bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SHORT TERM ADVANTAGES OF A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR TUBERCULOSIS IN GUINEA BISSAU: REDUCTION OF MORTALITY AND INCREASED DIAGNOSTIC CAPACITY
Authors: Vieira Fina , Sanha Mamadu Saliu , Riccardi Fabio , Colombatti Raffaella
Published: July 2014

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is widespread in Africa, but weak health systems in developing countries, often display poor quality of care with delays in case identification, irrational therapy and drug shortage, clinical mismanagement, unnecessary expenditures for patients, reduced adherence and increased mortality. Public-private partnership has demonstrated to increase TB case detection, but less is known about its effects on quality of care, mortality and costs for hospitalized TB patients. Methods: Clinical outcomes and costs for TB patients at the TB National Reference Center of Bissau, in Guine Bissau, West Africa were determined during the first 5 months of the public-private management and compared to the ones of previous years when the hospitals was under  direct Government’s management. Results: 215 (2009) and 194 (2013) patients were admitted, respectively. Improvement (p<0.05) was observed in mortality reduction (21% vs 6%), analysis prescription and diagnosis (39% vs 100%), cause of death determination (50% vs 85%), treatment abandonment (15 vs 1). Direct costs for patients during TB diagnostic pathway and inpatient care were significantly reduced, 475 vs 0 USD. Conclusions: Public-private partnerships displays important short term benefits in National TB reference centers, even in post-conflict and low-resource countries. Further studies could aid in determining the overall long term benefits of  this type of cooperation and the specific characteristic of TB and concomitant hematologic and infectious diseases in TB admitted patients.
HODGKIN LYMPHOMA IN OLDER PATIENTS: AN ORPHAN DISEASE?
Authors: Thyss Antoine , Saada Esma , Gastaud Lauris , Peyrade Frédéric , Ré Daniel
Published: July 2014

Hodgkin Lymphoma HL ica be  cured in the large majority of younger patients, but prognosis for older patients, especially those with advanced-stage disease, has not improved substantially. The percentage of HL patients aged over 60 ranges between 15% and 35%.A minority of them is enrolled into clinical trials. HL in the elderly have some specificities: more frequent male sex, B-symptoms, advanced stage, sub diaphragmatic presentation, higher percentage of mixed cellularity, up to 50% of advanced cases associated to EBV. Very old age (>70) and comorbidities are factor of further worsening prognosis. Like in younger patients, ABVD is the most used protocol, but treatment outcome remains much inferior with more frequent, severe and sometimes specific toxicities. Few prospective studies with specific protocols are available. The main data have been published by the Italian Lymphoma Group with the VEPEMB schedule and the German Hodgkin Study Group with the PVAG regimen. Recently, the Scotland and Newcastle Lymphoma Study Group published the SHIELD program associating a prospective phase 2 trial with VEPEMB and a prospective registration of others patients. Patients over 60y with early-stage disease received three cycles plus radiotherapy and had 81% of 3-year overall survival (OS).Those with advanced-stage disease received six cycles, with 3-year OS of 66%.The role of geriatric and comorbidity assessment in the treatment’s choice for HL in the elderly is a major challenge. The combination of loss of activities of daily living combined with the age stratification more or less 70y has been shown as a simple and effective survival model. Hopes come from promising new agents like brentuximab-vedotin (BV) a novel antibody-drug conjugate. The use of TEP to adapt the combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy according to the metabolic response could also be way for prospective studies.
TREATMENT OF ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA
Authors: Ribera Josep-Maria , Ribera Jordi , Genescà Eulàlia
Published: July 2014

The primary objective of this review was to update and discuss the current concepts andthe results of the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adolescents and young adults(AYA). After a brief consideration of the epidemiologic and clinicobiologic characteristics of ALLin the AYA population, the main retrospective comparative studies stating the superiority ofpediatric over adult-based protocols were reviewed. The most important prospective studies inyoung adults using pediatric inspired or pediatric unmodified protocols were also reviewedemphasizing their feasibility at least up to the age of 40 yr and their promising results, with eventfreesurvival rates of 60-65% or greater. Results of trials from pediatric groups have shown that theunfavourable prognosis of adolescents is no more adequate. The majority of the older adolescentswith ALL can be cured with risk-adjusted and minimal residual disease-guided intensivechemotherapy, without stem cell transplantation. However, some specific subgroups, which aremore frequent in adolescents than in children (e.g., early pre-T, iAMP21, and BCR-ABL-like),deserve particular attention. In summary, the advances in treatment of ALL in adolescents havebeen translated to young adults, and that explains the significant improvement in survival of thesepatients in recent years.
Tourists’ perceptions and willingness to pay for the control of Opuntia stricta invasion in protected areas: A case study from South Africa
Authors: Nikodinoska Natasha , Foxcroft Llewellyn C. , Rouget Mathieu , Paletto Alessandro , Notaro Sandra
Published: July 2014

