bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Customer participation in online co-creation experience: the role of e-service quality
Authors: Elsharnouby Tamer H. , Mahrous Abeer A.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This exploratory paper aims to extend the research on customer co-creation behavior into an emerging market. To this end, it empirically examines the influence of e-service quality dimensions on customers’ willingness to participate in online co-creation experience, in conjunction with customer attitude and intention.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data from a sample of 215 customers from the Egyptian telecommunication sector were collected and analyzed using structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

– The findings suggest that, although five e-service quality dimensions (efficiency, system availability, privacy, responsiveness and compensation) affect the attitude toward the Web site, another set of the dimensions (efficiency, fulfillment, compensation and contact) affects customers’ willingness to participate in the co-creation experience. The findings also support that customers’ attitudes toward the Web site affect the intention to use the Web site, which, in turn, affects customers’ willingness to participate in the online co-creation experience.

Practical implications

– In their move toward mass customization, companies face the challenge of engaging a huge number of users. Deep and engaging interactions with customers could be one of the differentiators a company might cultivate to serve the market better. Thus, online co-creation activities might broaden the horizon for a cost-effective approach striving for close ties and a high level of customer engagement.

Originality/value

– Despite the intensive use of the Internet in distributing e-services, little attention has been paid thus far to extend e-service quality models to incorporate customer participation in the online co-creation experience. In particular, this exploratory study identifies the important dimensions of e-service quality that influences customers’ willingness to participate in the online co-creation experience.
How a customer participates matters: “I am producing” versus “I am designing”
Authors: Dong Beibei
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to conceptually and empirically differentiate between two types of customer participation (CP): CP as “producers” (CPP), when customers primarily contribute physical labor to produce a service (e.g. assembling a frame), and CP as “designers” (CPD), when customers primarily share information to design a service (e.g. designing a frame). The study examines whether CPD and CPP influence customers’ perceptions of value creation and choice of participation differently. Furthermore, it investigates the moderating effect of customer expectation on the effect of CPD/CPP on customers’ participation responses.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses two scenario-based experiments. Study 1 examines the main effect of CPP and CPD on perceived value of participation and participation choice, and Study 2 investigates the moderator of customer expectation.

Findings

– Study 1 indicates that CPD creates greater value and is a more preferred participation choice than CPP. Study 2 further suggests that the differential advantage of CPD over CPP becomes weakened with a CPP expectation and amplified with a CPD expectation.

Research limitations/implications

– This research helps reconcile current mixed empirical findings in the literature and opens up a new stream to enrich the theoretical understanding of CP. Its use of consumer psychology theories also adds a consumer psychological perspective to CP research.

Practical implications

– This research demonstrates that not all CPs are equal, offers guidelines to design and manage CP and suggests managing customer expectations so as to enhance the appeal of CPP in light of its productivity implications.

Originality/value

– This study represents a pioneering work to empirically differentiate two types of CP and offers a new perspective for understanding the complexity of CP.
Making sense of service dynamics: the honeybee metaphor
Authors: Brozovic Danilo , Ravald Annika , Nordin Fredrik
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the honeybee colony metaphor as a tool to make sense of the dynamics of service systems surrounding a service relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on qualitative case research, this study develops and applies the metaphor of honeybee colonies as a tool to analytically and discursively draw parallels between different aspects of honeybees and service systems surrounding a service relationship, focusing on the dynamic nature of both.

Findings

– The honeybee colony metaphor can serve as an analytical tool, helping managers to make sense of the dynamics of service interactions and, as a discursive tool, giving sense to the strategic implications of service providers’ everyday activities.

Research limitations/implications

– Few metaphors, no matter how complex, can wholly capture reality. The honeybee colony metaphor describes the dynamics surrounding a service relationship at a comprehensive level. Further research can focus on the metaphor’s particular aspects (the changing role of honeybees in the system, for example) or distortions (e.g. parasitic relationships).

Practical implications

– The honeybee colony metaphor illustrates the strategic importance of part-time marketers; they “pollinate” and “fertilize” the customers and properly assessed information that they report represents a basis for strategic decisions.

