bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of online trust-building mechanisms on trust and repurchase intentions
Authors: Liu Yi , Tang Xinlin 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to extend the current literature on trust-building mechanisms in e-commerce and provide a comprehensive view of how the perceived usefulness of three types of online trust-building mechanisms affects trust in the e-seller and trust in the e-marketplace, which, in turn, shape the customer repurchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach
Survey data were collected from 193 eBay customers to test the proposed research model.

Findings
The study found that the perceived usefulness of seller-based mechanism affects both trust in the e-marketplace and trust in the e-seller. Meanwhile, the perceived usefulness of experience-based mechanism only influences trust in the e-seller and the perceived usefulness of institution-based mechanism (IBM) only affects trust in the e-marketplace. Furthermore, this study found that trust in the e-marketplace can substitute for the effect of trust in the e-seller on customer repurchase intentions.

Practical implications
In an e-marketplace like eBay that does not involve much in the transaction process, e-sellers should invest more resources in building attractive and informative websites about their products and organizations. Moreover, e-marketplace owners should provide guidelines and enforce policies to improve the perceived usefulness of an IBM to increase an e-marketplace’s credibility. While such e-marketplace credibility does not affect customer repurchase intentions directly, it reduces customer concerns about individual e-sellers, which makes it easier for e-sellers to retain customers.

Originality/value
This study delineates how the perceived usefulness of three types of online trust-building mechanisms imposes different effects on trust in the e-marketplace and trust in the e-seller. Moreover, this study reveals the intertwined relationship between trust in the e-marketplace and trust in the e-seller that is different from extant studies conducted in marketplaces like Amazon.
Governance for intelligent organizations: a cybernetic contribution
Authors: Schwaninger Markus 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to revisit the viable system model (VSM) discussing it from both the theoretical and the empirical standpoints, and ascertaining its relevance for organizational governance.

Design/methodology/approach
A combination of theoretical and empirical components is used: introduction to theory and critique on the one hand; case studies and a large sample empirical study on the other.

Findings
The VSM has proved to be a powerful means of governance for organizations in turbulent times. It conveys a durable, reliable knowledge. This has been corroborated in both case studies and a large-scale empirical study.

Practical implications
Application of the model under study can activate a huge potential for the improvement of organizations.

Originality/value
This contribution tests the VSM in an unseen fashion – qualitatively and quantitatively. The results suggest that a high confidence in the model is justified. It conveys to managers and leaders an unconventional, superior approach to both diagnosis and design of their organizations.
Academia and the World Brain
Authors: Bula German Ulises , González Sebastián Alejandro 
Published: May 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to clarify the role of academia in broader society. What is academia’s role beyond being a business and providing qualified professionals to other businesses? What kind of organization and ethos is consistent with academia’s proper role in society, considered as a higher-order cognitive system?

Design/methodology/approach
Society as a whole is modeled as a viable system, with subsystems dedicated to self-production in the here and now (systems 1-3) and subsystems engaged in exploring the outside and future of the system and in consolidating an identity and an ethos (systems 4 and 5). The role, ethos and proper organization of academia are derived from this model and from cybernetic considerations on the proper architecture of system 4 and system 5 cognitive systems.

Findings
To fulfill its role as part of society’s system 4 and system 5, academia must include areas that are sometimes considered redundant or an expensive luxury, such as the humanities or basic research. The humanities must strive to catalyze broad community participation as part of their contribution to system 5 and must strive to produce bridge languages between communities and disciplines to increase the connectivity of the World Brain. The publish-or-perish ethos of academia must be replaced by an erotic spirituality, understood as desire for otherness.

Originality/value
This paper integrates broad philosophical considerations on the role of academia with the use of cybernetic models of viable systems and of distributed cognition, yielding practical guidelines for the organization of academia.
Entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance: the mediating role of functional performances
Authors: Rezaei Jafar , Ortt Roland 
Published: May 2018

