bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intonational variation in Portuguese
Authors: Frota Sonia , Cruz Marisa , Svartman Flaviane , Collischonn Gisela , Fonseca Aline , Serra Carolina , Oliveira Pedro , Vigário Marina
Published: August 2015

This chapter describes the nuclear contours and intonational phrasing patterns of the most common sentence types across varieties of Portuguese. The resulting prosodic analysis is the first contribution to a Portuguese_ToBI proposal that offers a comparative description of four Brazilian Portuguese varieties—Baiano, Mineiro, and the Southeast and South areas of Sulista—and four European Portuguese varieties—Standard European Portuguese, Oporto, Alentejo, and Algarve—with the goal of providing a useful foundation for further systematic studies of Portuguese prosody. The analysis is based on data from the Interactive Atlas of the Prosody of Portuguese. Differences in the intonation of narrow-focus statements, commands, and requests, as well as in the distribution of pitch accents, were found to distinguish Brazilian and European Portuguese. The chapter concludes with an overview of the intonational system of Portuguese and its similarities and differences compared with other Romance languages.
A College Course on Relativity and Cosmology
Authors: Cheng Ta-Pei
Published: August 2015

This book introduces Einstein’s general theory of relativity. Topics include the geometric formulation of special relativity, the principle of equivalence, the Einstein field equation and its spherical solution, and black holes, as well as cosmology. The subject is presented with an emphasis on physical examples and simple applications without the full tensor apparatus (although, for those wishing to have a glimpse at the proper tensor formulation of Einstein’s field equation, this is presented in a final chapter). The reader first learns the physics of the equivalence principle and how it inspired Einstein’s idea of curved spacetime as the gravitational field. At the mathematically more accessible level of a metric description of a warped space, the reader can already study many interesting phenomena, such as gravitational time dilation, GPS operation, light deflection, precession of Mercury’s perihelion, and black holes. Many modern topics in cosmology are discussed: from primordial inflation and the cosmic microwave background, to the dark energy that propels an accelerating universe.
Equivalence of Gravitation and Inertia
Authors: Cheng Ta-Pei
Published: August 2015

After a review of the Newtonian theory of gravitation in terms of its potential function, this chapter starts the study of general relativity (GR) with the introduction of the equivalence principle (EP). The weak EP (equality of gravitational and inertial masses) was extended by Einstein to the strong EP (equivalence between inertia and gravitation for all interactions). This implies the existence of “local inertial frames” at every spacetime point. In a sufficiently small region, a “local inertial observer” will not sense any gravitational effect. The equivalence of acceleration and gravity means that GR (with physics laws valid in all coordinate systems, including accelerating frames) must necessarily be a theory of gravitation. The strong EP is used to deduce results for gravitational redshift and time dilation, as well as gravitational bending of a light ray. The operation of GPS is shown to depend crucially on relativistic time dilation effects.
Einstein Equation and its Spherical Solution
Authors: Cheng Ta-Pei
Published: August 2015

The general relativity (GR) field equation relates spacetime curvature to mass/energy distribution. Its solution is the metric, determining spacetime geometry. This chapter introduces curvature in differential geometry, and then shows that in the geometric theory of gravitation, curvature has a physical interpretation as tidal gravity. The nonrelativistic theory of tidal forces is reviewed in terms of the Newtonian deviation equation. The symmetries and contractions of the Riemann curvature are presented in a search for a symmetric rank-2 curvature tensor for the GR field equation. A spherically symmetric metric involves two unknown scalar functions; they can be determined by the Schwarzschild solution of the Einstein equation. Embedding diagrams can be used to visualize such warped spaces. GR predicts solar deflection of light that is twice as large as implied by the equivalence principle alone. GPS and the precession of Mercury’s perihelion are worked out as successful applications of GR.
The General Relativistic Framework for Cosmology
Authors: Cheng Ta-Pei
Published: August 2015

Cosmology is the study of the universe as one physical system. The discovery by Hubble and Lemaître that the universe is expanding suggested strongly that it had a beginning. The age is estimated observationally to be 12–15 billion years. The mass density of (nonrelativistic) matter in the universe, compared with the “critical density,” is ΩM≃0.31, of which familiar atomic (baryonic) matter is only ΩB≃0.05, the rest being unknown dark matter ΩDM≃0.27. On the largest scales, the universe is observed to be homogeneous and isotropic. Such a spacetime in comoving coordinates (the cosmic rest frame) is described by the Robertson–Walker metric. The dynamics of a changing universe are determined by the Friedmann equations, which have simple quasi-Newtonian interpretations. To obtain a static cosmic solution, Einstein introduced the cosmological constant, which is the vacuum energy corresponding to a negative pressure. A vacuum-energy-dominated universe expands exponentially.
Tensor Formalism for General Relativity
Authors: Cheng Ta-Pei
Published: August 2015

