bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intellectual capital and financial performance in social cooperative enterprises
Authors: Bontis Nick , Ciambotti Massimo , Palazzi Federica , Sgro Francesca 
Published: July 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence of the relationship between intellectual capital (IC) and economic performance, with focus on social cooperative enterprises (SCEs) that work in non-profit sectors.Design/methodology/approachA survey was developed and administered in Italy. A final sample of 151 SCEs participated in the study. Data were collected on IC measures, social enterprise activities and economic and mission-based performance outcomes.FindingsTwo hypotheses that proposed a positive association between IC sub-components (i.e. human capital, structural capital and relational capital) and the economic and mission-based performance of SCEs were tested. Findings highlight that human capital contributes to explain economic performance which is positively affected by the presence of graduate employees and value added per employee. However, economic performance is negatively affected by the yearly training per employee. In addition, human and relational capital contribute to explain mission-based performance which is positively affected by yearly training, the value added per employee and the quality of relationships with customers. However, mission-based performance is negatively affected by the relationships’ quality with the reference territorial community. Therefore, relational capital would seem to affect only mission-based performance, and human capital influences both dimensions of corporate performance. Structural capital does not affect social cooperatives’ performance.Practical implicationsSome of the results in this study are particular to this research setting. It is therefore important for senior leaders of SCEs to take the results of general IC literature with a grain of salt. Whereas most of the academic literature generally supports the positive relationship of all IC sub-components (i.e. human, structural and relational capital) with performance outcomes, this is not the case in this particular study.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study that has examined the linkages between IC sub-components and performance outcomes in SCEs in Italy.
Green supply chain management and export performance
Authors: Al-Ghwayeen Wafaa Shihadeh , Abdallah Ayman Bahjat 
Published: July 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of green supply chain management (GSCM) on environmental performance (EP) and export performance in the context of a developing country, Jordan. In addition, the mediating effect of EP on the relationship between GSCM and export performance is investigated.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on survey data collected from 221 manufacturing companies in Jordan. The companies were selected from different industry types to ensure diversity. Validity and reliability analyses were performed using SPSS and Amos, and structural equation modeling was used to test the study hypotheses.FindingsThe results revealed that GSCM positively and significantly affects both EP and export performance. In addition, the results demonstrated that EP positively and significantly affects export performance. Further, it is also found that EP positively and significantly mediates the relationship between GSCM and export performance.Originality/valueThe current study is one of the first to investigate the impact of GSCM on export performance, especially in the context of a developing country. In addition, this study contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the mediating effect of EP on GSCM—export performance relationship. GSCM is an under-investigated area in Jordan. The results are expected to promote GSCM implementation among manufacturing companies in Jordan in order to achieve economic benefits by increasing their exports through improvements in EP.
Automated valuation models for real estate portfolios
Authors: Tajani Francesco , Morano Pierluigi , Ntalianis Klimis 
Published: July 2018

PurposeAs regards the assessment of the market values of properties that compose real estate portfolios, the purpose of this paper is to propose and test an automated valuation model. In particular, the method defined allows for providing for objective, reliable and “quick” valuations of the assets in the phases of periodic reviews of the property values.Design/methodology/approachAiming at both predictive and interpretative purposes, the method, based on multi-objective genetic algorithms to search those model expressions that simultaneously maximize the accuracy of the data and the parsimony of the mathematical functions, is applied to a sample data of office properties characterized by medium and large size, located in the city of Milan (Italy) and sold in the period between 2004 and 2015.FindingsThe model obtained could be an integration of the canonical methodologies (market approach, income approach, cost approach) implemented in the assessment of the market values of properties, so as to provide an additional tool to verify the results. In particular, the inclusion of economic variables in the model is consistent with the need to reiterate the valuations, contextualizing them to the locational characteristics and to the current property cycle phase in the specific area.Practical implicationsThe model can be applied by all the operators involved in the periodic reviews of the values of property portfolios: from real estate funds’ insiders, in order to monitor the values obtained through the canonical approaches, to the public institutions, such as the revenue agencies, in order to ensure the fair payment of the taxes through the updating values of the properties according to the actual and current market trends.Originality/valueThe method proposed can be a valid support for all public and private entities that hold significant property assets and that, for various reasons (periodic reviews of the balance sheets, sales, enhancement, investment, etc.), require cyclical updated values of the properties. The automated valuation model developed can be used for the assessment of “comparison” values with the estimates values obtained by other assessment techniques, in order to ensure a further monitoring tool of the results from the subjects involved.
Examining police use of force and citizen complaints
Authors: Terrill William , Ingram Jason Robert , Somers Logan J. , Paoline III Eugene A. 
Published: July 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relationship between police use of force and citizen complaints alleging improper use of force.

