bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Return to Chittagong: ten years since the “postcard”
Authors: Cairns George M. 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to revisit the author’s 2007 “Postcard from Chittagong” to reprise the past decade of activity related to the ship breaking industry of Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on content analysis of global and local source documentation. This includes academic works, research reports from non-governmental organizations and general and specialist media reports.

Findings
Over the past decade, there have been a number of international initiatives that seek to control the disposal and dismantling of redundant ships. However, based on evidence of ongoing environmental and health impacts in Bangladesh, the effectiveness of these is questioned.

Research limitations/implications
The paper is intended to prompt debate on the ship breaking industry in Bangladesh and on the nature of global supply chains and logistics in the consumption society.

Originality/value
The paper revisits and updates a 2007 study that has been referred to and cited in a range of outlets. It is intended to continue and enhance discussion.
Short-term dynamics of day-ahead and intraday electricity prices
Authors: Wolff Georg , Feuerriegel Stefan 
Published: September 2017

PurposeSince the liberalization of electricity markets in the European Union, prices are subject to market dynamics. Hence, understanding the short-term drivers of electricity prices is of major interest to electricity companies and policymakers. Accordingly, this paper aims to study movements of prices in the combined German and Austrian electricity market.Design/methodology/approachThis paper estimates an autoregressive model with exogenous variables (ARX) in a two-step procedure. In the first step, both time series, which inherently feature seasonality, are de-seasonalized, and in the second step, the influence of all model variables on the two dependent variables, i.e. the day-ahead and intraday European Power Energy Exchange prices, is measured.FindingsThe results reveal that the short-term market is largely driven by seasonality, consumer demand and short-term feed-ins from renewable energy sources. As a contribution to the existing body of literature, this paper specifically compares the price movements in day-ahead and intraday markets. In intraday markets, the influences of renewable energies are much stronger than in day-ahead markets, i.e. by 24.12 per cent for wind and 116.82 per cent for solar infeeds.Originality/valueKnowledge on the price setting mechanism in the intraday market is particularly scarce. This paper contributes to existing research on this topic by deriving drivers in the intraday market and then contrasting them to the day-ahead market. A more thorough understanding is especially crucial for all stakeholders, who can use this knowledge to optimize their bidding strategies. Furthermore, the findings suggest policy implications for a more stable and efficient electricity market.
Comparison of methods in estimating Weibull parameters for wind energy applications
Authors: Tizgui Ijjou , El Guezar Fatima , Bouzahir Hassane , Benaid Brahim 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to select the most accurate and the most efficient method in estimating Weibull parameters at Agadir region in Morocco.

Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, Weibull distribution is used to model the wind speed in hourly time series format. Since several methods are used to adjust the Weibull distribution to the measured data, in reporting and analyzing the easiest and the most effective method, seven methods have been investigated, namely, the graphical method (GM), the maximum likelihood method (MLM), the empirical method of Justus (EMJ), the empirical method of Lysen (EML), the energy pattern factor method (EPFM), Mabchour’s method (MMab) and the method of moments (MM).

Findings
According to the statistical analysis tools (the coefficient of determination, root mean square error and chi-square test), it was found that for five months, the MLM presents more efficiency, and for four months, EMJ is ranked first and it is ranked second for February. To select only one method, the selected methods (MLM and EMJ) were compared by calculating the error in estimating the power density using Weibull distribution adjusted by those methods. The average error was found to be −0.51 and −4.56 per cent for MLM and EMJ, respectively.