This chapter introduces the basic tensor formalism needed for a proper formulation of general relativity. In a curved space, one must work with the covariant derivative, which is a combination of the ordinary derivative and the first derivatives of the metric (Christoffel symbols). The covariant derivative of a tensor is itself a tensor. The related concept of parallel transport is introduced, and the Riemann curvature tensor is derived by parallel transport of a vector around a closed path. The equation of geodesic deviation is presented as another method to arrive at the curvature tensor. The symmetries and contraction properties of the Riemann curvature (including the Bianchi identity) are considered in order to find the desired tensors for the Einstein equation. The approach to this general relativity field equation via the principle of least action is also sketched. The relevant mathematics of Schwarzschild solution and the cosmological constant are outlined.
The offsets between galaxies and their dark matter in Λ cold dark matter
Authors: Schaller Matthieu , Robertson Andrew , Massey Richard , Bower Richard G. , Eke Vincent R.
Published: August 2015

We use the ‘Evolution and Assembly of GaLaxies and their Environments’ (eagle) suite of hydrodynamical cosmological simulations to measure offsets between the centres of stellar and dark matter components of galaxies. We find that the vast majority (>95 per cent) of the simulated galaxies display an offset smaller than the gravitational softening length of the simulations (Plummer-equivalent ϵ = 700 pc), both for field galaxies and satellites in clusters and groups. We also find no systematic trailing or leading of the dark matter along a galaxy's direction of motion. The offsets are consistent with being randomly drawn from a Maxwellian distribution with σ ≤ 196 pc. Since astrophysical effects produce no feasible analogues for the $1.62^{+0.47}_{-0.49}$ kpc offset recently observed in Abell 3827, the observational result is in tension with the collisionless cold dark matter model assumed in our simulations.
Regional and Gender Differences and Trends in the Anesthesiologist Workforce
Authors: Baird Matthew , Daugherty Lindsay , Kumar Krishna B. , Arifkhanova Aziza
Published: August 2015

AbstractAbstract

American Society of Anesthesiologists members were surveyed in 2013 using a similar instrument to one used in 2007. The more recent survey showed increased number and proportion of female anesthesiologists, and these differed from males in employment arrangements, compensation, and work hours. Regional differences were present and unchanged since 2007.

Background

Concerns have long existed about potential shortages in the anesthesiologist workforce. In addition, many changes have occurred in the economy, demographics, and the healthcare sector in the last few years, which may impact the workforce. The authors documented workforce trends by region of the United States and gender, trends that may have implications for the supply and demand of anesthesiologists.

Methods

The authors conducted a national survey of American Society of Anesthesiologists members (accounting for >80% of all practicing anesthesiologists in the United States) in 2007 and repeated it in 2013. The authors used logistic regression analysis and Seemingly Unrelated Regression to test across several indicators under an overarching hypothesis.

Results

Anesthesiologists in Western states had markedly different patterns of practice relative to anesthesiologists in other regions in 2007 and 2013, including differences in employer type, the composition of anesthesia teams, and the time spent on monitored anesthesia care. The number and proportion of female anesthesiologists in the workforce increased between 2007 and 2013, and females differed from males in employment arrangements, compensation, and work hours.

Conclusions

Regional differences remained stable during this time period although the reasons for these differences are speculative. Similarly, how and whether the gender difference in work hours and shift to younger anesthesiologists during this period will impact workforce needs is uncertain.
The Correlation Between Cage Subsidence, Bone Mineral Density, and Clinical Results in Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Oh Kyu Won , Lee Jae Hyup , Lee Ji-Ho , Lee Do-Yoon , Shim Hee Jong
Published: August 2015

Study Design:

A retrospective review of prospectively collected radiographic and clinical data.

Objective:

This study aims to investigate the relationship between cage subsidence and bone mineral density (BMD), and to reveal the clinical implications of cage subsidence.

Summary of Background Data:

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) has become one of the standard treatment modality for lumbar degenerative disease. However, cage subsidence might result in recurrent foraminal stenosis and deteriorate the clinical results. Furthermore, numbers of osteoporosis patients who underwent PLIF are increasing. Therefore, the information on the correlations between cage subsidence, BMD, and clinical results will be of great significance.

