bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compact solar autoclave based on steam generation using broadband light-harvesting nanoparticles
Authors: Neumann Oara , Feronti Curtis , Neumann Albert D. , Dong Anjie , Schell Kevin , Lu Benjamin , Kim Eric , Quinn Mary , Thompson Shea , Grady Nathaniel , Nordlander Peter , Oden Maria , Halas Naomi J.
Published: July 2013

The lack of readily available sterilization processes for medicine and dentistry practices in the developing world is a major risk factor for the propagation of disease. Modern medical facilities in the developed world often use autoclave systems to sterilize medical instruments and equipment and process waste that could contain harmful contagions. Here, we show the use of broadband light-absorbing nanoparticles as solar photothermal heaters, which generate high-temperature steam for a standalone, efficient solar autoclave useful for sanitation of instruments or materials in resource-limited, remote locations. Sterilization was verified using a standard
Geobacillus stearothermophilus
-based biological indicator.
Geminin deploys multiple mechanisms to regulate Cdt1 before cell division thus ensuring the proper execution of DNA replication
Authors: Ballabeni Andrea , Zamponi Raffaella , Moore Jodene K. , Helin Kristian , Kirschner Marc W.
Published: July 2013

Significance

The master cell-cycle processes governing DNA replication and mitosis in eukaryotic cells are regulated by cyclin/cyclin dependent kinase 1 and the anaphase-promoting complex, with checkpoint activity on these regulators. It is not these regulators but rather intermediaries that communicate to the processes. Here we show that the protein Geminin acts centrally in controlling DNA replication by ensuring that DNA is replicated during S phase and only once. This paper describes the Geminin “sub-master” regulatory circuit and the central role of Geminin in controlling events of the cell cycle.
Determining the subcellular location of new proteins from microscope images using local features
Authors: Coelho Luis Pedro , Kangas Joshua D. , Naik Armaghan W. , Osuna-Highley Elvira , Glory-Afshar Estelle , Fuhrman Margaret , Simha Ramanuja , Berget Peter B. , Jarvik Jonathan W. , Murphy Robert F.
Published: July 2013

Motivation: Evaluation of previous systems for automated determination of subcellular location from microscope images has been done using datasets in which each location class consisted of multiple images of the same representative protein. Here, we frame a more challenging and useful problem where previously unseen proteins are to be classified.

Results: Using CD-tagging, we generated two new image datasets for evaluation of this problem, which contain several different proteins for each location class. Evaluation of previous methods on these new datasets showed that it is much harder to train a classifier that generalizes across different proteins than one that simply recognizes a protein it was trained on.

We therefore developed and evaluated additional approaches, incorporating novel modifications of local features techniques. These extended the notion of local features to exploit both the protein image and any reference markers that were imaged in parallel. With these, we obtained a large accuracy improvement in our new datasets over existing methods. Additionally, these features help achieve classification improvements for other previously studied datasets.

Availability: The datasets are available for download at http://murphylab.web.cmu.edu/data/. The software was written in Python and C++ and is available under an open-source license at http://murphylab.web.cmu.edu/software/. The code is split into a library, which can be easily reused for other data and a small driver script for reproducing all results presented here. A step-by-step tutorial on applying the methods to new datasets is also available at that address.

Contact:  murphy@cmu.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Baclofen for the Treatment of Pediatric GERD
Authors: Vadlamudi Narendra B. , Hitch Meredith C. , Dimmitt Reed A. , Thame Kirk A.
Published: July 2013

Background and Aim:

Baclofen, a γ‐aminobutyric acid receptor agonist, has been shown to reduce the episodes of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) by reducing the incidence of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations. Although baclofen has been shown to reduce reflux symptoms in adults, data in pediatric patients are limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of baclofen in children with refractory GER.

Methods:

Medical charts of patients 1 to 18 years of age treated with baclofen for persistent GER symptoms were reviewed retrospectively. Short‐term (at first clinic visit) and long‐term (12 months) clinical responses were assessed.

Results:

A total of 53 patients were included in the final analysis. The mean duration of illness was 1.5 years and the mean age was 6.1 years. All of the patients were taking either once‐ (53%) or twice‐daily (47%) doses of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) at the time of initiation of baclofen. Thirty‐five (66%) patients experienced a significant reduction in clinical symptoms at their first follow‐up visit. In the remaining 18 patients, however, baclofen was stopped because of either no response (n = 15) or adverse events (n = 3). A total of 27 patients continued treatment and were assessed for long‐term response. Of those, 22 (81%) had a sustained response to baclofen at 12 months, whereas 5 (19%) lost response. We recognized no clinical characteristic differences between those with and without a response to baclofen at either time point.

