bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The road to Ant: 1879–1884
Authors: Gilliver Peter
Published: September 2016

This chapter describes the first five years of work on the ‘New English Dictionary’ under James Murray’s Editorship, leading up to the publication of the first fascicle in 1884. It begins with the setting up of Murray’s editorial establishment in his ‘Scriptorium’ at Mill Hill and the collection of existing materials; this is followed by the issuing of Murray’s ‘Appeal to the English-speaking and English-reading Public’ to collect more quotations, extended discussion and experimentation regarding various aspects of editorial policy (including the issuing of specimen entries), the appearance of a commercial rival to the Dictionary in the form of Cassell’s Encyclopaedic Dictionary, the dismissal of Murray’s assistant Sidney Herrtage, and the interventions made by the University’s new Vice-Chancellor, Benjamin Jowett. Murray’s financial difficulties, and the part played by Henry Hucks Gibbs both in alleviating these and in smoothing the path of the Dictionary in other ways, are explored in detail.
Limping over the finishing line: 1923–1933
Authors: Gilliver Peter
Published: September 2016

This chapter describes the concluding years of the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, and the compilation of the Supplement which appeared in 1933. It describes William Craigie’s continuing struggles with words beginning with un-, and his apparent growing disillusion with the project, culminating in his appointment to a professorship at the University of Chicago (with a brief to compile a new dictionary of American English), a position which severely diminished his contribution to the Dictionary and Supplement. The completion of the main Dictionary in 1928, and the associated celebrations, are described. The particular contributions of two OED assistants, Walter Worrall and George Watson, to the Dictionary are explored, as is that made to the Supplement by a new appointee, James Wyllie, and also the increasingly prominent role played in management of OUP’s lexicographical activities by Kenneth Sisam. The completion and publication of the Shorter OED is also described.
Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 2 and Inflammation-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy
Authors: Zhu Xiaoxi , Kny Melanie , Schmidt Franziska , Hahn Alexander , Wollersheim Tobias , Kleber Christian , Weber-Carstens Steffen , Fielitz Jens
Published: September 2016

Objective:

In sepsis, the disease course of critically ill patients is often complicated by muscle failure leading to ICU-acquired weakness. The myokine transforming growth factor-β1 increases during inflammation and mediates muscle atrophy in vivo. We observed that the transforming growth factor-β1 inhibitor, secreted frizzled-related protein 2, was down-regulated in skeletal muscle of ICU-acquired weakness patients. We hypothesized that secreted frizzled-related protein 2 reduction enhances transforming growth factor-β1-mediated effects and investigated the interrelationship between transforming growth factor-β1 and secreted frizzled-related protein 2 in inflammation-induced atrophy.

Design:

Observational study and prospective animal trial.

Setting:

Two ICUs and research laboratory.

Patients/Subjects:

Twenty-six critically ill patients with Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores greater than or equal to 8 underwent a skeletal muscle biopsy from the vastus lateralis at median day 5 in ICU. Four patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery served as controls. To search for signaling pathways enriched in muscle of ICU-acquired weakness patients, a gene set enrichment analysis of our recently published gene expression profiles was performed. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze secreted frizzled-related protein 2 expression and protein content. A mouse model of inflammation-induced skeletal muscle atrophy due to polymicrobial sepsis and cultured myocytes were used for mechanistic analyses.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Gene set enrichment analysis uncovered transforming growth factor-β1 signaling activation in vastus lateralis from ICU-acquired weakness patients. Muscular secreted frizzled-related protein 2 expression was reduced after 5 days in ICU. Likewise, muscular secreted frizzled-related protein 2 expression was decreased early and continuously in mice with inflammation-induced atrophy. In muscle, secreted frizzled-related protein 2 was predominantly contained in fast twitch/type II myofibers. Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 physically interacted and colocalized with transforming growth factor-β1 through its cysteine-rich domain. Finally, secreted frizzled-related protein 2 prevented transforming growth factor-β1-induced atrophy in C2C12 myotubes.

Conclusions:

Muscular secreted frizzled-related protein 2 is down-regulated in ICU-acquired weakness patients and mice with inflammation-induced muscle atrophy. Decreased secreted frizzled-related protein 2 possibly establishes a positive feedback loop enhancing transforming growth factor-β1-mediated atrophic effects in inflammation-induced atrophy.
Relative Bioavailabilities of Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate and d-Amphetamine in Healthy Adults in an Open-Label, Randomized, Crossover Study After Mixing Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate With Food or Drink
Authors: Ermer James , Corcoran Mary , Lasseter Kenneth , Martin Patrick T.
Published: September 2016

Background:

This open-label, crossover study examined lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) and d-amphetamine pharmacokinetics in healthy adults after administration of an intact LDX capsule or after the capsule was emptied into orange juice or yogurt and the contents consumed.