Materials and Methods:

A total 139 segments was included in this retrospective study. We examined functional rating index (Visual Analogue Scale for pain, Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form-36 score) preoperatively, and investigated their changes after postoperative 1 year. Correlation between cage subsidence and clinical scores was investigated. Plain anteroposterior and lateral radiograph were taken preoperatively and postoperatively and during follow-up. Preoperative BMD and subsidence measured by postoperative 1 year 3-dimensional computed tomography were achieved and their correlation was assessed.

Results:

All postoperative clinical scores improved significantly compared with preoperative ones (pain Visual Analogue Scale: 7.34–2.89, Oswestry Disability Index: 25.34–15.86, Short Form-36: 26.45–16.46, allP<0.001). BMD showed significant weak correlation with subsidence (r=−0.285,P<0.001). Severe osteoporotic segments (Tscore <−3.0) had more risk to develop severe subsidence (>3 mm) compared with the segments in whichTscore were higher than −3.0 (P=0.012), and its odds ratio was 8.44. Subsidence had no significant correlation with all clinical scores.

Conclusions:

This study revealed that cage subsidence is relevant to BMD. However, it was demonstrated that subsidence is not related to the clinical deterioration. Therefore, PLIF procedure which is conducted carefully can be a good surgical option to treat lumbar degenerative disease for osteoporotic patients.
Artificial Disk Replacement Combined With Fusion Versus 2-Level Fusion in Cervical 2-Level Disk Disease With a 5-Year Follow-up
Authors: Ji Gyu Yeul , Oh Chang Hyun , Shin Dong Ah , Ha Yoon , Yi Seong , Kim Keung Nyun , Shin Hyun Cheol , Yoon Do Heum
Published: August 2015

Study Design:

Prospective study.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term clinical and radiologic outcomes of hybrid surgery (HS) and 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (2-ACDF) in patients with 2-level cervical disk disease.

Summary of Background Data:

In a previous study with a 2-year follow-up, HS was shown to be superior to 2-ACDF, with a better Neck Disability Index (NDI) score, less postoperative neck pain, faster C2–C7 range of motion (ROM) recovery, and less adjacent ROM increase.

Materials and Methods:

Between 2004 and 2006, 40 patients undergoing 2-level cervical disk surgery at our hospital were identified as 2-level degenerative disk disease. Forty patients were included in the previous study; 35 patients were followed up for 5 years. Patients completed the NDI and graded their pain intensity before surgery and at routine postoperative until 5 years. Dynamic cervical radiographs were obtained before surgery and at routine postoperative intervals and the angular ROM for C2–C7 and adjacent segments was measured.

Results:

The HS group had better NDI recovery until 3 years after surgery (P<0.05). Postoperative neck pain was lower in the HS group at 1 and 3 years after surgery (P<0.05), but arm pain relief was not differently relieved. The HS group showed more angular ROM for C2–C7 at 2 and 3 years after surgery. The superior adjacent segment ROM showed hypermobility in the 2-ACDF group and hypomobility in the HS group at all follow-up periods without statistically significance, but the inferior adjacent segment ROM differed significantly (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

HS is superior to 2-ACDF; it leads to better NDI recovery, less postoperative neck pain, faster C2–C7 ROM recovery, and less adjacent ROM increase over a 2-year follow-up, but these benefits of HS become similar to those of 2-ACDF with 5 years of follow-up.
Oculomotor-Based Vision Assessment in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hunt Anne W. , Mah Katherine , Reed Nick , Engel Lisa , Keightley Michelle
Published: August 2015

Objective:

The purpose of this article is to synthesize and appraise the evidence regarding the use of oculomotor-based vision assessment to identify and monitor recovery from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Specific objectives are to (1) identify changes in oculomotor-based vision following mTBI; (2) distinguish methods of assessment; (3) appraise the level and quality of evidence; and, if warranted, (4) determine clinical recommendations for assessment.

Methods:

A systematic review was undertaken to identify and appraise relevant literature. A search was conducted of 7 databases of peer-reviewed literature from January 1990 to January 2015. Articles were included if study populations were clearly identified as having mTBI and used an assessment of oculomotor-based vision. Articles with pooled data (eg, mTBI and stroke), addressing afferent visual function (eg, visual field deficits) or using single case designs, were excluded.

Results:

Twenty articles were selected for inclusion. Exploratory findings suggest that measurements of saccades, smooth pursuit, and vergence are useful in detecting changes associated with mTBI. Assessment methods included eye tracker protocols, optometric assessment, and the King-Devick test.