Invasive alien plants have a long history of establishment in the national parks of South Africa.In particular, Opuntia stricta (sour prickly pear) has invaded several protected areas in thecountry, threatening the biodiversity conservation mandate of these conservation areas. Thisarticle focuses on the economic estimation of O. stricta’s negative impacts in protected areas byusing Contingent Valuation surveys conducted amongst a sample of tourists in the PilanesbergNational Park (North West Parks and Tourism Board, South Africa). Tourists’ familiarity andawareness of selected invasive alien plants and their willingness to pay for the implementationof a control programme for O. stricta were assessed. The results show that many tourists arefamiliar with invasive alien plants and their (positive and negative) impacts and, in particular,perceived the presence of O. stricta to be negative, due to the impacts on aesthetics and recreation.Socio-demographic characteristics, as well as individual attitudes and biocentric beliefs, have aninfluence on the willingness to contribute financially to a control programme for O. stricta. Theindividual willingness to pay assessment found that the majority of respondents (78%) werewilling to pay a higher entrance fee (an additional R57.30 or $7.00 per day) for a hypotheticalprogramme to control the invasion of O. stricta in the Pilanesberg National Park.Conservation implications: The willingness of tourists to pay for O. stricta managementprovides useful insights in the decision-making process of park management. The resultsare encouraging, since, in general, tourists are aware of the problem and are in support ofproviding additional economic input for preventing future alien plant invasions.
Existence and Multiplicity of Solutions for Kirchhoff Type Problems Involving $p(x)$-Biharmonic Operators
Authors: Afrouzi Ghasem A. , Mirzapour Maryam , Chung Nguyen Thanh
Published: July 2014

This paper is concerned with the existence and multiplicity of weak solutions for a

p(x)

-Kirchhoff type problem of the following form

\left\{ \begin{alignedat}{2} M\left(\int_{\Omega}\frac{1}{p(x)}|\Delta u|^{p(x)}\,dx\right)\Delta(|\Delta u|^{p(x)-2}\Delta u) &=f(x,u)& &\text{ in } \Omega \\ u&=\Delta u =0 &\quad &\textrm{ on } \partial\Omega, \end{alignedat}\right.

by using the mountain pass theorem of Ambrosetti and Rabinowitz and Ekeland's variational principle in two cases when the Carathéodory function

f(x,u)