Conclusions:

Baclofen can be used as supplemental therapy to proton pump inhibitors in children with refractory GER; however, prospective trials are needed to further validate our results and assess safety.
Ecosystem change and stability over multiple decades in the Swedish subarctic: complex processes and multiple drivers
Authors: Callaghan Terry V , Jonasson Christer , Thierfelder Tomas , Yang Zhenlin , Hedenås Henrik , Johansson Margareta , Molau Ulf , Van Bogaert Rik , Michelsen Anders , Olofsson Johan , Gwynn-Jones Dylan , Bokhorst Stef , Phoenix Gareth , Bjerke Jarle W. , Tømmervik Hans , Christensen Torben R. , Hanna Edward , Koller Eva K. , Sloan Victoria L.
Published: July 2013

The subarctic environment of northernmost Sweden has changed over the past century, particularly elements of climate and cryosphere. This paper presents a unique geo-referenced record of environmental and ecosystem observations from the area since 1913. Abiotic changes have been substantial. Vegetation changes include not only increases in growth and range extension but also counterintuitive decreases, and stability: all three possible responses. Changes in species composition within the major plant communities have ranged between almost no changes to almost a 50 per cent increase in the number of species. Changes in plant species abundance also vary with particularly large increases in trees and shrubs (up to 600%). There has been an increase in abundance of aspen and large changes in other plant communities responding to wetland area increases resulting from permafrost thaw. Populations of herbivores have responded to varying management practices and climate regimes, particularly changing snow conditions. While it is difficult to generalize and scale-up the site-specific changes in ecosystems, this very site-specificity, combined with projections of change, is of immediate relevance to local stakeholders who need to adapt to new opportunities and to respond to challenges. Furthermore, the relatively small area and its unique datasets are a microcosm of the complexity of Arctic landscapes in transition that remains to be documented.
The response of Arctic vegetation and soils following an unusually severe tundra fire
Authors: Bret-Harte M. Syndonia , Mack Michelle C. , Shaver Gaius R. , Huebner Diane C. , Johnston Miriam , Mojica Camilo A. , Pizano Camila , Reiskind Julia A.
Published: July 2013

Fire causes dramatic short-term changes in vegetation and ecosystem function, and may promote rapid vegetation change by creating recruitment opportunities. Climate warming likely will increase the frequency of wildfire in the Arctic, where it is not common now. In 2007, the unusually severe Anaktuvuk River fire burned 1039 km
2
of tundra on Alaska's North Slope. Four years later, we harvested plant biomass and soils across a gradient of burn severity, to assess recovery. In burned areas, above-ground net primary productivity of vascular plants equalled that in unburned areas, though total live biomass was less. Graminoid biomass had recovered to unburned levels, but shrubs had not. Virtually all vascular plant biomass had resprouted from surviving underground parts; no non-native species were seen. However, bryophytes were mostly disturbance-adapted species, and non-vascular biomass had recovered less than vascular plant biomass. Soil nitrogen availability did not differ between burned and unburned sites. Graminoids showed allocation changes consistent with nitrogen stress. These patterns are similar to those seen following other, smaller tundra fires. Soil nitrogen limitation and the persistence of resprouters will likely lead to recovery of mixed shrub–sedge tussock tundra, unless permafrost thaws, as climate warms, more extensively than has yet occurred.
How WOM marketing contributes to new product adoption
Authors: López Manuela , Sicilia María
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Communication strategy is a critical element of new product adoption. The decision to adopt a new product is determined by the success of a sequence of two stages: product awareness and product adoption. Previous studies have shown advertising to be the tool that works best during the first stage of introduction. However, the expansion of new media has facilitated the development and management of WOM campaigns. Recent research has called this strategy WOM marketing (WOMM). The aim of this paper is to determine which communication strategy is more appropriate at the early stages of the diffusion process.

Design/methodology/approach

Two between‐subject experimental designs were developed, one with university students and another with a more general population.

