bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Not looking where you are leaping: a novel method of oriented travel in the caterpillar
Calindoea trifascialis
(Moore) (Lepidoptera: Thyrididae)
Authors: Humphreys Kim , Darling D. Christopher
Published: August 2013

The prepupation caterpillar of the Southeast Asian moth
Calindoea trifascialis
constructs a leaf shelter that jumps across the ground using a jumping method novel among the insects. We found that movement path direction was correlated to the direction opposite to the most intense light. Correlated random walk (CRW) analyses found net squared displacements higher than predicted by a CRW, and fractal dimension analysis indicated straighter paths at large spatial scales. Rearing experiments showed high mortality from predation on the ground, but higher mortality resulted from sun exposure. We interpret jumping path orientation as an efficient search strategy to find shade in a variable landscape, given limited perception, in the presence of overheating and desiccation risks.
A brood parasite selects for its own egg traits
Authors: Spottiswoode Claire N.
Published: August 2013

Many brood parasitic birds lay eggs that mimic their hosts' eggs in appearance. This typically arises from selection from discriminating hosts that reject eggs which differ from their own. However, selection on parasitic eggs may also arise from parasites themselves, because it should pay a laying parasitic female to detect and destroy another parasitic egg previously laid in the same host nest by a different female. In this study, I experimentally test the source of selection on greater honeyguide (
Indicator indicator
) egg size and shape, which is correlated with that of its several host species, all of which breed in dark holes. Its commonest host species did not discriminate against experimental eggs that differed from their own in size and shape, but laying female honeyguides preferentially punctured experimental eggs more than host or control eggs. This should improve offspring survival given that multiple parasitism by this species is common, and that honeyguide chicks kill all other nest occupants. Hence, selection on egg size in greater honeyguides parasitizing bee-eaters appears to be imposed not by host defences but by interference competition among parasites themselves.
Bernard Yarnton Mills AC FAA. 8 August 1920 — 25 April 2011
Authors: Frater R. H. , Goss W. M. , Wendt H. W.
Published: August 2013

Bernie Mills is remembered globally as an influential pioneer in the evolving field of radio astronomy. His contributions with the ‘Mills Cross’ at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Division of Radiophysics and later at the University of Sydney’s School of Physics and the development of the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope (MOST) were widely recognized as astronomy evolved in the years 1948–85 and radio astronomy changed the viewpoint of the astronomer as a host of new objects were discovered.
Defining the relationship between fetal Doppler indices, abdominal circumference and growth rate in severe fetal growth restriction using functional linear discriminant analysis
Authors: Talmor Alon , Daemen Anneleen , Murdoch Edile , Missfelder-Lobos Hannah , Timmerman Dirk , Bourne Tom , Giussani Dino A. , Lees Christoph
Published: August 2013

The relationship between Doppler measurements, size and growth rate in fetal growth restriction has not been defined. We used functional linear discriminant analysis (FLDA) to investigate these parameters taking account of the difficulties inherent in exploring relationships between repeated observations from a small number of cases. In 40 fetuses with severe growth restriction, serial abdominal circumference (AC), umbilical, middle cerebral artery (MCA) and ductus venosus Doppler pulsatility index measurements were recorded. In 11 singleton fetuses with normal growth, umbilical artery pulsatility index only was measured. Data were expressed as
z
-scores in relation to gestation and analysed longitudinally using FLDA. In severe growth restriction, the Spearman correlation coefficients between umbilical artery pulsatility index and AC
z
-score, MCA pulsatility index and AC
z
-score and ductus venosus pulsatility index
z
-score and AC
z
-score were, respectively: −0.36,
p
= 4.4 × 10
−7
; 0.70,
p
= 1.1 × 10
−17
and −0.50,
p
= 8.1 × 10
−4
. No relationship was seen between Doppler parameters and growth rate. There was no relationship between umbilical artery pulsatility index and AC nor growth rate in normally grown fetuses. In severe fetal growth restriction, Doppler changes are related to absolute fetal AC size, not growth rate.
Microfluidic one-step synthesis of alginate microspheres immobilized with antibodies
Authors: Chen Wanyu , Kim Jong-Hoon , Zhang Di , Lee Kyong-Hoon , Cangelosi G. A. , Soelberg S. D. , Furlong C. E. , Chung Jae-Hyun , Shen Amy Q.
Published: August 2013