PurposeEarlier studies have generally shown a positive relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and the overall performance of the firm. The purpose of this paper is to understand in more detail how EO influences firm performance. It adds to the literature by distinguishing performances of different functions in a firm and by exploring how the dimensions of EO influence these functional performances and, in turn, overall firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThis study examined the relationship between three dimensions of EO (innovativeness, proactiveness, risk-taking), three types of functional performances of firms (R&D performance, production performance, marketing and sales performance) and the overall performance of firms. The data are collected from 279 high-tech small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using a postal survey. The proposed hypotheses are tested using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThe results indicate that the dimensions of (EO) are related in different ways to the performance of functions in a firm. A positive relationship is observed between innovativeness and R&D performance and between proactiveness and marketing and sales performance. A negative relationship exists between risk-taking and production performance. The results also show a sequential positive relationship from R&D via production and marketing and sales to overall performance of firms. Therefore, it is concluded that the R&D, production and marketing and sales functions reinforce each other in a logic order and are complementary in their effect on overall firm performance.Practical implicationsThe results imply that the three functions, R&D, production and marketing and sales, in a firm play different roles, both in the firm’s EO and in their contribution to overall performance. Managers can use the findings to monitor and influence the performance of different functions in a firm to increase overall firm performance.Originality/valueThe first contribution of this study is that it unravels (i) which dimensions of EO have an effect on the performance of separate functions in a firm, indicating that functions contribute in different ways to entrepreneurial orientation of the firm. A second contribution is assessing how the performance of these functions influence the firm’s overall performance. This paper fills a gap in the literature by exploring internal firm variables mediating the relationship between EO and overall firm performance and contributes to the discussion on the contradictory results regarding the relationship between risk-taking and firm performance.
Tenure Security and Farm Efficiency Analysis Correcting for Biases from Observed and Unobserved Variables: Evidence from Benin
Authors: Lawin Kotchikpa G. , Tamini Lota D. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe analyse the impact of land tenure security on the technical efficiency of a sample of smallholder farmers in Benin, based on an output‐oriented stochastic distance function. We use propensity score matching to correct for selection bias from observed variables. The Greene () sample selection model is used to correct for selection bias due to unobserved variables. We estimate meta‐frontiers to analyse agricultural productivity and efficiency differences between landowners and non‐owners. Our results show that non‐owners have consistently higher levels of technical efficiency and productivity.
Extracellular vesicles generated by placental tissues ex vivo: A transport system for immune mediators and growth factors
Authors: Fitzgerald Wendy , Gomez‐Lopez Nardhy , Erez Offer , Romero Roberto , Margolis Leonid 
Published: May 2018

ProblemTo study the mechanisms of placenta function and the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in pregnancy, it is necessary to develop an ex vivo system that retains placental cytoarchitecture and the primary metabolic aspects, in particular the release of EVs and soluble factors. Here, we developed such a system and investigated the pattern of secretion of cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles by placental villous and amnion tissues ex vivo.Methods of StudyPlacental villous and amnion explants were cultured for 2 weeks at the air/liquid interface and their morphology and the released cytokines and EVs were analyzed. Cytokines were analyzed with multiplexed bead assays, and individual EVs were analyzed with recently developed techniques that involved EV capture with magnetic nanoparticles coupled to anti‐EV antibodies and flow cytometry.ResultsEx vivo tissues (i) remained viable and preserved their cytoarchitecture; (ii) maintained secretion of cytokines and growth factors; (iii) released EVs of syncytiotrophoblast and amnion epithelial cell origins that contain cytokines and growth factors.ConclusionA system of ex vivo placental villous and amnion tissues can be used as an adequate model to study placenta metabolic activity in normal and complicated pregnancies, in particular to characterize EVs by their surface markers and by encapsulated proteins. Establishment and benchmarking the placenta ex vivo system may provide new insight in the functional status of this organ in various placental disorders, particularly regarding the release of EVs and cytokines. Such EVs may have a prognostic value for pregnancy complications.
Effect of Cerebral Flow Autoregulation Function on Cerebral Flow Rate Under Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Support
Authors: Bozkurt Selim 
Published: May 2018

