bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a two-step thermal method for separating organic and elemental carbon for radiocarbon analysis
Authors: Dusek U. , Monaco M. , Prokopiou M. , Gongriep F. , Hitzenberger R. , Meijer H. A. J. , Röckmann T.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. We thoroughly characterized a system for thermal separation of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) for subsequent radiocarbon analysis. Different organic compounds as well as ambient aerosol filter samples were introduced into an oven system and combusted to CO2 in pure O2. The main objective was to test which combustion times and temperatures are best suited to separate OC and EC. The final separation step for OC was combustion at 360 °C for 15 min. Combustion at this temperature proved enough to remove several organic test substances from the filter (including high molecular weight humic acid) but did not remove substantial amounts of EC. For isolation of EC, OC first needs to be completely removed from the filter. This was achieved by water extraction of the filter, followed by combustion of the water insoluble OC at 360 °C and combustion at an intermediate temperature step of 2 min at 450 °C. This last step removed the most refractory OC together with some EC. Finally, the remaining EC was combusted to CO2 at 650 °C. The recovery of black carbon after the intermediate 450 °C step was approximately 80%. Several tests provided strong evidence that OC was removed efficiently during the intermediate temperature step: (i) brown carbon, indicative of refractory OC, was removed; (ii) the fraction modern of EC did not decrease significantly if the temperature of the intermediate step was further increased. Based on tests with various organic compounds, we estimated that charred organic carbon could contribute 4–8% to an elemental carbon sample that was isolated according to our method.
A newly identified calculation discrepancy of the Sunset semi-continuous carbon analyzer
Authors: Zheng G. J. , Cheng Y. , He K. B. , Duan F. K. , Ma Y. L.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. The Sunset semi-continuous carbon analyzer (SCCA) is an instrument widely used for carbonaceous aerosol measurement. Despite previous validation work, in this study we identified a new type of SCCA calculation discrepancy caused by the default multipoint baseline correction method. When exceeding a certain threshold carbon load, multipoint correction could cause significant total carbon (TC) underestimation. This calculation discrepancy was characterized for both sucrose and ambient samples, with two protocols based on IMPROVE (Interagency Monitoring of PROtected Visual Environments) (i.e., IMPshort and IMPlong) and one NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)-like protocol (rtNIOSH). For ambient samples, the IMPshort, IMPlong and rtNIOSH protocol underestimated 22, 36 and 12% of TC, respectively, with the corresponding threshold being ~ 0, 20 and 25 μgC. For sucrose, however, such discrepancy was observed only with the IMPshort protocol, indicating the need of more refractory SCCA calibration substance. Although the calculation discrepancy could be largely reduced by the single-point baseline correction method, the instrumental blanks of single-point method were higher. The correction method proposed was to use multipoint-corrected data when below the determined threshold, and use single-point results when beyond that threshold. The effectiveness of this correction method was supported by correlation with optical data.
First report of sporadic Na layers at Qingdao (36° N, 120° E), China
Authors: Ma Z. , Wang X. , Chen L. , Wu J.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. This paper reports, for the first time, observational results of mesopause sporadic Na (Nas) layers by a ground-based lidar at Qingdao (36° N, 120° E), China. Based on ~ 430 h of observational data on 95 nights from December 2007 to June 2012, we have selected a total of 53 Nas layer events. It is found that characteristics of Nas layers over Qingdao have general similarity with those over nearby sites, Wuhan (30° N, 114° E) and Hefei (32° N, 117° E), but not those over the site Hachioji (35° N, 139° E) at nearly the same latitude as Qingdao. At the same time, parameters of sporadic E (Es) layers were recorded by an ionosonde. The fact that Es layer occurrence probabilities of 19, 22, and 18% in time intervals before, during, and after the Nas layers are very close to the average occurrence ratio of the nocturnal Es layer (21%), may reveal a general independence between Nas and Es layers over Qingdao. Only those strong Nas layers above the peak altitude of the main Na layer might have a significant correlation with Es layers. In addition, a total of 11 high-altitude (above 105 km) Nas layer events have been surveyed specially. It is found that these high-altitude Nas layers were usually weak. And they possessed long-duration (> 147 min) and broad-layer width (4.0 km) compared with Nas layers below 105 km (> 96 min and 2.4 km). These characteristics are in accord with observational results at Wuhan. It is suggested that there is little correlation between this kind of Nas layers and Es layers. Finally, the summer topside enhancement phenomenon of Na atoms observed at Qingdao is in accord with several earlier observational results at different sites (18, 30, and 54° N) in the Northern Hemisphere.
Rotation of the Earth, solar activity and cosmic ray intensity
Authors: Barlyaeva T. , Bard E. , Abarca-del-Rio R.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. We analyse phase lags between the 11-year variations of three records: the semi-annual oscillation of the length of day (LOD), the solar activity (SA) and the cosmic ray intensity (CRI). The analysis was done for solar cycles 20–23. Observed relationships between LOD, CRI and SA are discussed separately for even and odd solar cycles. Phase lags were calculated using different methods (comparison of maximal points of cycles, maximal correlation coefficient, line of synchronization of cross-recurrence plots). We have found different phase lags between SA and CRI for even and odd solar cycles, confirming previous studies. The evolution of phase lags between SA and LOD as well as between CRI and LOD shows a positive trend with additional variations of phase lag values. For solar cycle 20, phase lags between SA and CRI, between SA and LOD, and between CRI and LOD were found to be negative. Overall, our study suggests that, if anything, the length of day could be influenced by solar irradiance rather than by cosmic rays.
High temperature decreases the PIC / POC ratio and increases phosphorus requirements in Coccolithus pelagicus (Haptophyta)
Authors: Gerecht A. C. , Šupraha L. , Edvardsen B. , Probert I. , Henderiks J.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Rising ocean temperatures will likely increase stratification of the water column and reduce nutrient input into the photic zone. This will increase the likelihood of nutrient limitation in marine microalgae, leading to changes in the abundance and composition of phytoplankton communities, which in turn will affect global biogeochemical cycles. Calcifying algae, such as coccolithophores, influence the carbon cycle by fixing CO2 into particulate organic carbon through photosynthesis (POC production) and into particulate inorganic carbon through calcification (PIC production). As calcification produces a net release of CO2, the ratio of PIC to POC production determines whether coccolithophores act as a source (high PIC / POC) or a sink (low PIC / POC) of atmospheric CO2. We studied the effect of phosphorus (P-) limitation and high temperature on the physiology and the PIC / POC ratio of two subspecies of Coccolithus pelagicus. This large and heavily calcified species is a major contributor to calcite export from the photic zone into deep-sea reservoirs. Phosphorus limitation did not influence exponential growth rates in either subspecies, but P-limited cells had significantly lower cellular P-content. One of the subspecies was subjected to a 5 °C temperature increase from 10 °C to 15 °C, which did not affect exponential growth rates either, but nearly doubled cellular P-content under both high and low phosphate availability. This temperature increase reduced the PIC / POC ratio by 40–60%, whereas the PIC / POC ratio did not differ between P-limited and nutrient-replete cultures when the subspecies were grown near their respective isolation temperature. Both P-limitation and elevated temperature significantly increased coccolith malformations. Our results suggest that a temperature increase may intensify P-limitation due to a higher P-requirement to maintain growth and POC production rates, possibly reducing abundances in a warmer ocean. Under such a scenario C. pelagicus may decrease its calcification rate relative to photosynthesis, thus favouring CO2 sequestration over release. It seems unlikely that P-limitation by itself causes changes in the PIC / POC ratio in this species.
Evaluation of the satellite-based Global Flood Detection System for measuring river discharge: influence of local factors
Authors: Revilla-Romero B. , Thielen J. , Salamon P. , De Groeve T. , Brakenridge G. R.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. One of the main challenges for global hydrological modelling is the limited availability of observational data for calibration and model verification. This is particularly the case for real time applications. This problem could potentially be overcome if discharge measurements based on satellite data were sufficiently accurate to substitute for ground-based measurements. The aim of this study is to test the potentials and constraints of the remote sensing signal of the Global Flood Detection System for converting the flood detection signal into river discharge values. The study uses data for 322 river measurement locations in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Satellite discharge measurements were calibrated for these sites and a validation analysis with in situ discharge was performed. The locations with very good performance will be used in a future project where satellite discharge measurements are obtained on a daily basis to fill the gaps where real time ground observations are not available. These include several international river locations in Africa: Niger, Volta and Zambezi rivers. Analysis of the potential factors affecting the satellite signal was based on a classification decision tree (Random Forest) and showed that mean discharge, climatic region, land cover and upstream catchment area are the dominant variables which determine good or poor performance of the measurement sites. In general terms, higher skill scores were obtained for locations with one or more of the following characteristics: a river width higher than 1 km; a large floodplain area and in flooded forest; with a potential flooded area greater than 40%; sparse vegetation, croplands or grasslands and closed to open and open forest; Leaf Area Index > 2; tropical climatic area; and without hydraulic infrastructures. Also, locations where river ice cover is seasonally present obtained higher skill scores. The work provides guidance on the best locations and limitations for estimating discharge values from these daily satellite signals.