Micrometre- and submicrometre-size functionalized beads are frequently used to capture targets of interest from a biological sample for biological characterizations and disease diagnosis. The main challenge of the microbead-based assay is in the immobilization of probe molecules onto the microbead surfaces. In this paper, we report a versatile droplet microfluidics method to fabricate alginate microspheres while simultaneously immobilizing anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex IgY and anti-Escherichia coliIgG antibodies primarily on the porous alginate carriers for specific binding and binding affinity tests. The binding affinity of antibodies is directly measured by fluorescence intensity of stained target bacteria on the microspheres. We demonstrate that the functionalized alginate microspheres yield specificity comparable with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The high surface area-to-volume ratio of the functionalized porous alginate microspheres improves the detection limit. By using the droplet microfluidics, we can easily modify the size and shape of alginate microspheres, and increase the concentration of functionalized alginate microspheres to further enhance binding kinetics and enable multiplexing.
Sexual selection explains more functional variation in the mammalian major histocompatibility complex than parasitism
Authors: Winternitz J. C. , Minchey S. G. , Garamszegi L. Z. , Huang S. , Stephens P. R. , Altizer S.
Published: August 2013

Understanding drivers of genetic diversity at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is vitally important for predicting how vertebrate immune defence might respond to future selection pressures and for preserving immunogenetic diversity in declining populations. Parasite-mediated selection is believed to be the major selective force generating MHC polymorphism, and while MHC-based mating preferences also exist for multiple species including humans, the general importance of mate choice is debated. To investigate the contributions of parasitism and sexual selection in explaining among-species variation in MHC diversity, we applied comparative methods and meta-analysis across 112 mammal species, including carnivores, bats, primates, rodents and ungulates. We tested whether MHC diversity increased with parasite richness and relative testes size (as an indicator of the potential for mate choice), while controlling for phylogenetic autocorrelation, neutral mutation rate and confounding ecological variables. We found that MHC nucleotide diversity increased with parasite richness for bats and ungulates but decreased with parasite richness for carnivores. By contrast, nucleotide diversity increased with relative testes size for all taxa. This study provides support for both parasite-mediated and sexual selection in shaping functional MHC polymorphism across mammals, and importantly, suggests that sexual selection could have a more general role than previously thought.
GBAS landing system – precision approach guidance after ILS
Authors: Felux Michael , Dautermann Thomas , Becker Hayung
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show the performance during flight tests of the proposed GBAS Approach Service Type D navigation – intended to support autoland operations – in comparison to ILS.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental GBAS station was installed at the research airport in Braunschweig. Data processing complied with the currently proposed requirements to support automatic landings. Corrections for GPS measurements and integrity parameters were sent to a research aircraft which was equipped with an experimental GPS receiver providing raw measurement data. The received data and measurements were then processed on board in real‐time and provide approach guidance information to the experimental pilot in form of a flight director indication. To evaluate system performance the authors create a truth reference track from a post processed carrier phase solution. Finally, the GBAS outputs and the received ILS signals are compared to the truth reference.

Findings

The system performed well within all specifications and showed full availability at all times during the flight. Compared to ILS, GBAS is significantly more precise and shows almost no noise.

Research limitations/implications

The navigation solution was flown manually according to flight director displays, therefore no automatic approaches and landings could be performed.

Practical implications

It has been demonstrated that GBAS can support the intended operations under nominal conditions.

Originality/value

This work is part of the ongoing validation of the proposed standards for a satellite based landing system. It compares GBAS and ILS data from flight tests carried out with a representative aircraft.
Drivers of value for money public private partnership projects in Malaysia
Authors: Ismail Suhaiza
Published: August 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper are twofold. First, it aims to investigate the factors that enhance the VFM achieved from PPP projects in Malaysia. Second, it aims to examine the differences in the perceptions of public and private sectors pertaining to the VFM factors of PPP implementation in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire survey was used to elicit the perceptions of the public and private sectors concerning the VFM drivers for PPP projects in Malaysia; 122 usable responses were obtained and analysed using SPSS to rank the importance of the factors and to examine the differences in the perceptions between the government and private sectors.

Findings

– The results reveal that two factors are perceived as “most important” to enhance the achievement of VFM for PPP implementation in Malaysia – “private sector technical innovation” and “competitive tender”. In terms of the differences in the perceptions of the public and private sectors concerning the level of importance of the VFM drivers, the results reveal that there are significant differences for half of the VFM factors.

Originality/value

– The exclusive contribution of this paper is that it highlights not only the factors that enhancing the VFM achievement for PPP projects in Malaysia, but also offers evidence concerning the differences in the perceptions of public and private sectors pertaining to the importance of the VFM factors.
The institutional library committee part II: a tool for getting things done
Authors: Fitsimmons Gary
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This article's purpose is to show how the institutional library committee can be employed to improve library services through work contributions.