Conclusion:

The strength of this evidence is not yet sufficient to warrant clinical recommendations. Research using rigorous methods is required to develop reliable, valid, and clinically useful assessment protocols.
Measurement Error in the Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT): Systematic Review
Authors: Alsalaheen Bara , Stockdale Kayla , Pechumer Dana , Broglio Steven P.
Published: August 2015

Objective:

To review the literature on the reliability of the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT).

Design:

Systematic review of the relevant literature in PubMed, CINAHL, and PSYCHINFO. Studies were evaluated using the STROBE instrument and custom developed items.

Results:

Search yielded 5 943 articles. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. With the exception of processing speed, all composite scores consistently exhibited poor to moderate reliability (ie, intraclass correlation coefficient <0.80). When considering 2 time points, participants who were misclassified as experiencing a “reliable change” in any score ranged between 5% and 26% for verbal memory, 2.2% and 19.6% for visual memory, 4% and 24% for processing speed, and 4% and 23.2% for reaction time.

Conclusions:

The Pearson r correlation coefficient and average measures intraclass correlation coefficient may be inappropriately utilized to examine the reliability of ImPACT scores. Given the poor to moderate reliability of most ImPACT scores, clinicians should be cautious when ImPACT is used as a criterion for medical clearance to return to play after concussion. Because of its widespread use in concussion-related clinical research, researchers must exercise due diligence when utilizing ImPACT to evaluate outcomes after concussion or to validate other outcome measures.
Return to Physical Activity Timing and Dual-Task Gait Stability Are Associated 2 Months Following Concussion
Authors: Howell David R. , Osternig Louis R. , Christie Anita D. , Chou Li-Shan
Published: August 2015

Objective:

The effect of physical activity resumption on functional recovery following concussion is poorly understood. We sought to examine the relationship between physical activity resumption timing and gait stability 2 months following concussion.

Setting:

Motion analysis laboratory.

Participants:

Twenty-nine individuals who sustained a concussion and were subsequently allowed to return to preinjury levels of physical activity within 2 months postinjury.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Main Measures:

The return-to-activity day (RTA-day) was identified as the first day postinjury that each participant was medically cleared to resume regular physical activity. Whole-body center-of-mass (COM) motion during single-task and dual-task walking was assessed 2 months postinjury. Correlation coefficients were calculated between the RTA-day and single/dual-task gait stability as well as symptom severity measurements 2 months postinjury.

Results:

Dual-task medial-lateral COM displacement (r = −0.52, P = .004) and peak medial-lateral COM velocity (r = −0.37, P = .048) were significantly correlated with RTA-day. Dual-task peak forward velocity and single-task gait stability measures were not significantly correlated with RTA-day.

Conclusions:

The time of RTA-day clearance, within a 2 months postinjury period, is significantly correlated with dual-task medial-lateral gait stability measured at the end of that period, suggesting that frontal plane gait stability recovery is sensitive to the timing of RTA-day.
Hepatic Failure in a Patient Receiving Itraconazole for Pulmonary Histoplasmosis—Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Pettit Natasha N. , Pisano Jennifer , Weber Stephen , Ridgway Jessica
Published: August 2015

Severe cases of itraconazole-induced hepatotoxicity have been reported; however, these events are thought to occur very rarely. The available literature is comprised largely of individual case reports and small series that do not report the itraconazole serum concentration at the time of the severe adverse event or apply an objective scale to assess probability of the event being related to drug exposure. We report a case of severe hepatotoxicity after 6 months of itraconazole therapy for histoplasmosis, resulting in acute hepatic failure (aspartate transaminase >20× and alanine transaminase >15× upper limit normal), in the setting of therapeutic serum concentrations (5 mg/mL). Both the Naranjo probability scale and the Roussel Uclaf causality assessment method were used to assess the probability of a causality relationship showing a “probable” and “highly probable” association with itraconazole exposure, respectively. The available literature describing severe hepatotoxicity resulting in hepatic failure associated with itraconazole is also reviewed.
Application of the Coflex Interlaminar Stabilization in Patients With L5/S1 Degenerative Diseases: Minimum 4-Year Follow-up
Authors: Xu Cong , Mao Fangmin , Wang Xiangyang , Lin Yan , Xu Huazi
Published: August 2015