Assessing the impact of different sources of topographic data on 1-D hydraulic modelling of floods
Authors: Md Ali A. , Solomatine D. P. , Di Baldassarre G.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Topographic data, such as digital elevation models (DEMs), are essential input in flood inundation modelling. DEMs can be derived from several sources either through remote sensing techniques (space-borne or air-borne imagery) or from traditional methods (ground survey). The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and topographic contour maps are some of the most commonly used sources of data for DEMs. These DEMs are characterized by different precision and accuracy. On the one hand, the spatial resolution of low-cost DEMs from satellite imagery, such as ASTER and SRTM, is rather coarse (around 30–90 m). On the other hand, LiDAR technique is able to produce a high resolution DEMs (around 1m), but at a much higher cost. Lastly, contour mapping based on ground survey is time consuming, particularly for higher scales, and may not be possible for some remote areas. The use of these different sources of DEM obviously affects the results of flood inundation models. This paper shows and compares a number of hydraulic models developed using HEC-RAS as model code and the aforementioned sources of DEM as geometric input. The study was carried out on a reach of the Johor River, in Malaysia. The effect of the different sources of DEMs (and different resolutions) was investigated by considering the performance of the hydraulic models in simulating flood water levels as well as inundation maps. The outcomes of our study show that the use of different DEMs has serious implications to the results of hydraulic models. The outcomes also indicates the loss of model accuracy due to re-sampling the highest resolution DEM (i.e. LiDAR 1 m) to lower resolution are much less compared to the loss of model accuracy due to the use of low-cost DEM that have not only a lower resolution, but also a lower quality. Lastly, to better explore the sensitivity of the hydraulic models to different DEMs, we performed an uncertainty analysis based on the GLUE methodology.
Active layer thermal monitoring at Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Maritime Antarctica
Authors: Michel R. F. M. , Schaefer C. E. G. R. , Simas F. N. B. , M. R. Francelino , Fernandes-Filho E. I. , Lyra G. B. , Bockheim J. G.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. International attention to the climate change phenomena has grown in the last decade; the active layer and permafrost are of great importance in understanding processes and future trends due to their role in energy flux regulation. The objective of the this paper is to present active layer temperature data for one CALM-S site located at Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, Maritime Antarctica over an fifth seven month period (2008–2012). The monitoring site was installed during the summer of 2008 and consists of thermistors (accuracy of ± 0.2 °C), arranged vertically with probes at different depths, recording data at hourly intervals in a~high capacity data logger. A series of statistical analysis were performed to describe the soil temperature time series, including a linear fit in order to identify global trend and a series of autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models were tested in order to define the best fit for the data. The controls of weather on the thermal regime of the active layer have been identified, providing insights about the influence of climate chance over the permafrost. The active layer thermal regime in the studied period was typical of periglacial environment, with extreme variation at the surface during summer resulting in frequent freeze and thaw cycles. The active layer thickness (ALT) over the studied period showed variability related to different annual weather conditions, reaching a maximum of 117.5 cm in 2009. The ARIMA model was considered appropriate to treat the dataset, enabling more conclusive analysis and predictions when longer data sets are available. Despite the variability when comparing temperature readings and active layer thickness over the studied period, no warming trend was detected.
Measuring the specific surface area of wet snow using 1310 nm reflectance
Authors: Gallet J.-C. , Domine F. , Dumont M.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. The specific surface area (SSA) of snow can be used as an objective measurement of grain size and is therefore a central variable to describe snow physical properties such as albedo. Snow SSA can now be easily measured in the field using optical methods based on infrared reflectance. However, existing optical methods have only been validated for dry snow. Here we test the possibility to use the DUFISSS instrument, based on the measurement of the 1310 nm reflectance of snow with an integrating sphere, to measure the SSA of wet snow. We perform cold room experiments where we measure the SSA of a wet snow sample, freeze it and measure it again, to quantify the difference in reflectance between frozen and wet snow. We study snow samples in the SSA range 12–37 m2 kg−1 and in the mass liquid water content (LWC) range 5–32%. We conclude that the SSA of wet snow can be obtained from the measurement of its 1310 nm reflectance using three simple steps. In most cases, the SSA thus obtained is less than 10 {%} different from the value that would have been obtained if the sample had been considered dry, so that the three simple steps constitute a minor correction. We also run two optical models to interpret the results, but no model reproduces correctly the water–ice distribution in wet snow, so that their predictions of wet snow reflectance are imperfect. The correction on the determination of wet snow SSA using the DUFISSS instrument gives an overall uncertainty better than 11%, even if the LWC is unknown. If SSA is expressed as a surface to volume ratio (e.g., in mm−1), the uncertainty is then 13% because of additional uncertainties in the determination of the volume of ice and water when the LWC is unknown.
Low soil organic carbon storage in a subarctic alpine permafrost environment
Authors: Fuchs M. , Kuhry P. , Hugelius G.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. This study investigates the soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in Tarfala Valley, Northern Sweden. Field inventories upscaled based on land cover show that this alpine permafrost environment does not store large amounts of SOC, with an estimate mean of 0.9 ± 0.2 kg C m−2 for the upper meter of soil. This is one to two orders of magnitude lower than what has been reported for lowland permafrost terrain. The SOC storage varies for different land cover classes and ranges from 0.05 kg C m−2 for stone-dominated to 8.4 kg C m−2 for grass-dominated areas. No signs of organic matter burial through cryoturbation or slope processes were found and radiocarbon dated SOC is generally of recent origin (<2000 cal yr BP). An inventory of permafrost distribution in Tarfala Valley, based on bottom temperature of snow measurements and a ogistic regression model, showed that at an altitude where permafrost is probable, the SOC storage is very low. In the high altitude permafrost zones (above 1500 m), soils store only ca 0.1 kg C m−2. Under future climate warming an upward shift of vegetation zones may lead to a net ecosystem C uptake from increased biomass and soil development. As a consequence, alpine permafrost environments could act as a net carbon sink in the future, as there is no loss of older or deeper SOC from thawing permafrost.
Are seasonal calving dynamics forced by buttressing from ice mélange or undercutting by melting? Outcomes from full-Stokes simulations of Store Gletscher, West Greenland
Authors: Todd J. , Christoffersen P.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. We use a full-Stokes 2-D model (Elmer/Ice) to investigate the flow and calving dynamics of Store Gletscher, a fast flowing outlet glacier in West Greenland. Based on a new, subgrid-scale implementation of the crevasse depth calving criterion, we perform two sets of simulations; one to identify the primary forcing mechanisms and another to constrain future stability. We find that the mixture of icebergs and sea-ice, known as ice mélange or sikussak, is principally responsible for the observed seasonal advance of the ice front, whereas submarine melting plays a secondary role. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates that the glacier's calving dynamics are sensitive to seasonal perturbation, but are stable on interannual timescales due to the glacier's topographic setting. Our results shed light on the dynamics of calving glaciers while explaining why neighbouring glaciers do not necessarily respond synchronously to changes in atmospheric and oceanic forcing.
A Touch on Employees Motivation
Authors: Hokroh Mohammed
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze three motivational tools and techniques namely financial, compensations and training that could help companies guide their employees toward achieving superior performance especially in Middle Eastern. Key points and recommendations are summarized.
A Survey of Multitasking Behaviors in Organizations
Authors: Russ Molly , Crews Derek E.
Published: July 2014