Design/methodology/approach

The article presents the problem of limited staff time for new initiatives, explains how the library committee can be employed to help, and then lists possible projects for them to undertake.

Findings

The article finds that library committees can be useful in supplementing staff work, if managed well.

Practical implications

The library committee can help the library accomplish more with little or no increase in library staffing.

Social implications

Library committee members can contribute to library functionality in practical ways beyond facilitating communication and garnering support.

Originality/value

The value of the article is in finding another way to do more with what you have.
Running on empty: experience preferred
Authors: McMullen Anthony
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This article's aim is to provide insights into issues encountered in maintaining library technologies and electronic collections on a limited budget and with limited personnel.

Design/methodology/approach

The article uses real world experiences and anecdotal evidence to provide commentary on the vital role that space design plays in creating an atmosphere that is conducive to learning.

Findings

Spaces designed with a basis in both form and function are preferable to those designed solely from a practical point of view. In addition to appropriate resources, technologies, and staffing, libraries must also provide appropriate and inspiring learning spaces for library users to enjoy and experience

Originality/value

The article examines one library's efforts to re‐establish an identity and brand in a physical environment that has not kept pace with social and cultural changes and shifts in consumer expectations over the course of the past 30 years.
Having a student volunteer program is a win‐win
Authors: Crumpton Michael A.
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the use of a formal student volunteer program to offset budgetary shortfalls as well as provide opportunities for student learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper builds the case by citing findings from case studies in the field.

Findings

This paper concludes that a formal strategic program along with identified learning outcomes for the student volunteers will be of benefit to both parties.

Originality/value

The paper is the foundation for the development of the author's own formal program.
Young and going strong?
Authors: Akkermans Jos , Brenninkmeijer Veerle , van den Bossche Seth N.J. , Blonk Roland W.B. , Schaufeli Wilmar B.
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify job characteristics that determine young employees' wellbeing, health, and performance, and to compare educational groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the job demands‐resources (JD‐R) model and 2‐wave longitudinal data (n=1,284), the paper compares employees with a lower educational level with employees with a high educational level.

Findings

Young employees with lower educational level reported fewer job resources (autonomy and social support), more physical demands, less dedication, more emotional exhaustion, and poorer health and performance compared with the highly educated group. Differences were also found between educational groups in the relationships in the JD‐R model, most notably a reciprocal association between dedication and performance, and between emotional exhaustion and performance in the group with lower levels of education.

Research limitations/implications

The results support the main processes of the JD‐R model, supporting its generalizability. However, differences were found between educational groups, implying that the motivational and health impairment processes differ across educational levels.

Practical implications

HR consultants and career counselors may focus especially on increasing job resources and motivation for young employees with lower educational level. Performing well is also important for these young workers to become more dedicated and less exhausted.

Social implications

It is important to recognize and intervene on unique characteristics of different educational groups with regard to wellbeing, health, and performance in order to maintain a healthy and productive young workforce.

Originality/value

For the first time, predictions of the JD‐R model are tested among young employees with different educational backgrounds.
The company you keep
Authors: Cotton Richard D. , Shen Yan
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify key developmental relationships for career‐spanning success and to examine relational models and support expectations associated with these relationships. The paper creates propositions associating developer‐protégé schema congruence and incongruence to relevant outcome variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 employed qualitative coding of developers identified in 77 hall of famer induction speeches and Study 2 used a cross‐industry survey of 425 respondents to assess the relational model and support expectations associated with the seven most highly‐cited developer roles from Study 1.

Findings

Study 1 identified these highly‐cited developer roles as a CEO, manager, work teammate, friend, spouse, parent, and unmet hero/idol. Study 2 described the expected relational models associated with these roles and found significant differences in the relational model and support expectations associated across roles.

Research limitations/implications

While study 1 focused on a primarily male sample using retrospective data, it generalized and extended previous research on key developer roles for extraordinary career achievement. Based on the key findings from study 1, study 2 surveyed respondents regarding developer role expectations rather than expectations of particular developer‐protégé relationships.

Practical implications

These findings identify how and with whom protégés should consider initiating and fostering key developmental relationships to enhance their networks while broadening and deepening organizations' understanding of the importance of their members having a variety of organizational and non‐organizational developers.

Originality/value

These findings challenge the notion that developer‐protégé relationships fit a “one size fits all” reciprocal exchange motif as it is the first study to explore expectations associated with key developer relationships using relational models theory.
Training and developing “digital natives” should be at the heart of UK business
Authors: Ripley Adam
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the importance of placing digital savvy employees at the heart of your organization.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a viewpoint paper.