Originality/value
This investigation is the first of its kind for the studied region. To estimate the available wind power at Agadir in Morocco, investors can directly use MLM to determine the Weibull parameters at this site.
Credit rating process
Authors: Wiener-Fererhofer Alexander 
Published: September 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze which key financial factors are appropriate for measuring a credit rating score for family firms. In the recent literature, there exists a vast number of studies which evaluates performance differences between family and non-family firms (NFF). However an analysis with regards to a distinction between credit rating scores of family-orientated businesses compared to their counterparts in Austria has not been examined so far.Design/methodology/approachIn order to bridge this research gap, an empirical model based on Moody’s credit rating methodology is used to address these issues. Therefore, the relevant data were taken from the 600 largest, both listed and non-listed, companies of Austria. The statistical measurements refer to a comparison of the means resulting from quantitative rating categories (profitability, leverage structure, liquidity development and firm size).FindingsThe results of this empirical research show that family firms achieve better values in profitability, leverage structure and liquidity development based on credit rating scores. Only firm size represents no significant differences between family and NFF.Originality/valueThis study will contribute to the existing literature in the academic area of family business research and offers a framework for future empirical analysis in this field. Furthermore, this paper provides important information that will help both family and NFF accomplish their financial strategies related to credit rating transitions.
The financial decisions of family businesses
Authors: Motylska-Kuzma Anna 
Published: September 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the status, trends and potential future research areas in the field of financial decision-making process in family firms.Design/methodology/approachThe bibliometric indicators and methods are applied in order to describe the publication activity and to analyze the contents of the articles. The material examined are the journals included in the SCOPUS, SAGE and EBSCO database and the peer-reviewed article, which contain in their titles, keywords or abstracts with a combination of phrases “family firms,” “family business” or “family enterprise” with “financial decision” or one of the subcategories: capital structure, investment decision, capital budgeting, working capital management or dividend policy. The study covers the period from 2000 to 2016.FindingsAlthough the interest in family business research is growing rapidly, the area of financial decision making is underestimated. Despite of the fact that the vast majority of the studies into financial decisions in family firms is are focused on the capital structure, they do not give clear answers to the question of how the family businesses behave in this scope and what their true financial logic is. Additionally, the area of the investment decisions and dividend policy is rather not better left uncovered.Research limitations/implicationsThe analyses enable the identification of potential avenues for future research which could be vital to make an advancement in the consolidation of the discipline.Practical implicationsThe analyses ought to have a potential meaning mainly for external institutions (especially financial institutions) in better understanding of the family businesses and their point of view.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills the need of a comprehensive review of financial decision making process in family firms. It provides a literature review and bibliography for the period between 2000 and 2016 for the use of both academicians and practitioners.
Exploring the impact of outsourcing on organizational performance
Authors: Nyameboame Joseph , Haddud Abubaker 
Published: September 2017

Purpose
The need for businesses to gain profit through the provision of high-quality services has driven the organizations to outsource business activities and functions that are considered not integral to the core business. The purpose of this paper is to identify key outsourced activities and to explore their influence on the organizational performance of the targeted locally owned oil and gas companies in Ghana. Also, the study explores key benefits and challenges associated with adopting outsourcing strategies.

Design/methodology/approach
The primary data were collected using a survey from 80 participants working for different oil and gas companies in Ghana.

Findings
The study revealed that most of the outsourced activities include transport services, information technology (IT) consulting and business consulting services, system infrastructure provision and management and logistical services. Also, key outsourcing reasons were reducing operational costs, avoiding major investment costs in technology, providing consistent and improved service delivery, accessing current technology and expert knowledge and focusing more on core business activities. Outsourcing is significant to enhance the performance of an oil and gas company; however, outsourcing could also result in the conflict of firm culture with outsourced vendors, and inefficient management and loss of innovative capacity are possible negative effects of outsourcing.

Research limitations/implications
The study targeted mainly locally owned oil and gas companies operating in Greater Accra regions of Ghana and including other areas is recommended in the future. Also, the research sample size was 80 participants for this study, and a larger sample should be used in the future.

Originality/value
There is a paucity of research in management outsourcing in Ghana’s oil and gas industry. To the best knowledge of the authors, this study presents the first research of its kind and the findings will be valuable for the targeted companies. The results from this study can also be used by other companies operating in similar oil and gas business environments operating in other oil and gas producing countries particularly in Africa and Asia. Also, the result from this study can greatly benefit other companies already adopting, or considering adopting, outsourcing and operate in similar service-providing sectors within Ghana or in other countries with similar business environments.
Offshore-sourcing strategies and the puzzle of productivity: a micro-level analysis
Authors: Capolupo Rosa , Amendolagine Vito , Ferri Giovanni 
Published: September 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess whether offshoring strategies are able to substantially enhance firms’ international competitiveness in terms of productivity, innovativeness and skill composition for a panel of Italian manufacturing firms.Design/methodology/approachA set of hypotheses derived from the extant literature is tested on data from balance sheets and qualitative surveys of about 4,000 Italian firms. The methodology used is a propensity score matching estimator and difference in differences method that allowed the authors to detect the causal effect of the offshoring status of the firms on some performance measures.FindingsResults demonstrate that offshoring increases the propensity to innovate and the skill ratio of workers but does not show a significant association with productivity growth. The estimates are robust in all the specifications.Research limitations/implicationsThe results are applicable to Italian firms. The magnitude and timing of the effects may vary across firms and countries.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the empirical literature on offshoring by exploring its impact on a variety of firms’ performance measures by using matching techniques that allow us to investigate more in depth the causality link of the relationship and to control for the self-selection effect (more productive firms self-select to offshore).
Leader pride and gratitude differentially impact follower trust
Authors: Ritzenhöfer Lisa , Brosi Prisca , Spörrle Matthias , Welpe Isabell M. 
Published: September 2017