Originality/value

– The introduction of the honeybee colony metaphor in this paper provides a new lens for capturing the dynamic aspects of service systems surrounding a service relationship and the strategic implications derived from adopting a systemic outlook on service.
A multi-source book review system for reducing information overload and accommodating individual styles
Authors: Kao Gloria Yi-Ming , Peng Chi-Chieh
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of the multi-source book review system (MBRS). MBRS was designed to reduce information overload using the internet and to accommodate different learner preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors experimentally compared MBRS with the Google search engine. MBRS first gathers reviews from online sources, such as bookstores and blogs. It reduces information overload through an advanced filtering and sorting algorithm and by providing a uniform user interface. MBRS accommodates different learning styles through various sort options and through adding video-mediated reviews.

Findings

– Results indicate that, compared with Google, MBRS: reduces the information overload associated with searching for online book reviews; increases users finding satisfactory book reviews; and allows users to find reviews more quickly. In addition, more than half of the participants found video-mediated book reviews more appealing than traditional text-based reviews.

Research limitations/implications

– Future studies might examine the effects of other recommendations or sorting methods to fit individual preferences in a more dynamic way.

Practical implications

– This study assisted readers with a preference for visual information in locating reviews of personal interest in less time and with finding reviews more aligned with their individual learning preferences.

Originality/value

– This study documents an innovative web site featuring video-mediated book reviews and other mechanisms to accommodate individual preferences. Search engine designers could integrate book reviews with different media types to reduce cognitive load allowing readers to focus attention on the reading task. Internet booksellers or library staff may use this as an effective means to enhance reading motivation.
Examining the relationships among trust, silence and organizational commitment
Authors: Dedahanov Alisher Tohirovich , Rhee Jaehoon
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Previous studies examined the relationships between trust, organizational commitment and the unitary construct of silence. The authors believe that previous studies’ primary shortcoming is the lack of an understanding of the motives of employees in withholding work related issues when they have a lack of trust in their organization and supervisor and a lack of knowledge regarding the form of silence that impacts more organizational commitment. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of trust in organization and trust in supervisor on acquiescent and defensive silence and examines the effects of acquiescent and defensive silence on organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study utilized structured equation modeling to analyze data from 753 highly skilled employees in South Korea.

Findings

– The findings revealed that trust in organization is associated with acquiescent silence; trust in supervisor is related with defensive silence and acquiescent silence demonstrated strong relationship with organizational commitment.

Originality/value

– This study is the first to explore the associations between trust in organization and acquiescent silence and the relationships between trust in supervisor and defensive silence. Moreover, our study reports the strong link between acquiescent silence and organizational commitment.
Supporting communication in semantic dementia: clinical consensus from expert practitioners
Authors: Kindell Jacqueline , Sage Karen , Cruice Madeline
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to gain consensus regarding the clinical priorities and tasks required in supporting communication needs in those living with semantic dementia and their families, by specialist speech and language therapists (SLTs), working in clinical practice within dementia care settings in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

– A nominal group technique was used, followed by further exploration and refinement of issues using a modified Delphi technique with a group of six SLTs who specialised in dementia care and who had experience of working with individuals with semantic dementia and their families.

Findings

– The findings in the study demonstrate a broader scope of practice than is evident within the research literature with this client group. Therapists identified a range of psychosocial issues for both the person with semantic dementia and their family, in particular finding ways to support activity and participation in conversation and explore barriers and facilitators within the communication environment.

Originality/value

– This represents the first study to explore everyday practice in this rarer dementia and the information gathered here will be of use to a variety of health and social care professions interested in supporting those with semantic dementia and their families.
Explaining the environmentally-sustainable consumer behavior: a social capital perspective
Authors: Castaneda Marigold G. , Martinez Carmelita P. , Marte Rodilina , Roxas Banjo
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of social capital within a community on the adoption of consumer eco-behaviour or environmentally sustainable behaviour of consumers. The authors draw on the behavioural perspective model (BPM) of consumer behaviour and social capital theory in arguing that social capital shapes a consumer’s knowledge of environmental issues and pro-environmental attitudes, which in turn influence a consumer’s perceived capability to engage in eco-behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses partial least squares approach to structural equation modelling of survey data involving 1,044 consumers in the Philippines. It involves testing of a measurement model to examine the validity and reliability of the constructs used in the study. This is followed by testing of the structural models to test the hypothesised relationships of the constructs.

Findings

– The results suggest the substantive influence of social capital on environmental knowledge, pro-environmental attitudes and eco-capability. Both knowledge and attitudes have positive effects on eco-capability, which in turn positively shapes eco-behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

– Future studies can examine how social capital as a multi-dimensional construct impacts context-specific consumer behaviour.

Practical implications

– Social and environmental marketing may focus on social network activation to encourage eco-behaviours of consumers.