Design/methodology/approach
The current study utilizes official use of force and citizen complaint data, as well as surveys of patrol officers, from the Assessing Police Use of Force Policy and Outcomes Project, a multimethod National Institute of Justice funded study.

Findings
Bivariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the number of use of force incidents that officers were involved in, as well as the types and levels of resistance they encountered from citizens, was related to use of force complaints from citizens. That is, those officers that were involved in more use of force situations were engaged in force encounters where the highest level of citizen resistance was “failure to comply,” and faced higher cumulative levels of citizen resistance, received more complaints alleging improper use of force.

Research limitations/implications
Studies of citizen complaints against police officers, especially those alleging improper use of force, should consider the number of force incidents officers are involved in, as well as other theoretically relevant force correlates.

Practical implications
Administrators, concerned with citizen allegations for improper use of force against their officers, should work to encourage their personnel to minimize the number of use of force applications, or at least less cumulative force, to resolve encounters with citizens.

Originality/value
While prior studies have examined police use of force and citizen complaints independently, the current study examines the empirical connection between use of force behavior and the generation of complaints from citizens.
Monitoring ecosystem degradation using spatial data and the R package spatialwarnings
Authors: Génin Alexandre , Majumder Sabiha , Sankaran Sumithra , Danet Alain , Guttal Vishwesha , Schneider Florian D. , Kéfi Sonia 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Some ecosystems show nonlinear responses to gradual changes in environmental conditions, once a threshold in conditions—or critical point—is passed. This can lead to wide shifts in ecosystem states, possibly with dramatic ecological and economic consequences. Such behaviours have been reported in drylands, savannas, coral reefs or shallow lakes for example. Important research effort of the last decade has been devoted to identifying indicators that would help anticipate such ecosystem shifts and avoid their negative consequences.

Theoretical and empirical research has shown that, as an ecosystem approaches a critical point, specific signatures arise in its temporal and spatial dynamics; these changes can be quantified using relatively simple statistical metrics that have been referred to as “early warning signals” (EWS) in the literature. Although tests of those EWS on experiments are promising, empirical evidence from out‐of‐laboratory datasets is still scarce, in particular for spatial EWS. The recent proliferation of remote‐sensing data provides an opportunity to improve this situation and evaluate the reliability of spatial EWS in many ecological systems.

Here, we present a step‐by‐step workflow along with code to compute spatial EWS from raster data such as aerial images, test their significance compared to permutation‐based null models, and display their trends, either at different time steps or along environmental gradients. We created the R‐package spatialwarnings (MIT license) to help achieve all these steps in a reliable and reproducible way, and thereby promote the application of spatial EWS to empirical data.

This software package and associated documentation provides an easy entry point for researchers and managers into spatial EWS‐based analyses. By facilitating a broader application, it will leverage the evaluation of spatial EWS on real data, and eventually contribute to providing tools to map ecosystems’ fragility to perturbations and inform management decisions.
Religiosity and cross‐country differences in trade credit use
Authors: Chen Feng , Chen Xiaolin , Tan Weiqiang , Zheng Lin 
Published: July 2018