AbstractNeurological complications in continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF‐LVAD) patients are the second‐leading risk of death after multi‐organ failure. They are associated with altered blood flow in the cardiovascular system because of CF‐LVAD support. Moreover, an impaired cerebral autoregulation function may also contribute to complications such as hyperperfusion in the cerebral circulation under mechanical circulatory support. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of cerebral autoregulatory function on cerebral blood flow rate under CF‐LVAD support. A lumped parameter model was used to simulate the cardiovascular system including the heart chambers, heart valves, systemic and pulmonary circulations and cerebral circulation which includes entire Circle of Willis. A baroreflex model was used to regulate the systemic arteriolar and cerebral vascular resistances and a model of the Micromed CF‐LVAD was used to simulate the pump dynamics at different operating speeds. Additionally, preserved and impaired cerebral autoregulatory functions were simulated in heart failure and under CF‐LVAD support. Cerebral blood flow rate was restored under CF‐LVAD support at 10 500 rpm pump operating speed which generated a similar arterial blood pressure and blood flow as in a healthy condition for the impaired cerebral autoregulatory function while the preserved cerebral autoregulatory function regulated the cerebral flow rate within a relatively low range for the applied pump operating speeds. Relatively low or high pump operating speeds may cause underpefusion or hyperperfusion for a failing cardiovascular system with impaired cerebral autoregulatory function under CF‐LVAD support which will contribute to the worsening of cerebral complications.
Development and validation of the Bullying and Cyberbullying Scale for Adolescents: A multi‐dimensional measurement model
Authors: Thomas Hannah J. , Scott James G. , Coates Jason M. , Connor Jason P. 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundIntervention on adolescent bullying is reliant on valid and reliable measurement of victimization and perpetration experiences across different behavioural expressions.AimsThis study developed and validated a survey tool that integrates measurement of both traditional and cyber bullying to test a theoretically driven multi‐dimensional model.SampleAdolescents from 10 mainstream secondary schools completed a baseline and follow‐up survey (N = 1,217; Mage = 14 years; 66.2% male).MethodsThe Bullying and cyberbullying Scale for Adolescents (BCS‐A) developed for this study comprised parallel victimization and perpetration subscales, each with 20 items. Additional measures of bullying (Olweus Global Bullying and the Forms of Bullying Scale [FBS]), as well as measures of internalizing and externalizing problems, school connectedness, social support, and personality, were used to further assess validity.ResultsFactor structure was determined, and then, the suitability of items was assessed according to the following criteria: (1) factor interpretability, (2) item correlations, (3) model parsimony, and (4) measurement equivalence across victimization and perpetration experiences. The final models comprised four factors: physical, verbal, relational, and cyber. The final scale was revised to two 13‐item subscales. The BCS‐A demonstrated acceptable concurrent and convergent validity (internalizing and externalizing problems, school connectedness, social support, and personality), as well as predictive validity over 6 months.ConclusionsThe BCS‐A has sound psychometric properties. This tool establishes measurement equivalence across types of involvement and behavioural forms common among adolescents. An improved measurement method could add greater rigour to the evaluation of intervention programmes and also enable interventions to be tailored to subscale profiles.
Postoperative complications of contemporary open and robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy using standardised reporting systems
Authors: Pompe Raisa S. , Beyer Burkhard , Haese Alexander , Preisser Felix , Michl Uwe , Steuber Thomas , Graefen Markus , Huland Hartwig , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Tilki Derya 
Published: May 2018

ObjectivesTo analyse time trends and contemporary rates of postoperative complications after radical prostatectomy (RP) and to compare the complication profile of open RP (ORP) and robot‐assisted laparoscopic RP (RALP) using standardised reporting systems.Patients and MethodsRetrospective analysis of 13 924 RP patients in a single institution (2005–2015). Complications were collected during hospital stay and via standardised questionnaire 3 months after, and grouped into eight schemes. Since 2013, the revised Clavien–Dindo classification was used (n = 4 379). Annual incidence rates of different complications were graphically displayed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses compared complications between ORP and RALP after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW).ResultsAfter the introduction of standardised classification systems, complication rates have increased with a contemporary rate of 20.6% (2013–2015). While minor Clavien–Dindo grades represented the majority (I: 10.6%; II: 7.9%), severe complications (Grades IV–V) were rare (<1%). In logistic regression analyses after IPTW, RALP was associated with less blood loss, shorter catheterisation time, and lower risk of Clavien–Dindo Grade II and III complications.ConclusionOur results emphasise the importance of standardised reporting systems for quality control and comparison across approaches or institutions. Contemporary complication rates in a high‐volume centre remain low and are most frequently minor Clavien–Dindo grades. RALP had a slightly better complication profile compared to ORP.
Comparing visual acuity, range of vision and spectacle independence in the extended range of vision and monofocal intraocular lens
Authors: Hogarty Daniel T , Russell Deborah J , Ward Bernadette M , Dewhurst Nicholas , Burt Peter 
Published: May 2018