Methods:

Healthy adult volunteers (N = 30) were administered a 70-mg LDX capsule or the contents of a 70-mg capsule mixed with yogurt or orange juice using a 3-way crossover design. Blood samples were collected serially for up to 96 hours after dose. Pharmacokinetic endpoints included maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration versus time curve from zero to infinity (AUC0–∞) or to last assessment (AUClast). Relative LDX and d-amphetamine bioavailabilities from the contents of a 70-mg LDX capsule mixed with orange juice or yogurt were compared with those from the intact LDX capsule using bioequivalence-testing procedures.

Results:

Geometric least squares mean ratios (90% confidence intervals [CIs]) for d-amphetamine (active moiety) were within the prespecified bioequivalence range (0.80–1.25) when the contents of a 70-mg LDX capsule were mixed with orange juice [Cmax: 0.971 (0.945, 0.998); AUC0–∞: 0.986 (0.955, 1.019); AUClast: 0.970 (0.937, 1.004)] or yogurt [Cmax: 0.970 (0.944, 0.997); AUC0–∞: 0.945 (0.915, 0.976); AUClast: 0.944 (0.912, 0.977)]. Geometric least squares mean ratios (90% CIs) for LDX (inactive prodrug) were below the accepted range when the contents of a 70-mg LDX capsule were mixed with orange juice [Cmax: 0.641 (0.582, 0.707); AUC0–∞: 0.716 (0.647, 0.792); AUClast: 0.708 (0.655, 0.766)]; the lower 90% CI for Cmax [0.828 (0.752, 0.912)] was below the accepted range when the contents of a 70-mg LDX capsule were mixed with yogurt.

Conclusions:

Relative bioavailability of d-amphetamine (the active moiety) did not differ across administrations, which suggests that emptying an LDX capsule into orange juice or yogurt and consuming it is an alternative to intact capsules.
Hyperpolarized 129Xenon Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Quantify Regional Ventilation Differences in Mild to Moderate Asthma
Authors: Ebner Lukas , He Mu , Virgincar Rohan S. , Heacock Timothy , Kaushik Suryanarayanan S. , Freemann Matthew S. , McAdams H. Page , Kraft Monica , Driehuys Bastiaan
Published: September 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate ventilation in mild to moderate asthmatic patients and age-matched controls using hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xenon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and correlate findings with pulmonary function tests (PFTs).

Materials and Methods

This single-center, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant prospective study was approved by our institutional review board. Thirty subjects (10 young asthmatic patients, 26 ± 6 years; 3 males, 7 females; 10 older asthmatic patients, 64 ± 6 years; 3 males, 7 females; 10 healthy controls) were enrolled. After repeated PFTs 1 week apart, the subjects underwent 2 MRI scans within 10 minutes, inhaling 1-L volumes containing 0.5 to 1 L of 129Xe. 129Xe ventilation signal was quantified by linear binning, from which the ventilation defect percentage (VDP) was derived. Differences in VDP among subgroups and variability with age were evaluated using 1-tailed t tests. Correlation of VDP with PFTs was tested using Pearson correlation coefficient. Reproducibility of VDP was assessed using Bland-Altman plots, linear regression (R
2), intraclass correlation coefficient, and concordance correlation coefficient.

Results

Ventilation defect percentage was significantly higher in young asthmatic patients versus young healthy subjects (8.4% ± 3.2% vs 5.6% ± 1.7%, P = 0.031), but not in older asthmatic patients versus age-matched controls (16.8% ± 10.3% vs 11.6% ± 6.6%, P = 0.13). Ventilation defect percentage was found to increase significantly with age (healthy, P = 0.05; asthmatic patients, P = 0.033). Ventilation defect percentage was highly reproducible (R
2 = 0.976; intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.977; concordance correlation coefficient, 0.976) and significantly correlated with FEV1% (r = −0.42, P = 0.025), FEF25%–75% (r = −0.45, P = 0.019), FEV1/FVC (r = −0.71, P < 0.0001), FeNO (r = 0.69, P < 0.0001), and RV/TLC (r = 0.51, P = 0.0067). Bland-Altman analysis showed a bias for VDP of −0.88 ± 1.52 (FEV1%, −0.33 ± 7.18).

Conclusions

129Xenon MRI is able to depict airway obstructions in mild to moderate asthma and significantly correlates with PFTs.
Basal Ganglia Calcification in Psychiatric Inpatients: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Mufaddel Amir A. , Osman Ossama T. , Al-Hassani Ghanem , Al-Bedwawi Shakhbout , Hashim M. Jawad
Published: September 2016

Background and Objective:

Several case reports have noted basal ganglia calcification (BGC) as an incidental radiologic finding in patients presenting with psychiatric manifestations. In this study, we examined the clinical correlates of mental disorders in two groups of psychiatric patients, one with BGC and one with normal radiologic studies.