Individual and organizational differences in multitasking have been largely ignored by previous research.  As both individual employee and organizational characteristics exert unique and important influences on an organizational system, this study tentatively explores relationships between multitasking and individual differences and organizational outcomes. The individual differences include age, gender, personality, position in organization, tenure with employer, and industry. Organizational outcomes include commitment, job satisfaction, and pay satisfaction. A survey was administered to graduate students and alumni in an Executive MBA program, and an undergraduate business degree program. The study found that multitasking behaviors are widely occurring in the workplace, but employees’ perceptions about multitasking conflict with their reported behavior. The results indicate that the productivity losses from multitasking and interruptions are substantial, yet very few companies provide training on how to multitask effectively. The findings also provide evidence of a possible generational component in multitasking effectiveness.
Human Resources (HR) as a Strategic Business Partner: Value Creation and Risk Reduction Capacity
Authors: Mitsakis Fotios V.
Published: July 2014

The competitive forces firms face today, and will continue to face in the future, demand organizational excellence through which HR departments could make a real contribution to the business through their value-added and risk reduction capacity, while been accepted as equal strategic business partners in organizations. The article discusses HR department’s capability of being seen as an integrated value-driven business function, while it also demonstrates its risk reduction capacity, both critical outcomes of HR’s strategic positioning within the business agenda.
Human Resource Management (HRM), Economic Crisis (EC) and Business Life Cycle (BLC): A Literature Review and Discussion
Authors: Mitsakis Fotios V.
Published: July 2014

