bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contrastive Influence of ENSO and PNA on Variability and Predictability of North American Winter Precipitation
Authors: Li Xiaofan , Hu Zeng-Zhen , Liang Ping , Zhu Jieshun 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
In this work, the roles of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the variability and predictability of the Pacific–North American (PNA) pattern and precipitation in North America in winter are examined. It is noted that statistically about 29% of the variance of PNA is linearly linked to ENSO, while the remaining 71% of the variance of PNA might be explained by other processes, including atmospheric internal dynamics and sea surface temperature variations in the North Pacific. The ENSO impact is mainly meridional from the tropics to the mid–high latitudes, while a major fraction of the non-ENSO variability associated with PNA is confined in the zonal direction from the North Pacific to the North American continent. Such interferential connection on PNA as well as on North American climate variability may reflect a competition between local internal dynamical processes (unpredictable fraction) and remote forcing (predictable fraction). Model responses to observed sea surface temperature and model forecasts confirm that the remote forcing is mainly associated with ENSO and it is the major source of predictability of PNA and winter precipitation in North America.
Examining the North Atlantic Oscillation, East Atlantic Pattern, and Jet Variability since 1685
Authors: Mellado-Cano Javier , Barriopedro David , García-Herrera Ricardo , Trigo Ricardo M. , Hernández Armand 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Recent studies have stressed the key role of the east Atlantic (EA) pattern and its interactions with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in Euro-Atlantic climate variability. However, instrumental records of these leading patterns of variability are short, hampering a proper characterization of the atmospheric circulation beyond the mid-nineteenth century. In this work, we present the longest (1685–2014) observational-based records of winter NAO and EA indices as well as estimates of the North Atlantic eddy-driven jet stream speed and latitude for the same period. The time series display large variability from interannual to multidecadal time scales, with, for example, positive (negative) EA (NAO) phases dominating before 1750 (during much of the nineteenth century). By identifying winters with different combinations of NAO/EA phases in the twentieth century, our results highlight the additional role of EA in shaping the North Atlantic action centers and the European climate responses to NAO. The EA interference with the NAO signal is stronger in precipitation than in temperature and affects areas with strong responses to NAO such as Greenland and the western Mediterranean, which prevents simplistic relationships of natural proxies with NAO. The last three centuries uncover multidecadal periods dominated by specific NAO/EA states and substantial interannual-to-centennial variability in the North Atlantic jet stream, thus providing new evidence of the dynamics behind some outstanding periods. Transitions in the NAO/EA phase space have been recurrent and pin down long-lasting anomalies, such as the displacement of the North Atlantic action centers in the late twentieth century, besides some disagreements between NAO indices.
Erhardt+Leimer India Limited: Strategic Transformation through ERP
Authors: Madhavan S Kaushika 
Published: June 2019

The July-September 2000 (Vol 25, No 3) issue of Vikalpa had published a Management Case titled Erhardt+ Leimer India Limited by S Kaushika Madhavan. In this issue, we feature 11 responses from Mahima Balakrishnan, Sujith Kumar Chandrasekaran and Bharat B Lalwani; Somya Bhatnagar, Samrat Chanda, Abbey Thomas and Sanchali Chakraborty; Anindita Ghosh, A Preeti, Y Mallikarjuna Reddy and Piyush Goyal; Mohit Kumar Jakhodia, Harry Jose, Saurabh Mittal, Yashpal Krishna Das and Abhishek Bansal; Pavan Jolly, Nidhi Gupta, Purvi Modi, Sheel Shah, Shantanu Mazumdar and Santosh Kurian T; Neeraj Kaushlendra, Sptarshi Ganguly and Sushmita Biswas; S Rajaram; V Venkata Rao; Dipankar Roy, Somnath Bondopadhaya, Maulik Singhal and Rajat Shrivastava; Anand Sridharan, V T Bharadwaj and N Ravichandran; and C Venkat. Erhardt+Leimer India Limited (ELIL), in the business of textile and related equipment manufacturing, is facing increased competition, stagnation in revenue, and eroded profitability. ELIUs parent company in Germany had implemented Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions to enhance its effectiveness and had offered ELIL some licences free of cost. Mr S Rajaram, Vice President (Operations) of ELIL, though excited about the possibility of adopting ERP solutions is also concerned about implementation issues. They are: inadequate computing infrastructure, need for substantial investment, need to improve process orientation, data discipline, the prevailing organizational culture, and the high rate of failure in ERP implementation. Considering that he has to make a recommendation to the Board on ERP implementation, he is wondering whether ELIL is prepared for this change.
Strategic Thinking: A Neuronal Architectural View
Authors: Srinivasan N S , Balasubramanian G 
Published: June 2019