Findings

Unemployment figures have been at an all‐time high. Recent figures show job seekers in the Eurozone have reached an appalling 12.1 per cent, equating to 19.2 million people out of work. Of course,the real victims of this are the young, with their limited experience and lack of access to professional networks. In this woeful picture, the youth are taking a disproportionate hit. In the UK alone, the Office of National Statistics (November 2012) puts youth unemployment at a 17 year high of 2.62 million, meaning 21.9 per cent of under‐25 s are now out of work. The Prince's Trust Youth Index(2013) also found that one in four young people believe their future has been irrevocably damaged by the economic downturn. What depressing reading this makes.

Originality/value

This case study in the banking sector could be a model for those organizations considering a “higher apprenticeship” scheme.
Survival avenues for Pakistani libraries in the era of emerging technologies
Authors: Shafique Farzana , Riedling Ann
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the concepts of Library 2.0 and Library 3‐D and provide a proposal for taking advantage of the new opportunities prevailing in the adoption of Library 2.0 and Library 3‐D concepts. The specific objectives of this study are as follows: to review the status of research in Pakistan on any aspect of Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and Library 3‐D; to explore how a user‐centered library can be developed with the help of Library 2.0 and Library 3‐D applications; to find out information professionals' opinions in this regard; and to provide a proposal for adoption of Library 2.0 and Library 3‐D tools.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is descriptive in nature and is based on a literature review and personal interviews. The researchers reviewed the findings of previous surveys recently conducted by researchers in Pakistan on different aspects of Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and Library 3‐D. These surveys assisted the researchers in exploring the current status of acceptability of these applications by the library community in Pakistan. Moreover, semi‐structured interviews were conducted to gain an in‐depth understanding of the phenomena under study. Finally, keeping in mind the findings of the literature reviewed, previous surveys and current interviews, a proposal for the survival of libraries in Pakistan in an era of emerging technologies is given.

Findings

It was found that libraries in Pakistan are now becoming aware of the use of Library 2.0 Second Life for Library Services.

Research limitations/implications

The interviews being limited to a purposive sample of information professionals, care has to be taken in generalizing the findings of the study.

Practical implications

The paper not only presents a good understanding of different concepts, such as Library 1.0, Library 2.0 and Library 3D, but also their application.

Originality/value

The paper is the first in Pakistan to deal with the emerging concept of Library 3‐D. It also provides a proposal for information professionals in using Library 2.0 and Library 3‐D applications for library services.
Institutional responses to electronic procurement in the public sector
Authors: Doherty Neil F. , McConnell Danny J. , Ellis‐Chadwick Fiona
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The primary aim of the research presented in this paper is to address the gap in the literature with regard to the factors that affect the uptake and application of e‐procurement within the public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This analysis was achieved through five in‐depth case studies – based upon extensive interviews, observation and documentation reviews ‐ conducted within central and local government organisations.

Findings

The study shows that despite being very different in terms of their form and function, each of the five case study organisations had achieved similar levels of progress in terms of their adoption of e‐procurement technologies. In short every organisation had already adopted BACS, all five were also actively planning to implement: e‐tendering; e‐award; e‐contract and e‐catalogue systems, but none had any intention of adopting e‐marketplaces or e‐auctions.

Research limitation/implications

The results of this study will help individual organisations to better understand their current situations and the barriers that will need to be overcome before they can significantly expand their adoption of e‐procurement technologies.

Originality/value

In addition to presenting one of the first detailed studies of the adoption of e‐procurement technologies, this study also breaks new ground through its use of the lens of “Institutional theory” to help interpret the findings.
Microenterprises: how they interact with public procurement processes
Authors: McKevitt David , Davis Paul
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore how micro‐enterprises interact with public procurement systems. The paper seeks to give public procurement managers a better understanding of how micro‐enterprises approach the procurement process.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of microenterprises competing for public procurement contracts in Ireland. The data are firstly submitted to principal component analysis to identify a set of factors that represent the public procurement process. This is later used to create four distinct clusters which describe how suppliers interact with the process.

Findings

A typology of four interaction patterns is generated from the data. This shows that small firms weight the three phases of the procurement process differently. The data support and extend the argument that small firms are not a homogeneous group and illustrate that small firms use divergent strategies when competing for procurement contracts.

