bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential relationships between habitat fragmentation and within-population genetic diversity of three forest-dwelling birds
Authors: Zuckerberg Benjamin , Carling Matt , Dor Roi , Ferree Elise , Spellman Garth , Townsend Andrea
Published: May 2014

Habitat fragmentation is a major driver of environmental change affecting wildlife populations across multiple levels of biological diversity. Much of the recent research in landscape genetics has focused on quantifying the influence of fragmentation on genetic variation among populations, but questions remain as to how habitat loss and configuration influences within-population genetic diversity. Habitat loss and fragmentation might lead to decreases in genetic diversity within populations, which might have implications for population persistence over multiple generations. We used genetic data collected from populations of three species occupying forested landscapes across a broad geographic region: Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli; 22 populations), White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis; 13 populations) and Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea; 19 populations) to quantify patterns of haplotype and nucleotide diversity across a range of forest fragmentation. We predicted that fragmentation effects on genetic diversity would vary depending on dispersal capabilities and habitat specificity of the species. Forest aggregation and the variability in forest patch area were the two strongest landscape predictors of genetic diversity. We found higher haplotype diversity in populations of P. gambeli and S. carolinensis inhabiting landscapes characterized by lower levels of forest fragmentation. Conversely, S. pygmaea demonstrated the opposite pattern of higher genetic diversity in fragmented landscapes. For two of the three species, we found support for the prediction that highly fragmented landscapes sustain genetically less diverse populations. We suggest, however, that future studies should focus on species of varying life-history traits inhabiting independent landscapes to better understand how habitat fragmentation influences within-population genetic diversity.
RootProf: software for multivariate analysis of unidimensional profiles
Authors: Caliandro Rocco , Belviso Danilo Benny
Published: May 2014

RootProfis a multi-purpose program which implements multivariate analysis of unidimensional profiles. Series of measurements, performed on related samples or on the same sample by varying some external stimulus, are analysed to find trends in data, classify them and extract quantitative information. Qualitative analysis is performed by using principal component analysis or correlation analysis. In both cases the data set is projected in a latent variable space, where a clustering algorithm classifies data points. Group separation is quantified by statistical tools. Quantitative phase analysis of a series of profiles is implemented by whole-profile fitting or by an unfolding procedure, and relies on a variety of pre-processing methods. Supervised quantitative analysis can be applied, provideda prioriinformation on some samples is provided.RootProfcan be applied to measurements from different techniques, which can be combined by means of a covariance analysis. A specific analysis for powder diffraction data allows estimation of the average size of crystal domains.RootProfborrows its graphics and data analysis capabilities from the Root framework, developed for high-energy physics experiments.
Stacking fault energy in austenitic steels determined by usingin situX-ray diffraction during bending
Authors: Rafaja D. , Krbetschek C. , Ullrich C. , Martin S.
Published: May 2014

A method is presented which determines the stacking fault energy in face-centred cubic materials from the critical stress that is inducedviasample bending in the early stages of plastic deformation. The critical stress is gauged byin situX-ray diffraction. This method utilizes the results of Byun's consideration of the stress dependence of the partial dislocation separation [Byun (2003).Acta Mater.51, 3063–3071]. Byun showed that the separation distance of the partial dislocations increases rapidly when the critical stress is reached and that the critical stress needed for the rapid separation of the partial dislocations is directly proportional to the stacking fault energy. In the approach presented here, the partial dislocation separation and the corresponding triggering stress are monitored by usingin situX-ray diffraction during sample bending. Furthermore, thein situX-ray diffraction measurement checks the possible interactions between stacking faults present on equivalent lattice planes and the interactions of the stacking faults with other microstructure defects. The capability of the proposed method was tested on highly alloyed austenitic steels containing chromium (∼16 wt%), manganese (∼7 wt%) and nickel as the main alloying elements. For the steels containing 5.9 and 3.7 wt% Ni, stacking fault energies of 17.5 ± 1.4 and 8.1 ± 0.9 mJ m−2were obtained, respectively.
Towards a detailed resolution smearing kernel for time-of-flight neutron reflectometers. Corrigendum
Authors: Nelson Andrew Robert John , Dewhurst Charles David
Published: May 2014

In the paper by Nelson [J. Appl. Cryst.(2013),46, 1338–1346], Charles Dewhurst is missing from the list of authors. The complete list of authors should be A. R. J. Nelson and C. D. Dewhurst.
Exploiting coherence for real-time studies by single-bunch imaging
Authors: Rack A. , Scheel M. , Hardy L. , Curfs C. , Bonnin A. , Reichert H.
Published: May 2014