Findings

Contrary to assertions in previous literature, the results show that firms should start new product communication with WOMM and then continue it with advertising.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first studies to analyze whether WOM should be actively promoted by firms, or naturally promoted by customers after an advertising campaign. The research also contributes to the few experimental studies that have been conducted into new product diffusion.
A novel apparel surface flattening algorithm
Authors: Zhuang Meiling , Zhang Xiaofeng
Published: July 2013

Purpose

In the trend of individuation and customization, more rapid and flexible clothing pattern production systems are required. Many studies about the system have been done into producing paper pattern automatically for sewing. The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel three‐dimensional intelligent pattern‐making algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

Body features are referenced for crack designing, the concept of functional dividing is proposed on the triangled upper body surface based on Gauss Curvature. A new surface flattening algorithm based on body features (SFABF) is put forward. Robert Hooke Law and Young's modulus are referenced for energy model (EMRY) setting up to define and calculate the edge length variation of triangle. Basing on EMRY, another optimizing surface flattening algorithm (OSFA) is designed to optimize SFABF so as to minimize the accumulated energy.

Findings

Shape variation accumulation of flattened pattern can be reduced a lot when the cracks are distributed along functional dividing lines. The points with the largest Gauss Curvature as Bust Point have played a great role in shape variation reduction. Because of textiles' flexibility shape variation need not be reduced to zero. Comparing with the related methods this research is more practical.

Originality/value

To this study, SFABF and OSFA are novel methods to improve practicality. The proposed concept of functional dividing is value to the shape variation reduction from surface flattening.
Application of the TRIZ creativity enhancement approach to the design of a passively adaptive compliant robotic gripper
Authors: Petković Dalibor , Issa Mirna , Pavlović Nenad D. , Zentner Lena
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The essence of the conceptual design is getting the innovative projects or ideas to ensure the products with best performance. It has been proved that the theory of inventive problem solution (TRIZ) is a systematic methodology for innovation. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the design of an adaptive robotic gripper as an engineering example to show the significance and approaches of applying TRIZ in getting the creative conceptual design ideas.

Design/methodology/approach

Gripping and holding of objects are key tasks for robotic manipulators. The development of universal grippers able to pick up unfamiliar objects of widely varying shapes and surfaces is a very challenging task. The requirement for new adaptive grippers is the ability to detect and recognize objects in their environments.

Findings

The main aim of this work is to show a systematic methodology for innovation as an effective procedure to enhance the capability of developing innovative products and to overcome the main design problems. The TRIZ method will be utilized in order to eliminate the technical contradictions which appear in the passively adaptive compliant robotic gripper.

Originality/value

The design of an adaptive robotic gripper as an engineering example is illustrated in this paper to show the significance and approaches of applying TRIZ in getting the creative conceptual design ideas.
Production scheduling for injection molding manufacture using Petri Net model
Authors: Wongwiwat Asawin , Bohez Erik L.J. , Pisuchpen Roongrat
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new generic hybrid Petri Net (PN) model combined with the lowest makespan cut (LMC) for job shop scheduling problems in mold manufacturing to minimize the makespan of the mold part manufacture schedule.

Design/methodology/approach

The LMC algorithm finds a solution close to the optimal solution. The searching of the LMC algorithm starts from the lowest estimated makespan (lowest makespan). Almost all of the lowest makespans (LM) are infeasible makespans. A shifting percentage (SP) is added to the LM to obtain the shifting makespan (SM). The SM is compared with the completion time computed from the reachability tree of the Petri Net (PN) model. If the completion time is greater than the SM, the corresponding branch is cut from the reachability graph, and the SM will be compared with another branch from the reachability tree. There are two scenarios. In the first scenario, there is no feasible solution resulting from the comparison of the completion time and the SM, because the SM is lower than all of the feasible solutions. Therefore, the SP is used to increase the SM. On the contrary, in the second scenario, there is a feasible solution: the SP is used to reduce the SM. In the first scenario, a makespan that is lower than the optimal makespan is found. In the second scenario, a makespan that is greater than the optimal makespan is found. After getting close to bounds of the optimal makespan, the least makespan found in the bounds is the best solution.

Findings

The integration of the Petri Net (PN) model and the LMC algorithm can help to improve the production efficiency. In a case study, the proposed algorithm is being compared with other heuristical methods which are practical examples of mold makespans based on the shortest and the longest processing times. The schedule or the sequence obtained by the proposed algorithm is 30% less than the other methods.

Research limitations/implications

This research will consider scheduling multiple mold. The mold design and the mold testing phase are not considered.

Practical implications

The time to produce a mold is very important. Reducing the mold production time will provide more time for mold assembly and testing. The aim of LMC algorithm is minimize the makespan. The time to produce a mold is reduced by finding the best sequence of the jobs and machines.