Methods:

In a retrospective cross-sectional case-control study of patients admitted to the psychiatric ward in Al Ain Hospital between January 2011 and December 2013, we compared all 15 patients diagnosed with BGC and 30 control patients who had normal radiologic findings.

Results:

The BGC group’s psychiatric symptoms began when they were aged in their 30s and 40s, later than the controls’ 20s and 30s (P=0.001). More of the BGC group than the controls had cognitive symptoms (60% versus 6.7%, P=0.001). The BGC group was more likely to have chronic medical comorbidities (66.7% versus 20%, P=0.003). The BGC group’s mean serum calcium was lower than the controls’ (P=0.003) and the C-reactive protein was higher (P=0.049). We did not find significant differences between the groups in psychiatric diagnoses; five of the 15 patients with BGC had mood disorders and four of the 15 had psychotic disorders.

Conclusions:

Patients with BGC tend to develop psychiatric symptoms later in life than other psychiatric patients, and have higher rates of medical comorbidities. Many patients with BGC have cognitive symptoms, which can be concurrent with a mood or psychotic disorder.
Left Dorsomedial Thalamic Damage Impairs Verbal Recall More Than Recognition: A Case Report
Authors: Ruggeri Massimiliano
Published: September 2016

Damage to the dorsomedial thalamus usually leads to impaired episodic memory, attention, and executive function, but the role of the dorsomedial thalamus in memory processing is still not fully understood. Clinical evidence is inconclusive about whether dorsomedial thalamic damage impairs recall or whether it impairs recognition. I report a unique patient who suffered a cardioembolic stroke in the paramedian artery territory, caused by a patent foramen ovale. He was left with a chronic ischemic lesion centered in the parvocellular and, to a lesser extent, the magnocellular portions of the left dorsomedial thalamic nucleus, and marginally involving the midline and intralaminar nuclei. A year after the stroke, the patient’s neuropsychological assessment showed a selective verbal memory deficit with greater loss of recall than recognition. His memory was normal when he was given semantically encoded material. His test results showed that damage to the left dorsomedial thalamic nucleus might affect both his recall and recognition because of the involvement of the parvocellular and magnocellular portions, respectively. The results also suggest that the left dorsomedial thalamus is involved in the encoding of verbal material. This case report highlights the role that the left dorsomedial thalamus plays in processing memory specific to verbal material. The findings point to the differential contribution of the dorsomedial parvocellular nucleus to recall, and support the theory that prefrontal strategic memory is enabled by adequate encoding of information through thalamocortical connectivity with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
ATX-2, theC. elegansOrtholog of Human Ataxin-2, Regulates Centrosome Size and Microtubule Dynamics
Authors: Stubenvoll Michael D. , Medley Jeffrey C. , Irwin Miranda , Song Mi Hye
Published: September 2016

Centrosomes are critical sites for orchestrating microtubule dynamics, and exhibit dynamic changes in size during the cell cycle. As cells progress to mitosis, centrosomes recruit more microtubules (MT) to form mitotic bipolar spindles that ensure proper chromosome segregation. We report a new role for ATX-2, aC. elegansortholog of Human Ataxin-2, in regulating centrosome size and MT dynamics. ATX-2, an RNA-binding protein, forms a complex with SZY-20 in an RNA-independent fashion. Depleting ATX-2 results in embryonic lethality and cytokinesis failure, and restores centrosome duplication tozyg-1mutants. In this pathway, SZY-20 promotes ATX-2 abundance, which inversely correlates with centrosome size. Centrosomes depleted of ATX-2 exhibit elevated levels of centrosome factors (ZYG-1, SPD-5, γ-Tubulin), increasing MT nucleating activity but impeding MT growth. We show that ATX-2 influences MT behavior through γ-Tubulin at the centrosome. Our data suggest that RNA-binding proteins play an active role in controlling MT dynamics and provide insight into the control of proper centrosome size and MT dynamics.
The functional impact of alternative splicing in cancer
Authors: Climente-González Héctor , Porta-Pardo Eduard , Godzik Adam , Eyras Eduardo
Published: September 2016