Today’s turbulent business environments require from firms to continuously re-shape their HR practices and strategies in order to sustain competitiveness within the market. Among numerous factors affecting a firm’s viability and effectiveness, the recent EC, along with firm's BLC, will also present distinctive opportunities and obstacles that will impact upon business’s units and operations. Identifying a firm’s life stage will help organizations to acknowledge their competencies and constricts so to successufully manage future challenges. The present paper examines the different BLC stages, their obstacles and the competitve strategies which organizations can implement on each phase. Based on Hoy’s (2006) BLC model, the stages are analyzed in accordance with business’ HR implementations and strategies. Additional reference is concentrated on the organizational life cycle in the banking industry. Therefore, the paper presents an extensive overview of the relevant literature on business life cycles models, followed by and analysis of a specific BLC model suggested by Hoy (2006).
Customization of Transfer of Training to the job: A Qualitative Study among Bank Managers in Ghana
Authors: Asumeng Maxwell Amoah
Published: July 2014

Recent studies have presented transfer of training to the job as a dynamic process in which customization is perceived as an important aspect of the transfer process. In spite of its significance in affecting transfer intentions and behavior, the decision to engage in customization of transfer of training by trainees has not been adequately explained in the extant literature. For the purpose of espousing the importance of customization of transfer of training in the transfer process, the study was conducted to examine how managers in a bank transfer knowledge from training to the job. Twelve managers from a reputable bank in Ghana were in-depth interviewed following a recent training program they had attended. Thematic content analysis of the data showed that managers transfer training to the job through customization, that is,  integration and adaptation of training information . Consistent with the theory on the dynamics of transfer, it was concluded that customization of transfer of training was the medium through which transfer intention is developed
An Investigation of the Effects of Organizational Readiness on Technology Acceptance in e-HRM Applications
Authors: Esen Murat , Özbağ Gönül Kaya
Published: July 2014