First real-time studies of ultra-fast processes by single-bunch imaging at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility are reported. By operating the storage ring of the ESRF in single-bunch mode with its correspondingly increased electron bunch charge density per singlet, the polychromatic photon flux density at insertion-device beamlines is sufficient to capture hard X-ray images exploiting the light from a single bunch (the corresponding bunch length is 140 ps FWHM). Hard X-ray imaging with absorption contrast as well as phase contrast in combination with large propagation distances is demonstrated using spatial samplings of 11 µm and 35 µm pixel size. The images acquired allow one to track crack propagation in a bursting piece of glass, breaking of an electrical fuse as well as cell wall rupture in an aqueous foam. Future developments and their potential in the frame of the proposed Phase II of the ESRF Upgrade Program are discussed.
A novel dinuclear bismuth(III) coordination compound: bis(μ-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato)-κ4O2,N,O6:O6′;κ4O2:O2′,N,O6-bis[(azido-κN)(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,N′)bismuth(III)] tetrahydrate
Authors: Zhang Wei , Feng Yu-Quan
Published: May 2014

A novel dinuclear bismuth(III) coordination compound, [Bi2(C7H3NO4)2(N3)2(C12H8N2)2]·4H2O, has been synthesized by an ionothermal method and characterized by elemental analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, IR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The molecular structure consists of one centrosymmetric dinuclear neutral fragment and four water molecules. Within the dinuclear fragment, each BiIIIcentre is seven-coordinated by three O atoms and four N atoms. The coordination geometry of each BiIIIatom is distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal (BiO3N4), with one azide N atom and one bridging carboxylate O atom located in axial positions. The carboxylate O atoms and water molecules are assembledviaO—H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in the formation of a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. Two types of π–π stacking interactions are found, with centroid-to-centroid distances of 3.461 (4) and 3.641 (4) Å.
A new semiconducting quaternary mixed halogenide: pentathallium dimercury pentabromide tetraiodide, Tl5Hg2Br5I4
Authors: Pavlyuk Volodymyr , Dmytriv Grygoriy , Szyrej Malgorzata , Levkovets Sergii , Parasyuk Oleh
Published: May 2014

A novel quaternary mixed halogenide, Tl5Hg2Br5I4, was synthesized by fusion of thallium bromide and mercury iodide in a 5:2 molar ratio. The crystal structure of Tl5Hg2Br5I4represents a new series of composite structures described by the general formulanTlBr*mTl2[HgBr2I2]; in this case,n= 4 andm= 8. Electronic structure calculations indicate that the title compound is a semiconductor.
Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of a ferredoxin/flavodoxin-NADP(H) oxidoreductase (Bc0385) fromBacillus cereus
Authors: Skråmo Silje , Hersleth Hans-Petter , Hammerstad Marta , Andersson K. Kristoffer , Røhr Åsmund K.
Published: May 2014

Ferredoxin/flavodoxin-NADP(H) oxidoreductases (FNRs) are key enzymes involved in catalysing electron transfer between ferredoxins/flavodoxins and NAD(P)H/NAD(P)+. InBacillus cereusthere are three genes that may encode FNRs, and the Bc0385 FNR has been cloned, overexpressed, purified and successfully crystallized in its NADPH/NADP+-free form. Diffraction data have been collected to 2.5 Å resolution from crystals belonging to the orthorhombic space groupP21212, with unit-cell parametersa= 57.2,b= 164.3,c= 95.0 Å, containing two FNR molecules in the asymmetric unit. The structure of the Bc0385 FNR has been solved by molecular replacement, and is a member of the homodimeric thioredoxin reductase-like class of FNRs.
Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of defective pollen wall (DPW) protein fromOryza sativa
Authors: Wang Wei , Ma Yuanyuan , Suo Yang , Yan Liming , Zhang Dabing , Miao Chen
Published: May 2014

Thedefective pollen wall(dpw) gene ofOryza sativaencodes a fatty acid reductase (DPW) which plays important roles in primary fatty alcohol synthesis. DPW catalyzes the synthesis of 1-hexadecanol. The enzyme shows a higher specificity for palmitoyl-ACP than for palmitoyl-CoA as the substrate, and can only use NADPH as the cofactor. To gain an understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the reaction catalyzed by DPW, the gene encoding DPW without the N-terminal 80 amino acids (DPWΔ80) was cloned into pET-28a vector and was overexpressed inEscherichia coli. DPWΔ80 was purified to homogeneity and screened for crystallization. DPWΔ80 in complex with NADPH produced crystals that diffracted X-rays to a resolution of 3.4 Å. The crystals belonged to space groupP61orP65, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 222.8,c= 114.0 Å, α = β = 90, γ = 120°.
Volunteers acting as information providers to citizens
Authors: Finzi Sharon , Bronstein Jenny , Bar‐Ilan Judit , Baruchson‐Arbib Shifra , Rafaeli Sheizaf , Ravid Gilad
Published: May 2014