The customer-centric digital economy needs business leaders and strategic thinkers to develop a new skill-set of delving within the deeper regions of consciousness and precognize the evolving future in order to make critical decisions that will set the future direction of the organization. As change accelerates to a never before recorded level, sustaining the precognitive capability of collective intelligence of the organization is fast becoming a pre-requisite for survival in the context of hyper-competition. This capacity has to be learnt, understood, and successfully internalized in every strategic thinker. In a business environment where executive functions and passion- driven processes are given greater attention, the precognitive capability gradually begins to wane as either the need for catering to existing demand or anticipation for rewards or both become predominant drivers. This silent change is very slow, hidden, and is not noticed until strategic decisions begin to miscarry. Most of the time, the person's general behaviour could still be in confirmation with the culture of the organization, yet it is possible to identify minor anomalies that occur with a better understanding of how the neuronal circuitry is built in the brain and the underpinning motivational drivers that incite their change. New scientific evidence in the field of Cognitive Science gives us some pointers into hitherto enigmatic queries. The latest research in this field shows that it is possible today to decide on an individual's capability to deliver future results not merely based on past achievements but on his continuing ability to change based on underpinning motivational drivers. This paper presents a neuronal architectural framework to evaluate the future potential of a top management performer based on scientific evidence rather than depend on either the past performances or probability of future success without considering the individual's ability to align with the organizational bionetwork. The paper also addresses every CEO's cup of woe – motivating people to change and ensuring constant growth. Corporate training has to address the following three dilemmas: overcoming the problem of habituation activating the Supervisory Attentional System (SAS) ensuring that inputs given to each individual possess the appropriate degree of novelty and complexity.
Business Ethics: The Next Frontier for Globalizing Indian Companies
Authors: Seshadri D V R , Raghavan Achal , Hegde Shobitha 
Published: June 2019

Nowhere is the fast changing nature of the global business landscape more perceptible than on the ethics front. With a spate of recent unethical behaviours by large corporations in the Western world, especially in USA, their societies have become intolerant to businesses that manifest unethical behaviour. Legal and regulatory frameworks in these countries have been swift to respond through stringent laws such as the Sarbanes Oxley Corporate Reform Act. Consequently, most businesses based in these countries have become extremely risk averse on the ethics front. Few of them would like to have anything to do with any unethical company in any part of the world. This changed mindset has significant ramifications for Indian companies that have global aspirations. No Indian company that hopes to globalize in any manner can afford to ignore these changes sweeping the global business arena on the ethics front. Business ethics encompasses much more than mere compliance with laws and regulations. It is about every individual in the organization acting ethically, about creating an ethically sound working environment within the organization and about modeling ethical behaviour by leadership at all levels. Research suggests that it makes good long-term business sense to be ethical. For a company's ethics policy to be successfully implemented, it is essential that: The code of ethics is clearly communicated to employees. Employees are formally trained in it. They are told how to deal with ethical challenges. The code is implemented strongly. The code is contemporary. The company leadership adheres to the highest ethical standards. When an employee gets no clear answers from the organization while dealing with decisions that have inherent ethical dilemmas, he tends to chart his own course of action by drawing on his intuition, conviction, and beliefs, and assessing the pressures of the situation at hand, putting the organization at considerable risk. Globalizing Indian companies essentially have two options. One is to sit back and wait for the tightening of regulatory and societal screws on them, forcing them into ethical behaviour in a reactive mode. The other approach is for them to proactively herald the new era of business ethics by becoming torch bearers of the new order of things. It is in the organization's selfinterest to take a proactive posture on the ethics issue, and be well-prepared for the shape of things to come. We also show how this can be done and what challenges must be addressed for success on this journey.
A Study on Return on Investment of Training Programme in a Government Enterprise in India
Authors: Subramanian K S , Sinha Vinita , Gupta Priya D 
Published: June 2019

Return on investment (ROI) has become one of the most challenging and intriguing issues facing the human resources development (HRD) and performance improvement fields. With ROI, decision makers evaluate investments by comparing the magnitude and timing of expected gains to the magnitude and timing of investment costs. A good ROI means that investment returns compare favourably to investment costs. This study is aimed at testing the feasibility of a Return on Investment (ROI) model in the context of a training programme in the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), a government organization, to see whether the success of a training programme can be measured more accurately in monetary terms. It is meant to enable the management to understand the direct impact on the business bottom-line as a causal effect of the training imparted and to decide whether to continue or discontinue the programmes. IOC conducted in-house training programmes in 2004 which included a blend of behavioural and functional training. The programmes conducted at this organization were evaluated using the most comprehensive evaluation models and discussed in terms of return on investment. The two programmes chosen for the study were: The Threshold Programme and the Excellence in Project Management, each having 30 participants. The ROI analysis plan document captures information on several key issues necessary to develop the actual ROI calculation: Significant data items The method for isolating the effects of the training and education programme The method for converting data into monetary values The cost categories, noting how certain costs should be prorated The anticipated intangible benefits The communication targets to receive the information Other issues or events that might influence programme implementation. With a proper planning around a proven framework, realistic evaluation targets, and shared responsibilities for major steps, the ROI process can be implemented in a costeffective, systemic manner and can assist the resource-constrained training function to reap financial benefits that leaders understand and have come to expect. It is now strategically imperative that training be conducted with the clear understanding that if people are truly the organization�s greatest asset, then training is beyond doubt, the greatest investment and must hence be utilized wisely.
Underpricing of Initial Public Offerings in Indian Capital Market
Authors: Jain Neeta , Padmavathi C 
Published: June 2019