PurposeCurrent research suggests a positive link between followers’ perceptions of their leaders’ expression of positive emotions and followers’ trust in their leaders. Based on the theories about the social function of emotions, the authors aim to qualify this generalized assumption. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that followers’ perceptions of leaders’ expressions of specific positive emotions – namely, pride and gratitude – differentially influence follower ratings of leaders’ trustworthiness (benevolence, integrity, and ability), and, ultimately, trust in the leader.Design/methodology/approachThe hypotheses were tested using a multimethod approach combining experimental evidence (n=271) with longitudinal field data (n=120).FindingsBoth when experimentally manipulating leaders’ emotion expressions and when measuring followers’ perceptions of leaders’ emotion expressions, this research found leaders’ expressions of pride to be consistently associated with lower perceived benevolence, while leaders’ expressions of gratitude were associated with higher perceptions of benevolence and integrity.Originality/valueThis paper theoretically and empirically establishes that leaders’ expressions of discrete positive emotions differentially influence followers’ trust in the leader via trustworthiness perceptions.
The impact of unilateral oophorectomy on ovarian reserve in assisted reproduction: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Younis JS , Naoum I , Salem N , Perlitz Y , Izhaki I 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundWomen following unilateral oophorectomy (UO) are occasionally encountered during assisted reproduction treatment.ObjectiveTo explore the impact of UO on ovarian reserve in assisted reproduction.Search strategyAn electronic database search was performed using PubMed, EBSCO, ISI, Trip, ClinicalTrial.gov and the Cochrane library followed by a manual search to identify published research between January 1978 and December 2015.Selection criteriaControlled studies that compared infertile women following UO undergoing IVF‐ET treatment with women with two intact ovaries.Data collection and analysisTwo reviewers independently extracted the data concerning the impact of UO on ovarian reserve tests, ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and clinical pregnancy rate. Meta‐analysis was performed using these measures.Main resultsTwenty‐one studies were eligible for quantitative analysis. They included 1045 and 18 172 IVF cycles in women with one and two intact ovaries, respectively. Basal FSH weighted mean difference (WMD) was significant (2.01 IU/l; 95% CI: 0.24–3.79, P = 0.026). Similarly, the WMD of serum E2 level on the day of hCG administration was significant (WMD: −431 pg/ml; 95% CI: −616 to −246, P < 0.001). However, the weighted overall odds ratio (OR) of clinical pregnancy between women with a single ovary and women with two ovaries was comparable (overall OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.57–1.00, P = 0.054). All eligible studies were retrospectively conducted and the heterogeneity among ovarian response measures was high.ConclusionsAvailable pooled data supports an adverse effect of UO on ovarian reserve involving the quantity but not the quality of the ovarian pool.Tweetable abstractReview finds women with one ovary removed have less IVF capacity but the same pregnancy rate as women with two ovaries.
Contact High: The External Effects of Retail Marijuana Establishments on House Prices
Authors: Conklin James , Diop Moussa , Li Herman 
Published: September 2017