Originality/value

This paper proposes the new generic hybrid Petri Net model combined with LMC for job shop scheduling problem in the case of mold making shop to optimize the makespan of mold parts scheduling.
Stress among nurses: a multi‐nation test of the demand‐control‐support model
Authors: Baba Vishwanath V. , Tourigny Louise , Wang Xiaoyun , Lituchy Terri , Inés Monserrat Silvia
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of job demand, job control, and supervisory support on stress among nurses in China, Japan, Argentina, and the Caribbean using the Job demand‐control (JDC) and the Job demand‐control‐support (JDCS) models.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have employed a comparative research design, cross‐sectional survey methodology with convenient random sampling, and a commonly used statistical analytic strategy.

Findings

The results highlight that job demand, job control, and supervisory support are important variables in understanding stress among nurses. This has been corroborated in China, Japan, Argentina, and the Caribbean. Based on their findings and what is available in the literature, the authors report that the JDCS model has universal significance albeit it works somewhat differently in different contexts.

Originality/value

This study's contribution comes from its comparative nature, theoretical anchor, its use of one of the most popular models of stress, its focus on a profession that is demonstrably stressed, its use of common measures and an established analytic strategy. The study's findings underscore the cross‐cultural usefulness and application of the JDCS model along with its threshold and substitution effects and limiting conditions.
International diversification benefits: an investigation from the perspective of Chinese investors
Authors: Jiang Chonghui , Ma Yongkai , An Yunbi
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate whether Chinese investors can benefit from international diversification and where these benefits are to be found.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies an expanding optimization procedure, which is different from the econometric methods or Monte Carlo simulations adopted in many empirical investigations in the literature. The authors' analysis is based on various realized portfolios that are set up at different dates in the sample period.

Findings

Based on a stream of realized portfolios, the authors show that Chinese investors can gain substantially in terms of risk reduction as they venture into foreign markets, regardless of the region into which they choose to diversify and whether in‐sample or out‐of‐sample performance is evaluated. However, the optimal strategies under consideration cannot achieve higher out‐of‐sample expected returns and risk‐adjusted returns than does the domestic investment.

Originality/value

In contrast with those in the literature, the authors' analysis is based on the out‐of‐sample performance of a series of realized optimal portfolios. Their method can address time‐varying correlations that are ignored in most previous research. In addition, this method not only allows them to analyze sizes of diversification benefits but also enables them to examine the major characteristics of international portfolios to gauge the effectiveness of different diversification strategies.
Key determinants of the successful adoption of new product development methods
Authors: Graner Marc , Mißler‐Behr Magdalena
Published: July 2013

Purpose

In recent years, scholars have devoted increasing attention to the use of methods in new product development. Although their positive impact on product success has been confirmed by a series of studies, little research has so far been conducted into the determinants of the successful method application. The purpose of this paper is to analyze two key determinants for the successful use of methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a structural equation modeling approach and analyzes the subject based on a large empirical sample of 410 product development projects.

Findings

The way the new product development process is formalized and the extent of top management support have a significant influence on the successful application of methods. Both factors lead to the use of more methods overall and drive the more thorough and intensive deployment of the specific methods used.

Practical implications

The paper shows how firms that are seeking a more methodical approach to new product development can consciously create the right determinants for the successful adoption of methods and by doing that can increase the success rate of their new product development activities.

Originality/value

This research adds to the literature on success factors of new product development in two distinct ways. First, the paper investigates the subject at the level of specific product development projects, based on a large empirical sample and using a structural equation modeling approach, for the first time. Second, the methods investigated were chosen in a systematic, multi step process in which the methods used by several functions involved in new product development were taken into account.
Adoption of “eco‐advantage” by SMEs: emerging opportunities and constraints
Authors: Oxborrow Lynn , Brindley Clare
Published: July 2013

Purpose

A recent study has asserted that businesses need to adopt “eco‐advantage”. This paper aims to explore the viability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) achieving “eco‐advantage” by exploring their understanding of sustainability issues, how they adopt and innovate in terms of sustainability and the benefits and obstacles they face.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach is exploratory, comprised of 15 SME embedded cases based in the UK. The cases are participants in short interventions in sustainable product and process design as a part of a university knowledge transfer project, representing the overall case. Cases are based on interviews with company participants and collaborating academics, supplemented by documentary and observational evidence.

Findings

The results build on the work on “eco‐advantage” found in a recent study, highlighting marketing, rather than compliance issues as a catalyst for change. The newly aware SME enters a development process which involves cumulative capabilities, gaining a nascent inner confidence, which includes espousing wider sustainable values.