The Coflex is one of the representatives of posterior dynamic interspinous process device, but no study with the application of Coflex interlaminar stabilization in L5/S1 level has been performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and validity of the Coflex interlaminar stabilization in the treatment of degenerative lumbar diseases on L5/S1 level. A retrospective study was conducted for a consecutive series of 33 patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis or lumbar disc herniation located in L5/S1 between November 2007 and September 2010. Subjects were all received decompressive laminectomy with implantation of Coflex device. Clinical effects were evaluated by visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index. Radiographs were done preoperatively, postoperatively, and at final follow-up. The Coflex devices were successfully implanted in all subjects. Fourteen cases completed the operations by inverting the prosthesis on account of too short S1 spinous processes. During the minimum 4-year follow-up period, all patients had obvious improvement in clinical effects (P < 0.05). Radiological evaluation revealed that dorsal intervertebral space height and intervertebral foramen height of target level increased significantly in all cases postoperatively and maintained well to final follow-up. In addition, the sagittal range of motion of operated level was restricted (P < 0.05), and the range of motion of adjacent segment did not change much (P > 0.05). The Coflex is an efficacious dynamic interspinous process device for the treatment of degenerative lumbar diseases that can apply to L5/S1.
Aurantimicrobium minutum gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel ultramicrobacterium of the family Microbacteriaceae, isolated from river water
Authors: Nakai Ryosuke , Baba Tomoya , Niki Hironori , Nishijima Miyuki , Naganuma Takeshi
Published: August 2015

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, curved (selenoid), rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated KNCT, was isolated from the 0.2 μm-filtrate of river water in western Japan. Cells of strain KNCT were ultramicrosized (0.04–0.05 μm3). The strain grew at 15–37 °C, with no observable growth at 10 °C or 40 °C. The pH range for growth was 7–9, with weaker growth at pH 10. Growth was impeded by the presence of NaCl at concentrations greater than 1 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain KNCT showed relatively high sequence similarity (97.2 %) to Alpinimonas psychrophila Cr8-25T in the family Microbacteriaceae. However, strain KNCT formed an independent cluster with cultured, but as-yet-unidentified, species and environmental clones on the phylogenetic tree. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 (41.0 %), iso-C16 : 0 (21.8 %), C16 : 0 (18.0 %) and anteiso-C17 : 0 (12.9 %), and the major menaquinones were MK-11 (71.3 %) and MK-12 (13.6 %). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol and two unknown glycolipids. The cell-wall muramic acid acyl type was acetyl. The peptidoglycan was B-type, and contained 3-hydroxyglutamic acid, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glycine, alanine and lysine, with the latter being the diagnostic diamino acid. The G+C content of the genome was unusually low for actinobacteria (52.1 mol%), compared with other genera in the family Microbacteriaceae. Based on the phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic evidence, strain KNCT represents a novel species of a new genus within the family Microbacteriaceae, for which the name Aurantimicrobium minutum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is KNCT ( = NBRC 105389T = NCIMB 14875T).
Tandem repeat variation in human and great ape populations and its impact on gene expression divergence
Authors: Bilgin Sonay Tugce , Carvalho Tiago , Robinson Mark D. , Greminger Maja P. , Krützen Michael , Comas David , Highnam Gareth , Mittelman David , Sharp Andrew , Marques-Bonet Tomàs , Wagner Andreas
Published: August 2015

Tandem repeats (TRs) are stretches of DNA that are highly variable in length and mutate rapidly. They are thus an important source of genetic variation. This variation is highly informative for population and conservation genetics. It has also been associated with several pathological conditions and with gene expression regulation. However, genome-wide surveys of TR variation in humans and closely related species have been scarce due to technical difficulties derived from short-read technology. Here we explored the genome-wide diversity of TRs in a panel of 83 human and nonhuman great ape genomes, in a total of six different species, and studied their impact on gene expression evolution. We found that population diversity patterns can be efficiently captured with short TRs (repeat unit length, 1–5 bp). We examined the potential evolutionary role of TRs in gene expression differences between humans and primates by using 30,275 larger TRs (repeat unit length, 2–50 bp). Genes that contained TRs in the promoters, in their 3′ untranslated region, in introns, and in exons had higher expression divergence than genes without repeats in the regions. Polymorphic small repeats (1–5 bp) had also higher expression divergence compared with genes with fixed or no TRs in the gene promoters. Our findings highlight the potential contribution of TRs to human evolution through gene regulation.
Information technology utilization for industrial marketing activities: the IT–marketing gap
Authors: Ekman Peter , Erixon Cecilia , Thilenius Peter
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to investigates the possible gap between the logic of these information technology (IT) systems and industrial firms’ marketing practices. Industrial firms rely extensively on IT systems for their business.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on the contemporary marketing practice (CMP) model, which depicts firms’ marketing practice as ranging from transactional to more relational and networked-based, the logic of IT systems and how users in industrial firms adopt them are amended to create an extended model. The extended model is used to analyze an in-depth case based on 63 interviews regarding one industrial firm’s business with customers and suppliers and how IT is utilized in this setting.