having special structure.
Dawn–dusk asymmetries in the coupled solar wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere system: a review
Authors: Walsh A. P. , Haaland S. , Forsyth C. , Keesee A. M. , Kissinger J. , Li K. , Runov A. , Soucek J. , Walsh B. M. , Wing S. , Taylor M. G. G. T.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Dawn–dusk asymmetries are ubiquitous features of the coupled solar-wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere system. During the last decades, increasing availability of satellite and ground-based measurements has made it possible to study these phenomena in more detail. Numerous publications have documented the existence of persistent asymmetries in processes, properties and topology of plasma structures in various regions of geospace. In this paper, we present a review of our present knowledge of some of the most pronounced dawn–dusk asymmetries. We focus on four key aspects: (1) the role of external influences such as the solar wind and its interaction with the Earth's magnetosphere; (2) properties of the magnetosphere itself; (3) the role of the ionosphere and (4) feedback and coupling between regions. We have also identified potential inconsistencies and gaps in our understanding of dawn–dusk asymmetries in the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere.
Effect of the Ordovician paleogeography on the (in)stability of the climate
Authors: Pohl A. , Donnadieu Y. , Le Hir G. , Buoncristiani J.-F. , Vennin E.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. The Ordovician is a particular Period during Earth History highlighted by abundant evidence for continental-size polar ice-sheets. Modelling studies published so far require a sharp CO2 drawdown to initiate this glaciation. They mostly used non-dynamic slab mixed-layer ocean models. Here, we use a general circulation model with coupled components for ocean, atmosphere and sea ice to examine the response of Ordovician climate to changes in CO2 and paleogeography. We conduct experiments for a wide range of CO2 (from 16 to 2 times the preindustrial atmospheric CO2 level (PAL)) and for two continental configurations (at 470 Ma and at 450 Ma) mimicking the Middle and the Late Ordovician conditions. We find that the temperature–CO2 relationship is highly non-linear when ocean dynamics is taken into account. Two climatic modes are simulated as radiative forcing decreases. For high CO2 concentrations (≥ 12 PAL at 470 Ma and ≥ 8 PAL at 450 Ma), a relative hot climate with no sea ice characterises the warm mode. When CO2 is decreased to 8 PAL and 6 PAL at 470 and 450 Ma, a tipping-point is crossed and climate abruptly enters a runaway icehouse leading to a cold mode marked by the extension of the sea ice cover down to the mid-latitudes. At 450 Ma, the transition from the warm to the cold mode is reached for a decrease in atmospheric CO2 from 8 to 6 PAL and induces a ~ 9 °C global cooling. We show that the tipping-point is due to the existence of a quasi-oceanic Northern Hemisphere, which in turn induces a minimum in oceanic heat transport located around 40° N. The peculiar shape of the oceanic heat transport in the Northern Hemisphere explains the potential existence of the warm and of the cold climatic modes. This major climatic instability potentially brings a new explanation to the sudden Late Ordovician Hirnantian glacial pulse that does not require any large CO2 drawdown.
Does deposition depth control the OSL bleaching of fluvial sediment?
Authors: Cunningham A. C. , Wallinga J. , Hobo N. , Versendaal A. J. , Makaske B. , Middelkoop H.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. The Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) signal from fluvial sediment often contains a remnant from the previous deposition cycle, leading to a partially bleached equivalent-dose distribution. Although identification of the burial dose is of primary concern, the degree of bleaching could potentially provide insights into geomorphic processes. However, comparison of bleaching between samples is complicated by sample-to-sample variation in aliquot size and luminescence sensitivity. Here we develop an age model to account for these effects. With measurement data from multi-grain aliquots, we use Bayesian computational statistics to estimate the burial dose and bleaching parameters of the single-grain dose distribution. We apply the model to 46 samples taken from fluvial sediment of Rhine branches in the Netherlands, and compare the results with environmental predictor variables (depositional energy and environment, sample depth, depth relative to mean water level, dose rate). We find no significant correlations between any predictor variable and the bleaching parameters, although large uncertainties may be obscuring relationships. However, the best bleached samples are found close to the mean water level. Based on these results, we hypothesize that bleaching occurs mainly during fluvial transport rather than upon deposition, with extra bleaching possible for sediments near the transition of channel to overbank deposits due to local reworking after deposition either by wind or water.
Stochastic bias correction of dynamically downscaled precipitation fields for Germany through copula-based integration of gridded observation data
Authors: Mao G. , Vogl S. , Laux P. , Wagner S. , Kunstmann H.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Dynamically downscaled precipitation fields from regional climate model (RCM) often cannot be used directly for local climate change impact studies. Due to their inherent biases, i.e. systematic over- or underestimations compared to observations, several correction approaches have been developed. Most of the bias correction procedures such as the quantile mapping approach employ a transfer function that based on the statistical differences between RCM output and observations. Apart from such transfer function based statistical correction algorithms, a stochastic bias correction technique, based on the concept of Copula theory, is developed here and applied to correct precipitation fields from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. As Dynamically downscaled precipitation fields we used high resolution (7 km, daily) WRF simulations for Germany driven by ERA40 reanalysis data for 1971–2000. The REGNIE data set from Germany Weather Service is used as gridded observation data (1 km, daily) and rescaled to 7 km for this application. The 30 year time series are splitted into a calibration (1971–1985) and validation (1986–2000) period of equal length. Based on the estimated dependence structure between WRF and REGNIE data and the identified respective marginal distributions in calibration period, separately analyzed for the different seasons, conditional distribution functions are derived for each time step in validation period. This finally allows to get additional information about the range of the statistically possible bias corrected values. The results show that the Copula-based approach efficiently corrects most of the errors in WRF derived precipitation for all seasons. It is also found that the Copula-based correction performs better for wet bias correction than for dry bias correction. In autumn and winter, the correction introduced a small dry bias in the Northwest of Germany. The average relative bias of daily mean precipitation from WRF for the validation period is reduced from 10% (wet bias) to −1% (slight dry bias) after the application of the Copula-based correction. The bias in different seasons is corrected from 32% (MAM), −15% (JJA), 4% (SON) and 28% (DJF) to 16% (MAM), −11% (JJA), −1% (SON) and −3% (DJF), respectively. Finally, the Copula-based approach is compared with linear scaling and quantile mapping correction approaches by analysing the RMSE and quantile RMSE. The results show that the Copula-based correction has improved performance in all of the quantiles, except for the extremes.
The Influence of Demographic Characteristics of Greek Bank Employees on Their Perceptions of Organizational Culture
Authors: Belias Dimitrios , Koustelios Athanasios
Published: July 2014

The purpose of the present study was to reveal how demographic characteristics influence the perceptions of bank employees of organizational culture. The sample of the study consisted of 240 employees from Greek banking institutions, from different occupational positions. 60% of the employees were 31-40 years old followed by the categories 41-50 years old (20%), up to 30 years old (10%) and 51-60 years old (10%). Most of the employees (63.8%) had been working as bank employees for 6-15 years and the majority of them (63.8%) had been working in the same bank for 6-15 years. The majority of the employees (59.6%) were simple clerks, 29.2% were supervisors and 11.3% were Managers or Assistant Managers. The assessment of organizational culture was performed with the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) developed by Cameron and Quinn (2006). Results indicate that there is a significant difference in the perceptions of the subjects between the dominant current and the dominant preferred type of organizational culture. In addition, a statistically significant difference (p<0.01) was found between Managers and clerks on the one hand and Supervisors on the other hand in terms of both the dominant current and the dominant preferred type of organizational culture. Finally, employees’ perceptions of the dominant current and the dominant preferred type of organizational culture were found to be affected by other demographical characteristics, like age, total years of working in the same bank and total years of working in any bank. Future studies can extend the present work by examining additional parameters that affect employees’ perceptions of organizational culture.
Trainees' characteristics in training transfer: The relationship among self-efficacy, motivation to learn, motivation to transfer and training transfer
Authors: Wen Melody Ling-Yu , Lin Danny Yung-chuan
Published: July 2014