Research limitations/implications

The practical implications of the research include the need to assess the potential for buyer‐supplier mentoring in order to develop relational competency in public procurement. The firms investigated are domiciled in Ireland and therefore generalisability of the findings may be limited. The scope of the study is restricted to micro‐enterprises only.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that pre‐tender engagement is a necessary condition for small suppliers to achieve above average bid outcomes. The paper offers insights to public buyers, teams and managers as to the importance of engaging with suppliers to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
Troublesome travellers – the service system as a trigger of customer misbehaviour
Authors: Fellesson Markus , Salomonson Nicklas , Åberg Annika
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Customer misbehaviour, i.e. behaviour within the exchange setting that deliberately violates the generally accepted norms of conduct in such settings pose a problem for service organizations in several ways. Hitherto much research on customer misbehaviour has focused on psychological explanations and individual characteristics. This study broadens the perspective by taking structural factors of the service system into account. The purpose is to complement the existing literature on customer misbehaviour by investigating how the design and functioning of the service system influences the prevalence of customer misbehaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical incident technique was adopted to collect and analyse qualitative data from frontline employees who work on board buses, trains, trams and in metro in the Swedish public transport system.

Findings

The study shows that many incidents are triggered by features of the service system. Specifically, three dimensions (service regulations, service resources, and service practice) of the service system are brought forward. The study suggests that customer misbehaviour is caused by an inherent paradox between pre‐planned, standardised, mass service solutions and ambitions to adopt a customer orientation.

Originality/value

By bringing forward the interactive role of the service system and its functionality the study complements previous research and contributes to a more complete understanding of customer misbehaviour, in particular within the context of system dependent services.
Feet of clay: confronting emotional challenges in ethnographic experience
Authors: Warden Tara
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Ethnographers, as tools of data collection, are uniquely positioned in a paradoxical relationship between intense immersion and objective distance from research and participants. This relationship can be particularly intense when researching hidden or marginalized communities in violent contexts. Yet, the emotional consequences of research on the researcher are rarely discussed and little literature exists. When emotions in research are revealed, researchers can be confronted with stigma surrounding issues of subjectivity, “going native” and implications of failed research. This paper seeks to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on research from Lee, Hume, and Nordstrom and Robben, this article presents a reflexive analysis of the author's ethnographic PhD experience. It examines the transformation undertaken to adapt and cope with in‐depth research with vulnerable groups in dangerous environments. It also explores the post‐fieldwork transition and consequences of post‐traumatic stress syndrome which were viewed as the author's feet of clay, or possible weakness which could derail or even invalidate the research.

Findings

This article delineates the risks of emotional trauma in ethnographic research, and outlines the symptoms of post‐traumatic stress syndrome and secondary trauma in order to facilitate their identification in future researchers.

Practical implications

The practical implications of this paper are to raise awareness about the emotional consequences of research and revealing how essential it is that awareness be included in the training of future researchers.

Originality/value

The paper aims to raise awareness about the acute emotional consequences of conducting research with marginalized populations in violent contexts. It specifically looks at the insider/outsider position, highlighting those isolating affects which can lead to post‐traumatic stress syndrome. It aims to reveal the attitudes within academia which tend to hide emotional struggles in research.
Sorghum bean composite porridge nutritional quality and acceptability
Authors: Candace Jackson Jose , Weatherspoon Lorraine , Nnyepi Maria , Malete Leapetswe , Mokgatlhe Lucky , Lyoka Philemon , Bennink Maurice
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the quality of porridge made from cereal legume composite flour and to compare with a porridge that it is traditionally eaten.

Design/methodology/approach

The nutritional composition as well as protein, microbiological, and sensory quality of porridge from a sorghum bean composite flour was assessed and compared with sorghum porridge (SP) that is traditionally eaten in Botswana.

Findings

Results indicated that the nutrient composition and the protein quality of the sorghum bean composite porridge were significantly higher than that of the SP. The majority of children and adults rated the sensory attributes of the sorghum composite porridge highly and adult consumers indicated willingness to buy it.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates that using traditionally consumed foods, which are culturally acceptable and low cost, such as sorghum and sugar beans, can improve nutritional and sensory attributes when composited. These composited foods can then be recommended as a sustainable supplementary food source to improve the nutritional status and health of vulnerable populations such as HIV+ children.
SMEs as “transmitters” of CSR requirements in the supply chain
Authors: Ayuso Silvia , Roca Mercè , Colomé Rosa
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop understanding of the role of small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in relation to sustainable supply chain management, i.e. how corporate social responsibility (CSR) is integrated in their relationship with customers and suppliers.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from a survey of CSR requirements among 410 Spanish SMEs, the paper examines the extent to which SMEs receive social and environmental requirements from diverse customer typologies and the extent to which they pass on such requirements to different supplier typologies.

Findings

Based on survey results, it is concluded that large businesses are the most demanding customers in terms of the CSR requirements imposed to their SME suppliers. In turn, SMEs are able to transfer the requests received from their (larger) customers to their own suppliers.