Social implications

– Findings highlight the role of social capital within one’s community as a resource channel to encourage environmentally responsible consumer behaviour.

Originality/value

– The study extends the BPM by offering a social capital view as a more nuanced explanation of consumer eco-behaviour.
The relationship between employee orientation, financial performance and leverage
Authors: Wieland Sabrina , Flavel Benjamin Scott
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to provide an empirical investigation into the relationship between employee orientation and both financial performance and leverage.

Design/methodology/approach

– The selected sample set consisted of German publicly listed and unlisted companies identified as a “Top Employer” by the Top Employers Institute for the period 2008-2010. The relationship between employee orientation and both financial performance and leverage was then examined for this sample set for the period 2007 and 2011, with the rating “Top Employer Germany” used as a proxy measure of employee orientation.

Findings

– The findings show a strong correlation with trade-off, traditional human relations and managerial opportunism theory. It is shown that investments in employee-orientated activities, such as career opportunities, and secondary benefits and work–life balance, lead to reductions in financial performance, which in turn leads to higher levels of employee orientation. Furthermore, no statistically significant relationship between the level of employee orientation and company leverage was found which is in disagreement with stakeholder capital structure theories which propose that there is a negative relationship, where highly leveraged companies tend to invest less in employee-orientated activities which in turn lead to higher levels of leverage.

Originality/value

– This is one of the first studies to provide an empirical investigation into the relationship between the level of employee orientation and both financial performance and corporate leverage. Most previous studies have focused on either financial performance or leverage. Furthermore, this is one of the first studies which has its geographical focus on Continental Europe. Most previous studies focused on the Anglo-American corporate environment.
Impression management tactics in sustainability reporting
Authors: Sandberg Maria , Holmlund Maria
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The study aims to analyzes how companies present their actions to give the impression that they are sustainable actors. It identifies the organizational impression management tactics that companies use in sustainability reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative template analysis of two sustainability reports was conducted to inductively identify the organizational impression management tactics that companies use in sustainability reporting.

Findings

– The study identified eight organizational impression management tactics used in sustainability reporting, four of which relate to how companies present their actions while the remaining four are characteristic of the writing styles that companies use.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is exploratory in nature and does not claim to identify all existing impression management tactics. Therefore, future research is needed to confirm the results and identify possible additional tactics.

Practical implications

– Companies can use impression management tactics that more strongly aim to shape the impressions that stakeholders hold or tactics that more neutrally inform stakeholders of their actions. Companies need to make a choice between the two, considering that stakeholders’ expectations of sustainability reporting would be useful.

Originality/value

– The study shows the different ways that companies use impression management in sustainability reporting, thus lending insight into a perspective on sustainability reporting that has rarely been explored in previous research.
Analysing obsolescence, an elaborated model for residential buildings
Authors: Thomsen André , van der Flier Kees , Nieboer Nico
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– In previous research publications the authors combined the available knowledge about obsolescence in a conceptual model for further research on and appliance in the decision making about demolition. Since evidence-based theoretical research references on obsolescence are rare, the model inevitably had an explorative character. The purpose of this paper is to test and elaborate the model.

Design/methodology/approach

– A series of case studies were conducted in various residential building estates. In each estate the types of obsolescence (according to the model) and their interrelationships were identified.

Findings

– The model can usefully be applied; it enables the determination of types of obsolescence. The case studies also show that several types of obsolescence occur simultaneously, and that these types can be interrelated. This touches upon the complexity of cause-effect mechanisms as already mentioned in the introduction. One of the weaknesses is that information is sometimes available for only one point in time, and that the availability of information varies with the type of obsolescence.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is based on a limited selection of case studies. Further, the causal relationships between the types of obsolescence could not always be revealed.

Practical implications

– The current model does not distinguish between causes and effects. For further development of the model, cause-effect processes have to be further analysed.

Social implications

– Actual measurement of the extent of obsolescence per type is not part of this study, but has to be carried out before social implications can adequately be indicated.