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effects of level of readiness to electronic human resource management (e-HRM) applications of enterprises to perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioral intention which are placed among the basic variables of Technology Acceptance Model. In the study, the readiness to e-HRM applications of enterprises is examined in five dimensions. These are Perceived Organizational Resources (POR), Perceived Organizational Support (POS), Organizational Information Policy (OIP), Perceived Organizational Innovativeness (POI) and Perceived Employee Technical Competency (PETC). The data of this survey were gathered from the enterprises which are placed among the first 500 industrial enterprises in Turkey prepared by Istanbul Chamber of Industry in 2009. The questionnaire was filled out by the directors or managers who have decisive positions in these enterprises. The questionnaire was prepared by taking the advantages of various studies (Udo et al., 2006; Prajogo and Ahmed, 2006; Alegre and Chiva, 2008; Hansen and Birkinshaw, 2007) for the sub dimensions of Organizational Readiness and for technology acceptance scale questions Davis’ Technology Acceptance Model is used. The data is analyzed by SPSS 18. At the end of the survey, it was found that Organizational Readiness variables positively affect e-HRM applications such as perceived usefulness, ease of use and behavioral intention to use.
The Influence of Work Life Balance and Job Satisfaction on Organizational Commitment of Healthcare Employees
Authors: Azeem Syed Mohammad , Akhtar Nadeem
Published: July 2014

The study examines the effects of perceived work-life balance and job satisfaction on organizational commitment among healthcare employees. It was predicted that perceived work-life balance fosters job satisfaction which leads to the organizational commitment among employees in the long run. The degree of work-life balance  is measured using the five statements from Chaney (2007) and eight statements from Gutak et. Al. (1991). Short version of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) was used to measure job satisfaction. Organizational commitment was measured by selecting 11 items from Blau et.al.’s (1993) work commitment index. 275 respondents completed the survey. Results showed that respondents have moderate level of perceived work-life balance, job satisfaction and commitment.  Significant relationship is found among work-life balance, job satisfaction and organizational commitment. A regression analysis revealed that 37% variance in organizational commitment and job satisfaction is attributed to work-life balance.
Effects of Staff Turnover on the Employee Performance of Work at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
Authors: Butali Namasaka David , Wesang’ula Poipoi Moses , Mamuli Laura Catherine
Published: July 2014

High staff turnover affects the smooth running of institutions. This study established the effect of staff turnover on performance of work in Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). Specific objectives of the study were: to identify effects of staff turnover on administrative work and to identify financial/economic effects of staff turnover. A conceptual framework formed the basis of this study. Correlational research design was used in this study. Cluster random sampling procedure was used to collect data. Questionnaires, interviews, document analysis and observation were blended to capture authentic and exhaustive data. A randomly selected sample of 25 departments was used in this study. A total of 152 respondents participated. Data were analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics.. The study established that economically, staff turnover in increases work for the remaining staff, leads to customer dissatisfaction, brings about decreased income due to reduced productivity, and leads to increased liability to the practice. Socially, staff turnover lowers staff morale and creates gaps in the social groupings. The study recommends that MMUST should improve on mechanisms of getting feedback from its staff members regarding problems that are likely to cause staff turnover. In addition, staff taking over duties performed by those exiting be given proper orientation.
Employee Turnover Intention in services sector of Pakistan
Authors: Bajwa Ehsan Ullah , Yousaf Muhammad , Rizwan Muhammad
Published: July 2014

The idea of Employee Turnover Intention (ETI) is becoming hot topic for multinational, domestic and local organizations, even in the government organization’s and private companies. So few of the scholars have discussed many factors which influence the ETI variable, so therefore some of the factors are discussed those are Workplace Environment, Job Satisfaction and Job Performance which give positive affect on ETI. As the studies which are already done on the services sector of Pakistan are not much on the factors like Workplace Environment (WPE) and Job Performance (JP). So the main purpose of that study is to check the influence of WPI, JP and JS on the ETI in the services sector of Pakistan. The total sample size of the respondents of different employees from high level of income to low level of income the data was collected from them were 200, so then the data was processed by using multiple regression analysis software. So we found that job satisfaction(JS), job performance(JP), workplace environment(WPE) give an impact on employee turnover intention(ETI) in the services sector of Pakistan.
The Impact of the Job Stress, Job Autonomy and Working Conditions on Employee Satisfaction
Authors: Rizwan Muhammad , Jamil Muhammad Imran , Shahid Umar , Saeedi H.M. Akhtar , Faisal Nabeel , Islam Zohaib ul , Qadeer Ahad , Mateen Abdul
Published: July 2014