AbstractUsing the firm‐level data over 1989–2012 from 53 countries, we find religiosity in a country is positively associated with trade credit use by local firms. Specifically, after controlling for firm‐ and country‐level factors as well as industry and year effects, we show that trade credit use is higher in more religious countries. Moreover, both creditor rights and social trust in a country enhance the positive association between religiosity and trade credit use, while the quality of national‐level disclosure mitigates the aforementioned positive association. These results are robust to alternative measures of religiosity, alternative sampling requirements and potential endogeneity concerns.
Dentomaxillofacial radiology in Australia and dentist satisfaction with radiology reports
Authors: Selim DG , Sexton C , Monsour P 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundDentomaxillofacial Radiology (DMFR) is comprised of the smallest cohort of specialists in Australia. A survey was undertaken to assess awareness of DMFR, radiology reporting and referring protocols as well as dental practitioners’ satisfaction with their radiology reporting arrangements.MethodsAn original online survey created using Checkbox† was sent to dental practitioners. The survey was promoted on Australian‐based dental Facebook forums and emailed to targeted members via Australian professional dental associations.ResultsA total of 399 responses were received, with over 80% of respondents aware of DMFR as a specialty. Approximately 40% of practitioners were self‐reporting their imaging. There was correlation between increased satisfaction with external reporting and utilization of DMFR services and decreased satisfaction with medical radiology services. More than 90% of general dentists and greater than 85% of dental specialists prefer DMFR reports to medical radiology reports. Approximately 80% of practitioners believed that their satisfaction would change positively if they had access to a DMFR report.ConclusionThe research indicates a high degree of self‐reporting or non‐reporting by dental practitioners. There is low satisfaction with external reporting performed by Medical Radiologists primarily due to a lack of dental knowledge or detail and a preference for DMF Radiology reports.
Extensive and invasive guttural pouch granuloma in a 2‐year‐old gelding
Authors: Shell K. , Rijkenhuizen A. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThis report describes a case of an unusually extensive and invasive fungal granuloma within the right guttural pouch and its surrounding area of a 2‐year‐old Noriker gelding, causing diverse neurogenic deficits and tissue destruction. The gelding was initially presented with cachexia, unilateral nasal discharge, intermittent fever, swelling of the right side of the head, facial nerve paralysis and dysphagia. The right guttural pouch was not accessible to endoscopic examination initially, but after anti‐inflammatory medical management, empyema and an extensive, solid mass appeared within the guttural pouch. Surgical exploration and excision were attempted but were unsuccessful. Histopathological examination identifiedAspergillus fumigatusas the causative infective agent of the extensive fungal granuloma, and the consequent invasion and destruction of surrounding bone and soft tissue structures.
Mapping land use changes resulting from biofuel production and the effect of mitigation measures
