bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis
Authors: Drabkin William
Published: June 2015

This chapter discusses the problems of applying contemporary techniques of music analysis to a genre that embraces not only sound but also spectacle and, above all, drama. It describes the nature of the problems that arise when operatic music, be it a single “number” or an entire work, is the subject of close reading. It then discusses a variety of approaches taken since the 1970s to operas by Mozart, Wagner, and Verdi; these include Schenkerian (voice-leading) graphing and readings based on musical topoi, on the poetic design of the text, on composers’ sketches and autographs, and on the manipulation of operatic convention. Aspects of form, motive, and tonality are discussed in greater detail in parts of Le nozze di Figaroand the Ring.
How Opera Traveled
Authors: Stein Louise K.
Published: June 2015

Chapter 38 examines the itineraries of opera in the early modern period, focusing on the motivations, politics, and objectives of the producers and sponsors who paid for the travels of opera and the recruitment of opera singers. Travel was not only essential to the spread of opera within Italy and beyond, but also integral to the survival of the genre. Opera proved itself adaptable, but the model that was developed especially for the business of public opera in Venice was the genre most frequently heard elsewhere. In Madrid and the Spanish dominions, however, opera was only rarely performed before the mid-eighteenth century because partly sung genres were preferred and more easily produced within the well-honed mechanisms of Hispanic theatrical production. Nevertheless, in 1701 opera reached the Americas, and shortly thereafter audiences in London heard the first public performances by virtuoso Italian singers, including castrati.
Tacit Collusion in Oligopoly
Authors: Green Edward J. , Marshall Robert C. , Marx Leslie M.
Published: June 2015

This chapter examines the economics literature on tacit collusion in oligopoly markets and take steps toward clarifying the relation between economists’ analysis of tacit collusion and those in the legal literature. The chapter provides an example to motivate the idea that collusive profits can be achieved via tacit coordination in an environment where there is a unique, salient way for colluders to maximize and distribute their joint profits. It also surveys the obstacles to obtaining above-competitive profits in less straightforward environments without having recourse to explicit communication.
Auctions and Bid Rigging
Authors: McAfee R. Preston , Williams Michael , Hendricks Kenneth
Published: June 2015

This chapter surveys the theoretical and empirical literature on bid rigging in auctions. In particular, it reviews the theory and practice of bidding rings in one-shot auctions and in repeated auctions. The main theme is how the type of auction, whether it is first-price or second-price, sealed bid or oral, affects the incentive of bidders to collude and the way in which they collude.
Liquidity
Authors: Bouwman Christa H. S.
Published: June 2015

Liquidity creation is a core function of banks and an economic service of substantial importance to the economy. This chapter reviews and synthesizes the theoretical and empirical literature on bank liquidity creation. The focus is on the economics of bank liquidity creation, both in the traditional relationship banking context and in the shadow banking context. The related prudential regulation issues—pertaining mainly to capital requirements and liquidity requirements—are also discussed. A historical overview is provided, starting in the early 1800s and ending with Basel III and the Dodd–Frank Act. Open research questions are identified.
The Role of Banks in the Transmission of Monetary Policy
Authors: Peek Joe , Rosengren Eric S.
Published: June 2015

The transmission of monetary policy, especially in light of recent events, has received increased attention, especially with respect to the efficacy of the bank lending channel. Evidence is presented on the effectiveness of the bank lending channel both in the United States and abroad. The chapter then provides observations about the likely consequences for the effectiveness of the lending channel of the changes in the financial environment associated with the recent financial crisis.
Regulation and Supervision
Authors: Kane Edward J.
Published: June 2015

This chapter shows that government credit-allocation schemes generate incentive conflicts that undermine the quality of bank supervision and eventually produce a banking crisis. For political reasons, most countries establish a regulatory culture that embraces three economically contradictory elements: politically directed subsidies to selected bank borrowers; subsidized provision of explicit or implicit repayment guarantees for the creditors of firms that participate in the credit-allocation scheme; and defective government monitoring and control of the distribution of burdens and subsidies that the other two elements produce. In the years leading up to the crisis of 2008, technological change and regulatory competition simultaneously encouraged incentive-conflicted supervisors to outsource much of their due discipline to credit-rating firms and encouraged lenders to securitize their loans in ways that pushed credit risks on poorly underwritten loans into corners of the universe where supervisors and credit-ratings firms would not see them.
Banking Crises
Authors: Caprio Gerard , Honohan Patrick
Published: June 2015

