bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fitting the Erlang distribution to cancer incidence by age may predict key carcinogenic events
Authors: Belikov Aleksey V. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractCancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases. Cancers arise from various cells and organs at different ages and develop at different rates. However, the reasons for this variation in the cancer progression rate and the age of onset are poorly understood. Especially puzzling is the late-life decrease in cancer incidence, which cannot be explained by previously proposed power law or exponential growth equations. By using the latest publicly available USA cancer incidence statistics, comprised of 20 million cancer cases documented over 14 years, I show that cancer incidence by age closely follows the Erlang probability distribution (R2=0.9543-0.9999), which is a special case of the gamma distribution. The Erlang distribution describes the probabilityyofkindependent random events occurring by the timex, but not earlier or later, with each event happening on average everybtime intervals. This fits well with the multiple-hit hypothesis, and potentially allows to predict the numberkof key carcinogenic events and the average time intervalbbetween them, for each cancer type. Moreover, the amplitude parameterAlikely predicts maximal populational susceptibility to a given type of cancer. These parameters are estimated for 20 most common cancer types, and provide clues for further research on cancer development.
The validity of pairwise models in predicting community dynamics
Authors: Momeni Babak , Xie Li , Shou Wenying 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPairwise models are commonly used to describe many-species communities. In these models, a focal species receives additive fitness effects from pairwise interactions with other species in the community (“pairwise additivity assumption”), and all pairwise interactions are represented by a single canonical equation form (“universality assumption”). Here, we analyze the validity of pairwise modeling. We build mechanistic reference models for chemical-mediated interactions in microbial communities, and attempt to derive corresponding pairwise models. Even when one species affects another via a single chemical mediator, different forms of pairwise models are appropriate for consumable versus reusable mediators, with the wrong model producing qualitatively wrong predictions. For multi-mediator interactions, a canonical model becomes even less tenable. These results, combined with potential violation of the pairwise additivity assumption in communities of more than two species, suggest that although pairwise modeling can be useful, we should examine its validity before employing it.
The regulatableMAL32promoter inS. cerevisiae: characteristics and tools to facilitate its use
Authors: Meurer Matthias , Chevyreva Veronika , Cerulus Bram , Knop Michael 
Published: June 2016

SummaryHere we describe a set of tools to facilitate the use of maltose and theMAL32promoter for regulated gene expression in yeast, alone or in combination with theGAL1promoter. Using fluorescent protein reporters we find that under non-inducing conditions theMAL32promoter exhibits a low basal level of expression, similar to theGAL1promoter, and that both promoters can be induced independently of each other using the respective sugars, maltose and galactose. While their repression upon glucose addition is immediate and complete, we found that theMAL32andGAL1promoter each exhibit distinct induction kinetics. A set of plasmids is available to facilitate the application of theMAL32promoter for chromosomal modifications using PCR targeting and for plasmid based gene expression.
Evaluating Alberta cattle feeders’ loan guarantee program
Authors: Twine Edgar Edwin , Unterschultz James , Rude James 
Published: June 2016

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate Alberta’s cattle loan guarantee program. It measures the risk premiums on lending that would accrue to banks participating in the program, estimates the value (price) of the loan guarantee, and estimates the interest subsidy provided by the program.Design/methodology/approach– A cash flow model of cattle feeding is used. The model estimates a measure of risk that is applied to option pricing models to estimate the value of the guarantee.Findings– Insurance premiums for the credit risk to lenders are 0.20 percent of the value of the loan for the entire feeding period, and 0.41 percent for backgrounding but negligible for finishing. The price of the loan guarantee estimated by the Black-Scholes model is 4.43 percent of the value of the loan and is comparable to prices estimated by the binomial model. The program provides a subsidy rate of 4.58 percent.Research limitations/implications– Charging a guarantee fee can potentially eliminate the interest subsidy inherent in the program. But this would necessitate determining the impact of the guarantee fee on the additional access to credit that has been achieved through the program.Practical implications– Different levels of risk for backgrounding and finishing imply different risk premiums on cattle loans. Therefore interest on cattle loans should reflect not only the individual farmer’s risk profile but also the nature of the feeding operation.Originality/value– This is the first paper to simultaneously estimate risk premiums on cattle feeding loans, the value of the loan guarantee provided by the Alberta Feeder Association Loan Guarantee Program, and the inherent interest subsidy.
Combined heat treatment of metal materials
Authors: Kotlan Václav , Hamar Roman , Pánek David , Doležel Ivo 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to propose and analyze a combined heat treatment of metal materials, consisting in classic induction pre-heating and/or post-heating and full heating by laser beam. This technology is prospective for some kinds of surface hardening and welding because its application leads to lowering of temperature gradients at the heated spots, which substantially reduces local residual mechanical strains and stresses.