Purpose

Citizens Advice Bureau (SHIL in Hebrew) is an information and referral service dedicated to serving the needs of citizens by providing easy access to information about citizenship rights and obligations. Many people turn to the offices of SHIL either for help or to volunteer as advisors. This study seeks to examine the information seeking behavior of SHIL volunteers supplying information services to citizens.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical foundations of the study are based on two existing models of information searching related to everyday life problems, Foster's non‐linear model of information seeking behavior and Bates's berry‐picking approach. This research employs a qualitative method. A total of 35 advisors in different SHIL branches were interviewed and the content of the interviews was analyzed, mapped and organized into categories by using concepts and terms revealed in the data.

Findings

Findings show that volunteers at SHIL search information in a way that integrates the two models mentioned above, the berry‐picking model and the non‐linear model. In addition, findings point to difficulties that the advisors face in solving problems of the clients. These difficulties are connected with the different aspects relating to the flow of information both within and outside the organization and with organizational and administrative aspects at SHIL.

Originality/value

The information seeking behavior of volunteers acting as providers of information services has yet to be investigated at length and the understanding of their information behavior can be of value, since volunteering carries great importance in a democracy.
Enhancing students' employability through business simulation
Authors: Avramenko Alex
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an approach to business simulation with less dependence on business simulation software to provide innovative work experience within a programme of study, to boost students’ confidence and employability.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on analysis of existing business simulation literature, which is synthesised with contemporary pedagogic trends and the outputs of the authors’ longitudinal research on improving the effectiveness of business simulation as a teaching method.

Findings

The use of business simulation as a pedagogic tool can be considerably extended beyond built‐in functionality to match the needs of various business‐related disciplines. Learning from their own mistakes enabled students to appreciate the gap between theory and its application.

Research limitations/implications

Business simulation can provide an innovative provision of work experience for students, if its design utilises continuous formative feedback and reflective practice amongst other pedagogical elements rather than relying on sophisticated business simulation software.

Practical implications

This paper offers a blueprint for the provision of business simulation exercises in higher education as means for equipping participants with a work‐like experience.

Originality/value

The article presents a fresh view on the use of business simulation in the educational process, while contributing to the long‐standing debate on bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Identifying teaching methods that engage entrepreneurship students
Authors: Balan Peter , Metcalfe Mike
Published: May 2014

Purpose

Entrepreneurship education particularly requires student engagement because of the complexity of the entrepreneurship process. The purpose of this paper is to describe how an established measure of engagement can be used to identify relevant teaching methods that could be used to engage any group of entrepreneurship students.

Design/methodology/approach

The Australasian Survey of Student Engagement (AUSSE) instrument was used to provide 47 well established engagement criteria. The results from 393 students (33 per cent response rate), and the identification by immersed experts of the criteria that were present in each of six teaching methods, made it possible to calculate a weighted score of engagement contribution for each teaching method.

Findings

This method described in this paper identified, for undergraduate entrepreneurship students, the most engaging teaching methods as well as the least engaging. This approach found that from amongst the particular range of teaching methods in the courses in this case study, poster reports was the most engaging, followed by a team‐based learning method. This approach also identified one teaching method that was not engaging, suggesting it could be discontinued.

Practical implications

These results give entrepreneurship educators with access to engagement data collected by the National Study of Student Engagement (NSSE), or the equivalent AUSSE study, a practical method for assessing and identifying teaching methods for student engagement for their particular profile of students, and in their particular teaching situation.

Originality/value

The application of established measures of engagement is novel and provides insights into specific teaching methods for enhancing the engagement of particular groups of students at the course level. It is a method that could be applied in fields other than entrepreneurship education where NSSE or AUSSE data is available.
E‐learning: ageing workforce versus technology‐savvy generation
Authors: Becker Karen , Fleming Julie , Keijsers Wilhelmina
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide description and analysis of how a traditional industry is currently using e‐learning, and to identify how the potential of e‐learning can be realised whilst acknowledging the technological divide between younger and older workers.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory qualitative methodology was employed to analyse three key questions: How is the Australian rail industry currently using e‐learning? Are there age‐related issues with the current use of e‐learning in the rail industry? How could e‐learning be used in future to engage different generations of learners in the rail industry? Data were collected in five case organisations from across the Australian rail industry.