The history of banking around the world has been punctuated by frequent systemic crises. As with Tolstoy’s “unhappy families,” not all crises are the same; distinct roles have been played at different times by mismanagement, government interference, and macroeconomic shocks. This review identifies common features of crises in recent decades and describes how costly they have been in terms of their fiscal burden and the impact on macroeconomic growth. It proceeds to outline the conceptual issues identified by theoreticians and considers appropriate policy responses. Although the crisis that began in 2007 and the euro sovereign debt crisis are claimed to be mostly new, we find key elements that are painfully familiar in each. Brief lessons for regulation are provided.
Banking in Latin America
Authors: De Carvalho Fernando J. Cardim , De Paula Luiz Fernando , Williams Jonathan
Published: June 2015

Banking sectors in Latin America have been subject to an extensive financial liberalization process, which has involved interest rate deregulation, bank privatization, and the repeal of restrictions on foreign bank entry, in addition to other liberalizing reforms pertaining to the macro economy and balance of payments. As a result of these policies, banking sectors have become more consolidated and there has been a change in the governance structure of banking sectors as foreign bank penetration has deepened. This chapter discusses the factors contributing to the recent rise in bank consolidation, and it considers the effects that increased concentration and foreign bank penetration have had on the competitiveness and efficiency of banking sectors across the region to date.
X-ray study of the supernova remnant G337.2−0.7
Authors: Takata Akihiro , Nobukawa Masayoshi , Uchida Hiroyuki , Tsuru Takeshi Go , Tanaka Takaaki , Koyama Katsuji
Published: June 2015

This paper reports on the Suzaku result of the Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G337.2−0.7. The X-ray spectrum is well explained by three components in ionizing phase. One is a plasma with a low temperature $kT = 0.70_{-0.03}^{+0.02}\:$keV, solar abundances, and an ionization parameter $n_{\rm e}t = 5.7^{+0.7}_{-0.4}\times 10^{11}\:$s cm−3. The second is a middle-temperature plasma with $kT = 1.54^{+0.13}_{-0.02}\:$keV and high metal abundances in a highly ionized state of $n_{\rm e}t = 3.6^{+0.2}_{-0.5}\times 10^{11}\:$s cm−3, and the third is a high-temperature plasma with $kT = 3.1^{+0.2}_{-0.1}\:$keV and high metal abundances in a low-ionized state of $n_{\rm e}t=2.1^{+0.4}_{-0.2}\times 10^{10}\:$s cm−3. The high metal-abundance plasmas are likely to be of an ejecta origin, while the solar abundance plasma would be of an interstellar-gas origin. The abundance pattern and mass of the ejecta confirm that G337.2−0.7 is a remnant of a Type Ia supernova (SN). The derived Fe mass of ejecta MFe = 0.025–0.039 M⊙ is far smaller than that expected from any Type Ia model, suggesting that most Fe has not yet been heated by the reverse shock. The ejecta has enhanced distribution in the northeastern region compared to the central region, and therefore the SN explosion or SNR evolution would be asymmetric.
Effect of Infrared and Conventional Drying Methods on Physicochemical Characteristics of Stored White Rice
Authors: Ding Chao , Khir Ragab , Pan Zhongli , Zhang Jianyou , Tu Kang , El‐Mashad Hamed
Published: June 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of infrared (IR) drying followed by tempering and natural cooling on the change of physicochemical characteristics of white rice during up to 10 months of storage. The physicochemical characteristics of IR‐dried rice were also compared with those of conventionally dried rice. It took only 58 s to heat the rough rice from room temperature to 60°C with IR, and 2.17 percentage points of moisture was removed. After four months of storage, the increases in yellowness index, water uptake ratio, and volume expansion ratio of the rice dried with IR were 73.8, 63.9, and 55.3% those of rice dried with an ambient air drying method, respectively. IR drying slightly decreased the gelatinization temperature, enthalpy, and viscosities, reduced the changes in microstructure, and maintained cooking characteristics during storage. Therefore, the IR drying process is recommended to maintain the quality of white rice during storage.
Hyperinsulinemic Normoglycemia Does Not Meaningfully Improve Myocardial Performance during Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Duncan Andra E. , Kateby Kashy Babak , Sarwar Sheryar , Singh Akhil , Stenina-Adognravi Olga , Christoffersen Steffen , Alfirevic Andrej , Sale Shiva , Yang Dongsheng , Thomas James D. , Gillinov Marc , Sessler Daniel I.
Published: June 2015

AbstractAbstract

Administration of glucose and insulin while targeting normoglycemia during aortic valve replacement did not meaningfully improve myocardial function.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background:

Glucose–insulin–potassium (GIK) administration during cardiac surgery inconsistently improves myocardial function, perhaps because hyperglycemia negates the beneficial effects of GIK. The hyperinsulinemic normoglycemic clamp (HNC) technique may better enhance the myocardial benefits of GIK. The authors extended previous GIK investigations by (1) targeting normoglycemia while administering a GIK infusion (HNC); (2) using improved echocardiographic measures of myocardial deformation, specifically myocardial longitudinal strain and strain rate; and (3) assessing the activation of glucose metabolic pathways.