Originality/value

– The paper presents a conceptual classification of obsolescence that turns out to be workable when tested in practice.
Microbiome and pediatric atopic dermatitis
Authors: Powers Claire E. , McShane Diana B. , Gilligan Peter H. , Burkhart Craig N. , Morrell Dean S.
Published: September 2015

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with drastic impacts on pediatric health. The pathogenesis of this common disease is not well understood, and the complex role of the skin microbiome in the pathogenesis and progression of atopic dermatitis is being elucidated. Skin commensal organisms promote normal immune system functions and prevent the colonization of pathogens. Alterations in the skin microbiome may lead to increased Staphylococcus aureus colonization and atopic dermatitis progression. Despite the evidence for their important role, probiotics have not been deemed efficacious for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, although studies suggest that probiotics may be effective at preventing the development of atopic dermatitis when given to young infants. This review will cover the most recent published work on the microbiome and pediatric atopic dermatitis.
The Role of Renewable Energy Consumption and Trade: Environmental Kuznets Curve Analysis for Sub‐Saharan Africa Countries
Authors: Ben Jebli Mehdi , Ben Youssef Slim , Ozturk Ilhan
Published: September 2015

Based on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, this paper uses panel cointegration techniques to investigate the short‐ and long‐run relationship between CO2 emissions, gross domestic product (GDP), renewable energy consumption and international trade for a panel of 24 sub‐Saharan Africa countries over the period 1980–2010. Short‐run Granger causality results reveal that there is a bidirectional causality between emissions and economic growth; bidirectional causality between emissions and real exports; unidirectional causality from real imports to emissions; and unidirectional causality runs from trade (exports or imports) to renewable energy consumption. There is an indirect short‐run causality running from emissions to renewable energy and an indirect short‐run causality from GDP to renewable energy. In the long‐run, the error correction term is statistically significant for emissions, renewable energy consumption and trade. The long‐run estimates suggest that the inverted U‐shaped EKC hypothesis is not supported for these countries; exports have a positive impact on CO2 emissions, whereas imports have a negative impact on CO2 emissions. As a policy recommendation, sub‐Saharan Africa countries should expand their trade exchanges particularly with developed countries and try to maximize their benefit from technology transfer occurring when importing capital goods as this may increase their renewable energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions.
Evaluation of GLOCK 9 mm Firing Pin Aperture Shear Mark Individuality Based On 1,632 Different Pistols by Traditional Pattern Matching and IBIS Pattern Recognition
Authors: Hamby James E. , Norris Stephen , Petraco Nicholas D.K.
Published: September 2015

Over a period of 21 years, a number of fired GLOCK cartridge cases have been evaluated. A total of 1632 GLOCK firearms were used to generate a sample of the same size. Our research hypothesis was that no cartridge cases fired from different 9‐mm semiautomatic GLOCK pistols would be mistaken as coming from the same gun. Using optical comparison microscopy, two separate experiments were carried out to test this hypothesis. A subsample of 617 test‐fired cases were subjected to algorithmic comparison by the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS). The second experiment subjected the full set of 1632 cases to manual comparisons using traditional pattern matching. None of the cartridge cases were “matched” by either of these two experiments. Using these empirical findings, an established Bayesian probability model was used to estimate the chance that a 9‐mm cartridge case, fired from a GLOCK, could be mistaken as coming from the same firearm when in fact it did not (i.e., the random match probability).
ID‐Check: Online Concealed Information Test Reveals True Identity
Authors: Verschuere Bruno , Kleinberg Bennett
Published: September 2015

The Internet has already changed people's lives considerably and is likely to drastically change forensic research. We developed a web‐based test to reveal concealed autobiographical information. Initial studies identified a number of conditions that affect diagnostic efficiency. By combining these moderators, this study investigated the full potential of the online ID‐check. Participants (n = 101) tried to hide their identity and claimed a false identity in a reaction time‐based Concealed Information Test. Half of the participants were presented with personal details (e.g., first name, last name, birthday), whereas the others only saw irrelevant details. Results showed that participants′ true identity could be detected with high accuracy (AUC = 0.98; overall accuracy: 86–94%). Online memory detection can reliably and validly detect whether someone is hiding their true identity. This suggests that online memory detection might become a valuable tool for forensic applications.
Agents as Brokers: Leadership in Multilateral Organizations
Authors: Saz‐Carranza Angel
Published: September 2015

In exploring the leadership practices of chief executives of intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), this article finds thatIGOleaders recognize themselves as agents and as brokers. This article produces findings from a multiple‐case study of the executive leadership ofNATOfrom 1995 to 1999 and of theEUCommon Foreign and Security Policy from 1999 to 2009. The relationship between member states and theIGOleader can be conceived as a principal–agent relationship where the agent plays a central role in framing a common vision and strategies, facilitating member states’ involvement in the strategizing process, and mobilizing external and internal support. I depart from a restrictive principal–agent conceptualization of the relationship because I do not envision it as conflictive, but rather as collaborative.
Resilience factors may moderate the associations between pubertal timing, body mass and emotional symptoms in adolescence
Authors: Skrove Marit , Lydersen Stian , Indredavik Marit S.
Published: September 2015

Aim

The effects of resilience factors on associations between emotional symptoms and perceived pubertal timing or body mass in adolescence are unknown, and this study examined the moderating effects of social competence, family cohesion and loneliness.