Findings

Of the rail organisations interviewed, none believed they were using e‐learning to its full potential. The younger, more technologically literate employees are not having their expectations met and therefore retention of younger workers has become an issue. The challenge for learning and development practitioners is balancing the preferences of an aging workforce with these younger, more “technology‐savvy”, learners and the findings highlight some potential ways to begin addressing this balance.

Practical implications

The findings identified the potential for organisations (even those in a traditional industry such as rail) to better utilise e‐learning to attract and retain younger workers but also warns against making assumptions about technological competency based on age.

Originality/value

Data were gathered across an industry, and thus this paper takes an industry approach to considering the potential age‐related issues with e‐learning and the ways it may be used to meet the needs of different generations in the workplace.
An analysis of apprentices in the US construction trades
Authors: Woods Jeffrey G.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to provide an in‐depth analysis of the labor market for apprentice training in the US construction industry. Also, the paper analyzes the learning process of apprentices and discusses the role of apprenticeships as a pathway to higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The interdisciplinary approach of this research integrates both the economic, institutional and educational aspects of apprenticeship training to show the process of developing the construction labor force in the USA.

Findings

The major finding of this research is to highlight the importance of apprenticeship programs in the US construction industry and how these programs can be used as a way to help rebalance the labor market. By increasing the number of workers with intermediate skills, we can insure the distribution of skills more closely matches the distribution of available jobs.

Research limitations/implications

Because of space constraints, the research limitations are that little is said about the factors that affect apprenticeship program completion rates.

Practical implications

The practical implications of this research are to provide policy makers some recommendations that can be used to foster the growth and development of apprenticeship programs in the US construction industry.

Social implications

The major social implications are that apprenticeship programs should viewed as an alternative pathway to higher education. They can ultimately improve career mobility and earnings. This can lead to a more equal distribution of income while expanding the tax base.

Originality/value

This paper provides a unique analysis of an important segment of the US labor force by focusing on the economics and learning process of apprentices in the US construction industry. Understanding the learning styles of many apprentices helps explain the importance of the dual nature of their training.
The role of numeracy skills in graduate employability
Authors: Durrani Naureen , Tariq Vicki N.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to explore the role and importance of numeracy skills in graduate recruitment within a diversity of employment sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The results of a mixed‐methods study, involving three online surveys (including an employer survey), student focus group sessions and interviews with tutors, are presented.

Findings

The results reveal the importance that employers attach to graduates’ numeracy skills and the extent to which employers use numeracy tests in graduate recruitment. They thus highlight the potential for poor numeracy skills to limit any graduate's acquisition of employment, irrespective of their degree subject; especially since numeracy tests are used predominantly in recruitment to the types of jobs commensurate with graduates’ career aspirations and within sectors that attract graduates from across the diversity of academic disciplines, including the arts and humanities.

Research limitations/implications

Since participants were self‐selecting any conclusions and inferences relate to the samples and may or may not be generalisable to wider target populations.

Practical implications

The paper highlights what actions are necessary to enhance undergraduates’ numeracy skills in the context of graduate employability.

Social implications

The vulnerability of particular groups of students (e.g. females, those not provided with any opportunities to practise or further develop their numeracy skills whilst in higher education, those with no (or low) pre‐university mathematics qualifications, and mature students) is highlighted.

Originality/value

The article is timely in view of national policy to extend the graduate employability performance indicators within quality assurance measures for UK higher education.
Robotic innovations that address a wide spectrum of medical applications
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review some of the recent innovations in robotics for a wide range of medically‐related applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes in‐depth interviews with developers of medical application‐related robots and a review of recent writings and technical papers on the topic.

Findings

Robots are finding all kinds of application in the medical field, from surgery to logistics to patient care and more. The future will surely see even more medical robot developments.

Practical implications

Managers and medical personal will learn how rapidly the medical robotics field is growing with successful applications appearing frequently.

Originality/value

The medical field will see how robotic technology is addressing needs, reducing costs and improving patient care and will learn where to turn for medical robotic answers.
Kinematic calibration of a 3‐DOF planar parallel robot
Authors: Joubair Ahmed , Slamani Mohamed , Bonev Ilian A.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a calibration method developed to improve the absolute accuracy of a novel three degrees‐of‐freedom planar parallel robot. The robot is designed for the precise alignment of semiconductor wafers and, even though its complete workspace is slightly larger, the accuracy improvements are performed within a target workspace, in which the positions are on a disc of 170 mm in diameter and the orientations are in the range ±17°.