Methods:

A total of 100 patients having aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis were randomly assigned to HNC (high-dose insulin with concomitant glucose infusion titrated to normoglycemia) versus standard therapy (insulin treatment if glucose >150 mg/dl). The primary outcomes were left ventricular longitudinal strain and strain rate, assessed using speckle-tracking echocardiography. Right atrial tissue was analyzed for activation of glycolysis/pyruvate oxidation and alternative metabolic pathways.

Results:

Time-weighted mean glucose concentrations were lower with HNC (127 ± 19 mg/dl) than standard care (177 ± 41 mg/dl; P < 0.001). Echocardiographic data were adequate in 72 patients for strain analysis and 67 patients for strain rate analysis. HNC did not improve myocardial strain, with an HNC minus standard therapy difference of −1.2% (97.5% CI, −2.9 to 0.5%; P = 0.11). Strain rate was significantly better, but by a clinically unimportant amount: −0.16 s−1 (−0.30 to −0.03 s−1; P = 0.007). There was no evidence of increased glycolytic, pyruvate oxidation, or hexosamine biosynthetic pathway activation in right atrial samples (HNC, n = 20; standard therapy, 22).

Conclusion:

Administration of glucose and insulin while targeting normoglycemia during aortic valve replacement did not meaningfully improve myocardial function.
The evolutionary ecology of decorating behaviour
Authors: Ruxton Graeme D. , Stevens Martin
Published: June 2015

Many animals decorate themselves through the accumulation of environmental material on their exterior. Decoration has been studied across a range of different taxa, but there are substantial limits to current understanding. Decoration in non-humans appears to function predominantly in defence against predators and parasites, although an adaptive function is often assumed rather than comprehensively demonstrated. It seems predominantly an aquatic phenomenon—presumably because buoyancy helps reduce energetic costs associated with carrying the decorative material. In terrestrial examples, decorating is relatively common in the larval stages of insects. Insects are small and thus able to generate the power to carry a greater mass of material relative to their own body weight. In adult forms, the need to be lightweight for flight probably rules out decoration. We emphasize that both benefits and costs to decoration are rarely quantified, and that costs should include those associated with collecting as well as carrying the material.
The complex aerodynamic footprint of desert locusts revealed by large-volume tomographic particle image velocimetry
Authors: Henningsson Per , Michaelis Dirk , Nakata Toshiyuki , Schanz Daniel , Geisler Reinhard , Schröder Andreas , Bomphrey Richard J.
Published: June 2015

Particle image velocimetry has been the preferred experimental technique with which to study the aerodynamics of animal flight for over a decade. In that time, hardware has become more accessible and the software has progressed from the acquisition of planes through the flow field to the reconstruction of small volumetric measurements. Until now, it has not been possible to capture large volumes that incorporate the full wavelength of the aerodynamic track left behind during a complete wingbeat cycle. Here, we use a unique apparatus to acquire the first instantaneous wake volume of a flying animal's entire wingbeat. We confirm the presence of wake deformation behind desert locusts and quantify the effect of that deformation on estimates of aerodynamic force and the efficiency of lift generation. We present previously undescribed vortex wake phenomena, including entrainment around the wing-tip vortices of a set of secondary vortices borne of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability in the shear layer behind the flapping wings.
A strong genetic correlation underlying a behavioural syndrome disappears during development because of genotype–age interactions
Authors: Class Barbara , Brommer Jon E.
Published: June 2015

In animal populations, as in humans, behavioural differences between individuals that are consistent over time and across contexts are considered to reflect personality, and suites of correlated behaviours expressed by individuals are known as behavioural syndromes. Lifelong stability of behavioural syndromes is often assumed, either implicitly or explicitly. Here, we use a quantitative genetic approach to study the developmental stability of a behavioural syndrome in a wild population of blue tits. We find that a behavioural syndrome formed by a strong genetic correlation of two personality traits in nestlings disappears in adults, and we demonstrate that genotype–age interaction is the likely mechanism underlying this change during development. A behavioural syndrome may hence change during organismal development, even when personality traits seem to be strongly physiologically or functionally linked in one age group. We outline how such developmental plasticity has important ramifications for understanding the mechanistic basis as well as the evolutionary consequences of behavioural syndromes.
Hybridization masks speciation in the evolutionary history of the Galápagos marine iguana
Authors: MacLeod Amy , Rodríguez Ariel , Vences Miguel , Orozco-terWengel Pablo , García Carolina , Trillmich Fritz , Gentile Gabriele , Caccone Adalgisa , Quezada Galo , Steinfartz Sebastian
Published: June 2015