This paper is an attempt to empirically explore the determinants of underpricing of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in the Indian Capital Market. IPOs are one of the largest sources of capital for the firms to invest in the growth opportunities. It encourages investment activities in the economy by mobilizing funds from low growth opportunities to high growth opportunities. It has been observed that IPOs are underpriced in most of the countries (Loughran, Ritter and Rydqvist 1994). Underpricing is the pricing of the issue at lesser price than the true value of the issue. The degree of underpricing varies from country to country and issue to issue in the same country. The underpriced IPO leaves money on the table which is a cost (loss of capital) for the company and the same becomes a gain for the investors in the form of positive initial returns on the underpriced shares. Though underpricing is a cost for the issuing company, the issuing company underprices the issue. There are many theoretical explanations for underpricing of IPOs. This is an empirical study which aims to find out the factors which are causing underpricing in India. The underpricing of IPOs is a serious problem for any economy. On the one hand, high underpricing tendency in the primary market discourages IPOs issued by those companies which cannot afford or do not want underpricing (leaving money on the table). On the other hand, it creates arbitrage activities in the secondary market and in the grey market. The underpricing of IPOs thus hampers the growth opportunities and creates instability in the secondary market. In India, introduction of book building mechanism of IPOs in 1998 aimed to reduce underpricing because in the book building mechanism, offer price of the issue is determined on the basis of market feedback. The present study on 227 book-built IPOs for the period of 2004 to 2009 found that the average underpricing during this period was 28 per cent while the maximum underpricing was around 242 per cent. Thus underpricing of IPOs is still an issue of concern.
Family members’ experiences of assisted dying: A systematic literature review with thematic synthesis
Authors: Gamondi Claudia , Fusi-Schmidhauser Tanja , Oriani Anna , Payne Sheila , Preston Nancy 
Published: June 2019

Background: Families’ experiences of assisted dying are under-investigated and families are rarely considered in clinical guidelines concerning assisted dying. Aim: To systematically review family experiences of assisted dying. Design: A systematic literature review using thematic synthesis. Data sources: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine) and PsycINFO databases (January 1992 to February 2019). Studies investigating families’ experiences on the practice of legalised assisted dying were included. We excluded studies prior to legalisation within the jurisdiction, secondary data analysis and opinion papers. Results: Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Publications were derived from four countries: The Netherlands, United States (Oregon, Washington and Vermont), Canada and Switzerland. Dutch studies predominately investigated family involvement in euthanasia, while Swiss and American studies only reported on assisted suicide. Eleven studies had a qualitative design, using predominately in-depth interviews; seven were retrospective surveys. Five analytical themes represented families’ experiences in assisted dying: (1) context of the decision, (2) grounding the decision, (3) cognitive and emotional work, (4) experiencing the final farewell and (5) grief and bereavement. The results showed that families can be very involved in supporting patients seeking assisted dying, where open communication is maintained. Family involvement appeared to be influenced by the type of legislation in their country and the families’ perception of the social acceptability of assisted dying. Conclusion: Our data confirm that families across all jurisdictions are involved in assisted suicide decision and enactment. Family needs are under-researched, and clinical guidelines should incorporate recommendations about how to consider family needs and how to provide them with evidence-based tailored interventions.
Resting-state dynamics as a neuromarker of dopamine administration in healthy female adults
Authors: Bellucci Gabriele , Münte Thomas F , Park Soyoung Q 
Published: June 2019