This paper elaborates a comprehensive judgment of employee satisfaction indices of business, the factors resulting the displeasure & suggestions to improve them. Satisfaction of human reserve result the close relations to very much-motivated Human Resources (HR). Additionally, little levels of employee satisfaction were associated to negative work actions and motivations. There is a great concern about the employee satisfaction and their involvement among employees is having the opportunity to use their efforts and skills at work. Employees commonly have skills and efforts beyond the place for which they were hired. The study investigates the special effects of job stress, working conditions and job autonomy on employee satisfaction. The quantitative data was collected from the industrial sector and  private banking scatter (Financial institutions) of the Punjab (Bahawalpur) that consists of a sample size of 180 including the administrative, accounts and finance. The suitable sampling technique was used to collect the data from the target population. The 160 questionnaires were circulated in the administrative, accounts and finance. For analysis, we have used regression analysis techniques. The results showed that job stress has a relationship with employee satisfaction. Job autonomy & Working conditions has also positive impact on employee satisfaction. These factors determine the satisfaction of the employee. In our opinion if the company is able to develop the desired facilities for their employees, then they can perform better.
A Comparative Analysis of the Factors Effecting the Employee Motivation and Employee Performance in Pakistan
Authors: Rizwan Muhammad , Tariq Mahum , Hassan Rabab , Sultan Amna
Published: July 2014

Employee motivation is considered as a force that drives the employees toward attaining specified goal and objectives of the organization. Now days it is one of the sizzling issue in organizations since every wants to make best use of their financial and human resources. Our Purpose of this study is basically to identify that what kind of factors influence employ motivation in Pakistan and up to which extent motivation affects the employee performance. Two preceding factors influence the employ motivation. By using self-administered questionnaires we collected data from our 150 respondents. For regression analysis we entered all that that data into SPSS and do analysis also. Results of our study show significant relationship of employ motion and employ performance. Our study is a vital source for the national and international HR personnel’s to collect information how different factors effect employee motivation and performance.
The determinants of purchase intention of consumers towards counterfeit shoes in Pakistan
Authors: Chaudary Muhammad Waqas Tariq , Ahmed Furqan , Gill Muhammad Sajid , Rizwan Muhammad
Published: July 2014

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to understand the factors that inﬂuence attitude and purchase intention of the consumers towards buying counterfeits especially the counterfeit shoes. Particularly we are interested in the factors; attitude, value consciousness, social status, low price, easy access and previous experience.Design/Methodology/Approach- Total 180 participants out of 200 completed the questionnaire that contained two sections. Section I contained 5 questions for data collection regarding demographics of the participants, Section II contained 24 different statements related to purchase intention, attitude towards buying counterfeit shoes, value consciousness, low price, social status and past experience. The data was analyzed using linear regression.Findings - Low Price, Easy Access and Past Experience have a Positive significant relationship with Attitude towards Buying Counterfeit Shoes, while Value Consciousness (negative) and Social Status found an insignificant relationship with Attitude towards Buying Counterfeit Shoes. Attitude towards Buying Counterfeit Shoes explains a considerable percentage of the variance of intention to purchase counterfeits Shoes. Low Price and Past Experience found a positive significant relation with Purchase intention while Easy Access found (negative) an insignificant relation with purchase intention.Research Limitations - A more appropriate and effective method will be the data collection from the individuals doing shopping in the shopping malls and other shoes shops. Ethical and moral values influenced by culture, nationality and other such factors may be included. Future research should examine attitude and purchase intention of consumers in regards of T-shirt, Dress Shirts and Jeans.Originality/Value - A specific high usage consumer item, one of the basic needs of people; studied as opposed to previous studies only examining Counterfeit Mobile phones.
Consumer’s purchase intention towards Counterfeit Mobile Phones
Authors: Rizwan Muhammad , Ali Anum , Anjum Husna , Naseer Madiha , Majeed Zahida , Ali Muhammad Aftab , Anwar Atif
Published: July 2014

The purpose of the study is to find the consumer purchase intention toward counterfeit mobile phone. Why customers preferred the counterfeit mobile phone. Different companies try to fulfill the demand of the customer but due to the some factors the demand of the counterfeit mobile phone increase time to time. Data was collected from 150 peoples through questioners. We performed factor analysis and structural model to test the measurement and structural models. The finding indicated that, price, previous experience and social influence and attitude are the factors those positively affects consumer purchase intention towards purchasing counterfeit mobile phone. Limitation of this study is that the respondents were more qualified than population. Through this research, the genuine mobile phone producers can enhance their target consumer toward their own products by focusing those all variables that influence consumer purchasing behavior towards counterfeit mobile phone. In this paper the study was focused on a single phenomena of counterfeiting, CMP. In a country where people use cell phones more than others third world countries.
Extending TAM, in terms of Trust and Attitude towards the Online shopping intention
Authors: Rafique Momal , Rizwan Muhammad , Batool Aymen , Aslam Faiza
Published: July 2014

Purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between future online shopping intention and different variables that has an influence on online shopping intention. This follows a line of investigation that offers insight into the customer’s attitude. The outcomes of this paper have very trivial results on marketers, sellers and system providers of online shopping. The impact of different variables like trust, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and attitude towards online shopping is tested through Convenience sampling. The sample size is 160 questioners, which are distributed among students and professionals for data collection. Regression analysis is use to test the hypotheses. The outcomes show that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use affect attitude towards online shopping and the results prove that attitude is a functional variable, which has positively strong effect on future intention of online shopping. A finding also proves that trust has significant effect on online shopping intention. Besides these findings, the present study open numerous areas to be investigated in the future research. The present study only focus on intention and attitude, which do not always become actual behavior, thus future research could obtain results from experienced internet shoppers to contrast the results of the proposed model. Many researches are done on the impact of technology on online shopping; however, this study determines the effect of trust and attitude towards on online shopping on online shopping intention.
Thirteen years on the hunt for Buxbaumia viridis in the Czech Republic: still on the tip of the iceberg?
Authors: Holá Eva , Vrba Jan , Linhartová Renata , Novozámská Eva , Zmrhalová Magda , Plášek Vítězslav , Kučera Jan
Published: July 2014

Rare epixylic moss Buxbaumia viridis, which is one of the “Annex II” species of the European “Habitat directive”, has been recorded at 124 localities in the Czech Republic in course of the last 13 years. Most of them were discovered in the last five years following a dedicated search at both historical sites of occurrence and new localities with putatively suitable habitat conditions. The recent and historical area of occupancy and extent of occurrence are not obviously different, although most of the recent localities are concentrated in the Western Carpathians and the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. Surprisingly, only 38% of the localities are located in natural forest habitats, of which herb-rich and acidophilous beech forests were among the most commonly inhabited ones. The rest of occurrences were recorded in non-natural forests (habitats strongly influenced or created by man), particularly the coniferous forest plantations. Sufficient amount of decaying wood of the advanced decay stages, as well as sufficient and constant humidity are crucial prerequisites for the occurrence of B. viridis in both types of forests. True epixylic moss Herzogiella seligeri and the liverwort Chiloscyphus profundus were recorded as the most common associated species, while the rest of commonly co-occurring species were facultatively epixylic, ground or ubiquitous bryophytes; other specialized and rare epixylic mosses or liverworts were only rarely recorded. We also designed a potential distribution model for B. viridis based on the distribution of habitats most commonly occupied by the studied moss. Despite the simplicity of the model, its close match with the recent distribution in the Western Carpathians, the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. and Šumava Mts. supports its relevance for the real distribution of B. viridis.
Pour une histoire intégrante. La construction de la mémoire dans une société diversifiée
Authors: Bouchard Gérard
Published: July 2014

La science historique, on le sait, a toujours eu partie liée avec l’actualité ; elle ne se construit jamais à distance de ses soubresauts. La société québécoise en offre présentement quelques exemples éloquents. Ainsi, depuis quelques années, une controverse s’est élevée au sujet de l’enseignement de l’histoire nationale ; certains voudraient lui assigner une fonction à dominante civique, alors que d’autres insistent sur sa vocation d’éveilleuse de la conscience nationale. En parallèle, une autre controverse a mis en cause la survie de la culture québécoise dans un contexte de diversité ethnoculturelle. L’orientation pluraliste préconisée par un grand nombre de citoyens (et mise en forme dans l’interculturalisme québécois) est accusée de compromettre la continuité culturelle du Québec francophone, contraignant en quelque sorte ses membres à renoncer à leur mémoire, d’oublier ce qu’ils sont. De la même façon, le débat sur les valeurs dites nationales présente couramment les valeurs universelles comme impropres à nourrir une véritable identité ; on serait ici irrémédiablement confronté à la dichotomie particularisme-universalisme. Dans chacun de ces cas (et d’autres qui sont brièvement abordés dans le texte), on observe que deux sphères ou deux entités sont posées comme antinomiques. Cet article voudrait montrer que c’est une erreur, qu’en réalité on est en présence non pas d’une contradiction mais d’une complémentarité.
L’impossible oubli : Fernand Ouellet, la Révolution tranquille et la république contrefactuelle des Patriotes1
Authors: Poitras Daniel
Published: July 2014