AbstractUsing publicly available data from the city of Denver and the state of Colorado, this study examines the effects of retail conversions (conversions from medical marijuana to retail marijuana stores) on neighboring house values in Denver, CO. The study period reflects a time before and after retail marijuana sales became legal in Colorado in 2014. Using a difference‐in‐differences approach, we compare houses that were in close proximity to a conversion (within 0.1 miles) to those that are farther away from a conversion. We find that single‐family residences close to a retail conversion increased in value by approximately 8% relative to houses that are located slightly farther away. We perform a battery of robustness checks and falsification tests to provide additional support for this finding. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine at a microlevel the highly localized effect of retail marijuana establishments on house prices and hope that it can contribute to the debate on retail marijuana laws.
A Decision Instrument to Identify Isolated Traumatic Subdural Hematomas at Low Risk of Neurologic Deterioration, Surgical Intervention, or Radiographic Worsening
Authors: Pruitt Peter , Ornam Jonathan Van , Borczuk Pierre 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectivesSubdural hematoma (SDH) is the most common form of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. Severity of disease in patients with SDH varies widely. It was hypothesized that a decision rule could identify patients with SDH who are at very low risk for neurologic decline, neurosurgical intervention, or radiographic worsening.MethodsRetrospective chart review of consecutive patients age ≥ 16 with Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) ≥ 13 and computed tomography (CT)‐documented isolated SDH presenting to a university‐affiliated, urban, 100,000‐annual‐visit ED from 2009 to 2015. Demographic, historical, and physical examination variables were collected. Primary outcome was a composite of neurosurgical intervention, worsening repeat CT, and neurologic decline. Univariate analysis was performed and statistically important variables were utilized to create a logistic regression model.ResultsA total of 644 patients with isolated SDH were reviewed, 340 in the derivation group and 304 in the validation set. Mortality was 2.2%. A total 15.5% of patients required neurosurgery. A decision instrument was created: patients were low risk if they had none of the following factors—SDH thickness ≥ 5mm, warfarin use, clopidogrel use, GCS < 14, and presence of midline shift. This model had a sensitivity of 98.6% for the composite endpoint, specificity of 37.1%, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.037. In the validation cohort, sensitivity was 96.3%, specificity was 31.5%, and negative likelihood ratio was 0.127.ConclusionSubdural hematomas are amenable to risk stratification analysis. With prospective validation, this decision instrument may aid in triaging these patients, including reducing the need for transfer to tertiary centers.
Genome‐wide scans between two honeybee populations reveal putative signatures of human‐mediated selection
Authors: Parejo M. , Wragg D. , Henriques D. , Vignal A. , Neuditschko M. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryHuman‐mediated selection has left signatures in the genomes of many domesticated animals, including the European dark honeybee, Apis mellifera mellifera, which has been selected by apiculturists for centuries. Using whole‐genome sequence information, we investigated selection signatures in spatially separated honeybee subpopulations (Switzerland, n = 39 and France, n = 17). Three different test statistics were calculated in windows of 2 kb (fixation index, cross‐population extended haplotype homozygosity and cross‐population composite likelihood ratio) and combined into a recently developed composite selection score. Applying a stringent false discovery rate of 0.01, we identified six significant selective sweeps distributed across five chromosomes covering eight genes. These genes are associated with multiple molecular and biological functions, including regulation of transcription, receptor binding and signal transduction. Of particular interest is a selection signature on chromosome 1, which corresponds to the WNT4 gene, the family of which is conserved across the animal kingdom with a variety of functions. In Drosophila melanogaster, WNT4 alleles have been associated with differential wing, cross vein and abdominal phenotypes. Defining phenotypic characteristics of different Apis mellifera ssp., which are typically used as selection criteria, include colour and wing venation pattern. This signal is therefore likely to be a good candidate for human mediated‐selection arising from different applied breeding practices in the two managed populations.
Current options in aerosolised drug therapy for children receiving respiratory support
Authors: Trend S. , von Ungern‐Sternberg B. S. , Devadason S. G. , Schultz A. , Everard M. L. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryInhalation of aerosolised medications are the mainstay of treatment for a number of chronic lung diseases and have several advantages over systemically‐administered medications. These include more rapid onset of action for drugs such as β‐adrenergic agonists when compared with oral medication, high luminal doses for inhaled antibiotics when used to treat endobronchial infection, and an improved therapeutic index compared with systemic delivery for these and other classes of drugs such as corticosteroids. The use of aerosolised drugs to treat patients whose tracheas are intubated is less well established, in part because systemic delivery via the intravenous route can be a simpler alternative for many drugs. Consequently, research in this area is largely limited to a number of in vitro studies and very few clinical trials. Unfortunately, a lack of focus in this area has resulted in a number of practices which at best are ineffective, and at worst dangerous for the patient. Although there have been some attempts to re‐invigorate research in order to improve delivery systems, current devices are, to a great extent, based on long‐standing technology developed more than 50 years ago. In this review, we explore current knowledge and provide guidance as to when and how the inhaled route may be of value when treating patients whose tracheas are intubated, and we set out the challenges facing those attempting to advance the topic. We conclude by reviewing current areas of interest that may lead to more effective and widespread use of aerosols in the treatment of intubated patients.