The effects of the direct interaction between hybridization and speciation—two major contrasting evolutionary processes—are poorly understood. We present here the evolutionary history of the Galápagos marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) and reveal a case of incipient within-island speciation, which is paralleled by between-island hybridization. In-depth genome-wide analyses suggest thatAmblyrhynchusdiverged from its sister group, the Galápagos land iguanas, around 4.5 million years ago (Ma), but divergence among extant populations is exceedingly young (less than 50 000 years). DespiteAmblyrhynchusappearing as a single long-branch species phylogenetically, we find strong population structure between islands, and one case of incipient speciation of sister lineages within the same island—ostensibly initiated by volcanic events. Hybridization between both lineages is exceedingly rare, yet frequent hybridization with migrants from nearby islands is evident. The contemporary snapshot provided by highly variable markers indicates that speciation events may have occurred throughout the evolutionary history of marine iguanas, though these events are not visible in the deeper phylogenetic trees. We hypothesize that the observed interplay of speciation and hybridization might be a mechanism by which local adaptations, generated by incipient speciation, can be absorbed into a common gene pool, thereby enhancing the evolutionary potential of the species as a whole.
Sphingopyxis fribergensis sp. nov., a soil bacterium with the ability to degrade styrene and phenylacetic acid
Authors: Oelschlägel Michel , Rückert Christian , Kalinowski Jörn , Schmidt Gert , Schlömann Michael , Tischler Dirk
Published: June 2015

Strain Kp5.2T is an aerobic, Gram-negative soil bacterium that was isolated in Freiberg, Saxony, Germany. The cells were motile and rod-shaped. Optimal growth was observed at 20–30 °C. The fatty acids of strain Kp5.2T comprised mainly C18 : 1ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. The major polar lipids of strain Kp5.2T were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and sphingoglycolipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 63.7 %. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene of strain Kp5.2T allowed its classification into the family Sphingomonadaceae, and the sequence showed the highest similarity to those of members of the genus Sphingopyxis, with Sphingopyxis italica SC13E-S71T (99.15 % similarity), Sphingopyxis panaciterrae Gsoil 124T (98.96 %), Sphingopyxis chilensis S37T (98.90 %) and Sphingopyxis bauzanensis BZ30T (98.51 %) as the nearest neighbours. DNA–DNA hybridization and further characterization revealed that strain Kp5.2T can be considered to represent a novel species of the genus Sphingopyxis. Hence, the name Sphingopyxis fribergensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Kp5.2T ( = DSM 28731T = LMG 28478T).
When does high-dose antimicrobial chemotherapy prevent the evolution of resistance?
Authors: Day Troy , Read Andrew F.
Published: June 2015

High-dose chemotherapy has long been advocated as a means of controlling drug resistance in infectious diseases but recent empirical and theoretical studies have begun to challenge this view. We show how high-dose chemotherapy engenders opposing evolutionary processes involving the mutational input of resistant strains and their release from ecological competition. Whether such therapy provides the best approach for controlling resistance therefore depends on the relative strengths of these processes. These opposing processes lead to a unimodal relationship between drug pressure and resistance emergence. As a result, the optimal drug dose always lies at either end of the therapeutic window of clinically acceptable concentrations. We illustrate our findings with a simple model that shows how a seemingly minor change in parameter values can alter the outcome from one where high-dose chemotherapy is optimal to one where using the smallest clinically effective dose is best. A review of the available empirical evidence provides broad support for these general conclusions. Our analysis opens up treatment options not currently considered as resistance management strategies, and greatly simplifies the experiments required to determine the drug doses which best retard resistance emergence in patients.