Research limitations/implications

The data are confined to companies located in a particular region (Catalonia in Spain), which questions its generalizability to other geographical contexts.

Practical implications

The research shows that small and medium companies can be effective in spreading the CSR requirements received from large companies through the supply chain.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to research on sustainable supply chain management from the SME perspective and offers a systematic analysis of the CSR activities of SMEs, both as suppliers and buyers. In addition, it proposes a rigorous way to measure the CSR‐related supply chain pressure.
Intellectual capital and knowledge management in the Iranian space industries
Authors: Piri Morteza , Jasemi Milad , Abdi Majid
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This paper experimentally examines the concept of intellectual capital in the Iranian space industries. The first objective of this study is to validate a model for assessing the relationships among some factors of intellectual capital and knowledge management; and organizational performance. The second objective is to evaluate the mediating role of some of them in the relationship between the intangible assets and organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is designed to utilize a systematic sampling and survey method. Intellectual capital here is decided to be four items of human, structural, innovation and cultural capital while two items of “knowledge development and sharing” and “learning and knowledge application” are considered for knowledge management. The structural equation modeling approach is used to validate the research model.

Findings

These analyses suggest that human capital and structural capital are positively associated with organizational performance. The findings also indicate that both cultural capital and knowledge management practices fully mediate the effects of intangible assets on organizational performance while the latter does more.

Originality/value

This study adds to the literature in two valuable ways. First, it validates a model for assessing the associations among organizational performance and adoption of knowledge management and intellectual capital. Second, it offers important results on the identification of mediating role of cultural capital and knowledge management practices.
Knowing‐doing gaps in ICT: gender and culture
Authors: Richards Deborah , Busch Peter
Published: August 2013

Purpose

A problem for many organisations today is what is referred to as the “knowing‐doing gap” or the difference between possessing the knowledge and the actual application of it. This paper aims to explore the perception that differences exist with regard to soft or tacit knowledge‐knowing and utilisation in the IT workplace, but at the level of gender and ethnic‐culture specifically. Through a statistical examination of electronic survey results from two ICT organisations in Australia, the study explores the validity of such claims.

Design/methodology/approach

Continuing from previous grounded theory research, a series of workplace scenarios testing for such knowledge utilisation were created. After trialling the initial scenarios on a pilot population, they were further refined and made part of an online survey questionnaire. Some 119 employees of two Australian ICT organisations rated how they would deal with soft knowledge situations both in principle and in practice. The sample was not selected along gender or cultural lines beforehand; however statistical analysis was conducted to determine if differences to situation‐handling existed.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights into how genders and cultures deal with soft knowledge situations in different ways. The findings do tend to support certain stereotypes such as females generally appearing more passive, relationship and high context oriented and less individualistic. Whilst males appeared more achievement‐oriented and individualistic, Anglo‐males were closer to females for relationship and high context ideals.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the limited sample size the research results may lack generalisability. Furthermore criticism of Likert scales also exists, as does the use of language other than English as a representation of ethnic culture.

Originality/value

The study adopts a novel use of soft knowledge inventories when applied to the parameters of gender and culture.
On-line information and registration with services: patterns of support for carers in England
Authors: Manthorpe Jill , Moriarty Jo , Cornes Michelle , Hussein Shereen , Lombard Daniel
Published: August 2013

Purpose

– The paper aims to ascertain how local authorities and other services are responding to central government strategies to make support for family carers a priority.

Design/methodology/approach

– A web-based audit of local authority public information for carers was undertaken (n=50). The sample covered different parts of England and different local authority types.

Findings

– A small minority of local authority web sites mention that they operated Carers’ Registers. Overall local authorities offer different resources to carers, ranging from discounts in the local area to access to emergency card registration. Some use online information as a communication channel. Overall local authority online information for carers seems to be variable in quality, accessibility and purpose. We conclude that growth in the collection of information by primary care services in England risks duplicating some of the functions of, and problems with, local authority activities. Local commissioning should minimise confusion and make optimal use of carers’ information. Carers should not have to navigate confusing, variable, parallel systems and outreach is needed for those who do not use electronic media, such as some older carers.

Research limitations/implications

– This was a small-scale study nested within a larger project. It is possible that the web sites we interrogated were atypical, although we did take steps to prevent this.