Findings

– Results show that industrial firms’ relationship-oriented business is poorly supported by currently used IT systems. This gap between the IT systems, which are transaction-focused, and industrial firms’ marketing practice, which is relationship-based, has severe effects on adoption and efficiency of IT systems. The marketers prefer local, non-integrated, IT with limited usefulness on an overall firm level while resisting the firms’ comprehensive IT systems. This forms an IT–marketing gap given that current IT does not match the marketing practice of relationship-oriented industrial firms.

Originality/value

– This study applies an extended CMP model in a novel way focusing one industrial firm, its customers and suppliers and the IT used in this setting. The study shows that all marketing practices of the CMP model can be found in one firm’s business, albeit one category, i.e. interaction marketing (a relationship approach), is dominating. The use of the CMP framework offers new and valuable insights into the fundamental cause to the industrial marketers’ limited use of integrated IT.
Triadic analysis of business relationship’s ending: a case study of a dyad and a third actor
Authors: Schreiner Anniina
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to improve the knowledge of the way business relationships end by using a triadic analysis. Triadic analysis is used as a tool, permitting the examination of a dyadic business relationship in relation to a third actor(s). The triadic approach has been chosen for two reasons: first, because a triad is the smallest possible network and so offers a network perspective on the phenomenon. Second, the triadic approach exposes the process of forming internal and external coalitions, which affects the course of events and, thus, offers a different perspective from the traditional dyadic one on the dissolution of business relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

– As adopting a triadic perspective on the ending of business relationships and the field of research are relatively new, data gathering and empirical findings play an important role in producing understanding of the phenomenon. This qualitative research uses the abductive approach, in which empirical findings are systematically combined with the theoretical literature related to the topic. The research also draws from the theoretical literature of ending dyadic business relationships and uses a body of literature from the field of sociology where triadic analysis has long been used.

Findings

– As the result, this paper presents a model describing the end of a triadic business relationship and details the characteristics that derive from a triadic perspective. The study answers questions on what kind of process takes place when a triadic business relationship is ending; what kinds of sub-processes can be identified; and also adds information on what kinds of coalitions companies may form during the ending process of a triadic business relationship. The findings suggest that triadic analysis is an appropriate tool when studying a dyadic business relationship in relation to third actors.

Originality/value

– The research offers a new insight into the phenomenon of ending business relationships by using a triadic perspective.
The role of knowledge intermediaries in co-managed innovations
Authors: Cantù Chiara , Ylimäki Juho , Sirén Charlotta Agneta , Nickell David
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how technological hubs (THs), defined as knowledge intermediaries, can assist companies in creating successful partnerships to develop innovations. Specifically, the authors ask how THs can help firms connect with horizontal networks and how THs can assist firms on finding suppliers and customers from the vertical network with whom to collaborate. By answering these two main questions, the paper sheds light on the important role of THs and its incubators as knowledge intermediaries in innovation co-creation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research is founded on a longitudinal case study of an Italian technologic hub, ComoNExT, that aims to improve the competitiveness of its local economy. Specific attention is given to the role of the incubator that was formed as a joint effort in the technology hub.

Findings

– The authors find that THs can facilitate networking among tenants and among tenants and external actors within the same epistemic network. The TH that the authors studied is characterized by a new business model that is founded on providing value-added services and networking. The TH sustains the networking at different levels: within tenants, with local actors, extra-local and international actors. The authors’ analysis suggest that THs become knowledge intermediaries who allow firms to identify innovation parties and transform them into innovation partners and, thus, outline the shift from outsourced innovation to co-managed innovation.

Originality/value

– The paper shows how knowledge intermediaries facilitate the intermediation between heterogeneous organizations who are located at different network positions and characterized by relational proximity that is the basis for reaching effective innovation. The research depicts how knowledge intermediaries reinforce the drivers of a co-membership network to co-create innovation to improve the strength of a relationship characterized by a shared vision.
Development, production and use in policy initiated innovation
Authors: Eklinder-Frick Jens Ola
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe the forces which promote or obstruct a policy-initiated innovation process in the context of a regional strategic network (RSN).

Design/methodology/approach

– An innovation requires that an invention survives in relevant developing, producing and using settings. This is analyzed as resource interaction in these three settings. Data are obtained from a case study of an innovation process undertaken from 2007 to 2011 where 24 respondents representing the involved actors in the development of a geographical information system technology platform were interviewed in separate meetings lasting 60-100 minutes. Primary sources of secondary data have also been analyzed.