Training transfer is important for researchers and practitioners as organization invests much budget in training but reaps only lower estimation of transfer in practical domains. Researches revealed training design and work environment characteristics are important variables which influence training transfer. This study intended to examine individual level of trainee characteristics exclusively by structural equation modeling (SEM) from broad industries in Taiwan by 500 questionnaires sent to participants with 316 usable returns in 63.2% return rate. The result revealed the fully prediction role of motivation on self-efficacy to training transfer. Without other study setting, self-efficacy, motivation to learn, motivation to transfer, and training transfer are sorted sequentially.
The Effect of Office Politics upon the Implementation and Management of the Job Evaluation Programme: An Analytical View
Authors: Hajji Muhammad Ali EL-
Published: July 2014

This paper concentrates on the negative office politics and negative ‘office ‘politicians’ by simply identifying their divisive effect in context with the implementation and management of the job evaluation programme within organisations along with the difficulties that this can cause both the programme’s committee or management and the employees whose jobs are to be evaluated.  It does this by way of example and not because the former (office politics) is considered an exclusive phenomenon of the latter (job evaluation).            From here this paper traces the sources of power for those office ‘politicians’. Simultaneously it suggests counter-measures (prophylactic and remedial) by which both the harm caused by and the virulent effect that can result from such unhealthy office politics in relation to the job evaluation programme can be inhibited or marginalized. The purpose and consequence of these counter-measures are to fortify the programme’s processes and outcomes against the office political ploys and tactics. Our experience of teaching this discipline for more than two decades with a further decade in education and the business sector is the backbone upon which this work is established.
Effects of Discrimination of Expectant Ladies on the Economic Performance of Private Firms within the Kenyan Context
Authors: Ahmed Jaffer Fatma
Published: July 2014

Gender discrimination is currently highly affecting the economic performance of Indian-owned private firms within the Kenyan context. This form of discrimination is particularly featuring expectant ladies who are already working or are currently trying to gain access into the work environment within private organizations. This kind of discrimination has not only affected the expectant ladies, but it has also hindered economic development within the firms that allow this practice to continue. This is evident by the ladies’ careers being halted because they are expectant and hence considered unable to deliver towards the organizations’ objectives. On the other hand, the organization ends up losing valuable employees who would have played a major role in the growth of such firms. Moreover, when some of the ladies discriminated against are bold enough to go to court, the firm losses a lot of money and their identity in the business world is also tarnished, as they have to compensate the lady who is the victim. Discrimination of ladies on the basis of being expectant has been quietly endured by the victims involved, silently suffering; with very few trying to ensure their rights are protected, as per the Kenyan constitution, under the Employment Act, 2007. Data will be collected using questionnaires, interviews and through research done earlier on Gender discrimination. Research will also involve statistical data that has been analyzed on gender discrimination and review of how the practice is affecting our society over the years.
The Contribution of Workplace Incivility and Psychological Capital toward Job Stress
Authors: Shabir Milha , Abrar Muhammad , Baig Sajjad Ahmad , Javed Mehwish
Published: July 2014

Previously, a great stream of research is based on the study of workplace incivility and its impact on outcomes, but a very few studies were conducted to check the effect of different moderators and mediators that could affect the relationship of workplace incivility with outcomes. With the sample (N=100) of employees from telecommunication companies of Pakistan, current study carries out with the aim of exploring the effect of workplace incivility and psychological capital on job stress. We also examined the moderating influence of the psychological capital in the workplace incivility and job stress relationship. Self-administered surveys were conducted and results of the questionnaire were analyzed by using SPSS software. Results provided good support for the proposed hypothesis. While workplace incivility was associated positively with job stress, psychological capital had a significant relationship with job stress. As hypothesized, the result for the moderation was counter to expectation where incivility, job stress relationship was stronger when psychological capital was high. Our study provides a few approaches into the generalizability ideas and concepts such as workplace incivility and psychological capital in Faisalabad. However, there is a need to make further efforts to expand and test complex models in different cultural contexts.
Effect of Perceived Organizational Politics and Core Self Evaluation on Turnover Intention: A South Asian Perspective
Authors: Javed Mehwish , Abrar Muhammad , Bashir Mohsin , Shabir Milha
Published: July 2014