Background: Different neuromarkers of people’s emotions, personality traits and behavioural performance have recently been identified. However, not much attention has been devoted to neuromarkers of neural responsiveness to drug administration. Aims: We investigated the predictive neuromarkers of acute dopamine (DA) administration. Methods: In a double-blind, within-subject study, we administrated a DA agonist (pramipexole) or placebo to 27 healthy female subjects. Using multivariate classification and prediction analyses, we examined whether dopaminergic modulations of task-free resting-state brain dynamics predict individual differences in pramipexole’s modulation of facial attractiveness evaluations. Results: Our results demonstrate that pramipexole’s effects on brain dynamics could be successfully discriminated from resting-state functional connectivity (accuracy: 78.9%; p < 0.0001). On the behavioural level, pramipexole increased facial attractiveness evaluations ( t(39) = 4.44; p < 0.0001). In particular, pramipexole administration enhanced connectivity strength of the cinguloopercular network ( t(23) = 3.29; p = 0.003) and increased brain signal variability in subcortical and prefrontal brain areas ( t(13) = 3.05, p = 0.009). Importantly, multivariate predictive models reveal that pramipexole-dependent modulation of resting-state dynamics predicted the increase of facial attractiveness evaluations after pramipexole (connectivity strength: standardized mean squared error, smse = 0.65; p = 0.0007; brain signal variability: smse = 0.94, p = 0.015). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that modulations of resting-state brain dynamics induced by a DA agonist predict drug-related effects on evaluation processes, providing a neuromarker of the neural responsiveness of specific brain networks to DA administration.
Nutrient Cost-Effectiveness of Fortified Blended Food Aid Products
Authors: Regier Gregory K. , Lindshield Brian L. , Lilja Nina K. 
Published: June 2019

Background: Sorghum-Soy Blend (SSB) and Sorghum-Cowpea Blend (SCB) fortified blended food aid porridge products were developed as alternatives to Corn-Soy Blend Plus (CSB+) and Super Cereal Plus (SC+), the most widely used fortified blended food aid products. However, the cost and nutrient cost-effectiveness of these products procured from different geographical areas have not been determined. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the nutrient cost-effectiveness of SSB and SCB compared to existing fortified blended foods. Methods: Nutritional data as well as ingredient, processing, and transportation cost for SSB, SCB, and existing fortified blended foods were compiled. Using the omega value, the ratio of the fortified blended food’s Nutrient Value Score to the total cost of the fortified blended food divided by an identical ratio of a different fortified blended food or the same fortified blended food produced in a different country and the nutrient cost-effectiveness of each of the fortified blended foods procured in the United States and several African countries were determined. Results: Both CSB+ and SC+ are less expensive than SSB and SCB, but they also have lower Nutrient Value Scores of 7.7 and 8.6, respectively. However, the omega values of CSB+ and SC+ are all above 1 when compared to SSB and SCB, suggesting that the existing fortified blended foods are more nutrient cost-effective. Conclusions: Comparing the nutrient cost-effectiveness of various food aid products could provide valuable information to food aid agencies prior to making procurement decisions.
Reflections upon the need for and approaches to enhance membership engagement in the RANZCP: a fellowship better together
Authors: Looi Jeffrey CL , Allison Stephen , Bastiampillai Tarun 
Published: June 2019

Objective: We outline reflections on the problem of decreasing membership engagement in the RANZCP (the ‘College’) and propose approaches to enhance membership engagement. Conclusion: We propose approaches to improve membership engagement based on the sociological concepts of social capital, addressing the pressures of psychiatric practice and the medico-political environment. We also propose harnessing the CPD program to enhance RANZCP volunteering.
Promoting Surgical Residents’ Basic Skills via the Design and Implementation of a Simulation Training Tool
Authors: Ruoranen Minna , Antikainen Teuvo , Mattila Anne , Hämäläinen Raija H. , Eteläpelto Anneli 
Published: June 2019

Background. Surgical training in authentic work environments needs guidance practices, including simulation training within a competence-based framework. The use of simulators may actually have negative effects on professional learning if there is a lack of competence-based goals, tools, and guidance, integrated with work practices, and applied by trainers. Intervention. We designed simulation training tools to promote the surgical residents’ abilities to perform competently in basic surgical skills. Our educational and surgical team worked together and (i) specified the goals for the tasks, (ii) specified the skills to be achieved, (iii) and analyzed the learning outcomes. The assumption was that after completing the simulation training, the resident would gain precise basic skills. Methods. Eight (8) licensed doctors, starting their specialization in surgery or gynecology, participated in the study. In accordance with the training design the residents were asked to self-assess their achieved skills by completing questionnaires, before and after the training period. In addition, the skills achieved were assessed individually by the trainer at the end of the training period. All the assessments were carried out on a scale based on OSATS (Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills) and modified specifically for this study. Results. The residents and their trainers evaluated the simulation training design as effective, and as beneficial for learning basic surgical skills. However, it proved difficult for the residents to achieve the targets consistently and to assess their own skills. Some fine-tuning is needed to enhance the integration of simulation training tools with practical learning. Discussion. The simulation training appeared to motivate the trainees. Overall, there is a need for discussion on the implications for competence-based theories and simulation practices. Limitations. The small number of participants limited the possibilities for statistical analysis. The analyses and results should be seen as merely indicative. Further studies are needed.