Design/methodology/approach

The calibration method makes use of a single optimization model, based on the direct kinematic calibration approach, while the experimental data are collected from two sources. The first source is a measurement arm from FARO Technologies, and the second is a Mitutoyo coordinate measurement machine (CMM). The two sets of calibration results are compared.

Findings

Simulation confirmed that the model proposed is not sensitive to measurement noise. An experimental validation on the CMM shows that the absolute accuracy inside the target workspace was improved by reducing the maximum position and orientation errors from 1.432 mm and 0.107°, respectively, to 0.044 mm and 0.009°.

Originality/value

This paper presents a calibration method which makes it possible to accurately identify the actual robot's base frame (base frame calibration), at the same time as identifying and compensating for geometric errors, actuator offsets, and even screw lead errors. The proposed calibration method is applied on a novel planar robot, and its absolute accuracy was found to improve to 0.044 mm.
A classification framework for facilities and real estate management
Authors: Ebinger Matthias , Madritsch Thomas
Published: May 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to present an industry‐neutral classification model for the management functions of the organizational built environment: the Built Environment Management Model (BEM2). The model is intended to highlight the strategic value of the built environment management functions and to assess how efficiently these functions interact and generate strategic value.

Design/methodology/approach

The research team reviewed a wide range of existing management models for facilities management and real estate (FM/RE) and related management disciplines. In a multi‐year research project, the team refined the descriptive model in an iterative validation process between researchers and practitioners.

Findings

The BEM2 framework is an inventory of FM/RE functions. The model highlights the relationships between the four major key process areas and shows the strategic value stream of each particular FM/RE function. BEM2 has proven effective in helping organizations understand the scope and value of the FM/RE functions. The tool can be used to identify organizational gaps and overlaps between divisions, and it can help to facilitate discussions between organizational entities of how responsibilities should be most effectively aligned. It can also serve as an effective model to support the implementation of an integrated building information model (BIM).

Research limitations/implications

The model is currently limited to a description of processes and is as such explaining the sequence of FM/RE business processes. It does not yet address the skill sets required to effectively perform these functions.

Practical implications

The BEM2 framework was successfully used as the business model for the major restructuring process of a large real estate organization. It has also proven to be valuable as a way to introduce students to the subject of FM/RE. The adoption of BEM2 can help to further clarify the standards of the FM/RE profession and to increase the maturity of its business functions.

Originality/value

The BEM2 model transfers principles from related management fields and assembles them into a comprehensive process model for the FM/RE model. It contributes to the discussion on standardization and taxonomy development in the FM/RE discipline.
Design and diagnosis for viable organizations in practice: university urban planning
Authors: Pérez Ríos José , Lois Martínez Suárez Xosé , Velasco Jiménez Iván
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an example of the application of a framework, based on Beer's organizational cybernetics and viable system model, that allowed the top management of a public university to design and implement university policy and actions related to the physical design of the various university campuses.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on organizational cybernetics concepts, an heuristic is used by the top management of a public university for designing the strategy and actions related to urban planning issues.

Findings

The paper outlines the process that helped the university's new top management to diagnose the situation at the beginning of its mandate and to design pertinent actions. This process starts by clarifying the university identity, purpose and boundaries and is followed by identifying the required structural levels. For each of them the key factors to be considered and actions to be taken are stated. The use of a Recursion Levels‐Key Factors Matrix helped to maintain a coherent and holistic view of the intervention.

Practical implications

This kind of framework can guide leaders of public and private organizations to apply cybernetic concepts to improve their strategic policies' design and actions.

Originality/value

The application of organizational cybernetics and the viable system model to urban planning‐related activities in universities is highly original. The framework here presented, together with the example of its application, can serve as a guide to leaders of other universities as well as other public or private organizations when coping with the complexity they have to face.
A systemic approach to the philosophy of history
Authors: Johannessen Jon‐Arild
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a systemic philosophy of history, which, to the author's knowledge, is new in the study of history. As such this is an innovation into the study of history.

Design/methodology/approach

The question studied is: What constitutes a systemic approach to the philosophy of history? In this study the author first develops the systemic hypothesis and the relationship between history and the past, then develops a systemic perspective on ontology and epistemology.

Findings

The materialism, idealism debate is discussed and an answer given to the question, why study history from a systemic perspective?