Previously a great stream of research is available on perceptions of organizational politics and its harmful aftermaths at workplace. Now a day’s scholarly attention diverts from aftermaths to search out for moderators or mediators that could reduce the harmful effects of POP at workplace outcomes. The purpose current study carries in itself is to explore the combined effects of perception of organizational politics and core self-evaluation on the work outcome of turnover intention.  The present research also focuses on the use of a moderator named as core self-evaluation in the relationship of perception of organizational politics and turnover intention. In our study a sample size of 100 respondents were taken from the health sector of 3rd largest city of Pakistan, named Faisalabad, through this study we want to explore the main effects that POP and CSE could have on turnover intention for this purpose self-administered surveys were conducted by using a questionnaire having a number of 27 items in it. In this research we analyzed the data by using SPSS software. As hypothesized, that Perceived organizational politics had a significant positive relationship with turnover intentions but the results for CSE were not significantly support the hypothesis. As hypothesized, negative relationship exists between perception of organizational politics and turnover intention was weaker when core self-evaluation was high.
Decoding the DNA of Employee Job Satisfaction
Authors: Zahoor Saira , Rafiq Sidra , Zia Anam , Rizwan Muhammad
Published: July 2014

The main purpose of this study is to tell, what employee satisfaction is? Employee satisfaction as a pleasurable or positive emotional state resulting from the appraisal of one’s job or job experience.” A sample of 150 respondents was selected to participate in self-Administered   questionnaires from various public and private organizations the survey was conducted in 2013. Convenient sampling was used to collect data. Statistically association of locus of control, pay and promotion with employee satisfaction showed significant result but the relationship of training and development employee empowerment, procedural justice with employee satisfaction is insignificant; furthermore the effect of employee satisfaction on turnover intention, job loyalty and job performance is also significant. We identify that turnover intention contributes more rather than the other variables and it has a significant negative relationship with employee satisfaction.  This study helps the organization for understanding about employee satisfaction how to increase the level of employee satisfaction in public or private both sectors.
The impact of organizational commitment, job satisfaction, job stress and leadership support on turnover intention in educational institutes
Authors: Iqbal Saba , Ehsan Sadia , Rizwan Muhammad , Noreen Mehwish
Published: July 2014

For the attainment of individual’s cognitive and social benefits the employee turnover is becoming popular trend in all organization. This research paper reports on examination of variables that may be predictive to leave a job. More precisely this current paper shows the direct and indirect impact of job stress, job satisfaction on turnover. Organizational commitment is the antecedent of turnover intention. It highlights the impact of leadership support on job satisfaction. In order to collect the data for understanding the situation about the employee turnover intention, a sample of 200 respondents was ask to participate in a self-administered questionnaire.50 questionnaires are not giving right answers so only 150 samples are selected for research. The current research paper uses a non-probability technique of sampling. We choose this sample of people from different institutions of Bahawalpur. Four major clusters was target to collect the sample data like the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Allama Iqbal college of Bahawalpur, Army public school and college system and Sadiq Public School. Finding shows that employee turnover intention has a significant relationship with all the variables i.e. organizational commitment, job satisfaction, job stress and leadership support.
Preceding to Employee Satisfaction and Turnover Intention
Authors: Rizwan Muhammad , Mukhtar Ahsan
Published: July 2014

As different research and studies have been conducted for the sake of understanding the concept of employee satisfaction but still organizations are incapable to find those factors that affect mostly on Satisfaction level of Employee. The main purpose of this research is to sort out those factors with intensity that mostly effect employee Satisfaction. Particularly, we took workplace environment, employee empowerment and pay & promotion as the main variables to check their impact on employee satisfaction and further the impact of employee satisfaction on employee turnover. A questionnaire was developed for the purpose of collecting data to understand the level of employee satisfaction in different organizations. Convenient sampling was used to collect the data and 150 questionnaires were filled from the employees of different sectors. Statistically, the relationship of employee empowerment and workplace environment with employee satisfaction has significant results, but the relationship between pay and promotion and employee satisfaction was somewhat insignificant. Moreover, there was a significant effect of employee satisfaction on turnover intention of employees. This study will help the organizations to understand completely about the satisfaction level of employees and how they can motivate their employees to perform their job efficiently and effectively.
Venture Capital Financing: An Opportunity for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Ghana
Authors: Boadu Francis , Dwomoh Gabriel , Appiah Sarpong , Dwomo-Fokuo Elizabeth
Published: July 2014

The paper aims to increase the understanding of venture capital industry in Ghana by examining the role of venture capital financing in aiding small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. Using the conventional questionnaires administration and interviews, analysis of data collected from the Venture Capital Trust Fund (VCTF) and SMEs supported by venture capitalist (VCs) revealed that venture capital companies contributes in the area of fresh funds (23.8%), adding value by providing the beneficiaries with skills/training (33.3%), access to business opportunities (26.2%) and advisory services (16.7%). The findings also show that venture capital financing has a positive and statistically significant impact on job creation (33.3%), revenue for VC and SMEs (33.3%), business growth (16.7%) and expansion (16.7%) in a manner consistent with economic expectation.
Antecedents and Consequences of Service Innovation: An Empirical Study of Touring Business in the Southern Part of Thailand
Authors: Rattanawong Walailak , Suwanno Nuttida
Published: July 2014