Research limitations/implications

The results reveal the scope and challenges for SMEs to adopt more sustainable practices, encompassing innovations and a broad set of capabilities. Further research points to the need to monitor benefits as well as inputs in evaluating sustainability improvements and to consider longitudinal business sustainability issues.

Originality/value

The paper informs the emerging debate on sustainability in SMEs, providing a rich source of data to enhance the provision of business support and knowledge transfer activities, where a more holistic and customised approach is required to realise the real environmental and economic benefits accrued from implementing sustainable improvements.
Understanding the impact of technology on firms’ business models
Authors: André Cavalcante Sérgio
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact of a new global positioning technology on firms’ business models.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical setting was a consortium of Danish organizations, established to develop a positioning‐based technology platform as a basis for innovative commercial products and/or services. Three of the consortium companies were selected for case‐study research.

Findings

The main findings were that companies will use the new technology to extend their existing business models, and that the technology platform potentially represents the creation of a new business model for the partner companies in the consortium.

Practical implications

This paper is important in that it will help companies understand technological impact from a business model perspective, thereby enabling them to manage innovation better by distinguishing between the creation, extension, revision or termination of business models.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this study is its use of the business model perspective to analyse the impact of an emergent technology on companies’ innovation activities. This perspective makes it easier to develop strategic initiatives while managing innovation, and underlines the importance of purposive human action in adopting a proactive behaviour, reducing deterministic views on technological impact.
Effects of individual characteristics on expatriates' adjustment and job performance
Authors: Awais Bhatti Muhammad , Kaur Sharan , Mohamed Battour Mohamed
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Researchers have been focusing on the predictors of expatriates' adjustment and job performance at different levels (individual level, organizational level and societal level), but still some of the predictors have been ignored or unclear in the expatriate literature. The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive framework in order to better understand the role of individual factors in expatriate adjustment and job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The review of past research is used to develop a conceptual framework.

Findings

This conceptual paper provides theoretical ground for individual factors which include Big Five, self‐efficacy, previous international experience, cultural sensitivity and social network and proposes that expatriate adjustment (work, general and interaction adjustment) mediates the relationship between individual factors (personality traits (Big Five), self‐efficacy, previous international experience, cultural sensitivity and social network) and expatriate job performance (rated by peer and supervisor).

Practical implications

This paper also provides practical implications for the managers and professionals involved in expatriates' selection, training and performance management. This paper suggests that managers involved in selection of candidates for international assignment should consider personality traits, level of self‐efficacy, previous international experience, social network and cultural sensitivity at the time of selection of candidates for international assignment. Furthermore, managers should design pre‐departure training programs in a way that enhances candidates' self‐efficacy level, overcomes cultural sensitivity, and motivates them to expand social network. Finally, managers should explain to the candidates how they can use their personal skills and knowledge to gain work, general and interactions adjustment in order to achieve job tasks.

Originality/value

The proposed framework is developed based on the past theoretical review in order to cover the gap and contribute to the body of knowledge in expatriate literature. Based on the proposed framework, this paper invites researchers to empirically test the suggested propositions in order to further strengthen and develop understanding about individual factors including Big Five and other expatriates' adjustment and job performance predictors.
Employee motivation for personal development plan effectiveness
Authors: Eisele Lisa , Grohnert Therese , Beausaert Simon , Segers Mien
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This article aims to understand conditions under which personal development plans (PDPs) can effectively be implemented for professional learning. Both the organization's manner of supporting the PDP practice as well as the individual employee's motivation is taken into account.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was distributed among employees of a Dutch governmental office, measuring perceived effectiveness of the tool (undertaking learning activities and performance), perceptions of PDP practices in the organization, and individual motivation. Regression analysis revealed that learning and reflection practices in the organization are positively related to number of learning activities undertaken by employees and to perceived performance.

Findings

A significant moderating effect of motivation was found, supporting the idea that the tool's perceived effectiveness depends both on the organization's efforts as well as the individual's motivation.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, the authors were limited by a low response rate, a single setting, as well as a lack of causal evidence due to the cross‐sectional set‐up. They therefore encourage the validation of their hypotheses in different settings, and in an experimental/longitudinal manner.

Practical implications

Implications for practice include the importance for organizations to implement PDPs in an on‐going cycle of learning, combined with opportunities for formal and informal learning, while supervisors carry great responsibility for providing feedback and encouragement based on the employee's motivation for learning.