Alternative splicing changes are frequently observed in cancer and are starting to be recognized as important signatures for tumor progression and therapy. However, their functional impact and relevance to tumorigenesis remains mostly unknown. We carried out a systematic analysis to characterize the potential functional consequences of alternative splicing changes in thousands of tumor samples. This analysis revealed that a subset of alternative splicing changes affect protein domain families that are frequently mutated in tumors and potentially disrupt protein protein interactions in cancer-related pathways. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between the number of these alternative splicing changes in a sample and the number of somatic mutations in drivers. We propose that a subset of the alternative splicing changes observed in tumors may represent independent oncogenic processes that could be relevant to explain the functional transformations in cancer and some of them could potentially be considered alternative splicing drivers (AS-drivers).
Comparative analysis of anti-polyglutamine Fab crystals grown on Earth and in microgravity
Authors: Owens Gwen E. , New Danielle M. , Olvera Alejandra I. , Manzella Julia Ashlyn , Macon Brittney L. , Dunn Joshua C. , Cooper David A. , Rouleau Robyn L. , Connor Daniel S. , Bjorkman Pamela J.
Published: September 2016

Huntington's disease is one of nine neurodegenerative diseases caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ)-repeat expansion. An anti-polyQ antigen-binding fragment, MW1 Fab, was crystallized both on Earth and on the International Space Station, a microgravity environment where convection is limited. Once the crystals returned to Earth, the number, size and morphology of all crystals were recorded, and X-ray data were collected from representative crystals. The results generally agreed with previous microgravity crystallization studies. On average, microgravity-grown crystals were 20% larger than control crystals grown on Earth, and microgravity-grown crystals had a slightly improved mosaicity (decreased by 0.03°) and diffraction resolution (decreased by 0.2 Å) compared with control crystals grown on Earth. However, the highest resolution and lowest mosaicity crystals were formed on Earth, and the highest-quality crystal overall was formed on Earth after return from microgravity.
A call to all L&D, OD and HR professionals: how can you increase your professional reputation?
Authors: Denton D. Keith
Published: September 2016

Purpose

To improve the readers' ability to sell ideas, concepts and recommendations by learning to enhance their professional reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is designed to help the reader through the process of enhancing their effectiveness in a work environment.

Findings

The article highlights the benefits of developing a strong professional reputation and how to promote your particular expertise.

Practical implications

Professional managers cannot expect people to value their expertise simply on merit. You have to learn to promote that knowledge and influence.

Social implications

Clearly organizations function best when all voices have had a chance to influence outcomes. Applying these techniques help ensure the reader's perspective is seen.

Originality/value

This paper describes clear steps you can take to better influence decisions and impact the organization by enhancing your professional reputation.
Design of a novel bionic prosthetic knee joint
Authors: Zhang Xiufeng , Fu Huiqun , Wang Xitai , Li Guanglin , Yang Rong , Liu Ying
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to find a new method that could be applied to the high and mid-grade prosthesis knee joint.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on analysis, calculation, modeling, simulation and experimental study of the motion law of knee joint, this paper not only determines the structure and parameters of the knee joint and calculates the instantaneous center but also analyzes the stance stability and completes the optimization. With the help of experimental tests (fatigue test and gait curve test), the quality and performance of the designed knee joint is verified.

Findings

The experimental results show that the gait curve of the designed knee joint is much closer to health people. The designed prosthesis knee joint, with adjustable swing speed and gait curve which are close to health limb, has a better performance when compared to the ordinary knee joint with four-bar linkage structure.

Originality/value

This paper developed a prosthesis knee joint based on a novel design method that could be applied to the “high and mid” grade prosthesis knee joint and verified its function on an amputee performed the lower amputation, which could provide theoretical support for researches and designs related to prosthesis knee joint in future.
Automatic multi-stereo-vision reconstruction method of complicated tubes for industrial assembly
Authors: Jin Peng , Liu Jian Hua , Liu Shao Li , Wang Xiao
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Complicated tubes extensively exist in the industrial equipment. The manufacturing precision of the tubes is difficult to be ensured with bending machine. Therefore, the tubes’ 3D geometric error should be fixed according to measurement results. However, there are no convenient methods to accomplish the measurement accurately and effectively. Thus, this paper aims to propose a new tube measurement method to achieve tube's automatic measurement. The accurate measurement results can be used to fix the geometric error of the tube to achieve stress-free assembly.

Design/methodology/approach

Tubes’ shape can be determined by control points. First, the point clouds of the centre line by multi-stereo-vision technology are reconstructed. Then, the point clouds to the spine of the tube are thinned by moving least-squares and segmented into lines and arcs. Finally, the control points are calculated and the model is reconstructed. The authors can get the tube’s geometric dimensions from the model.

Findings

The experiment results indicate that the multi-stereo-vision technology can solve the occlusion problem and measure the complicated tubes efficiently and accurately.