The objectives of this study was to investigate the relationships between the antecedents affecting service innovation, namely, entrepreneurial orientation, market orientation, service co-production, information technology adoption, human resource practice, and their relationships with service innovation affecting consequences, which was service performance taking into consideration business environments in selecting strategic factors leading to organizational competitive potential development. The subjects of the study were entrepreneurs and executives of 340 touring businesses in the Southern part of Thailand.  The data were collected through structural equation modeling.  The results of the study revealed the following. 1) Marketing orientation and human resource practice had positive direct effects on service innovation. 2) Entrepreneurial orientation, service co-production, and information technology adoption had indirect effects on service innovation. 3) Service innovation had positive direct effects on service performance and 4) the goodness of fit of the statistical model fitted well to the evident data.
The impact of retail shoes sales promotional activities on ladies’ purchase intentions
Authors: Akhter Sameen , Rizwan Muhammad , Shujaat Shufa , Durrani Zarmina
Published: July 2014

In this study we examine how different variables impact sales promotions that ultimately influence purchase intentions of customer. The main purpose of this study is to examine how attitude towards discount affects sales promotional activities to influence customers’ purchase intention along with the impact of customer loyalty and in store displays on them. To collect information, the survey method was conducted through questionnaires to take response from the customers of Stylo shoes in Bahawalpur. For this purpose, a sample of 164 customers was selected through the simple random sampling technique and then the data was entered in SPSS software for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The results of the study indicate that there is no relationship between customer loyalty and sales promotion whereas attitude towards discount has a positive relation with sales promotion. Likewise, sales promotion, customer loyalty and in-store display has a significant relationship with purchase intention. The results of this study will assist retailers to select the best promotional tool that will influence purchase intentions of customer. These plans help businessmen and marketers to gain competitive advantage over their competitors and enable the businesses to earn maximum profit.
Customer’s Purchase Intention of Counterfeit Mobile Phones in Pakistan
Authors: Rasheed Arslan , Farhan Muhammad , Zahid Maimoona , Javed Nageen , Rizwan Muhammad
Published: July 2014

Purchase intention is the willingness of people to buy a certain product. When we evaluate the alternatives, purchase decision is ready to be made by the consumer. Purchase Intention does not result in actual purchase every time .The marketing organization should help consumer to act purchase intention. Variety of ways is used by organization to attain it. Our Purpose of this study is basically to identify the purchase intentions of counterfeit mobile phones by consumers in Pakistan. Four preceding factors influence the consumer’s purchase intentions based counterfeits products. By using self-administered questionnaires we collected data from our 160 respondents. For regression analysis we entered all that data into SPSS and do analysis also. Results of our study show significant relationship of past experience and attitude towards counterfeits on purchase intention. The results show insignificant relationship of low price and easy access on purchase intention, and easy access also shows significant relationship towards attitude towards counterfeits.  These factors influence the purchase intention. Our this study is a vital source for the national and international marketers to collect information how different factors effect consumer’s purchase intention.
More Manuscripts by the Beryn Scribe and His Cohort
Authors: Mosser Daniel W. , Mooney Linne R.
Published: July 2014

The Beryn Scribe is the copyist of the unique copy of the Tale of Beryn in Alnwick Castle, Duke of Northumberland MS 455 of the Canterbury Tales. He has been identified as a prolific copyist of the Middle English prose Brut, and he produced single copies of the Prick of Conscience, Chaucer's Parliament of Fowls, and Lydgate's Life of Our Lady. He was recently identified as the hand of the paper section of Princeton University MS 100 (the Helmingham manuscript of the Canterbury Tales). In this article, using paleographical, spelling, and textual evidence, Mosser and Mooney identify him as the copyist of the parchment section of Princeton University MS 100, and also of the “Oxford fragments” of the Canterbury Tales and the Oxford, Bodleian Library MS Rawlinson C.901 copy of the Brut. They also associate this scribe with several other manuscript productions.
“Take it as a tale”:
Authors: Ellison Darryl
Published: July 2014

This article explores the prologue to the “Plowman's Tale,” an apocryphal inclusion to Chaucer's canon that participated in the construction of an expansive, productive, Chaucerian persona characteristic of early print editions of Chaucer's works. By reading this tale as if it really were an authentic part of the Canterbury Tales, this essay recontextualizes Chaucer by placing his authentic works alongside such anonymous inclusions, and argues that we can better understand the uncertain nature of the Tales themselves, and the complex status of their authentic author, by paying closer attention to such apocryphal texts.
Chaucer's Forests, Parks, and Groves
Authors: Howes Laura L.
Published: July 2014