Originality/value

This combination of company practices with individual supporting conditions such as employees' motivation to understand when PDPs work best is a novel approach to understanding PDP effectiveness and hopes to add to both theoretical and practical understanding.
Workers view Shanghai Hanye as a member of the family
Authors: Le Jia‐ang , Zhang Jing‐jing , Han Yong
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to explore employee empowerment at the Shanghai Hanye Information Technology Company.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes the various forms that employee empowerment takes at the company, its limitations and the advantages it has brought.

Findings

It reports that empowerment is serving to encourage: honest, open, co‐operative and harmonious communications and relationships in the workplace; loyalty to the company; greater participation in the cultural life of the organization and its decision‐making processes; and a more unified enterprise spirit.

Practical implications

The paper explains that employees are expected to: contribute ideas that could help to overcome organizational difficulties; sacrifice self‐interest in favor of the interests of the organization; work on regardless if misunderstandings or conflicts occur; and serve as intermediary for building relationships with other organizations.

Social implications

The paper reveals that this type of “spiritual” HR is part of the prevailing ethos in the People's Republic of China.

Originality/value

This study provides interesting detail, from an insider perspective, on employee empowerment in a Chinese context.
Where companies take risks on the road to greater safety
Authors: Crothers Ruth
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight the importance of the introduction of the driver certificate of professional competence (CPC) regulations and training staff to ensure that they are driving safely during work hours and are fully trained in the event of an emergency.

Design/methodology/approach

It explains where current legislation and practice fall short in the area of road safety and considers what can be done about it.

Findings

The paper argues that, with a high volume of road accidents occurring during work hours where the responsibility falls with employers, there is more that they can do to minimize risk through training employees.

Practical implications

It advises that, with the introduction of the compulsory CPC course looming, employers should be acting now to train staff to prevent accidents and protect employees.

Social implications

It suggests a way in which the toll of death and injury on the roads can be reduced.

Originality/value

The paper puts forward the view that, from improving driver training to reallocating drivers to closer depots and implementing routine health checks, it is the organizations that take an active approach to traffic management that will not only reduce costs but also help to cut road accidents.
How social workers spend their time in frontline children's social care in England
Authors: Holmes Lisa , McDermid Samantha
Published: July 2013

Purpose

In England in recent years, concerns have been raised about the proportion of time social workers and other frontline children's social care practitioners spend carrying out desk‐based, administrative activities. This article aims to report time use activity data from front line workers on the amount of time spent on different activities to support children in need (as defined by the 1989 Children Act).

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from a range of sources including focus groups, event records (diaries completed by practitioners) and online surveys.

Findings

The proportion of time spent on direct and indirect activities varies according to the types of process. Those associated with ongoing support have the highest proportion of direct activity, whereas those associated with decision making, especially if a one‐off activity, have the highest proportion of administrative activities. The greater the needs of the child, the more direct and indirect support was given, but there was some variation across social work teams. But the activities of social workers are interconnected, making it difficult to provide conclusive evidence, but the concern about the imbalance between direct work and administrative tasks seems justified.

Research implications/limitations

The findings highlight the complexity of exploring how social workers spend their time and how the proportion of time spent on direct and indirect activities is determined by the needs and circumstances of children and their families.

Practical implications

Wider contextual practice issues are also explored including the recent increases in referrals to children's social care and the use of electronic recording systems.

Originality/value

The breakdown of the activities using the approach outlined in the article increases transparency in understanding how social workers spend their time.
Impact of business diversification on South African construction companies' corporate performance
Authors: Oyekunle Oyewobi Luqman , Olukemi Windapo Abimbola , Cattell Keith S.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and examine whether there is any significant relationship between the extent of business diversification and the performance of construction firms in South Africa. The rationale for the examination stems from the view that the relationship between diversification and the performance of construction firms raises important issues in strategic management and cross‐border business. In contractors' growth however, there is a dearth of empirical research and theoretical arguments regarding the effects of business diversification on construction company performance in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed the use of a case study and archival approaches using semi‐structured interviews to elicit primary qualitative and quantitative data over a period of five years for large construction companies listed in Grade 7‐9 on the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) contractor register. The scope of services and geographic diversification are computed from the sourced data. Dependent variables are the measure of performance using Return on Total Asset (ROTA), Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) and Profit Margin (PM); independent variables used are service/Product Diversification (PD) and Geographic Diversification (GD); while control variables used are size, age, technical capability and capital structure of the construction firms.