Originality/value

The paper proposed a tube measurement method. The repeatability measuring precision was 0.12 mm, and the absolute measuring precision was within 0.78 mm. The tube spectra assessed in this paper are in the range of angles between two adjacent line segments of 3-177° and the shortest length of the line segment is greater than 5 mm, confirming that the proposed algorithm can measure various complicated tubes effectively and accurately.
Evaluation of residual clearance after pre-joining and pre-joining scheme optimization in aircraft panel assembly
Authors: Yang Di , Qu Weiwei , Ke Yinglin
Published: September 2016

Purpose

For the automatic drilling and riveting in panel assembly, gaps between the skin and strangers are inevitable and undesirable. At present, the determination of pre-joining schemes relies on workers’ experience, introducing excessive number and inappropriate locations of pre-joining. This paper aims to present a new method for the evaluation of residual clearances after pre-joining and the pre-joining scheme optimization, providing operation guidance for the workers in panel assembly workshop.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an equivalent gap assembly model for pre-joining is proposed on the basis of the mechanism of variation. This model retains the essential elastic behavior of the key features during the pre-joining operation and calculates the residual clearances in the view of the potential energy. Subsequently, this method is embedded into a Pareto optimality-based genetic algorithm, and the optimal pre-joining schemes are achieved with the consideration of the total residual clearances and the permissive tolerances.

Findings

The equivalent gap assembly model has the capability to predict an acceptable degree of accuracy of the residual clearances and achieve the optimized pre-joining schemes with less number of pre-joining at the same level of residual clearances.

Practical implications

The optimized pre-joining schemes are given in the form of Pareto optimality set, and workers can select suitable results according to their inclination to the quality and efficiency.

Originality/value

The paper is the first to propose the equivalent gap assembly model for the pre-joining operation, which provides for the simplification of the calculation of residual clearances based on the constrained variation principles.
Applicability of EIS for evaluation of corrosion resistance of aluminum flakes
Authors: Amirshaqaqi Naghmeh , Salami-Kalajahi Mehdi , Mahdavian Mohammad
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The conventional method for evaluation of corrosion resistance of aluminum flakes is based on the volume of evolved hydrogen in acidic and basic environments. This study aims to introduce electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a method to evaluate corrosion resistance of aluminum flakes.

Design/methodology/approach

Aluminum flakes with different surface modifications were compressed to build a disk. Then, the disks were examined by EIS in NaCl solution. Also, the corrosion resistance of the flakes was evaluated by the conventional method.

Findings

The results revealed applicability of EIS for evaluation of corrosion resistance of aluminum flakes.

Originality/value

Application of EIS to evaluate corrosion resistance of aluminum flakes is novel. As it can provide fast, reliable and quantitative estimation of the corrosion resistance of the aluminum flakes in the 3.5 per cent NaCl solution. This medium is highly encountered for the aluminum flakes used in organic coatings, that is why test in NaCl solution is more convenient compared to the conventional methods using acid and alkaline conditions.
Downhole CO2 partial pressure calculation and tubing material selection – a case study of an offshore oil field in the South China Sea
Authors: Yan Wei , Xiang Yong , Li Wenliang , Deng Jingen
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to establish the downhole CO2 partial pressure profile calculating method and then to make an economical oil country tubular goods (OCTG) anti-corrosion design. CO2 partial pressure is the most important parameter to the oil and gas corrosion research for these wells which contain sweet gas of CO2. However, till now, there has not been a recognized method for calculating this important value. Especially in oil well, CO2 partial pressure calculation seems more complicated. Based on Dolton partial pressure law and oil gas separation process, CO2 partial pressure profile calculating method in oil well is proposed. A case study was presented according to the new method, and two kinds of corrosion environment were determined. An experimental research was conducted on N80, 3Cr-L80 and 13Cr-L80 material. Based on the test results, 3Cr-L80 was recommended for downhole tubing. Combined with the field application practice, 3Cr-L80 was proved as a safety and economy anti-corrosion tubing material in this oil field. A proper corrosion parameter (mainly refers to CO2 partial pressure and temperature) can ensure a safety and economy downhole tubing anti-corrosion design.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on Dolton partial pressure law and oil gas separation process, CO2 partial pressure profile calculating method in oil well is proposed. An experimental research was conducted on N80, 3Cr-L80 and 13Cr-L80 material. A field application practice was used.

Findings

It is necessary to calculate the CO2 partial pressure properly to ensure a safety and economy downhole tubing (or casing) anti-corrosion design.

Originality/value

The gas and oil separation theory and corrosion theory are combined together to give a useful method in downhole tubing anti-corrosion design method.
Research on financial services innovations
Authors: Nejad Mohammad
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic overview of the current state of research on innovations in financial services and identifies the areas that have received less attention, and hence offer opportunities for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive search identified 121 research papers that have studied innovations in financial services from January 1990 to March 2015. A thorough content analysis objectively organized and coded the studies based on various aspects including publication year, focus of study, methodology, unit of analysis, sample, data analysis method, and geographical region. Analysis of the resulting data presents an overview of the research and identifies areas for future research.