Chaucer represents large woodland areas in his narratives in ways that reflect contemporary English practice in managing forests, parks, and groves. His firsthand knowledge of John of Gaunt's holdings and King Edward III's pleasure grounds and parks, among others, correlates to poetic depictions in the Parlement of Fowls, and in tales told by the Knight, Nun's Priest, Pardoner, Wife of Bath, and Friar. Without discounting literary antecedents and poetic topoi in the creation of Chaucer's woodlands, this essay seeks to highlight Chaucer's lived experience of land use as a significant factor in his poetic representations of late medieval landscapes.
Efeito da tigmomorfogênese na morfometria de mudas de Maytenus ilicifolia (Schrad.) Planch.
Authors: Volkweis Cátia Raquel , Dranski João Alexandre Lopes , Oro Priscilla , Malavasi Ubirajara Contro , Malavasi Marlene de Matos
Published: July 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814571O presente estudo objetivou quantificar alterações morfológicas decorrentes de estímulos mecânicos por flexões caulinares na fase de rustificação de mudas de espinheira-santa [Maytenus ilicifolia (Schrad.) Planch.]. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de sombra sob delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso em arranjo fatorial 2 x 5, formado por mudas divididas em duas classes quanto à altura da parte aérea e cinco intensidades de flexões caulinares (0, 5, 10, 20 e 40) efetuadas diariamente durante trinta dias, em quatro repetições de dez mudas. O efeito dos estímulos mecânicos foi quantificado pelos incrementos na altura, no diâmetro do coleto, assim como pela mensuração da biomassa de raiz e da parte aérea com os quais se determinou a taxa de crescimento absoluto. Complementarmente, foi mensurada a perda de eletrólitos de raízes. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de regressão a 5%. Os resultados indicaram que o aumento do número de flexões caulinares induziu a redução no incremento em altura, no extravasamento de eletrólitos dos tecidos radiculares e, no aumento do incremento no diâmetro do coleto e na biomassa de raízes em mudas classificadas por altura. A biomassa da parte aérea de mudas com maiores dimensões aumentou com até 20 flexões mesmo com a redução linear na altura e, consequentemente, elevou a taxa de crescimento. Estímulos mecânicos por meio de flexões caulinares é uma opção para promover alterações morfológicas em mudas de Maytenus ilicifolia elevando a rusticidade e a qualidade das mudas aptas ao plantio.
Efeito da idade e clone na qualidade da madeira de Eucalyptus spp visando à produção de bioenergia
Authors: Protásio Thiago de Paula , Neves Thiago Andrade , Reis Aliny Aparecida dos , Trugilho Paulo Fernando
Published: July 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814587O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da idade e clone na qualidade da madeira de Eucalyptus spp visando à produção de carvão vegetal e bioenergia. Foram avaliados quatro clones de Eucalyptus spp nas idades de 57 e 69 meses. Foram amostradas quatro árvores por clone em cada idade. Determinou-se a densidade básica média, a densidade básica no DAP, o poder calorífico superior e os teores de lignina, extrativos totais, cinzas, holocelulose e a análise química elementar (C, H, N, S e O). Na avaliação do experimento utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em um esquema fatorial 4 x 2. Além disso, foi realizada a análise multivariada de componentes principais. Observou-se, de maneira geral, efeito da idade na qualidade da madeira. Os teores de cinzas, hidrogênio e nitrogênio tenderam a diminuir com o aumento da idade para todos os clones avaliados. Já o teor de oxigênio apresentou um acréscimo com a idade dos clones. O teor de lignina apresentou significativo aumento com a idade, sendo o contrário observado para o teor de holocelulose. Os clones de 69 meses apresentaram os maiores teores de lignina, mas não os maiores valores para a densidade básica da madeira. Já os clones I144 e I220 apresentaram os maiores valores médios para essa característica, o que pode ser benéfico para a produção de carvão vegetal.
Contribuição dos poleiros artificiais na dispersão de sementes e sua aplicação na restauração florestal
Authors: Dias Cristiano Roberto , Umetsu Fabiana , Breier Tiago Böer
Published: July 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814590O uso de poleiros artificiais é uma técnica eficiente para a restauração florestal. Os objetivos desse trabalho foram: (1) avaliar o efeito da presença de poleiros artificiais no número de sementes florestais depositadas em coletores; (2) identificar as síndromes de dispersão das sementes, e (3) analisar o efeito da distância da borda da floresta no aporte de sementes. As atividades de campo foram realizadas no município de Iguaba Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Foram instalados 70 coletores de sementes (com 0,50 m de diâmetro) distribuídos em transectos distantes paralelamente 5, 15 e 35 m da borda da floresta em área de pasto abandonado e em um transecto de 10 m no interior da floresta. Cada transecto fora do fragmento recebeu dez coletores, instalados sob poleiros artificiais, e dez coletores, instalados sem poleiro. No interior do fragmento foram instalados dez coletores, sem presença de poleiro artificial. Durante três semanas de amostragem foram coletadas 418 sementes, sendo 242 zoocóricas (57,9%) e 176 anemocóricas (42,1%). A média de sementes com presença de poleiro artificial foi de 7,4 (± 3,9) sementes/m2/mês, enquanto na ausência de poleiro artificial, a média foi de foi de 1,7 (± 1,8) sementes/m2/mês, considerando simultaneamente sementes anemocóricas e zoocóricas. Diferentes distâncias da borda da floresta, até 35 m, não influenciaram no aporte de sementes zoocóricas e anemocóricas. A presença de poleiros artificiais levou a um aporte 118 vezes maior de sementes zoocóricas quando comparada aos coletores sem poleiros. Poleiros artificiais podem funcionar como estrutura catalisadora da restauração florestal, com significativo incremento no aporte de sementes zoocóricas.
Un commerce insignifiant ?
Authors: Martinetti Brice
Published: July 2014