Originality/value

– The study's strength lies in its originality of approach undertaking a specific audit of material that is publicly available and reflecting on a subject that has not previously been explored in the context of information for carers.
Identification of psoriatic patients at risk of high quality of life impairment
Authors: Sojević Timotijević Zorica , Janković Slavenka , Trajković Goran , Majcan Predrag , Perišić Svetlana , Dostanić Nenad , Janićijević Hudomal Snežana , Janković Janko
Published: August 2013

Psoriasis is a systematic chronic disease with large influence on patients' quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to assess the QoL of patients with psoriasis using generic, dermatology‐specific and psoriasis‐specific instruments simultaneously, to investigate the relationships between dimensions or subscales of the questionnaires and to identify categories of patients at risk of a high QoL impairment. The study comprised 100 consecutive patients with psoriasis treated at the Department of Dermatology, Clinical Center “Zvezdara”, Belgrade, from January to December 2011. Three QoL questionnaires were administered: the EuroQol‐5D (EQ‐5D), the Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI). The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index was used in evaluating disease severity. According to our results the QoL of psoriatic patients was impaired (the overall DLQI and PDI scores were 10.5 ± 7.2 and 13.4 ± 8.7, respectively, while EQ visual analog scale score was 48.8 ± 25.1). The most predictive factor of QoL impairment was disease severity, followed by sole and nail involvement. Psoriatic arthritis and bleeding were also associated with impaired QoL. Significant correlations between the instruments used in this study were in the expected directions. Mainly strong and moderate significant correlations ranging 0.26–0.84 were seen between DLQI and PDI instruments. A detailed approach to QoL assessment may give to the dermatologist useful information that could be of help in identifying patients belonging to categories at risk of high QoL impairment due to psoriasis, thus guiding them in clinical practice.
Surgical site infections in skin surgery: A single center experience
Authors: Kulichová Daniela , Geimer Till , Mühlstädt Michael , Ruzicka Thomas , Kunte Christian
Published: August 2013

The main interests covered in this article are the determination of risk factors and incidence of surgical site infections in dermatosurgery and suggestions for rational use of antibiotic prophylaxis. A total of 3284 consecutive dermatosurgical interventions in 1088 patients were performed in our dermatosurgery department. Data regarding patient characteristics and perioperative course were prospectively collected and retrospective analysis of this data was performed. Association of perioperative parameters and postoperative surgical site infections was assessed by χ2‐test. Rate of postoperative infections in our study was low (1.9%). Purulent surgical sites showed the highest incidence of severe postoperative infections (4.7%; P < 0.001). The lowest incidence of mild infections was seen in preoperatively clean surgical sites (0.8%; P < 0.001). All patients with severe infections and 68% patients with mild infections were older than 70 years. The head and neck and acral regions were the groups mostly affected by mild postoperative conditions (2.4% and 1.7%, respectively; P = 0.006). The frequency of mild and severe infections in procedures performed by experienced surgeons was lower than in procedures performed by less experienced surgeons (0.6% vs 3.1% in mild infections, 0.1 vs 0.8 in severe infections; P < 0.001). The main risk factors for postoperative infections were wounds in the head and neck region, lips and oral mucosa or acral regions, older age of patients, worse preoperative state of surgical sites and less experienced surgeons. In the majority of cases where risk factors were missing there was no need of antibiotic prophylaxis.
Narrowband ultraviolet B irradiation increases the serum level of vitamin D3 in patients with neurofibromatosis 1
Authors: Nakayama Juichiro , Imafuku Shinichi , Mori Tatsuki , Sato Chiemi
Published: August 2013

The serum vitamin D3 levels in patients with neurofibromatosis 1 has been reported to be significantly lower than that in control subjects, and the level of vitamin D3 reversely correlates with the severity of neurofibroma formation. We found that narrowband ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) irradiation increased the serum level of 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 in patients with neurofibromatosis 1. The difference in the 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 levels between patients who had received irradiation for more than 18 months and those who had no irradiation was highly significant. Time‐course analyses of the serum vitamin D3 levels in the patients who were enrolled after informed consent revealed that the levels became higher significantly after 6 months of irradiation. It is suggested that NB‐UVB irradiation is effective for increasing the serum level of vitamin D3 in patients with neurofibromatosis 1, which may be of benefit for skin symptoms such as pigmented macules or neurofibromas.
Growth activity of gammaproteobacterial subgroups in waters off the west Antarctic Peninsula in summer and fall
Authors: Nikrad Mrinalini P. , Cottrell Matthew T. , Kirchman David L.
Published: August 2013

