thus lead to the financial catastrophes.
Female students' drinking seen through collages and diaries
Authors: Siemieniako Dariusz , Kubacki Krzysztof
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate young female consumers' motivations and perceptions of their alcohol consumption in the context of the changing drinking culture among women.

Design/methodology/approach

All the data were collected on a university campus in Poland. The research was conducted in two phases, using two research methods: consumer diaries and consumer collages. In Phase 1, purposive sampling was used to establish a group of five female students, all aged 22, who were asked to keep individual written diaries. In Phase 2, consumer collages were prepared and interpreted by four groups consisting of 24 female students.

Findings

Both sets of data were thematically analysed, and the emerging themes were divided into two major issues: drinking motives and control and limits.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited by a small sample recruited from one university, and the indicative findings should be used in further research.

Practical implications

Better understanding of female students' drinking culture will help to develop more targeted and effective policies and social marketing programmes to prevent further rise in alcohol consumption among female students.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the existing literature by deepening our understanding of the unique characteristics of female undergraduate students' drinking, and identifying the areas of convergence between male and female alcohol consumption. It also explores the motivations behind these convergence processes and highlights areas in which differences between genders are still strong.
Generation Y females online: insights from brand narratives
Authors: Ruane Lorna , Wallace Elaine
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the relationships Generation Y females have with fashion brands online. Specifically, it examines the role of the internet and social networks in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Narrative interviews were employed to gather data from Generation Y women. Analysis was conducted using inductive thematic analysis.

Findings

Two main themes emerged from the data: the importance of social media and the influence of the internet. Findings suggest social networks have a significant influence on the dynamics of brand consumption and inform our understanding of females' online shopping behaviours.

Research limitations/implications

A qualitative methodology was utilised to elicit insights from consumers. This allowed participants to express their thoughts in their own words, which provided rich data for analysis.

Practical implications

We provide guidance for marketing managers seeking to harness social networks to market brands. Findings illustrate the role of social networks in driving brand consumption among Generation Y women, and highlight the criticality of the social network as a source of information and reassurance for brand choices. Further, we identify concerns about online shopping, and provide suggestions for online retailers seeking to augment consumers' shopping experiences.

Originality/value

This study offers insights into Generation Y females' use of the internet and social networks for brand consumption. To date such research has been mainly quantitative. Further, Generation Y has been neglected in the marketing literature. This paper addresses these gaps and illustrates the significant impact social media has on the behaviour of female consumers.