Originality/value

The paper presents five reasons for studying history and the historical process itself. A systemic approach to history views history as a long‐term perspective contrasted with spectacular events. This results in individuals and exceptional events being examined in their social context as part of a social system.
Adaptive self‐organization vs static optimization
Authors: Gershenson Carlos , Rosenblueth David A.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare qualitatively two methods for coordinating traffic lights: a static optimization “green wave” method and an adaptive self‐organizing method.

Design/methodology/approach

Statistical results were obtained from implementing a recently proposed model of city traffic based on elementary cellular automata in a computer simulation.

Findings

The self‐organizing method delivers considerable improvements over the green‐wave method. Seven dynamical regimes and six phase transitions are identified and analyzed for the self‐organizing method.

Practical implications

The paper shows that traffic light coordination can be improved in cities by using self‐organizing methods.

Social implications

This improvement can have a noticeable effect on the quality of life of citizens.

Originality/value

Understanding how self‐organization obtains adaptive solutions for complex problems can contribute to building more efficient systems.
Elements of a cybernetic epistemology
Authors: Nechansky Helmut
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how pattern recognition can contribute to the behavioral options of a goal‐oriented system.

Design/methodology/approach

A functional approach is used to develop the necessary cybernetic structures of a pattern recognition unit that can store observations as new standards for pattern matching by itself and can later apply them to recognize patterns in incoming sensor data.

Findings

Combining such a structure for pattern recognition with a feedback system shows that the resulting system can only deal with known patterns. To deal with novel patterns this structure has to be added to an adaptive system that can develop system‐specific behavior. Such a system has to able to initiate a trial and error process to test new behavior towards new patterns and to evaluate its effect on the highest, existential goal‐values of the system.

Practical implications

A system with a pattern recognition unit that can set new standards for pattern matching by itself is identified as the point of departure where not‐programmable and unpredictable individual behavior starts. Dealing with newly‐recognized pattern requires individual behavioral solutions and a system‐specific evaluation of the achieved results in relation to the highest goal‐values of the system. Here internal “emotional” criteria to select behavior emerge as a cybernetic necessity.

Originality/value

The paper is the third in a series of three on a cybernetic theory distinguishing system capable of pre‐programmed adaptation, system‐specific adaptation and learning. It determines the cybernetic starting point of individual psychology.
Improved calculation method of shortest path with cellular automata model
Authors: Wang Min , Qian Yongsheng , Guang Xiaoping
Published: May 2014

Purpose

Shortest path problem has always been a hot topic in the study of graph theory, because of its wide application field, extending from operational research to the disciplines of geography, automatic control, computer science and traffic. According to its concrete application, scholars in the relevant field have presented many algorithms, but most of them are solely improvements based on Dijkstra algorithm. The purpose of this paper is to enrich the kinds of (and improve the efficiency of) the shortest path algorithms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper puts forward an improved calculation method of shortest path using cellular automata model, which is designed to search the shortest path from one node to another node. Cellular state set is adjusted with combination of breeding and mature states. Evolution rule is improved to enhance its parallelism. At the same time, recording manner of cellular state turnover is modified to record all information sources.

Findings

The result indicates that the improved algorithm is correct and more efficient, in that it could reduce the times of cellular state turnover; meanwhile, it can solve multi‐paths problem.

Originality/value

In this paper, cellular state set in exiting shortest path algorithm based on cellular automata theory is adjusted; evolution rule is improved; and recording manner of cellular state turnover is modified to record all information sources. All of which make the parallelism of this algorithm enhanced and the multi‐paths problem solved.
Using an iPad to redefine roving reference service in an academic library
Authors: Gadsby Joanna , Qian Shu
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how Reference Librarians at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County sought to reach students, faculty and staff at their point of need by setting up a mobile reference unit at high traffic locations on campus rather than inside the library building.

Design/methodology/approach

The librarians initiated this project to increase outreach efforts for graduate students but as this service attracted undergraduates equally, they eventually decided to target all students. Using an iPad, a laptop stand, and a large sign to advertise the service, they spent two semesters visiting various locations on campus to collect data on frequency of use and optimal sites.

Findings

The authors identified patterns of use regarding the type of questions that were frequently asked and the time of day that most students utilized the service. This knowledge helped establish a need for further efforts to make library services available outside of the library building. The iPad served as a vital tool for answering questions while roving and attracted patrons to the desk as well.