Findings

– The strategy imposed by the RSN enabled knowledge to be exchanged between the involved actors, but problems remained regarding resource interaction of the relevant settings. The studied case showed that achieving resource interaction between the producing and using settings was particularly challenging when the innovation processes is policy-initiated and thus involves both the private sector and the public sector. This serves to explain why policy initiatives to turn scientific knowledge into commercialized innovation often fall short of their objectives.

Originality/value

– Research investigating policy-initiated innovation and regional economic growth often focuses on achieving information exchange between the actors that make up the innovation systems. This paper sheds light on the resource interaction between the members of RSN s and how this can facilitate the innovation processes.
The workplace as a factor of job satisfaction and productivity
Authors: Fassoulis Konstantinos , Alexopoulos Nikolaos
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine degree of job satisfaction of the University of Athen’s (UOA) administrative staff, specifically regarding the workplace and its impact on their productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

– Questionnaires were distributed to 160 administrative personnel of the UOA. The study entails descriptive analysis, independent samplest-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlations (two-tailed) and regression analysis of the data collected.

Findings

– The results indicate that the UOA’s administrative staff is dissatisfied with most aspects of their workplace, which is characterized by an inability to encourage and support new forms of office work. This scenario was also found to have a negative effect on productivity. In addition, regression analysis showed that satisfaction with the workplace is a significant predictor of employee productivity.

Research limitations/implications

– A limitation of this study is that the sample was not from the UOA administrative staff that works in more recently constructed office buildings away from the Athens city center. Further investigation would also be needed to identify possible differences in satisfaction with the workspace and its impact on productivity, based on demographic characteristics, such as the level of education and years of employment.

Practical implications

– The research results may be useful to public institution administrations like that of the UOA, as it highlights changes in the workplace which can have significant impact on employee job satisfaction and productivity, and consequently, the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided.

Originality/value

– This study examines aspects of the workspace of a public organization regarding their individual attributes. Given that the existing Greek literature in this field does not contain a discussion on the impact of the workplace on job satisfaction and productivity as far as the public sector is concerned, this paper may contribute to a smoother and more efficient provision of services from its organizations/institutions.
Summer schools in library service at Aberystwyth (1917-1928)
Authors: Mathias Julie
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the courses in library service jointly developed and run by the University and the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, between 1917 and 1928.

Design/methodology/approach

– An historical approach is adopted and use has been made of relevant extant primary sources held in the National Library, as well as various notices and reports of the courses published in the journals of the time.

Findings

– Strong similarities between the Summer Schools in Library Service of 100 years ago and the degree programmes currently offered via distance learning by the Department of Information Studies have been indicated.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to the nature of the research and the reliance on the survival of primary source material, it has not been possible to trace a complete set of Directors’ Reports, which would have offered greater insight into the content of the later Summer Schools as well as the people who attended these courses.

Originality/value

– The year 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the College of Librarianship Wales, (which has evolved into the Department of Information Studies at Aberystwyth University). However, the roots of this educational establishment can be traced back nearly 50 years earlier to the University’s Summer Schools in library service. This is a largely unexplored subject but represents the first step towards the establishment of the current Department of Information Studies.
Capturing Relatedness: Comprehensive Measures based on Secondary Data
Authors: Nocker Elisabeth , Bowen Harry P. , Stadler Christian , Matzler Kurt
Published: August 2015

This paper presents new measures of technological and customer‐side relatedness constructed from widely available secondary data. Relatedness is a concept central to predicting the existence and nature of a relationship between corporate diversification and firm performance. Yet, finding appropriate measures has been an ongoing struggle. The widely used SIC‐based entropy measure has low construct validity, and survey‐based measures are hard to replicate across firms and industries and over time. The measures we develop significantly outperform established measures in explaining variation in firm performance across firms and over time, and both sources of relatedness are found to be independent and significant explanations of firm performance.
Post‐ministerial occupation in advanced industrial democracies: Ambition, individual resources and institutional opportunity structures
Authors: Claveria Sílvia , Verge Tània
Published: August 2015