Design/methodology/approach
– The task was solved like the 3D hard-coupled problem for electromagnetic field, temperature field and field of displacements. It was solved numerically using the techniques based on the FEM. For solution was used commercial software COMSOL Multiphysics, some parts were solved using own scripts in the software Agros.

Findings
– In the paper are shown results of the numerical solution and experimental measured data. Due the work the authors found that the influence of the pre-heating and post-heating really leads to limit the temperature gradients and from other measurements is clear that also to improving of the welding.

Originality/value
– The paper presents fully 3D nonlinear and nonstationary mathematical model of hybrid laser welding, its numerical solution experimental verification.
Assessment of d.c. traction stray currents effects on nearby pipelines
Authors: Machczynski Wojciech , Budnik Krzysztof , Szymenderski Jan 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
– dc electrified traction systems are a potential source of stray currents. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the harmful effects (electrolytic corrosion) that an electrified railway has on nearby earth return circuits (e.g. pipelines).

Design/methodology/approach
– The electric circuit approach, based on the earth return circuit theory, to model stray currents interference on extended structures is presented. An exact method of calculation is applicable to any dc railway system in which tracks can be represented by a single earth-return circuit (equivalent rail) with current energization. In the approximate method, the equivalent rail with current energization is modeled as a large multinode electrical equivalent circuit with lumped parameters. The circuit is a chain of basic circuits, which are equivalents of homogenous sections of the rail. The electrode kinetics (polarization phenomenon) is taken into account in the model developed.

Findings
– Formulas in partially closed forms are derived applicable to the analysis of currents and potentials along a pipeline laid in the proximity with railway tracks. The attempt is undertaken, to incorporate the electrode kinetics into the simulation model in which the polarization phenomenon (Tafel equation) is modeled by a non-linear voltage source with source voltage being iteratively calculated. The polarization potential along the affected pipeline can be determined.

Originality/value
– The pipeline electrochemical response (polarization behavior – non-linear phenomenon on the interface metal-soil electrolyte) to the dc stray currents interference is innovative incorporated into the simulation model with lumped parameters using the iterative process.
International market selection and export performance: a transaction cost analysis
Authors: He Xinming , Lin Zhibin , Wei Yingqi 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to provide a transaction cost analysis (TCA) perspective to exporting firms' selection of foreign markets and the performance consequences of this international market selection (IMS) decision. This paper proposes a conceptual framework that hypothesizes the relationship between transaction cost factors, IMS and export performance.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper tests the proposed framework with a database of Chinese manufacturing firms using regression models and controlling for possible endogeneity. The endogeneity issue may arise due to IMS being influenced by unobserved industrial/firm attributes.

Findings
The results show that transaction cost factors are able to explain IMS. Furthermore, firms whose decisions have incorporated transaction cost factors perform significantly better than their rivals.

Research limitations/implications
Understanding transaction costs helps decision-makers formulate more efficient IMS strategy to achieve superior export performance. Future research on IMS may examine “passive exporting”, i.e. exporting initiated by overseas buyers, consider the role of institutional distance and use other approaches toward cultural distance-based IMS.

Originality/value
This study adds a new theoretical underpinning for IMS by developing a framework based on TCA, and thus broadens the applications of TCA into IMS. Our empirical results support this extension.
Unit pricing matters more when consumers are under time pressure
Authors: Yao Jun , Oppewal Harmen 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to first investigate how unit pricing affects consumers’ grocery purchase decisions and perceptions of the shopping task’s information load. The second goal is to test how time pressure enhances the behavioural and perceptual effects of displaying unit prices.

Design/methodology/approach
Two on-line experiments were conducted using national samples of shoppers. In Study 1, participants indicated their choices and perceptions in an inter-brand shopping scenario where prepackaged products have conflicting positions on retail price and unit price. In Study 2, participants conducted the same shopping task but now under a condition of time pressure.

Findings
Study 1 shows that unit pricing shifts consumer choices towards the lower unit priced options and improves their perceptions of task information load. Study 2 shows that when consumers are under time pressure, unit pricing shows stronger effects on choices but not on perceptions.

Research limitations/implications
The study comprised a fairly homogenous set of low involvement categories and relatively small assortments in a hypothetical purchase setting. Exploration of the role of unit pricing in more complex and more realistic purchase environments pose suitable avenues for future research.