Originality/value

The librarians hope to establish a regular roving schedule for future semesters based on the data they collected. This roving reference service continues to grow and is expected to do so even more as the librarians use more aggressive marketing techniques and form additional partnerships with student organizations. This paper offers strategies for creating a roving reference service and is valuable to all librarians who seek to serve library users outside of the library building.
Peter Drucker on marketing: application and implications for libraries
Authors: Robinson Cynthia K.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to discuss Peter Drucker's theory of marketing in the context of strategic planning and change (innovation) in libraries. With the need for change and innovation accelerating within all types of libraries, it is increasingly important for libraries to adopt a marketing orientation, integrating a marketing plan into the overall strategic planning process.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs case study methodology to demonstrate one library's attempt to integrate a marketing plan into the library's overall strategic planning activity, using this process to move the library towards a marketing orientation. The paper also provides a viewpoint based on the author's experience and the teachings of Peter Drucker.

Findings

Libraries must adopt a marketing orientation in order to remain viable into the future. As Drucker stated, “it is the customer who determines what a business is”. It is imperative libraries understand what their customer values and needs in order to develop services and provide resources to meet these needs.

Originality/value

This paper examines Peter Drucker's theory of business and marketing as it applies to libraries and highlights the systems framework called the Drucker Management System, described by Joseph Maciariello in his article “Marketing and innovation in the Drucker Management System”.
Technology is a gift that must be fed
Authors: McMullen Anthony
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into issues encountered in maintaining library technologies on a limited budget and with limited personnel.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents reports on real world experiences in the deployment of an electronic resource management system (ERMS) in an effort to centralize information relevant to electronic resource subscriptions.

Findings

While technological advances have streamlined workflows in the modern library, adequate staffing is still required to maintain these technologies. As such, libraries must re‐examine priorities in an age of shrinking budgets.

Originality/value

This paper offers insights and real‐world experiences encountered in the deployment of an ERMS with limited human resources.
ReferenceUSA and Mint Global: a comparative examination of two business directories
Authors: Camacho Leticia
Published: May 2014

Purpose

‐‐ The purpose of this paper is to evaluate two business directories.Design/methodology/approach ‐‐ The paper reviews the organization of information, ease of use, coverage, and each directory's unique features.Findings ‐‐ These two business directories have similar search capabilities and unique features. Mint Global seems to contain detailed financial information that would be useful for a business researcher, but which is unnecessary for the regular user who is looking only for a business list.Research limitations/implications ‐‐ This is a short review that does not cover all the features and tools offered by the directories.Originality/value ‐‐ The paper provides a brief comparative overview of two business directories.
State comparison websites
Authors: Von Seggern Marilyn
Published: May 2014

Purpose

‐‐ The purpose of this paper is to identify internet resources that offer comparisons of the 50 US states in various subject areas.Design/methodology/approach ‐‐ Organizations, agencies, and businesses offering state comparisons as part of multi‐ or single‐topic presentations are included as an overview of available resources.Findings ‐‐ Many reliable, detailed, current, and usable comparison statistics are available on a variety of issues and subjects for all 50 states.Originality/value ‐‐ Awareness of these resources is of value to librarians assisting students and researchers. Familiarity with the variety of state comparison web resources freely available facilitates ease of information location for librarians, students, and researchers.
Mining consumer dialog in online forums
Authors: Kaiser Carolin , Bodendorf Freimut
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The paper's aim is to mine and analyze opinion formation on the basis of consumer dialogs in online forums.

Design/methodology/approach

The study identifies opinions, communication relationships, and dialog acts of forum users using different text mining methods. Utilizing this data, social networks can be derived and analyzed to detect influential users and opinion tendencies. The approach is applied to sample online forums discussing the iPhone.

Findings

Combining text mining and social network analysis enables the study of opinion formation and yields encouraging results. Out of the four methods employed for text mining, support vector machines performed best.

Research limitations/implications

The data set applied here is fairly small. More threads on different products will be considered in future work to improve validation.

Practical implications

The approach represents a valuable instrument for online market research. It enables companies to recognize opportunities and risks and to initiate appropriate marketing actions.

Originality/value

This work is one of the first studies that combine communication content, relationships and dialog acts for analyzing opinion formation.
Towards long‐term foresight for transport: envisioning the Finnish transport system in 2100
Authors: Auvinen Heidi , Tuominen Anu , Ahlqvist Toni
Published: May 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a process for constructing long‐term visions of the transport system. The vision building process is demonstrated by creating a concise test vision of the Finnish transport system in 2100.

Design/methodology/approach

The vision building process combines four futures methods that support the long‐term foresight approach: transition management, PESTE analysis, the futures table and the Delphi method. The process is validated with a test vision.