Significance Statement

The evolution of antimicrobial resistant pathogens threatens much of modern medicine. For over one hundred years, the advice has been to ‘hit hard’, in the belief that high doses of antimicrobials best contain resistance evolution. We argue that nothing in evolutionary theory supports this as a good rule of thumb in the situations that challenge medicine. We show instead that the only generality is to either use the highest tolerable drug dose or the lowest clinically effective dose; that is, one of the two edges of the therapeutic window. This approach suggests treatment options not currently considered, and greatly simplifies the experiments required to identify the dose that best retards resistance evolution.
Cpipe: a shared variant detection pipeline designed for diagnostic settings
Authors: Sadedin Simon P , Dashnow Harriet , James Paul A , Bahlo Melanie , Bauer Denis C , Lonie Andrew , Lunke Sebastian , Macciocca Ivan , Ross Jason P , Siemering Kirby R , Stark Zornitza , White Susan M ,   Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance, Taylor Graham , Gaff Clara , Oshlack Alicia , Thorne Natalie P
Published: June 2015

The benefits of implementing high throughput sequencing in the clinic are quickly becoming apparent. However, few freely available bioinformatics pipelines have been built from the ground up with clinical genomics in mind. Here we present Cpipe, a pipeline designed specifically for clinical genetic disease diagnostics. Cpipe was developed by the Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance, an Australian initiative to promote common approaches to genomics across healthcare institutions. As such, Cpipe has been designed to provide fast, effective and reproducible analysis, while also being highly flexible and customisable to meet the individual needs of diverse clinical settings. Cpipe is being shared with the clinical sequencing community as an open source project and is available athttp://cpipeline.org.
The Modelery: a model-based software development repository
Authors: Couto Rui , Ribeiro António Manuel Nestor , Freitas de Campos José Francisco Creissac
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to present the Modelery, a platform for collaborative repository to support model-based software development. The Modelery is a Web platform, composed both by a Web page and Web services for interoperability.

Design/methodology/approach

– By performing a study in the existing platforms, it was possible to achieve a set of issues to tackle. The issues enabled the possibility to define a set of requirements that allowed the authors to design a new platform, and to perform a model-driven software development process, which started from the requirements until reaching the final software solution.

Findings

– With this work, it was possible to perform a survey on the currently available artifacts repositories, categorize them and identify their shortcomings. This was essential to define the set of requirements for a new platform to overcome the identified issues. This process leads to a platform able to improve the currently available solutions, and validated in the scientific community. In this paper, the authors also explore the applications of the repository. First, they use the Modelery to replace an older model’s repository. Second, they have enabled the communication between other tools and the Modelery via Web services.

Originality/value

– This work presents a new Web repository for software artifacts aimed at supporting researchers and software developers. The presented platform is an improvement over other platforms on the integration of artifacts repository, social functionalities and scientific publications integration. The authors conclude this paper by comparing the achieved platform in terms of functionalities, against the other analyzed platforms.
The economic determinants of Chinese foreign direct investment in Egypt
Authors: Elshamy Hany M
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) by Chinese multinational enterprises (MNEs) over the period 1985-2011.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper estimates a single equation model which uses long-run co-integration analysis and short-run analysis (error correction mechanism). This paper depends on annual data collected from the World Bank and the General Authority for Investment
&
Free zones Information
&
Decision Support Division for the period 1985-2011.

Findings

– This paper found a conventional result for market size. The author infers from the significant role played by Egyptian natural resource endowments that the institutional environment has strongly shaped Chinese FDI, leading to significant natural resources-seeking FDI. The author also finds that policy liberalisation in China has had a positive influence in stimulating Chinese FDI in Egypt.

Originality/value

– Despite this model being used to estimate the determinants of FDI by Chinese MNEs in several countries, this is the first time it is being used in Egypt using a time-series analysis. Moreover, this model which has been used in this paper uses both long-run and short-run analyses.
Work-family conflict faced by international business travellers
Authors: Mäkelä Liisa , Bergbom Barbara , Saarenpää Kati , Suutari Vesa
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the direct and moderating effect of gender and parental status on the relationship between international business travel days and work-to-family conflict (WFC) among international business travellers (IBTs) on the basis of the conservation of resources theory.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was conducted among 1,366 Finnish people in jobs demanding international business travel and a moderated hierarchical regression was utilised in data analysis.

Findings

– An increase in the number of international business travel days and being a parent is positively related to WFC. Women with dependent children experience a lower level of WFC than do men with dependent children. However, a significant interaction effect between international business travel days, parental status and gender was found that indicates that the volume of travel days increases the level of WFC for those women who have children more than it does for women who do not have children. For men, increased numbers of travel days raises levels of WFC, as does having children, but there is no interaction between travel days and parental status among men. An increased number of travel days was least critical for WFC among women without dependent children and most critical for WFC among women with dependent children However, women with dependent children were able to travel to a considerable extent before their levels of WFC overtook those of men with dependent children.

Practical implications

– The findings indicate that organisations should pay particular attention to developing policies and practices that take account of the family status of the traveller. In addition, to assist IBTs to cope with their WFC, attention should be paid to the intensity of work-related travel. However, gender seemed not to play a particularly important role in WFC, indicating that organisations need not be wary of recruiting both men and women into roles involving international business travel.