AbstractImportanceThis study is the first to compare the extended range of vision (ERV) intraocular lens (IOL) targeted at micro‐monovision to a monofocal targeted at binocular emmetropia.BackgroundCompares visual acuity, range of vision and spectacle independence in monofocal and ERV IOLs.DesignAssessor‐blinded retrospective cohort study.ParticipantsEighty‐eight participants (176 eyes) with bilateral IOL implants at 5+ month postoperative review.MethodsRegression analyses (general estimating equations and multiple linear regression) tested associations between IOL type (ZA9002 Tecnis 3‐piece or Tecnis ZCT monofocal; and Tecnis Symfony ERV IOL) and visual acuity, adjusting for key confounders including residual astigmatism.Main Outcome MeasuresMonocular and binocular visual acuity measured with and without distance refractive correction at distance (3.00 m), intermediate (1.00 and 0.63 m) and near (0.40 m) (logMAR units); near vision reading test used British ‘N’ notation; self‐reported spectacle independence.ResultsThere was no significant difference between ERV and monofocal groups in uncorrected binocular visual acuity at distance (P = 0.595). Binocular uncorrected visual acuity at intermediate (0.63 m: monofocal 0.24, ERV 0.09, P < 0.001) and near (0.40 m: monofocal 0.42, ERV 0.18, P < 0.001) were significantly better in the ERV group. Binocular uncorrected near vision: all the ERV group read N8 or better, compared to 36% in the monofocal group (P < 0.001); 93% of the ERV group reported spectacle independence at near compared to 33% in the monofocal group (P < 0.001).Conclusions and RelevanceThe ERV IOL, targeted to achieve micro‐monovision, demonstrated superior range of visual acuity and spectacle independence compared to the monofocal targeted to achieve emmetropia.
Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides
Authors: Mitteldorf Christina , Stadler Rudolf , Sander Christian A. , Kempf Werner 
Published: May 2018

SummaryAccepted by the WHO and EORTC as a variant of classic mycosis fungoides, folliculotropic (syn.: follicular or pilotropic) mycosis fungoides (FMF) is characterized by a broad clinical and histological spectrum with numerous differential diagnoses. Recent studies have shown that FMF can be divided into two prognostically different subgroups, both marked by histological as well as clinical differences. Treatment should therefore be tailored to the various subtypes and clinical courses. The present review highlights the clinical and histological manifestations of FMF as well as the new subclassification. Moreover, important differential diagnoses and therapeutic options are discussed.
Processing technique of ratings for ranking of alternatives (PROTERRA)
Authors: Kobryń Andrzej , Prystrom Joanna 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis paper presents a new approach to multicriteria decision analysis. They were named as processing technique of ratings for ranking of alternatives (PROTERRA). The consecutive steps of the process include normalization of the ratings, calculating of the ratings ratios within each pair of the alternatives, creating a component matrix for each of the criteria, and creating a total matrix that is the sum of the weighted component matrices. Aggregated ratings of individual alternatives result from the sums of all the values of the corresponding rows and columns of the total matrix elements. A practical application of the PROTERRA has been illustrated with an example of a decision problem concerning the choice of a shopping centre location. The analysis results of the PROTERRA are compared with other results obtained using the most popular methods, that is, analytic hierarchy process, preference ranking organization method for enrichment of evaluations, and technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution. In order to assess the stability of the ranking order obtained by the PROTERRA algorithm, the influence of weights variations on the final ranking results were tested. The sensitivity analysis was also carried out for the other methods, that is, preference ranking organization method for enrichment of evaluations, analytic hierarchy process, and technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution. On this basis, a stability of rankings resulting from all analysed methods were compared.
Comparing Inference Methods for Non‐probability Samples
Authors: Buelens Bart , Burger Joep , van den Brakel Jan A. 
Published: May 2018

SummarySocial and economic scientists are tempted to use emerging data sources like big data to compile information about finite populations as an alternative for traditional survey samples. These data sources generally cover an unknown part of the population of interest. Simply assuming that analyses made on these data are applicable to larger populations is wrong. The mere volume of data provides no guarantee for valid inference. Tackling this problem with methods originally developed for probability sampling is possible but shown here to be limited. A wider range of model‐based predictive inference methods proposed in the literature are reviewed and evaluated in a simulation study using real‐world data on annual mileages by vehicles. We propose to extend this predictive inference framework with machine learning methods for inference from samples that are generated through mechanisms other than random sampling from a target population. Describing economies and societies using sensor data, internet search data, social media and voluntary opt‐in panels is cost‐effective and timely compared with traditional surveys but requires an extended inference framework as proposed in this article.
Statistical Medical Fraud Assessment: Exposition to an Emerging Field
Authors: Ekin Tahir , Ieva Francesca , Ruggeri Fabrizio , Soyer Refik 
Published: May 2018

SummaryHealth care expenditures constitute a significant portion of governmental budgets. The percentage of fraud, waste and abuse within that spending has increased over years. This paper introduces the emerging area of statistical medical fraud assessment, which becomes crucial to handle the increasing size and complexity of the medical programmes. An overview of fraud types and detection is followed by the description of medical claims data. The utilisation of sampling, overpayment estimation and data mining methods in medical fraud assessment are presented. Recent unsupervised methods are illustrated with real world data. Finally, the paper introduces potential future research areas such as integrated decision making approaches and Bayesian methods and concludes with an overall discussion. The main goal of this exposition is to increase awareness about this important area among a broader audience of statisticians.