Authors: van der Hilst Floor , Verstegen Judith A. , Woltjer Geert , Smeets Edward M. W. , Faaij Andre P. C. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMany of the sustainability concerns of bioenergy are related to direct or indirect land use change (LUC) resulting from bioenergy feedstock production. The environmental and socio‐economic impacts of LUC highly depend on the site‐specific biophysical and socio‐economic conditions. The objective of this study is to spatiotemporally assess the potential LUC dynamics resulting from an increased biofuel demand, the related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the potential effect of LUC mitigation measures. This assessment is demonstrated for LUC dynamics in Brazil towards 2030, considering an increase in the global demand for bioethanol as well as other agricultural commodities. The potential effects of three LUC mitigation measures (increased agricultural productivity, shift to second‐generation ethanol, and strict conservation policies) are evaluated by using a scenario approach. The novel modelling framework developed consists of the global Computable General Equilibrium model MAGNET, the spatiotemporal land use allocation model PLUC, and a GIS‐based carbon module. The modelling simulations illustrate where LUC as a result of an increased global ethanol demand (+26 × 109 L ethanol production in Brazil) is likely to occur. When no measures are taken, sugar cane production is projected to expand mostly at the expense of agricultural land which subsequently leads to the loss of natural vegetation (natural forest and grass and shrubland) in the Cerrado and Amazon. The related losses of above and below ground biomass and soil organic carbon result in the average emission of 26 g CO2‐eq/MJ bioethanol. All LUC mitigation measures show potential to reduce the loss of natural vegetation (18%–96%) as well as the LUC‐related GHG emissions (7%–60%). Although there are several uncertainties regarding the exact location and magnitude of LUC and related GHG emissions, this study shows that the implementation of LUC mitigation measures could have a substantial contribution to the reduction of LUC‐related emissions of bioethanol. However, an integrated approach targeting all land uses is required to obtain substantial and sustained LUC‐related GHG emission reductions in general.
The effect of kale cultivar and sowing date on dry‐matter intake, crop utilization, liveweight gain and body condition score gain of pregnant, nonlactating dry dairy cows in winter in New Zealand
Authors: Cheng Long , Groves C. D. , de Ruiter John M. , Dewhurst Richard J. , Edwards Grant R. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAn outdoor grazing study on kale was conducted with pregnant, nonlactating (dry) dairy cows over a 42‐day winter grazing period commencing 9 June 2008. Kale treatments consisted of two kale cultivars varying in leaf:stem proportion (“Regal,” a leafy variety and “Caledonian,” a stemmy variety) and two sowing dates (8 November and 15 December). Measurements were made for dry‐matter (DM) utilization, apparent DM intake, liveweight gain and changes in body condition score (BCS) for a total of 120 cows allocated to three replicate groups of the four factorial treatments. Cows were offered a daily allowance of 10 kg DM/cow of kale and 2.2 kg DM/cow of straw. Pregrazing DM yield was higher for kale sown in November (16,517 kg DM/ha) than December (13,867 kg DM/ha), but was unaffected by cultivar (average 15,192 kg DM/ha). “Regal” kale had a higher percentage of leaf compared with “Caledonian” (33.6% vs. 25.6%), lower content of NDF (32.4% vs. 34.1%), but similar metabolizable energy content (12.1 MJ/kg DM for both) in the whole plant. Despite the differences in pregrazing DM yield and forage quality among treatments, no differences were found in DM utilization (between 88.5% and 90.2%), apparent DM intake (between 9.4 and 9.6 kg DM/cow.day), liveweight gain (between 0.53 and 0.67 kg/cow.day) and BCS gain (between 0.43 and 0.46 unit/cow over 42 days). Manipulation of kale yield and quality through choice of cultivar and sowing date had no effect on the performance of pregnant, nonlactating dairy cows.
Sex in Midlife: Women's Sexual Experiences in Lesbian and Straight Marriages
Authors: Paine Emily Allen , Umberson Debra , Reczek Corinne 
Published: July 2018