Methods

Data were drawn from the Young‐HUNT 3 study, including a self‐report questionnaire and clinical measurements of weight and height from 7639 adolescents aged 13–18 years. Emotional symptoms were assessed by a five‐item version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Associations between pubertal timing or body mass and emotional symptoms were assessed by linear regression models. Interactions with social competence, family cohesion and loneliness were explored.

Results

A U‐shaped relationship was found for both perceived pubertal timing and for perceived body mass and emotional symptoms. For girls, early perceived pubertal timing was more strongly associated with emotional symptoms among those who often felt lonely. For boys, late perceived pubertal timing and feeling they were fat were more strongly associated with emotional symptoms in those with low scores for social competence or family cohesion.

Conclusion

Emotional symptoms were more strongly associated with perceived pubertal timing and body mass than actual measures and the associations were stronger for adolescents with low scores for resilience factors.
Knowing, Doing and Being Pedagogy in MBA‐level Management Accounting Classes: Some Empirical Evidence
Authors: Thaker Keyur
Published: September 2015

Much of the educational literature is concerned with the value added by MBA programs. In particular, serious questions have been raised about the efficacy of curricula employed in MBA programs and the achievement of learning needs. These include appreciating organisational reality, offering hands‐on experience on effective implementation, assisting students to understand the limits of markets and models, integrating diverse issues, implementation, creativity and innovation, amongst others. This article argues for, and provides empirical support to, a pedagogy mix to complement prevalent case‐based methods in a compulsory MBA program management accounting course. The article discusses field visits and field‐based assignments, use of cases and role‐play in effectively addressing the knowing, doing and being learning needs within an MBA program. Student survey data provide empirical support to concerns in the literature about case‐based pedagogy, and supports the argument for a pedagogy mix.
An Exploratory Study of Profit Reporting Differences of Publicly Owned Professional Service Firms and Partnerships
Authors: Pickering Mark E.
Published: September 2015

There has been a trend for large professional service firms (PSFs) to move away from the traditional partnership structure to other ownership forms such as publicly owned companies. Research on the relative performance of these ownership forms has been constrained by the lack of availability of financial information for partnerships, and proxy revenue‐based measures used have resulted in conflicting findings. This paper seeks to guide future research by exploring accounting reporting differences between partnerships and publicly owned PSF companies in order to identify adjustments required for comparison and implications for performance measures used. This paper reviews the literature and examines the annual reports of two Australian publicly owned accounting companies and one large accounting partnership; pre‐initial public offering pro forma reporting in the prospectus of one of the companies identifies significant profitability reporting differences across ownership forms. The findings also suggest that the lower revenue per professional and per person for publicly owned PSFs found in prior studies may be offset by significantly lower salary costs. The paper concludes that significant value can be achieved by further analysis of profitability across ownership forms and suggests data requirements to inform the development of further case studies and large‐scale surveys of financial performance.
Evidence for the changing regimens of acetylcysteine
Authors: Chiew Angela L. , Isbister Geoffrey K. , Duffull Stephen B. , Buckley Nicholas A.
Published: September 2015

Paracetamol overdose prior to the introduction of acetylcysteine was associated with significant morbidity. Acetylcysteine is now the mainstay of treatment for paracetamol poisoning and has effectively reduced rates of hepatotoxicity and death. The current three‐bag intravenous regimen with an initial high loading dose was empirically derived four decades ago and has not changed since. This regimen is associated with a high rate of adverse effects due mainly to the high initial peak acetylcysteine concentration. Furthermore, there are concerns that the acetylcysteine concentration is not adequate for ‘massive’ overdoses and that the dose and duration may need to be altered. Various novel regimens have been proposed, looking to address these issues. Many of these modified regimens aim to decrease the rate of adverse reactions by slowing the loading dose and thereby decrease the peak concentration. We used a published population pharmacokinetic model of acetylcysteine to simulate these modified regimens. We determined mean peak and 20 h acetylcysteine concentrations and area under the under the plasma concentration–time curve to compare these regimens. Those regimens that resulted in a lower peak acetylcysteine concentration have been shown in studies to have a lower rate of adverse events. However, these studies were too small to show whether they are as effective as the traditional regimen. Further research is still needed to determine the optimum dose and duration of acetylcysteine that results in the fewest side‐effects and treatment failures. Indeed, a more patient‐tailored approach might be required, whereby the dose and duration are altered depending on the paracetamol dose ingested or paracetamol concentrations.
Neural correlates of interactions between cannabidiol and Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol in mice: implications for medical cannabis
Authors: Todd S M , Arnold J C
Published: September 2015