Findings

A three‐step vision building process for long‐term transport system visions is structured. The three consecutive steps of the process are environmental scanning, constructing futures tables and visions, and describing visions. In addition, a demonstrative test vision is created to describe a possible future transport system in 2100 in a metropolitan Finland. The successful application of the developed method supports further work on creating full‐scale strategy‐driven visions.

Originality/value

Futures studies analyzing transport systems and infrastructures tend to focus on short‐ to medium‐term perspectives. This paper presents a unique method for constructing alternative long‐term visions as far as 50 to 100 years into the future.
Self‐selection and the citation advantage of open access articles
Authors: Xia Jingfeng , Nakanishi Katie
Published: May 2014

Purpose

This research seeks to examine the relationship between the open access availability of journal articles in anthropology and their citation conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies a statistical logistic regression model to explore this relationship, and compares two groups of articles, those published in high‐ranked journals and those in low‐ranked journals based on journal impact factor, to examine the likelihood that open access status is correlated to scholarly impact.

Findings

The results reveal that open access articles in general receive more citations. Moreover, this research finds that articles in high‐ranked journals do not have a higher open access rate, and articles in lower‐ranked journals have a greater increase rate of citations if they are freely accessible.

Originality/value

The findings are contrary to the existing theory that a higher citation rate of open access articles is caused by authors posting their best articles online. It is hoped that the research discoveries can help electronic publishers and digital project managers to adjust their strategies in open access advocacy.
Differing perspectives on collaboration in construction
Authors: Hughes Deborah , Williams Trefor , Ren Zhaomin
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to identify the key aspects present in collaborative projects with the objective of producing a clear definition for collaboration within the UK construction industry. Firstly, the research provided a summary of the different forms of “working together” that have become more prevalent since Latham's and Egan's work. Partnering was seen as the ultimate form of collaboration, but due to the recent economic crisis, it has enjoyed diminishing support. Collaboration was perceived as the new way forward. However, the literature on the subject often used the term “collaboration” interchangeably with partnering, alliances, joint ventures, and networks. Therefore, the aim of this research is to identify what the meaning of collaboration is currently.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary research was carried out in order to provide a clearer picture of what collaboration is. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected through a triangulation of questionnaires and interviews. Selective samples of personnel were approached to take part in interviews to identify aspects of collaboration which were subsequently used to produce a questionnaire. A larger selected sample of personnel was then approached to complete the questionnaires. All personnel in the sample were selected as they had been involved in collaborative construction projects. Semi structured interviews were used to provide a list of aspects to collaboration. The aspects were then ranked in importance based on the analysis of results from an online questionnaire. The aspects were then grouped into those that were considered essential; for those that were considered desirable and those that merely added an extra dimension to collaborative working.

Findings

The interviews produced a list of 48 aspects which the participants considered were relevant to collaboration. Through the use of online questionnaires, the 48 aspects were rank ordered and the essential aspects to collaboration identified. The rank ordered list of aspects was then used to inform the definitions of collaboration.

Originality/value

The findings of this research indicated that there are a large number of aspects that are associated with collaborative working. However, the results provide an indication of which of the many aspects identified are essential if a collaborative environment is to be established.
Corporate social responsibility and corporate governance in Malaysian government‐linked companies
Authors: Esa Elinda , Anum Mohd Ghazali Nazli
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether there has been a change in the level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and to determine whether corporate governance attributes influence CSR disclosure in corporate annual reports of Malaysian government‐linked companies (GLCs).

Design/methodology/approach

The annual reports of 27 GLCs for two years (2005 and 2007) were analysed using content analysis. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing CSR disclosure in annual reports.

Findings

Consistent with expectations, the paired‐sample t‐tests showed that there was an increase (significant at the 1 percent level) in the extent of CSR disclosure. The multiple regression analysis revealed that board size was positively associated and statistically significant (at the 1 percent level) with the extent of CSR disclosure.

Research limitations/implications

The regression model reported an R2 of 33.9 percent, which means that almost 66 percent of factors influencing CSR disclosure in Malaysian GLCs have not been captured by the model. These other factors may perhaps be identified through other research methods such as questionnaire surveys or interviews.

Practical implications

The findings appear to suggest that the government efforts in promoting CSR among GLCs through the introduction of the Silver Book in 2006 have had some positive impact on CSR disclosure in annual reports. The results also imply that larger board size through wider exchange of ideas and experience could lead to better appreciation and involvement in corporate social activities and hence disclosure in annual reports.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the few studies to examine CSR disclosure and corporate governance attributes in GLCs after the introduction of new initiatives to promote CSR.