Characterizing both growth and abundance is important in understanding the role of bacterial communities in biogeochemical cycling of global oceans. However, these two quantities are seldom measured together for specific bacterial clades. Our goal was to examine growth and abundance of three gammaproteobacterial subgroups, including SAR86, at the single‐cell level by microautoradiography combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in coastal waters of the west Antarctic Peninsula region during two austral summers and one austral fall. We found that the SAR86 clade was less abundant and grew more slowly than two related gammaproteobacterial clades, Ant4D3 and Arctic96B‐16. Over 60% of Ant4D3 and Arctic96B‐16 cells incorporated leucine, while only 25% of SAR86 cells were active in both summer and fall. We also explored using the size of the FISH image as another measure of single‐cell activity. There was a linear relationship between FISH cell size and incorporation of leucine for all bacteria, Ant4D3 and Arctic96B‐16, but not for SAR86. FISH sizes of SAR86 cells were at least threefold smaller than cells in the other clades. Our results suggest slow growth of SAR86 in the perennially cold waters of the west Antarctic Peninsula.
Seasonally variable intestinal metagenomes of the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus)
Authors: Jia Shangang , Zhang Xiaowei , Zhang Guangyu , Yin An , Zhang Sun , Li Fusen , Wang Lei , Zhao Duojun , Yun Quanzheng , Tala  , Wang Jixiang , Sun Gaoyuan , Baabdullah Mohammed , Yu Xiaoguang , Hu Songnian , Al‐Mssallem Ibrahim S. , Yu Jun
Published: August 2013

The intestinal microbes residing in the red palm weevil (RPW, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) larva consume tender interior fibrous tissues of date palm trunks. The understanding of such microbiota at molecular level provides vital clues for the biological control of this devastating pest. Using pyrosequencing and shotgun strategy, we first study taxonomic profiles of the microbiota sampled at different months (March, July and November), and then confirm the impact of high‐temperature stress on the microbial populations based on data from 16S rRNA amplicons using both field and laboratory samples. We further identify Klebsiella pneumoniae in November and Lactococcus lactis in July as the dominant species of the microbiota. We find that the RPW gut microbiota degrades polysaccharides and sucrose with hydrolases and that different active bacterial species in November and July are responsible for the symbiotic relationship between the microbiota and the host. Our results provide vital information for pest control and cellulolytic bacterial species characterization.
Shotgun proteomics suggests involvement of additional enzymes in dioxin degradation by Sphingomonas wittichii RW1
Authors: Hartmann Erica M. , Armengaud Jean
Published: August 2013

Chlorinated congeners of dibenzo‐p‐dioxin and dibenzofuran are widely dispersed pollutants that can be treated using microorganisms, such as the Sphingomonas wittichii RW1 bacterium, able to transform some of them into non‐toxic substances. The enzymes of the upper pathway for dibenzo‐p‐dioxin degradation in S. wittichii RW1 have been biochemically and genetically characterized, but its genome sequence indicated the existence of a tremendous potential for aromatic compound transformation, with 56 ring‐hydroxylating dioxygenase subunits, 34 extradiol dioxygenases and 40 hydrolases. To further characterize this enzymatic arsenal, new methodological approaches should be employed. Here, a large shotgun proteomic survey was performed on cells grown on dibenzofuran, dibenzo‐p‐dioxin and 2‐chlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin, and compared with growth on acetate. Changes in the proteome were monitored over time. In total, 502 proteins were observed and quantified using a label‐free mass spectrometry‐based approach; all data were deposited to the ProteomeXchange (PXD000403). Our results confirmed the roles of the dioxin dioxygenase DxnA1A2, trihydroxybiphenyl dioxygenase DbfB, meta‐cleavage product hydrolase DxnB and reductase RedA2, and corroborated the proposed involvement of the Swit_3046 dioxygenase and DxnB2 hydrolase. Trends across substrates and over the course of growth do not support concerted pathway regulation and suggest the involvement of an additional hydrolase and several TonB‐dependent receptors.
How Do Health and Social Insurance Programmes Affect the Land and Labour Allocations of Farm Households? Evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Chang Hung‐Hao , Meyerhoefer Chad D. , Just David R.
Published: August 2013

To protect farmers from health care costs and risks to livelihood, most countries have developed special health and social insurance programmes specifically for farmers. While numerous studies have examined the determinants of participation in these programmes, little is known about how they influence famers' land and labour allocations. Without government‐sponsored health and social insurance, farmers may seek off‐farm employment in order to obtain similar benefits. Conditioning eligibility for social insurance on minimum land holdings and on‐farm work days can lead to delayed retirement and other forms of job lock. We investigate these issues using a unique dataset of 703,287 farms in Taiwan. After controlling for non‐random participation in Taiwan's social insurance programme, we find that the programme increases (decreases) on (off) farm labour supply, and decreases the amount of set‐aside land. This suggests that payments from social insurance substitute for those issued through land set‐aside programmes to some extent, and that failing to account for this substitution increases the cost of achieving both programmes' objectives.