Background and Purpose

It has been proposed that medicinal strains of cannabis and therapeutic preparations would be safer with a more balanced concentration ratio of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to cannabidiol (CBD), as CBD reduces the adverse psychotropic effects of THC. However, our understanding of CBD and THC interactions is limited and the brain circuitry mediating interactions between CBD and THC are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether CBD modulated the functional effects and c‐Fos expression induced by THC, using a 1:1 dose ratio that approximates therapeutic strains of cannabis and nabiximols.

Experimental Approach

Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with vehicle, CBD, THC or a combination of CBD and THC (10 mg·kg−1 i.p. for both cannabinoids) to examine effects on locomotor activity, anxiety‐related behaviour, body temperature and brain c‐Fos expression (a marker of neuronal activation).

Key Results

CBD potentiated THC‐induced locomotor suppression but reduced the hypothermic and anxiogenic effects of THC. CBD alone had no effect on these measures. THC increased brain activation as measured by c‐Fos expression in 11 of the 35 brain regions studied. CBD co‐administration suppressed THC‐induced c‐Fos expression in six of these brain regions. This effect was most pronounced in the medial preoptic nucleus and lateral periaqueductal gray. Treatment with CBD alone diminished c‐Fos expression only in the central nucleus of the amygdala compared with vehicle.

Conclusions and Implications

These data confirm that CBD modulated the pharmacological actions of THC and provide new information regarding brain regions involved in the interaction between CBD and THC.
Mining Evolving Data Streams with Particle Filters
Authors: Fok Ricky , An Aijun , Wang Xiaogang
Published: September 2015

We propose a particle filter‐based learning method, PF‐LR, for learning logistic regression models from evolving data streams. The method inherently handles concept drifts in a data stream and is able to learn an  ensemble of logistic regression models with particle filtering. A key feature of PF‐LR is that in its resampling, step particles are sampled from the ones that maximize the classification accuracy on the current data batch. Our experiments show that PF‐LR gives good performance, even with relatively small batch sizes. It reacts to concept drifts quicker than conventional particle filters while being robust to noise. In addition, PF‐LR learns more accurate models and is more computationally efficient than the gradient descent method for learning logistic regression models. Furthermore, we evaluate PF‐LR on both synthetic and real data sets and find that PF‐LR outperforms some other state‐of‐the‐art streaming mining algorithms on most of the data sets tested.
Assessing Local Government Debt Risks in China: A Case Study of Local Government Financial Vehicles
Authors: Tao Kunyu
Published: September 2015

Strong credit expansion in China after the recent global financial crisis has brought local government financial vehicles (LGFV) into the spotlight. Rapid growth of LGFV has triggered concern about local government indebtedness, banks' asset quality and, more broadly, China's medium‐term financial stability and sovereign risk. This paper constructs a unique firm‐level dataset to evaluate the country's local government debt. We find an uneven distribution of LGFV, which are concentrated in the coastal areas, and a deterioration of their debt repaying ability from 2010 to 2012. We use principal component analysis (PCA) along with multivariate discriminate analysis (MDA) to identify the credit risk of LGFV based on conventional financial variables as well as local governments' fiscal status. We also estimate the safe boundaries of debt bearing at the provincial government level. The estimations reveal more severe local government debt risks in the middle‐western provinces and higher risks associated with LGFV at the municipal and county levels. Although it is very unlikely that there will be a national debt crisis in China, the high risk of LGFV should be noted and effectively controlled by improving the fiscal transparency of local governments and reforming the fiscal system.
Crisis, Stimulus Package and Migration in China
Authors: Csanádi Maria , Nie Zihan , Li Shi
Published: September 2015