Findings

The findings indicate that research on innovations in financial services is diverse and has explored various topics. The findings summarize the research papers with regards to each of the aforementioned aspects and offer researchers directions for future research.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size of 121 articles is an adequate sample size for the purpose of the study and it is in line with similar studies on innovations in other areas. However, future research can expand the study to include more academic journals in addition to reviewing and synthesizing the qualitative aspects of studies and meta-analysis of the identified relationships.

Originality/value

The study is the first to present a holistic overview of the current state of research on innovations in financial services. The findings offer clear directions to researchers for future research and hence can be used to promote research in these areas.
The relationship between credit card attributes and the demographic characteristics of card users in China
Authors: Gan Christopher E.C. , Cohen David A. , Hu Baiding , Tran Minh Chau , Dong Weikang , Wang Annie
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact that several of these factors have on a consumer’s decision to hold a credit card, as well as those involved in determining the level of credit card limit.

Design/methodology/approach

Potential explanatory variables were identified in the literature, then used to build a binary logit model to test the impact of the card and consumer characteristics on credit card ownership. Data were collected via a structured interview of 409 consumers living in Hebei Province, China.

Findings

The results indicate that convenience in use, level of credit card interest rates, the application process, number of people in the household, a rewards programme, marital status, credit limit and age influence the likelihood of the respondent holding a credit card. Further, an anaylsis shows that the number of credit cards held, duration of holding a credit card, monthly credit card purchasing volume and having a degree at the tertiary level, are significantly and positively related to different levels of credit limit.

Originality/value

In summary, in order to attract more consumers to credit card use, the banks and credit card companies should consider making it more convenient for consumers to use their credit cards. Moreover, banks can increase their networking and degree of cooperation with merchants to increase the acceptance of payment by credit card. The most heavily used businesses such as supermarkets and smaller retailers, where consumers purchase goods frequently, would be good targets for banks’ attention. In addition, banks might also improve credit card reward programmes to make these more efficient and perhaps increase the size of the rewards customers can earn through card use.
Economic growth, inequality and trade in developing countries
Authors: Majeed Muhammad Tariq
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analytically explore and empirically test the relationships between economic growth, inequality and trade using a panel data set of 65 developing economies from 1965 to 2010.

Design/methodology/approach

This study sets a theoretical framework to explain the growth-trade nexus differentials in the developing economies. The study uses different econometric methods such as General Method of Moments to address the relationship of trade with growth in the presence of high inequalities.

Findings

The study determines the positive effect of trade on growth both in the short-run and in the long-run. However, the growth effect of trade is substantially influenced by the domestic context in terms of the prevalence of high initial inequalities. The study identifies high initial inequalities in developing countries as the likely reason for a negative relationship between trade and economic growth. The trade-growth nexus is significantly negative for the unequal group but strongly significantly positive for the less unequal one.

Practical implications

Those developing economic which mange to ameliorate inequalities are in a better position to compete in an open economy.

Originality/value

The study contributes in the existing literature by answering the question why growth effects of trade are not definitely positive or negative. The findings of the studies may help the policy-makers of developing economies to take the advantage of increasing international trade.
Penetration of MFIs among Indian states: an understanding through macro variables
Authors: Ray Sougata , Mahapatra Sushanta
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The Indian microfinance industry witnessed one of the fastest growths in the recent times. However, the striking feature of this growth is that the Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) are concentrated only in some specific regions of the country. There is a huge geographical skew in the distribution of the MFIs. In this paper, an attempt has been made to explain these geographical skew by using the macro variables of the states. The objective of the study is to identify the causes for this regional disparity in the growth of MFIs.

Design/methodology/approach

We try to explain the level of penetration of microfinance in the states by using regression models.

Findings

Our analysis suggests that state-level macro factors are significant in explaining the geographical skew. MFIs in India have concentrated in states which are richer, have good rural infrastructure, but lack in adequate banking facility, and have low human capital.

Originality/value

The study provides an insight which would help in framing the necessary regulations to ensure that MFIs operate in all regions of the country.
Domestic policies and external spillovers
Authors: Kandil Magda
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Using data for a sample of advanced and developing countries, this paper aims to study the responses of monetary growth and the growth of government spending to external spillovers, namely, the growth of exports and imports, movement in the real effective exchange rate and the change in the oil price. The objective is to study movements in domestic policy variables in open economies that are vulnerable to trade and commodity price shocks.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis evaluates correlations between the responses of the policy variables to external spillovers. Further, the analysis studies the effects of indicators of economic performance on domestic policy responses to various shifts across countries.