L’historien Fernand Ouellet a suscité beaucoup de débats. Ses thèses, en opposition à l’historiographie traditionnelle, cherchaient à baliser la voie à un Québec modernisé, post-nationaliste et en phase avec le Progrès. Bien que ses apports à l’histoire économique et sociale soient bien connus, on s’est peu attardé au contexte d’élaboration de ses thèses. En retournant à sa production au tournant des années 1960, nous démontrons que l’interprétation ouelletienne de l’histoire est étroitement liée au régime d’historicité modernisateur. La rupture avec les traditions, la valorisation de la rationalité et de l’économique, la sécularisation, l’ouverture à l’universel, thèmes clés à l’époque, servent d’indicateurs ou d’horizons à l’historien pour jauger le passé. En s’attardant particulièrement à la première moitié du XIXe siècle, Ouellet cherche pourquoi les Canadiens français, à cause du nationalisme de leurs élites, ont été entraînés dans les Rébellions de 1837-1838. Par là, l’historien livre un avertissement au lecteur, puisque c’est son horizon au tournant des années 1960, avec l’affirmation étatique et nationale du Québec, qui l’incite à revisiter le passé. C’est pourquoi Ouellet en vient à esquisser, au crayon noir, ce qu’aurait pu être une république patriote au cours des XIXe et XXe siècles.
Une biographie politique et intellectuelle de Louis Francoeur
Authors: Noël Mathieu
Published: July 2014

Cet article est une biographie politique et intellectuelle de Louis Francoeur (1895-1941), l’un des journalistes canadiens-français les plus influents des années 1930. Nous présentons sa carrière tout en portant une attention particulière à son parcours politique et intellectuel. D’abord intéressé par la vie ecclésiastique, il quitte l’ordre des Bénédictins au début des années 1920 pour entreprendre une carrière dans le journalisme et la politique. À partir de l’été de 1940, il anime à Radio-Canada l’émission quotidienne La situation ce soir, dans laquelle il présente et commente les actualités entourant la Deuxième Guerre mondiale. Louis Francoeur était un conservateur nationaliste et catholique, mais de tendance plus progressiste que traditionaliste.
Honing in on enteric fever
Authors: McKinnon Lyle R , Abdool Karim Quarraisha
Published: July 2014

The use of metabolomics could lead to improved diagnostics for enteric fever.
Luteolin Induces Apoptosis by Up-regulating miR-34a in Human Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Wu Hao , Huang Min , Liu Yatian , Shu Yongqian , Liu Ping
Published: July 2014

Luteolin (39, 49, 5, 7-tetrahydroxyflavone) is a natural flavonoid that exists in several types of vegetables, fruits, and medicinal herbs that inhibits tumorigenesis in different types of cancer. In this study, we demonstrate luteolin-mediated regulation of cell apoptosis in a gastric cancer cell line through inhibition of the apoptosis regulatory protein Bcl-2. MTT and flow cytometric analysis indicate that luteolin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed that miR-34a expression is downregulated in the majority of human primary gastric cancer tissues (8/12, 66.7%), compared with adjacent, pair-matched non-tumor tissues. Target analysis indicated that micro RNA (miR)-34a directly regulates Bcl-2, and miR-34a overexpression decreased Bcl-2 protein level in gastric cancer cells. We also found that luteolin upregulates miR-34a expression and downregulates Bcl-2 expression. Furthermore, anti-miR-34a oligonucleotides (AMO) partly reverse luteolin-induced Bcl-2 downregulation in gastric cancer cells. Based on these results, we can draw the conclusion that luteolin partly decreases Bcl-2 expression through upregulating miR-34a expression. This study shows for the first time that the miR-34a pathway plays an important role in luteolin-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells.
Mental Health and Poverty in Young Lives: Intersections and Directions
Authors: Tilleczek Kate , Ferguson Moira , Campbell Valerie , Lezeu Katherine Elizabeth
Published: July 2014

This paper provides a conceptual synthesis of literature that addresses intersections of mental health, poverty, and school. It is based on a research synthesis for the youth policy framework for Ontario, Stepping Stones. The paper addresses research on challenges involving income inequality, poverty, and mental health that impinge upon school, and examines the enduring ill effects of these issues and academic struggles on young lives. It suggests practices that show promise to support youth. Findings suggest that transitions through school involve multiple developmental negotiations and are a critical site of slippages and successes. The paper ends with a set of reflective questions around age out (of the child and youth services system), the need to address stigma by animating the abundant character of young lives (addressing the subtleties and nuances of the life stories, biographies, and narratives of young people and their communities), the need for authentic collaborations across health and education, and working with and for young people as they collectively and individually determine and negotiate their lives.
The Application of KillerRed for Acute Protein Inactivation in Living Cells
Authors: Jarvela Timothy S. , Linstedt Adam D.
Published: July 2014

Generating loss of protein function is a powerful investigatory tool particularly if carried out on a physiologically relevant timescale in a live‐cell fluorescent imaging experiment. KillerRed mediated chromophore assisted light inactivation (CALI) uses genetic encoding for specificity and light for acute inactivation that can also be spatially restricted. This unit provides protocols for setting up and carrying out properly controlled KillerRed experiments during live‐cell imaging of cultured cells. Curr. Protoc. Cytom. 69:12.35.1‐12.35.10. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.