Findings

It emerged that established construction companies on the cidb contractor registers perform and diversify more in their service/product better than the newly upgraded contractors and this was evident in their performance with respect to profit margin. The results also indicated that there are no statistically significant differences in the performance of diversified and undiversified firms, although diversification was found to have a positive impact on the corporate performance of construction companies.

Originality/value

The outcomes of the research are useful to decision makers and managers of construction companies, as they will help in making viable corporate strategic diversification decisions. The study also engenders a better understanding of the effect of both product and geographic diversification on the performance of contractors.
Exploring the requirements of regional knowledge‐based management
Authors: Salonius Henna , Käpylä Jonna
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to explore the requirements of knowledge‐based management in the regional development network of the Tampere region in Finland.

Design/methodology/approach

The requirements of knowledge‐based management are analysed on the basis of the perceptions of the regional developers interviewed (n=13) and by using the extended SECI model and intellectual capital framework as analytical tools.

Findings

Different regions benefit from different knowledge‐based management activities according to their performance in the cycle of the extended SECI model and the intellectual capital available among the regional developers. When the knowledge‐based management requirements of a regional development network are identified by applying these two frameworks, more appropriate investments (e.g. for ICT infrastructure) and development activities can be made.

Research limitations/implications

The perspectives of knowledge creation (i.e. the extended SECI model) and intellectual capital provide one approach for evaluating the call for knowledge‐based management of regional development. Other perspectives are also expected to be valuable as the understanding of regional knowledge‐based management in different contexts is enhanced.

Originality/value

The study contributes by proposing and applying a method for evaluating the requirements of regional knowledge‐based management.
RFID in libraries: a case study on implementation
Authors: Bahri Shamshul , Ibrahim Amir
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a process model of an implementation of an emerging information technology in a library. The study was motivated by a lack of process model that can guide existing and future library managers in implementing such technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was developed using the qualitative research method. Specifically, the case study research approach was employed to investigate how the first public library in the UK implemented the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Interviews were conducted with the people who were involved in the implementation of the technology.

Findings

A process model of emerging IT implementation in a library was developed. The model is divided into three phases: before, during and after the installation. It consists of ten activities, starting from soliciting requirements until enhancing the RFID system.

Research limitations/implications

The model developed in this study overcomes the lack of a model on emerging IT implementation process. However, it was based on the implementation of RFID technology. Future research can enhance the model by using it on future library technologies.

Practical implications

Library managers may use the model to guide them in the implementation of emerging IT generally, and RFID specifically.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study lies in the new model of emerging IT implementation process.
A genomic update on clostridial phylogeny: Gram‐negative spore formers and other misplaced clostridia
Authors: Yutin Natalya , Galperin Michael Y.
Published: July 2013

The class Clostridia in the phylum Firmicutes (formerly low‐G+C Gram‐positive bacteria) includes diverse bacteria of medical, environmental and biotechnological importance. The Selenomonas‐Megasphaera‐Sporomusa branch, which unifies members of the Firmicutes with Gram‐negative‐type cell envelopes, was recently moved from Clostridia to a separate class Negativicutes. However, draft genome sequences of the spore‐forming members of the Negativicutes revealed typically clostridial sets of sporulation genes. To address this and other questions in clostridial phylogeny, we have compared a phylogenetic tree for a concatenated set of 50 widespread ribosomal proteins with the trees for beta subunits of the RNA polymerase (RpoB) and DNA gyrase (GyrB) and with the 16S rRNA‐based phylogeny. The results obtained by these methods showed remarkable consistency, suggesting that they reflect the true evolutionary history of these bacteria. These data put the Selenomonas‐Megasphaera‐Sporomusa group back within the Clostridia. They also support placement of Clostridium difficile and its close relatives within the family Peptostreptococcaceae; we suggest resolving the long‐standing naming conundrum by renaming it Peptoclostridium difficile. These data also indicate the existence of a group of cellulolytic clostridia that belong to the family Ruminococcaceae. As a tentative solution to resolve the current taxonomical problems, we propose assigning 78 validly described Clostridium species that clearly fall outside the family Clostridiaceae to six new genera: Peptoclostridium, Lachnoclostridium, Ruminiclostridium, Erysipelatoclostridium, Gottschalkia and Tyzzerella. This work reaffirms that 16S rRNA and ribosomal protein sequences are better indicators of evolutionary proximity than phenotypic traits, even such key ones as the structure of the cell envelope and Gram‐staining pattern.
How Did Finance Capital Infiltrate the World of the Urban Poor? Homeownership and Social Fragmentation in a Spanish Neighborhood
Authors: Palomera Jaime
Published: July 2013