Findings

Higher variability of real and nominal growth increases the fiscal policy response to external spillovers with an aim to stem further variability. Monetary policies appear to be more responsive to trend price inflation with an aim to stem further inflationary pressures. Fiscal policy’s reaction to trend price inflation aims at striking a balance between countering potential inflationary pressures, as well as recessionary conditions attributed to the various spillovers.

Originality/value

Overall, the evidence points to the importance of trade and commodity price shifts to the design of domestic policies. Further indicators of economic performance differentiate the degree of policy responses to trade and commodity price developments with a goal to stem inflationary pressures and reduce aggregate uncertainty.
Enhancing supply chain visibility in a pharmaceutical supply chain
Authors: Papert Marcel , Rimpler Patrick , Pflaum Alexander
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This work analyzes a pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC) in terms of supply chain visibility (SCV). The current good distribution practice (GDP) guideline demands increased visibility from firms. The purpose of this paper is to propose a solution for SCV enhancements based on automatic identification (Auto-ID) technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors qualitatively analyze data from ten case studies of actors in a PSC. A review of Auto-ID technologies supports the derivation of solutions to enhance SCV.

Findings

This work shows that the functionalities of Auto-ID technologies offered by current practical monitoring solutions and challenges created by the GDP guideline necessitate further SCV enhancements. To enhance SCV, the authors propose three solutions: securPharm with passive radio frequency identification tags, transport containers with sensor nodes, and an SCV dashboard.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to a PSC in Germany and is therefore not intended to be exhaustive. Thus, the results serve as a foundation for further analyses.

Practical implications

This study provides an overview of the functionality of Auto-ID technologies. In juxtaposition with the influence of the GDP guideline, the use of our Auto-ID-based solutions can help to enhance SCV.

Originality/value

This work analyzes a PSC in Germany, with consideration given to the influence of current legislation. Based on a multiple-case-study design, the authors derive three Auto-ID-based solutions for enhancing SCV.
Understanding the determinants of funders’ investment intentions on crowdfunding platforms
Authors: Kang Minghui , Gao Yiwen , Wang Tao , Zheng Haichao
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify funders’ motivations for investing in crowdfunding. It applies trust theory to propose a research model including three subject measures – fundraiser-related, project-related and platform-related factors. Trust has been categorized into cognitive and affective dimensions to specifically analyze the influential factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Bootstrapping is employed to analyze data collected from respondents with investment experience on equity crowdfunding projects. Structural equation modeling techniques are adopted to examine the factors that influence trust between funders and crowdfunding as well as the outcomes of this trust.

Findings

The results indicate that calculus trust and relationship trust collectively or separately transmit the effect of some antecedents to investment intention. However, there is no evidence indicating the mediating effects of calculus trust and relationship trust on the relationship of structural assurance and value congruence to investment intention.

Practical implications

This paper provides insights for crowdfunding fundraisers on how to build a strong relationship with funders, and it also gives crowdfunding designers advice on how to improve and perfect the platform functions.

Originality/value

This study contributes to a better understanding of the driving forces of calculus and relationship trust and their influence on investment intention. It is also the first to address a funder’s trust using a theoretical model describing the investor intention in crowdfunding and thereby extending the knowledge base of trust theory.
Managing big data in coal-fired power plants: a business intelligence framework
Authors: Chongwatpol Jongsawas
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Many power producers are looking for ways to develop smarter energy capabilities to tackle challenges in the sophisticated, non-linear dynamic processes due to the complicated operating conditions. One prominent strategy is to deploy advanced intelligence systems and analytics to monitor key performance indicators, capture insights about the behavior of the electricity generation processes, and identify factors affecting combustion efficiency. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to outline a way to incorporate a business intelligence framework into existing coal-fired power plant data to transform the data into insights and deliver analytical solutions to power producers.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed ten-step business intelligence framework combines the architectures of database management, business analytics, business performance management, and data visualization to manage existing enterprise data in a coal-fired power plant.

Findings

The results of this study provide plant-wide signals of any unusual operational and coal-quality factors that impact the level of NOx and consequently explain and predict the leading causes of variation in the emission of NOx in the combustion process.

Research limitations/implications

Once the framework is integrated into the power generation process, it is important to ensure that the top management and the data analysts at the plants have the same perceptions of the benefits of big data and analytics in the long run and continue to provide support and awareness of the use of business intelligence technology and infrastructure in operational decision making.

Practical implications

The key finding of this study helps the power plant prioritize the important factors associated with the emission of NOx; closer attention to those factors can be promptly initiated in order to improve the performance of the plant.