This paper analyzes the short‐term and long‐term effects that the global economic crisis and the investment priorities of the Chinese Government's stimulus package had on Chinese migrant flows between 2008 and 2014. Combining micro‐level household survey data and macro‐level statistics, the authors have found that in the short run, the regional and sectoral impact of the crisis, combined with the government's investment priorities, caused a reorientation of migration routes from the export‐oriented coastal provinces towards the central and western regions, from inter‐provincial migration towards intra‐provincial migration, and from manufacturing industry towards the construction sector. However, in the longer run, the decreasing attractiveness of the eastern region and the increasing attractiveness of the western region proved to be transitory, although the pre‐crisis relative advantage of the eastern region was not fully restored. What proved to be persistent were the attractiveness of the central region and the intra‐provincial migration in all three regions, and, in particular, the steady growth of migrants in the construction sector.
The Structure of China's Imports: A New Framework
Authors: Wei Hao , Zhao Chunming
Published: September 2015

Using the elbow function method to determine the number of classification groups of goods and applying the K‐means algorithm to classify technical goods, this paper constructs a scientific classification framework of commodity structure and then measures the changes in China's import commodity structure. It is found, first, that from 2000 to 2012, the import commodity structure in China underwent structural change. Shares of non‐agricultural primary products and high‐technology products increased significantly, whereas shares of low–medium‐technology products and medium–high‐technology products declined. Second, from 2000 to 2006, the overall technology level of China's imports declined, but then increased from 2007 to 2012. Therefore, the Chinese Government should increase the share of high‐technology and extra‐high‐technology products in total imports to stimulate structural transformation in manufacturing industries to make full use of foreign advanced technology and to prevent stepping into a low‐end import commodity structure.
Habitat association and coexistence of endemic and introduced ant species in the Galápagos Islands
Authors: WAUTERS NINA , DEKONINCK WOUTER , HENDRICKX FREDERIK , HERRERA HENRI W. , FOURNIER DENIS
Published: September 2015

1. We investigated ant communities in all main vegetation zones of the model island of Santa Cruz in the Galápagos archipelago (155 collection points, spread over 21 sites; 28 ant species collected), and evaluated the distribution, coexistence, and effect of environmental factors in a community composed of endemic, probably endemic, and introduced ants of the New World and exotic origin.

2. Introduced species were the most frequent, occurring in 98% of the samples, yet endemic and probably endemic species still occurred in 54% of the samples, and constituted one of three most common species. The present study revealed that the habitat type along with altitude and the tree cover are the primary factors shaping ant community composition. Little evidence was found for a competitively structured assemblage of ant species.

3. The present study confirmed the predominance of two dominant invasive species, Solenopsis geminata Fabricius and Wasmannia auropunctata Roger, whose abundances are negatively correlated. The abundance of S. geminata is positively correlated with the overall species richness, and with the proportion of other introduced species. The presence of both invasive ants is associated with a low evenness of ant communities.

4. The present study (i) stresses the dominance of introduced species and the relative resistance of endemic species, (ii) highlights the on‐going processes of species introductions and (iii) points out the need for adequate monitoring and conservation of the pristine and threatened environments that constitute the Galápagos Islands.
The Reputational Basis of Public Accountability
Authors: Busuioc E. Madalina , Lodge Martin
Published: September 2015

This article proposes a reputation‐based approach to account for two core puzzles of accountability. The first is the misfit between behavioral predictions of the hegemonic political science framework for talking about accountability, namely, principal–agent, and empirical findings. The second puzzle is the unrivaled popularity of accountability, given evidence that supposedly accountability‐enhancing measures often lead to opposite effects. A “reputation‐informed” theoretical approach to public accountability suggests that accountability is not about reducing informational asymmetries, containing “drift,” or ensuring that agents stay committed to the terms of their mandate. Accountability—in terms of both holding and giving—is about managing and cultivating one's reputation vis‐à‐vis different audiences. It is about being seen as a reputable actor in the eyes of one's audience(s), conveying the impression of competently performing one's (accountability) roles, thereby generating reputational benefits.
Is it possible to use autologous adipose graft for wound repair in patients with coagulation disorders?
Authors: Caviglia H. , Landro M. E. , Gallo E. , Douglas Price A. L. , Galatro G. , Neme D.
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Wound healing is an intricate process whereby the skin repairs itself after injury according to a specific sequence: haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodelling. Cell therapy has the potential to improve wound healing conditions and can be applied in both acute and chronic wounds. Normal healing requires adequate haemostatic function. Patients with coagulation disorders whose haemostatic function is altered may not heal naturally.