Originality/value

– This is the first study focusing on IBTs WFC that simultaneously takes account of how the intensity of business travel and both gender and parenthood are related to it.
Are service marketing models really used in modern practice?
Authors: Kauppinen-Räisänen Hannele , Grönroos Christian
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to explore how service marketing knowledge is applied in practice. It introduces some ideas about how to bridge the gap between scholarly knowledge and business practices, and thereby opens up the conversation between service marketing scholars and management practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

– This qualitative study focusses on four concepts of service marketing (service quality, servicescape, internal marketing and augmented service offering). Knowledge use is studied according to the degree service marketing knowledge is applied at symbolic, conceptual and instrumental levels. Four firms are involved.

Findings

– Service marketing knowledge was acknowledged within the firms. However, the application of the knowledge in practice was limited, resulting in shortcomings and negative consequences in terms of marketing outcomes. Hence, the knowledge was used mainly symbolically and conceptually, and the instrumental use of the knowledge was limited.

Research limitations/implications

– By comparing the current use of knowledge to the levels of knowledge, the findings contribute to the understanding of why shortcomings of knowledge use develop and the study introduces ideas about how to bridge the gap between service marketing knowledge and business practices. Using this approach, the study contributes to the debate on knowledge “translation,” transfer, exchange and sharing between scholars and practitioners.

Practical implications

– The study shows how management practitioners could understand and analyze their own practices as they develop their services and customer-oriented practices. It offers insights for scholars who seek to share scholarly knowledge for practical use.

Originality/value

– The study contributes to the discussion on the use of scholarly knowledge by focussing on knowledge related to service marketing. Moreover, it focusses on not only the use of service marketing knowledge but also how it is used. By applying the three usage levels, the study recommends systematic means to detect gaps and shortcomings in knowledge use.
Parameters optimization in FSW of polypropylene based on RSM
Authors: Panneerselvam K , Lenin Kasirajan
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to weld polypropylene (PP) material by friction stir welding (FSW) process. The input process parameters considered were: tool pin profile, feed rate and tool rotational speed and the process output characteristics were tensile strength, Shore-D hardness, Rockwell hardness, Izod strength, Charpy strength and nugget area.

Design/methodology/approach

– Optimization of process parameters were carried out based on response surface methodology (RSM) and significant parameters were obtained by performing analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Findings

– The optimized results were the threaded pin profile for feed of 60 mm/min and tool rotational speed of 1,500 rpm. A confirmation test was carried out to verify the optimized results.

Originality/value

– In this paper, the process parameters were optimized based on RSM. This is newly adopted optimization techniques in the FSW process of PP materials and also it gives better results.
Study expectations of different domiciled Postgraduate-Taught students in a UK post-1992-institution
Authors: Morgan Michelle
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report the notable findings of students with different domiciled status. There is a lack of research and understanding of how prior study experiences and the expectations of new students that are due to embark on an MSc by coursework level (also known as postgraduate-taught [PGT]) can impact on their study and ability to persist and succeed. The research available has mainly been confined to post-experience surveys. By identifying prior study experiences and study expectations, education providers in higher education institutions can use these insights not only to attract more students but to improve retention rates and the overall student experience. The research undertaken in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing at a London-based, post-1992 institution aims to provide valuable data and insights into this nationally and internationally neglected area.

Design/methodology/approach

– New taught postgraduate students provided data on their previous study experiences, study expectations, opinions of postgraduate-level study and demographic data via a hard copy questionnaire which was distributed and completed during the orientation period in September 2012. It was entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and a range of tests were run on the data.

Findings

– The findings in this paper and the project in general will be further explored and investigated as a result of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) awarding a major grant to the post-1992 university to undertake research into these areas amongst nine similar English universities.

Research limitations/implications

– As the research was conducted over a one-year period, the findings are based on the limitations that such a time and financially limited project can offer. The institution at which the research was undertaken is a post-1992 institution that has high concentration towards teaching functions. The findings in this paper and the project in general will be further explored and investigated as a result of the HEFCE awarding a major grant to the post-1992 university to undertake research into these areas among nine similar English universities.