Perçue comme un phénomène marginal, l’histoire des exportations françaises vers le Canada entre 1850 et 1914 n’a pas été minutieusement étudiée. Après tout, le Royaume-Uni et les États-Unis dominaient le commerce international du Canada et laissaient bien peu d’occasions aux autres pays. Cet article offre une réévaluation de ce sujet. Il montre que le commerce français avec le Canada était plutôt significatif en comparaison avec d’autres pays, mais que quelques facteurs ont empêché sa croissance. L’article examine également la composition de ce commerce, principalement des produits de luxe et populaires parmi l’élite canadienne-française.
Objectif : commutation de tenure
Authors: LaRose André
Published: July 2014

L’homme d’affaires et homme politique britannique Edward Ellice (1783-1863) est l’un des rares seigneurs à s’être prévalu du droit de rétrocéder sa seigneurie à la Couronne pour se la faire redonner en franc et commun soccage. Il a ainsi pu vendre les terres non concédées de sa seigneurie de Beauharnois – 40 000 hectares –, ce que les règles du régime seigneurial lui interdisaient de faire. Comment cela a-t-il pu se produire ? C’est ce que l’auteur cherche ici à comprendre, en se penchant sur les aspects politiques de la commutation de tenure, les idées et les calculs d’Ellice et ses démarches pour obtenir la commutation. Il examine ensuite les conséquences de la commutation, s’interroge sur l’effet d’entraînement du geste fait par Ellice et situe finalement Beauharnois dans le contexte des politiques foncières au Bas-Canada.
Estima de la población de nutria en las Tablas de Daimiel mediante captura-recaptura espacial y muestreo de distancias
Authors: Jiménez José , Carrasco Manuel , Feliu Jordi
Published: July 2014

Species management should be based on accurate estimations on the size and density of the target population. In the case of the otter, these estimations are difficult to obtain due to their habitat, low densities and elusiveness, and these have relied mainly on surveys of animal signs or on specific ad hoc methods, and lately, in genotyping. We have applied newly-developed spatial capture-recapture model to estimate the otter population of the Tablas de Daimiel National Park by a spatially explicit capture-recapture of unmarked individuals using camera trapping-data together with distance sampling. The density estimated is 0.557 (±0.317) otters/100 ha, and we have achieved reliable information about activity, movements, and space use.
Turning cell cycle entry on its head
Authors: Bertoli Cosetta , de Bruin Robertus Antonius Maria
Published: July 2014

New data on the relationship between two proteins, cyclin D and Rb, suggest that we need to re-evaluate our understanding of how cells enter into the cell cycle.
A Dosimetric Analysis of Preoperative Intensity-modulated and Image-guided Radiation Therapy with and without Simultaneous Integrated Boost for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Authors: Yang Yongqiang , Feng Linchun , Wang Yunlai , Ge Ruigang , Gong Hanshun , Xie Chuanbin , Wang Jinyuan , Chen Jing , Lan Yuling , Ma Lin
Published: July 2014

Preoperative concurrent chemoradiation, total mesorectal excision and adjuvant chemotherapy have become the standard of care for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Several studies have reported increased pathologic complete response rates and improved locoregional control with escalating doses of preoperative radiotherapy. In this study, we assess the dosimetric feasibility and impact of intensity-modulated and image-guided radiation therapy (IMRT-IGRT) with a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) in preoperative chemoradiation for LARC. Ten rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative chemoradiation were enrolled in this study, and IMRT56.25Gy and IMRT50Gy plans were made for each patient with a CTV-PTV50Gy margin of 5 mm and a GTV-PTV56.25Gy margin of 10 mm adapted to daily KV cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. In the boost group (IMRT56.25Gy), the prescribed doses were 56.25 Gy to the gross tumor (PTV56.25Gy) and 50 Gy to areas at high risk of harboring microscopic disease (PTV50Gy). Doses were delivered over 25 daily fractions using a SIB technique. In the no-boost group (IMRT50Gy), the prescribed dose was 50 Gy to PTV50Gy without a boost. The goals were to give at least 95% of the prescribed doses to at least 95% of the PTVs while keeping irradiated volumes of the organs at risk dose as low as possible. Differences in dose distributions between the two sets of plans were analyzed using a paired sample t-test. All IMRT56.25Gy plans met the needs of the prescribed doses and organ at risk dose constraints. Compared to IMRT50Gy, the addition of a SIB in IMRT56.25Gy resulted in significant increases in mean dose and V40Gy to the bladder and significant increases of V30Gy and V40Gy to femoral heads ( p < 0.05 for all points). There were no significant differences in dose to small bowel or pelvic bone marrow between the two sets of plans. Preoperative IMRT-IGRT with SIB for LARC is feasible dosimetrically with respect to organ at risk dose constraints. A phase II trial to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of this approach is being undertaken.