Practical implications
This study shows that consumers benefit from unit pricing because it makes it easier for them to find the lower unit priced items and to more quickly complete their shopping task. Retailers will benefit from increased customer satisfaction and possibly an improved store image.

Social implications
The study shows that consumers generally benefit from the presence of unit pricing and that unit price information does not create harmful effects in terms of increasing their information load.

Originality/value
This study uses a specifically designed and controlled but nevertheless realistic grocery choice task to study the effects of unit pricing in an inter-brand context where there are only small differences in size and price. The study contributes to the literature by showing that in such conditions, unit prices help consumers compare the economic losses associated with product options. Their heuristic role is more pronounced when consumers are under time pressure. The study shows that consumers generally benefit from the presence of unit prices.
Unintended effects of marketing messages on salespeople’s cynicism
Authors: Seriki Olalekan K. , Evans Kenneth R. , Jeon Hyo-Jin (Jean) , Dant Rajiv P. , Helm Amanda 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to examine how external marketing messages, which are generally used to convey company and product information to external target audiences, influence job attitudes and behaviors of salespeople.

Design/methodology/approach
The study is conducted based on survey data on 348 salespeople working at regional banks in the Midwestern USA. The relationships among salespeople’s perceptions of marketing messages (i.e. in terms of value incongruence and claim inaccuracy), organizational cynicism, job attitudes (i.e. organizational commitment and job satisfaction) and behaviors (i.e. extra-role performance) are empirically tested.

Findings
Salespeople’s perceptions of value incongruence and claim inaccuracy of marketing messages heighten organizational cynicism, which in turn negatively impacts on organizational commitment, job satisfaction and extra-role performance. Also, inaccurate claim directly decreases job attitudes and behaviors.

Research limitations/implications
The results are limited to salespeople in financial institutions, and future research should investigate perceptions of non-customer contact employees in other industry contexts. Future investigation may also include objective performance metrics and consumer satisfaction ratings.

Practical implications
Service firms should strive to align salespeople’s perceptions of marketing messages with firms’ intended goals from those messages.

Originality/value
Drawing on attitude theory and perspectives from sales literature, social psychology and organizational behavior literature, in the first of such investigations, the authors studied the impact of external marketing messages on salespeople’s cynicism, job attitudes and behaviors.
Researchers’ competencies in the coming decade: attitudes towards and expectations of the Russian innovation system
Authors: Shmatko Natalia 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
This paper aims to analyse the necessity and sufficiency of researchers’ and engineers’ competencies in the area of science and technology, given oncoming technological changes. Five key questions are addressed concerning the skills and abilities of PhD holders: What competencies do researchers have at present? What competencies are currently used? How valuable are they at the present time? Will they be in demand in 10-15 years? And how relevant are these competencies for working on projects in priority areas of science and technology development?

Design/methodology/approach
The analysis was based on data collected by two empirical studies conducted in 2010-2013. A survey of researchers and engineers described the issues with competencies related to the areas of science, technology and innovation. Study among 1,884 PhD holders employed in research institutes, universities and enterprises was carried out. In addition, 30 in-depth interviews were also conducted with experts representing the most promising areas of science and technology development in Russia – nanotechnology, biotechnology and the power engineering sectors.

Findings
The results from quantitative and qualitative analyses indicate that general competencies such as fundamental theoretical knowledge, ability to work on projects, teamwork and creativity will be in demand in 10-15 years, rather than highly specialized skills. Employers tend to develop needed skills of researchers involved in innovations directly on the workplace, during the realization of a project.

Originality/value
This is the first paper to use solid broad statistical evidence to outline a clear idea of the technological and scientific research competencies that would be required in the future.
Research and innovation futures: exploring new ways of doing and organizing knowledge creation
Authors: Weber K. Matthias , Amanatidou Effie , Erdmann Lorenz , Nieminen Mika 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of research and innovation futures, sketch the landscape of recent findings in this field with a focus on new ways of doing and organizing knowledge creation and position the contributions to this special issue within that landscape.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper includes a review of literature on the embedding of research and innovation in society, outlines the main domains of current drivers of change and summarises the contributions to the special issue.

Findings
Recent controversies about the future of research and innovation draw on a long-standing trajectory of debate about the role of science, technology and innovation in society, and the balance between autonomy in striving for scientific excellence on the one hand and the quest for social and economic relevance on the other. Six major domains of current and expected future changes in research and innovation are identified, and serve as the backdrop for positioning the more specific contributions to this special issue.