Originality/value

– The research highlights the similarities and differences in prior study experiences and expectations of studying at PGT level between the UK-, the European Union- (EU) and Non-EU-domiciled respondents. The research offers potentially important findings for similar institutions that are currently looking to develop and expand their PGT provision.
A decade of study on employer feedback on the quality of university graduates
Authors: Shah Mahsood , Grebennikov Leonid , Nair Chenicheri  Sid
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to outline four separate studies undertaken in two Australian universities between 2003 and 2012 on employer feedback on the quality of university graduates. Higher education has expanded significantly in the past decade. The expansion has been in student enrolments with a focus on increasing the participation of disadvantaged students; the emergence of new kinds of providers other than universities; new modes of education delivery; and the internationalisation of higher education. The diversity of higher education institutions and quality issues require the assessment of graduate quality based on feedback from employers. The lack of such assessment on graduate quality based on employer voice risks the production of graduates with focus on success (quantity) rather than excellence (quality). It also disconnects the engagement between higher education institutions and employers to assess trends and changes in various industries and professions that require employer input in course development and renewal to meet the changing needs of the industries.

Design/methodology/approach

– A quantitative method using online survey to gather feedback from employers of university graduates was used. The survey tool has been previously used in other studies.

Findings

– A decade of study using quantitative and qualitative methods with different employers in two different geographic locations clearly shows that employer views on the quality of university graduates in a range of capabilities have remained consistent. The study also outlines the challenges in gathering feedback from employers and how data are used in curriculum reviews and enhancements.

Research limitations/implications

– The study has a number of limitations, including gathering up-to-date employer data, and engagement of employers in the survey.

Practical implications

– Practical implications could include the use of survey data in new course developments, review of courses and further enhancement to ensure course relevance.

Originality/value

– This is the first longitudinal study undertaken using the same survey instrument in two universities. The study engaged 485 employers.
Perception and awareness of Islamic accounting: student perspectives
Authors: Siswantoro Dodik
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perception and awareness of Islamic accounting of undergraduate accounting students at Universitas Indonesia. The Indonesian Institute of Accountants has an Islamic Accounting Certification and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) test, meaning that the course’s competency should satisfy both Islamic and CPA certification standards to be effective.

Design/methodology/approach

– The researcher used primary data obtained from a questionnaire. This research was based on the students’ understanding of Islamic accounting at the beginning of the class and at the middle of the semester. The sample test included questions based on the course’s syllabus. Each statement in the questionnaire represented the main topic of each week of the class. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and tests of differences between groups of the sample.

Findings

– The results showed that few students were aware of Islamic accounting, but the course effectively improved comprehension. In general, respondents believed that Islamic accounting has better norms and value than conventional accounting. In fact, Muslims’ marks in the midterm test are lower than non-Muslims’ marks. This was unexpected, as Muslims had learned similar concepts about Islamic teaching. The students assumed that the course covered only common concepts, not dogma.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample was limited to students taking an Islamic accounting course at Universitas Indonesia. The results cannot be generalized to other cases.

Practical implications

– This research can narrow gaps between the needs of the accounting profession and the content of the Islamic accounting academic courses taken by students. To minimize fraud and emphasize Islamic teaching, the curriculum should feature strong and inherent Islamic principles.

Originality/value

– This may be the first paper to describe students’ perception and awareness of Islamic accounting after taking a course on this topic. Education on this subject should be incorporated into professional training where appropriate.
Libraries and Tumblr: a quantitative analysis
Authors: Anderson Katie Elson
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to determine how Tumblr is being used by libraries and special collections/archives in the USA through quantitative analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data on library Tumblr blogs were collected at three points during a one-year period and included library type, start date, number of posts, average posts per day, type of post and other descriptive information.

Findings

– There is a growing library presence on the social media site Tumblr. The results shows adoption of the social media platform by multiple library types: academic, public, special collections/digital libraries, library organizations and other library/archives.

Research limitations/implications

– A major challenge is in the identification and discovery of all libraries on Tumblr, especially as the number of Tumblr blogs created by libraries of all types continues to grow.

Practical implications

– Results of this analysis should prove useful for both libraries and special collections already using Tumblr as well as those interested in starting a presence on Tumblr. The results will assist librarians in determining if this is a social media tool that is useful and valuable, as well as providing observations on best practices.

Originality/value

– Literature specific to Tumblr is limited. This research paper provides a starting point for more research and analysis on the presence of libraries on Tumblr.
How businesses can deal with a bad manager
Authors: de Valk Penny
Published: June 2015

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how businesses can deal with a bad manager?

Design/methodology/approach

This paper researches the impact of leadership.

Findings

Bad management can affect employee morale, performance, attitude and engagement.