When working‐class localities in developed countries are in question, social fragmentation is often analyzed along ethnic lines. Instead, this article claims that it is more critically fruitful to explore fragmentation in terms of people's relations with the state and different forms of capital. It does this by considering housing in Spain as a key resource that connects state policies both with the forms of reproduction and (dis)organization of the disadvantaged, and with the development of real estate and finance capital. First, it unfolds the historical formation of the Spanish ‘homeownership culture’ and the construction–finance complex. Second, starting from an in‐depth ethnography of a peripheral neighborhood in Barcelona, it emphasizes the embeddedness of recent financialization in the livelihood strategies of poor households. Finally, it shows how the process led to a commodification and erosion of those social relations on which it partially depended, thereby exposing problems for class reproduction and fracture lines among the urban poor.
The genetics of pro‐arrhythmic adverse drug reactions
Authors: Petropoulou Evmorfia , Jamshidi Yalda , Behr Elijah R.
Published: July 2013

Ventricular arrhythmia induced by drugs (pro‐arrythmia) is an uncommon event, whose occurrence is unpredictable but potentially fatal. The ability of a variety of medications to induce these arrhythmias is a significant problem facing the pharmaceutical industry. Genetic variants have been shown to play a role in adverse events and are also known to influence an individual's optimal drug dose. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the role of genetic variants in modulating the risk of drug induced arrhythmias.
Maternal 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and its association with childhood atopic outcomes and lung function
Authors: Wills A. K. , Shaheen S. O. , Granell R. , Henderson A. J. , Fraser W. D. , Lawlor D. A.
Published: July 2013

Background

It has been suggested that maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy influences the risk of asthma and atopy in the offspring. The epidemiological evidence to support these claims is conflicting and may reflect chance findings and differences in how vitamin D was assessed.

Objective

To examine the association between blood total maternal 25‐hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in pregnancy and offspring asthma, atopy and lung function in the largest birth cohort study to date.

Methods

Participants were largely of white European origin and resident in the South West of England. We examined the associations of maternal 25(OH)D concentrations in pregnancy with the following outcomes in the offspring: wheeze, asthma, atopy, eczema, hayfever, at mean age 7.5 years (n = 3652–4696 depending on outcome), IgE at 7 years (n = 2915) and lung function and bronchial responsiveness at mean age 8.7 years (n = 3728–3784).

Results

Sixty‐eight per cent of mothers had sufficient (> 50 nmol/L) concentrations of 25(OH)D, 27% were insufficient (27.5–49.99 nmol/L) and 5% were deficient (< 27.5 nmol/L). There was no evidence to suggest that maternal 25(OH)D concentration in pregnancy was associated with any respiratory or atopic outcome in the offspring. These findings remained after adjustment for season of measurement and for potential confounders. There was also no evidence that these relationships followed a non‐linear form and no evidence that either deficient or high concentrations of maternal 25(OH)D were associated with atopic or respiratory outcomes.

Conclusions

We found no evidence that maternal blood 25(OH)D concentration in pregnancy is associated with childhood atopic or respiratory outcomes.
Privacy‐Preserving Naïve Bayesian Classifier–Based Recommendations on Distributed Data
Authors: Kaleli Cihan , Polat Huseyin
Published: July 2013

Data collected for recommendation purposes might be distributed among various e‐commerce sites, which can collaboratively provide more accurate predictions. However, because of privacy concerns, they might not want to work together. If privacy measures are provided, they may decide to become involved in prediction generation processes. We propose privacy‐preserving schemes eliminating e‐commerce sites’ privacy concerns for providing predictions on distributed data. We investigate how to achieve naïve Bayesian classifier‐based recommendations when data are distributed horizontally or vertically among multiple parties, even competing ones, without greatly violating their confidentiality. We analyze our schemes in terms of privacy and additional costs and show that they do not deeply violate online vendors’ secrecy and they cause insignificant overhead costs. We also perform experiments on real data, evaluate our outcomes, and provide suggestions. Our empirical results show that our schemes produce more accurate predictions.
Teaching as Theater
Authors: Schmenner Roger W.
Published: July 2013

As new media proliferate, professors need to be particularly attentive to the ways by which students learn—in and out of the classroom—and how scarce classroom time can be organized. This article argues that professors' comparative advantage lies as an exemplar of discipline‐based thinking. Effective training in how to think about problems (the essence of any discipline) demands that professors embrace the classroom as theater, where business drama and the story it tells can capture the hearts and minds of the student participants. The article talks through a case as theater.