Aim

The aim of this study was to show a simple, safe and inexpensive minimally invasive technique for wound repair in patients with coagulation disorders which involves the use of concentrated autologous adipose cells.

Patients and method

Six patients were enrolled in this study at the Foundation of Haemophilia, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Five patients had severe haemophilia type A and one had severe von Willebrand diseases. The average age was 37.5 years old. One patient had a retractile scar (RS) and five patients had cutaneous fistulas (CF). Suction was used to obtain autologous adipose graft from subcutaneous abdominal tissue. The graft was centrifuged and, the adipose cell concentrate was transferred to a syringe and injected in the edge of the lesion.

Results

One adipose suction in each patient was performed. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications in any of the six patients.

Conclusions

The application of autologous adipose graft is a simple and safe treatment for complicated wound repair in patients with coagulation disorders.
A Study onInternal Auditor Perceptions of the Function Ability to Add Value
Authors: D'Onza Giuseppe , Selim Georges M. , Melville Rob , Allegrini Marco
Published: September 2015

In the context of internal auditing, when there is no obvious correlation between auditors' activities and financial performance, it is critical to identify areas where value is added as well as the drivers that enable this, in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal auditing function (IAF). This paper addresses whether and how internal auditing activities (IAAs) can add value to their organisations. In order to gain some understanding of value‐adding processes, we analysed the responses of more than 1,800 internal auditors to questions specifically designed to evaluate this contribution. This sample was based on the 2010 global survey of the internal auditing profession that theInstitute ofInternalAuditorsResearchFoundation (IIARF) carried out; only those respondents were included whose role showed they were in a position to make decisions and influence the work of theirIAF. This study found evidence that four variables are positively associated with adding value:IAFindependence and objectivity; compliance with theInstitute ofInternalAuditors' (IIA)Code of Ethics; theIAF's contribution to the evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control; and theIAF's contribution to the evaluation of the effectiveness of risk management. With the exception of independence and objectivity, the analysis reveals that the remaining value drivers of theIAF's activities vary between developed and emerging countries and between financial and non‐financial companies, suggesting that the factors influencing theIAAs' effectiveness might be partially context dependent.
Cape Verde: Rethinking Diaspora in Development Policy
Authors: Resende‐Santos João
Published: September 2015

In today's global economy, small developing countries like Cape Verde have very few options to spur growth and sustain long term socioeconomic development. Small size, poor resource endowment, declining foreign aid, and decreasing opportunities in the world economy have sharply reduced their options for growth and competitiveness. In response, Cape Verde and other small states have been placing increasing focus on migration as a development resource. For a country with a centuries long history of migration and a diaspora estimated to be twice the size of the resident population, harnessing the diaspora is a viable option for Cape Verde. But under what conditions is such an option effective? This article analyses the evolution of the diaspora's economic role, and assesses the conditions that enable or obstruct the diaspora's role as a development resource.
Mullite: Crystal Structure and Related Properties
Authors: Schneider Hartmut , Fischer Reinhard X. , Schreuer Jürgen
Published: September 2015

Mullite is certainly one of the most important oxide materials for both conventional and advanced ceramics. Mullite belongs to the compositional series of orthorhombic aluminosilicates with the general composition Al2(Al2+2xSi2‐2x)O10‐x. Main members are sillimanite (x= 0), stoichiometric 3/2‐mullite (x= 0.25), 2/1‐mullite (x= 0.40), and the SiO2‐free phase ι‐alumina (x= 1, crystal structure not known). This study gives an overview on the present state of research regarding single crystal mullite. Following a short introduction, the second part of the review focuses on the crystal structure of mullite. In particular, the characteristic mullite‐type structural backbone of parallel chains consisting of edge‐sharingMO6octahedra and their specific cross‐linkage byTO4tetrahedra is explained in detail, the role of cation disorder and structural oxygen vacancies is addressed, and the possibility of cation substitution on different sites is discussed. The third part of the study deals with physical properties being relevant for technical applications of mullite and includes mechanical properties (e.g., elasticity, compressibility, strength, toughness, creep), thermal properties (e.g., thermal expansion, heat capacity, atomic diffusion, thermal conductivity), electrical conductivity, and optical properties. Special emphasis is put on structure–property relationships which allow for interpretation of corresponding experimental data and offer in turn the possibility to tailor new mullite materials with improved properties. Finally, the reported anomalies and discontinuities in the evolution of certain physical properties with temperature are summarized and critically discussed.