Originality/value

This paper includes a research amongst employees on the impact of leadership.
Core characteristics, treatment process and retention in therapeutic communities for addictions: a summary of four studies
Authors: Goethals Ilse , Vanderplasschen Wouter , Vandevelde Stijn , Broekaert Eric
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to summarize the main findings and conclusions of four separate studies on treatment in therapeutic communities (TCs) for addictions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The first two studies address the core characteristics of the TC approach: a study on the workable and destructive elements of the Synanon model; and a comparative study on the essential elements of TCs for addictions in Europe and in the USA. The final two studies highlight clients’ perceptions of the TC treatment process in relation to retention: a study on clients’ first month perceptions of the TC treatment process and the influence of fixed and dynamic client factors; and a longitudinal study on changes in clients’ perception of the TC treatment process and the impact of motivation, psychological distress and cluster B personality traits.

Findings

– The first study showed that Synanon’s therapeutic and pedagogical methods are still highly valued despite its negative reputation. The results of the second study suggest that while traditional TCs operate as concept-based TCs in Europe, modified TCs might differ in the extent to which they apply the core principles and elements of the TC approach. The third study provides evidence that suitability for treatment is a very important predictor for clients’ first month perceptions of the community environment. The fourth study shows that with time in treatment clients develop more profound perceptions regarding the essence of TC treatment.

Research limitations/implications

– Finally, implications for clinical practice, general limitations and some concrete recommendations for future research are presented in this paper.

Originality/value

– The PhD summary study contributes to the existing literature on TC treatment.
Tourism discourse and medical tourists’ motivations to travel
Authors: Adams Krystyna , Snyder Jeremy , Crooks Valorie , Johnston Rory
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to respond to a knowledge gap regarding the motivations of medical tourists, the term used to describe persons that travel across borders with the intention of accessing medical care. Commonly cited motivations for engaging in medical tourism are typically based on speculation and provide generalizations for what is a contextualized practice. This research paper aims to complicate the commonly discussed motivations of medical tourists to provide a richer understanding of these motivations and the various contexts in which medical tourists may choose to travel for medical care.

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 32 former Canadian medical tourists, this study uses the Iso-Ahola’s motivation theory to analyze tourists’ motivations. Quotations from participants were used to highlight core themes relevant to critical theories of tourism.

Findings

– Participants’ discussions illuminated motivations to travel related to personal and interpersonal seeking as well as personal and interpersonal escaping. These motivations demonstrate the appropriateness of applying critical theories of tourism to the medical tourism industry.

Research limitations/implications

– This research is limited in its ability to link various motivations with particular contexts such as medical procedure and personal demographics. However, this study demonstrates that the three commonly cited motivations of medical tourists might oversimplify this phenomenon.

Originality/value

– By providing new insight into medical tourists’ motivations, this paper expands the conversation about medical tourists’ decision-making and how this is informed by tourism discourse. This insight may contribute to improved guidance for medical tourism stakeholders for more ethical and safe practices.
Hotel Facebook marketing: an integrated model
Authors: Leung Xi Yu , Baloglu Seyhmus
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to examine the underlying consumer behavior model of Facebook marketing for hotels, including the determinants, the process and the consequences of hotel Facebook marketing, as Facebook – the most popular social media platform – has become an important marketing tool for hotels.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study proposed an integrated model consisting of antecedents and consequences of Facebook marketing based on both marketing and social psychology theories. A pseudo hotel Facebook page was created and an online survey was conducted to collect data. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to test the proposed model.

Findings

– The SEM results indicated the proposed model to be a good fit with the data and all the hypotheses were supported except one. The findings suggested that compliance, internalization and identification are all determinants of the customer’s attitude toward a hotel Facebook page, while hotel booking intentions and intention of spreading word-of-mouth on Facebook are two consequences of hotel Facebook marketing.

Research limitations/implications

– The study used a pseudo hotel Facebook page and messages created solely for the purpose of the study, and so the survey participants might not be hotel guests or hotel Facebook fans. Future research using real hotel brands, “live” hotel Facebook pages and actual hotel guests or hotel Facebook fans to collect data may provide stronger support for the integrated model proposed in the study.

Practical implications

– The attitude toward a hotel Facebook site is influenced by the site’s congruency with the customer’s value system and personal identity with other users rather than external rewards. Hotel booking intentions and spreading word-of-mouth are two significant consequences of hotel Facebook marketing. Hotels should aim to create an interactive site for users and establish communities with a clear identity so that users can easily relate their own self-identity with other group members and maintain satisfying relationships with them.

Originality/value

– This is a preliminary and exploratory study of the fundamental marketing mechanism of hotel Facebook marketing. The proposed model reveals not only the antecedents but also the consequences of hotel Facebook marketing. The study and the proposed model may be used as a starting point for further hospitality Facebook marketing research.