Originality/value

The use of big data is not just about implementing new technologies to store and manage bigger databases but rather about extracting value and creating insights from large volumes of data. The challenge is to strategically and operationally reconsider the entire process not only to prepare, integrate, and manage big data but also to make proper decisions as to which data to select for the analysis and how to apply analytical techniques to create value from the data that is in line with the strategic direction of the enterprise. This study seeks to fill this gap by outlining how to implement the proposed business intelligence framework to provide plant-wide signals of any unusual operational and coal-quality factors that impact the level of NOx and to explain and predict the leading causes of variation in the emission of NOx in the combustion process.
Knowledge integration with customers in collaborative product development projects
Authors: Eslami Mohammad H. , Lakemond Nicolette
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to address the need for managerial and organizational approaches to knowledge integration with customers in collaborative product development projects. The purpose is to identify the roles of customers in terms of the customer’s knowledge contribution and timing of customer collaboration in the product development process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a multi-case study approach, comprising four product development projects from two large international suppliers. The cases were selected following the theoretical replication logic. Data consist of interviews, workshops and secondary information. For each of the cases, a within-case analysis was performed followed by a cross-case analysis.

Findings

The study shows that the customer’s knowledge contribution is aligned with the specific requirements of each phase of the product development. Three specific customer roles are identified and connected to the customer’s knowledge contribution and the timing of customer collaboration. The technical capability of the customer and the locus of initiative of the product development project are affecting the prerequisites for knowledge integration with customers.

Research limitations/implications

The study is performed from the perspective of supplier firms. The authors have not been able to capture the perspective of the customer in detail. As it is expected that both customers and suppliers benefit from a systematic knowledge exchange, future studies could examine knowledge contributions in both directions.

Practical implications

The findings can be used to devise effective approaches for collaborative product development with customers related to the customer’s knowledge contribution and the timing of customer collaboration and provide guidance to firms seeking to benefit from knowledge residing at customers.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to focus on the integration of customers’ knowledge in product development processes. This paper contributes to the customer–supplier collaboration literature by presenting further insight into customers’ knowledge contributions, the timing of customer collaboration in product development processes and the prerequisites for knowledge integration with customers.
Ethical leadership in the salesforce: effects on salesperson customer orientation, commitment to customer value and job stress
Authors: Schwepker Charles H. , Ingram Thomas N.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to attempts to better understand the role of ethical leadership in the business-to-business customer value creation process. Drawing on job demands-resources theory (Bakker and Demerouti, 2007; Demeroutiet al., 2001), this paper develops and tests a model that examines the relationships among ethical leadership, customer orientation, commitment to providing superior customer value and job stress in the salesforce.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample includes 408 business-to-business salespeople. Structural equation modeling is used to test the study’s hypotheses.

Findings

Findings suggest that ethical leadership directly and indirectly (via customer orientation) influences commitment to providing superior customer value. Furthermore, both ethical leadership and salesperson commitment to providing value directly influence salesperson job stress.

Originality/value

This paper develops and tests a model that examines the relationships among constructs not previously examined, as they relate to business customer value creation.
Customer orientation and organizational innovation: the case of environmental management practices
Authors: Pekovic Sanja , Rolland Sylvie , Gatignon Hubert
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This study aims to investigates the effect of three customer orientation components – customer information-processing, responsiveness and values and norms – on a firm’s decision to adopt environmental management practices. Consistent with the literature on strategy and industrial marketing, the authors also examine the moderating effect of marketplace characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a linear model on a sample of 4,324 French firms with ten or more employees.

Findings

Based on a large-scale survey of firms across industries, the results indicate that customer information-processing and values and norms directly contribute to the adoption of environmental management practices. Furthermore, the effect of customer information-processing is shown to be contingent on market competition.

Practical implications

The findings have direct practical implications. When managers recognize the importance and usefulness of customer orientation, they understand the need to formulate organizational strategies in terms of environmental management practices that reflect customer expectations. In addition, following the strategic fit approach, customer orientation should fit with the specific market environment to stimulate the adoption of environmental management practices. In other words, the findings are useful for managers, who can assess the specific environmental characteristics they are facing and align these with customer orientation to build competitive advantage.

Originality/value

The findings indicate that the different dimensions of customer orientation distinctly affect a firm’s decision to adopt environmental management practices. In this sense, the authors argue that they capture different facets of the customer orientation measure, which points to the importance of analyzing the dimensions of customer orientation separately. Furthermore, rather than analyzing aggregate measures of corporate social responsibility, the authors selected environmental orientation as a specific dimension, which has received less attention in the industrial marketing literature. Finally, the main findings mark an important contribution to the literature because they provide deeper insights into the conditions under which customer orientation dimensions drive the adoption of environmental management practices.