The post‐office occupation of former cabinet members remains basically unexplored in both single‐case and comparative studies. Is being a minister just a careertout court, or does serving in executive office facilitate movement to other positions? This article sheds new light on this question by advancing the theoretical development and empirical understanding of the various types of post‐ministerial occupation. The analysis takes into account ex‐ministers’ ambition, political capital resources and the institutional opportunity structures that might well affect both ambition and individual resources. Additionally, given that access to executive office is profoundly gendered, the article addresses the central question of whether post‐ministerial occupations similarly present differential patterns for women and men. The empirical results of a cross‐national comparison of 23 advanced industrial democracies show that, for most departing ministers, serving in executive office is indeed a stepping stone to other positions. Post‐office trajectories are not only shaped by ex‐ministers’ political capital resources such as seniority, party office, policy expertise and type of portfolio held while in cabinet, but also by different institutional factors that present country‐specific combinations. Specifically, systemic variables shape the relevance of political capital resources and affect how ambition is constructed and towards which goals. Strong gendered post‐office patterns are not found, although some intriguing gender differences are observed.
The effects of membership decline on party organisations in Europe
Authors: Kölln Ann‐Kristin
Published: August 2015

On election day, voters’ commitment is crucial for political parties, but between elections members are an important resource for party organisations. However, membership figures have been dropping across parties and countries in the last decades. How does this trend affect parties’ organisation? Following classics in party politics research as well as contemporary organisational theory literature, this study tests some of the most longstanding hypotheses in political science regarding the effects of membership size change. According to organisational learning theory, membership decline should induce an expansion of the party organisation. However, threat‐rigidity theory and the work of Robert Michels suggest that parties are downsizing their organisation to match the decline in membership size. To test the hypotheses, 47 parties in six European countries (Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom) are followed annually between 1960 and 2010 on key organisational characteristics such as finances, professionalism and complexity. A total of 1,922 party‐year observations are analysed. The results of multilevel modelling show that party membership decline triggers mixed effects. Declining membership size induces the employment of more staff, higher spending and a higher reliance on state subsidies. At the same time, it also triggers lower staff salaries and a reduction in the party's local presence. The findings indicate that today's parties are targeting an organisational structure that is custom‐made for the electoral moment every four years. Faced with lasting membership decline, the party organisation retracts its organisational resources and focuses more on election day. Members matter to parties, but votes matter more.
Why is the IMF at an Impasse, and What Can Be Done about It?
Authors: Wade Robert H. , Vestergaard Jakob
Published: August 2015

The International Monetary Fund is at an impasse, acutely short of secure lending resources. The main reason is that the US Congress is blocking ratification of an agreement reached in 2010 by all member states that would almost double its permanent loanable funds (its quota). World leaders should be worried that the Fund is currently relying on the good will of countries to supply it with short‐term loans which it can on‐lend to countries in crisis. This is not a solid foundation for the nearest thing the world system has to an international lender‐of‐last‐ resort. Since the IMF's multilateral functions cannot be readily replicated, it is important to find a way out. All solutions lead back to the US veto, the US being the only state (Treasury or Congress) able to veto supermajority decisions. The prospect of more financial crises ahead while the Fund is chronically short of secure lending resources should focus all minds on how to end the US veto. Otherwise the Fund will follow the WTO towards irrelevance, to the benefit of the few countries at the strong end of bilateral and regional arrangements.
Accounting Conservatism and Performance Covenants: A Signaling Approach
Authors: Callen Jeffrey L. , Chen Feng , Dou Yiwei , Xin Baohua
Published: August 2015

This study examines the relation between performance covenants in private debt contracting and conservative accounting under adverse selection. We find that under severe adverse selection (i.e., high information asymmetry), accounting conservatism and performance covenants act as complements to signal that the borrower is unlikely to appropriate wealth from the lender. No such relation obtains in a low information asymmetry regime. We further show that in the high information asymmetry regime, borrowers with high levels of conservatism and tight performance covenants generally enjoy lower interest rate spreads than borrowers with low levels of conservatism and loose performance covenants. Consistent with our signaling theory, in the high information asymmetry regime, borrowers with high levels of conservatism and tight performance covenants are less likely to make abnormal payouts to shareholders. Our empirical results are robust to alternative measures of conservatism and covenant restrictiveness.
The mitochondrial‐derived peptide MOTS‐c: a player in exceptional longevity?
Authors: Fuku Noriyuki , Pareja‐Galeano Helios , Zempo Hirofumi , Alis Rafael , Arai Yasumichi , Lucia Alejandro , Hirose Nobuyoshi
Published: August 2015

Mitochondrial‐derived peptides (MDP) are encoded by functional short open reading frames in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). These include humanin, and the recently discovered mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA‐c (MOTS‐c). Although more research is needed, we suggest that the m.1382A>C polymorphism located in the MOTS‐c encoding mtDNA, which is specific for the Northeast Asian population, may be among the putative biological mechanisms explaining the high longevity of Japanese people.