Originality/value
The main value of this contribution is to provide a condensed and original look at emerging directions of change in research and innovation practices and their organisational and institutional embedding in society.
Constructing transformative scenarios for research and innovation futures
Authors: Erdmann Lorenz , Schirrmeister Elna 
Published: June 2016

PurposeThis article aims to advance the state of the art in constructing transformative scenarios by building upon Boudon’s social theory and to reflect its application to research and innovation futures.Design/methodology/approachThe scenarios are based upon a particular multi-level perspective for research and innovation. They are developed around two time horizons: an explorative scenario stage by 2020 (exploring tensions) and a transformative scenario stage by 2030 (tracing the mechanisms of transformation).FindingsFive scenarios provide comprehensive images of research and innovation regimes and practices, how research and innovation is embedded in society by 2030, and what plausible pathways of evolution toward the transformation of our research and innovation landscape may look like.Research limitations/implicationsThe methodology “from explorative to transformative scenarios” provides a meaningful, complementary perspective of standard scenario methodology rather than replacing it.Practical implicationsForesight practitioners can use the methodology to advance the construction of transformative scenarios. The approach from “explorative to transformative scenarios” is best suited when policy measures are to be addressed.Originality/valueThere has been little guidance on how to construct transformative scenarios. Insights from social theory are leveraged to develop a more consolidated approach. The approach of two time horizons, encompassing an explorative and a transformative stage, is novel and applied to research and innovation futures.
The influence of destination image and tourist satisfaction on tourist loyalty: a case study of Chinese tourists in Korea
Authors: Chiu Weisheng , Zeng Shiheng , Cheng Philip Shao-Tung 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore both the cognitive and affective images and examine the effects of destination image through both aspects on satisfaction levels and tourist loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach
Data collection was conducted using the convenience sampling method. The on-site survey was carried out with Chinese tourists at the popular tourist sites in Seoul City.

Findings
The results showed that the cognitive image had a direct influence on the affective image and confirmed the formation process of the destination image. Both cognitive and affective images had positive influences on satisfaction, and in turn, satisfaction predicted tourist loyalty. Moreover, the relationship between destination image and loyalty revealed that the affective image had a direct influence on tourist loyalty. Although the cognitive image showed no direct linkage to tourist loyalty, the authors found that it had an indirect influence on tourist loyalty through affective image and satisfaction.

Originality/value
The findings of this study provide a better understanding of the process that determines Chinese tourists’ destination choices and loyalty. Moreover, it provides insightful implications for the Korean Government, the Korea Tourism Organization and tourism operators.
Finite element analysis of steel structures – a review of useful guidelines
Authors: Abambres Miguel , Arruda Mário Rui 
Published: June 2016

Purpose– Since the use of advanced finite element analysis (FEA) in the design of steel structures has been increasing its popularity in order to avoid unsafe or highly conservative designs, a solid know-how in computer-aided design (CAD) and engineering (CAE) codes is necessary. Therefore the purpose of this paper is to provide an extensive review of useful guidelines concerning modelling, simulation and result validation for the accurate performance of those analyses.Design/methodology/approach– Such guidelines are obtained from international steel design codes like Eurocode 3 and DNV, publications from experienced CAE engineers and renowned FE software companies like Ansys and Altair. Topics like mesh independence, the effect of the load sequence on the load bearing capacity and steel fracture criteria are underlined.Findings– Since the use of advanced FEA in the design of steel structures is becoming more and more traditional due to the increase of its competitiveness when compared to the use of (very) conservative design rules, a solid know-how in CAD and CAE codes is necessary.Practical implications– This work will be quite useful for structural steel stress engineers, contributing for a safer use of FEA in research and design.Originality/value– This work will be quite useful for structural steel stress engineers, contributing for a safer use of FEA in research and design.
Improving condition indicators for helicopter health and usage monitoring systems
Authors: Elasha Faris , Mba David 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to suggest new method for improving the condition indicators (CIs) used in health and usage monitoring system based on signal separation of gears.

Design/methodology/approach
– The research method is based on employing signal separation techniques to improve gears signal and fault signature. The signal separation is based on adaptive filters concept.

Findings
– CIs estimated for the deterministic part of vibration signal show higher sensitivity to gears faults in comparison to indicators estimated based on the original signal. This method proposed could enhance early fault detection in gears, particularly for those applications where strong background noise from other sources in the machine masks the characteristics fault components.

Originality/value
– The contribution of this research is improving the CIs currently used for helicopter gearboxes. As consequence the safe operation and availability will be improved.