ObjectiveThis study examines how married straight and lesbian women understand sexual changes in midlife.BackgroundSexual satisfaction is key to marital quality, yet marital sex typically diminishes in midlife. Little is known, however, about how married straight and lesbian women make sense of midlife sexuality. Comparing the narratives of lesbian and straight women can reveal how midlife events, relational contexts, and gender norms drive women's experiences of and responses to diminishing sex.MethodInductive and deductive analyses were performed on interviews with a convenience sample of 16 straight and 16 lesbian mostly high‐status married couples in Massachusetts.ResultsLesbian and straight women suggest that sexual activity and desire diminish over time due to health, aging, and caregiving events, yet lesbian women additionally emphasize the importance of weight gain, caregiving for adult parents, and shared experiences of menopause. Women further describe distress when their sex lives diverge from norms specific to marriage and their sexual identities. Moreover, women report relationship work designed to maintain or reignite sex; when compared with straight women, lesbians describe more work and a stronger sense of duty to keep sex alive and uniquely describe medical providers as unhelpful in addressing sexual challenges.ConclusionThe results suggest that relational contexts and cultural discourses shape straight and lesbian women's experiences of distress and comfort about diminishing sex in marriage.
Early cirrhosis and a preserved bone marrow niche favour regenerative response to growth factors in decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Anand Lovkesh , Bihari Chhagan , Kedarisetty Chandan K. , Rooge Sheetalnath B. , Kumar Dhananjay , Shubham Smriti , Kumar Guresh , Sahney Amrish , Sharma Manoj K. , Maiwall Rakhi , Kumar Anupam , Sarin Shiv K. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundExogenous growth factor‐mobilized bone marrow (BM) stem cells have shown a differential response in the management of decompensated cirrhosis (DC). This study was designed to evaluate potential clinical benefit of adding Erythropoietin (EPO) in granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF)‐mobilized stem cell therapy, possible mechanisms of regeneration and predictive factors of regenerative response.MethodsSixty consecutive DC patients received either G‐CSF with EPO (Group A; n = 30) or G‐CSF and placebo (Group B; n = 30) for 2 months and were carefully followed up for 1 year. Baseline and post‐treatment liver biopsy, BM biopsy and BM aspirate were analysed for fibro‐inflammatory and regenerative response and BM hematopoietic reservoir.ResultsAddition of EPO to G‐CSF showed a significant improvement in Child‐Pugh score (P = 0.03) and MELD score (P = 0.003) as compared to G‐CSF alone, with reduction in mortality (16.6% vs 36.7%, P = 0.09). The combination arm also demonstrated a decreased incidence of acute kidney injury (P < 0.001), encephalopathy (P = 0.005) and refilling of ascites (P = 0.03). Compared to monotherapy, it increased CD163+ macrophages (P = 0.013), Ki67+ index (P < 0.001) with decrease in α‐SMA levels (P < 0.001) in liver tissue. The response was better with grade 1 and 2 than with grade 3 ascites; Child B cirrhosis and MELD < 16. Non‐responders had lower hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) at baseline. On multivariate analysis, the liver disease severity (MELD < 16) and a relatively preserved BM (BM‐HSCs > 0.4) predicted therapeutic response (AUROC = 0.82).ConclusionsEarly DC (MELD < 16) patients with mild‐moderate ascites and those with a healthy cellular baseline BM respond better to growth factor therapy. Addition of EPO to G‐CSF provides better regenerative response than G‐CSF monotherapy.
Meteorite reconnaissance in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Hofmann Beda A. , Gnos Edwin , Jull A. J. Timothy , Szidat Sönke , Majoub Ayman , Al Wagdani Khalid , Habibullah Siddiq N. , Halawani Mohammed , Hakeem Mohammed , Al Shanti Mahmoud , Al Solami Abdulaziz 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMeteorite searches in Saudi Arabia between 2008 and 2014 yielded 46 meteorites from the Yabrin area (23°N 49°E), 35 meteorites from the Rub' al‐Khali sand desert (19°–20°N, 48°–51°E), and 1 meteorite from Al Haddar. No meteorites were found near Hafar al Batin (29°N 45°E). The 82 new meteorites represent ~57 falls comprising 43 ordinary chondrites, 4 carbonaceous chondrites, 2 enstatite chondrites, 3 ureilites, 3 eucrites, 1 acapulcoite, and 1 lunar meteorite. The median of 31 14C terrestrial ages is 6.2 ka, significantly younger than the Oman population (19.5 ka, n = 128). A further assessment of terrestrial 14C contamination is advised by a 11–15 ka 14C terrestrial age of heavily weathered meteorite Khawr al Fazra 014, geology indicating a terrestrial age >100 ka. Find densities of 0.4–2.8 km−2 for Yabrin and the western Rub’ al‐Khali are similar to ~0.5 km−2 observed in Oman. Higher find densities of ~135 km−2 (29 km−2 for masses >10 g) exist on small Pleistocene outcrops in blowouts in the south‐central Rub’ al‐Khali: 21 unpaired meteorites (four >10 g) were found in 11 blowouts with a combined area of 0.14 km2. The Rub’ al‐Khali meteorites show a relatively high degree of weathering (median W 3.6; 2.5 for Yabrin), low median mass (4.3/138 g), and a high H/L ratio (2.3/1.1). The high density of small meteorites is explained by prolonged sand protection and recent deflation. The high meteorite density and relatively high proportion of rare meteorite types render the Rub’ al‐Khali blowouts an interesting target for future exploration.