bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adapting the SERVQUAL model to a physical activity break satisfaction scale
Authors: Santos Cristian Roberto , Contreras Ana María , Faúndez Cesar , Palomo-Vélez Gonzalo Francisco 
Published: February 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to create a “physical activity break” (PAB) satisfaction scale, for this, the RATER dimensions of the service quality model SERVQUAL were used.Design/methodology/approach– The study opted for a correlational study and used a psychometric approach. Totally, 69 administrative workers at a public university of Chile participated in a physical activity programme and completed a satisfaction questionnaire including sections adapted from the SERVQUAL model.Findings– The study created a PAB satisfaction scale, which shows appropriate psychometric indicators. Furthermore, satisfaction scores were positively correlated with perceived psychological and physical benefits, attendance motivation and intention to participate again in future programmes.Research limitations/implications– Because measures perceived psychological and physical benefits, attendance motivation and intention to participate again in future programmes are measured by single items, futures studies should evaluate association of the satisfaction scale with more consistent measures, as well as include anthropometric measures (e.g. body mass index and weight).Practical implications– This study created a PAB satisfaction scale, using appropriate psychometric indicators which enable the evaluation of the quality of these programmes from the participant’s perspective.Originality/value– Despite the popularity of PAB programmes, to the authors knowledge, up to day there is no way of evaluating these programmes from the participant’s perspective.
Impact of changes in medical condition burden index and stress on absenteeism among employees of a US utility company
Authors: Marzec Mary L , Scibelli Andrew , Edington Dee 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of changes of medical condition burden index (MCBI) and stress on absenteeism and discuss implications for policy/program design.

Design/methodology/approach
– Sample: US utility employees that participated in Health Risk Appraisals (HRA) during 2009 and 2010 (n=3,711). Methods: the MCBI was created by summing number of medical conditions. Absenteeism was measured from administrative records. Change in MCBI and stress and impact on absenteeism was assessed according to incremental change, by low/high categorizations, and by using multivariate regression.

Findings
– Incrementally, greater changes in MCBI or stress generally resulted in corresponding absenteeism change. For both MCBI and stress, high categories were associated with greater absenteeism compared to those in low categories. Those remaining in the low MCBI category decreased absenteeism (−0.10 days/year; p=0.01). Changes from low to high MCBI resulted in increased absenteeism (+0.12 days/year; p=0.04. Changes in stress from low to high or from high to low categories resulted in concurrent changes in absenteeism (+0.21 days/year; p=0.04 and −0.31 days/year; p=0.01, respectively). Regression analyses indicated the interaction between stress and MCBI as a significant contributor to absenteeism change.

Research limitations/implications
– Conclusions: MCBI, stress and their interaction appear to be direct determinants of absenteeism. Companies should consider both physical and emotional health simultaneously in program interventions in order to reduce absenteeism.

Originality/value
– Unlike most studies illustrating cross-sectional relationships, this study shows how changes in stress and medical conditions relate to changes in absenteeism. The interaction between MCBI and stress in this context is also a novel addition.
Strategies of active dissemination of workplace health promotion
Authors: Friedrich Verena , Hoffmann Susanne , Bauer Georg 
Published: February 2015

Purpose
– A growing body of literature provides evidence for the efficacy of workplace health promotion (WHP). However, little is known about effective dissemination strategies for WHP interventions. The purpose of this paper is to describe how a WHP agency in Zurich, Switzerland, used bulk mailings, information events, telephone marketing and free initial consultations for the large-scale geographic marketing of WHP services, with a focus on tobacco prevention (TP).

Design/methodology/approach
– To analyze the number of companies responding positively to solicitation, examine the predictors of positive responses and explore the reasons for negative responses, the authors used both quantitative (e.g. a standardized questionnaire) and qualitative (telephone interviews) methods.

Findings
– The results show that except for telephone marketing (69 percent), the success rates of dissemination activities were very low (3-9 percent). Predictors for a positive response were institutionalization of WHP, the representative’s personal concern about TP, and problems with environmental tobacco smoke within the company. The most prominent reason for a negative response was that the companies had already implemented TP measures by themselves and needed no further external support.

Practical implications
– It is suggested that TP was the wrong emphasis for a WHP program to be disseminated at that particular time, because a law on protection from passive smoking was introduced in Switzerland shortly afterwards.

Originality/value
– The study examines dissemination strategies under real-life consulting conditions. It builds on on a large sample of companies and uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods. It reports specific numbers and success rates of marketing activities and thereby contributes to the knowledge about an important issue for intervention planning in the field of WHP.
Internal mimetic behavior of MNCs with respect to foreign subsidiary staffing
Authors: Ando Naoki 
Published: February 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to fill the following research gaps. First, few studies have examined isomorphic behavior of multinational corporations (MNCs) with respect to foreign subsidiary staffing. Second, the adoption by an MNC of its internally preferable practices, which is referred to as internal mimetic behavior, has been less extensively investigated when compared with the imitation of practices adopted by a large number of peer firms. Lastly, factors that facilitate internal mimetic behavior have not been extensively explored.Design/methodology/approach– This study hypothesizes that internal mimetic behavior is affected by both formal and informal institutional distance. The hypotheses are tested using the panel data set that consists of 3,981 foreign subsidiaries of Japanese MNCs.Findings– This study finds that as the formal institutional distance between the host country and the home country increases, MNCs are more likely to adopt internal mimetic behavior. Furthermore, it demonstrates that as the informal institutional distance increases, the likelihood that MNCs adopt internal mimetic behavior decreases.Practical implications– This study suggests that MNCs need to consider the consequences of internal mimetic behavior when they adopt it without having economic rationale. It also suggests that when uncertainty can be mitigated, MNCs should avoid internal mimetic behavior.Originality/value– This study fills the aforementioned research gaps by examining what factors facilitate internal mimetic behavior. It suggests that both economic rationale and isomorphic behavior need to be considered to advance an understanding of foreign subsidiary staffing.
The Cognistat (neurobehavioural cognitive status exam): Administering the full test in stroke patients for optimal results
Authors: Rice Danielle , Campbell Nerissa , Friedman Lauren , Speechley Mark , Teasell Robert W. 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundOne of the most commonly administered tools occupational therapists use for stroke patients is the Cognistat, which was designed as a brief screening tool of cognitive functioning. Evaluations in samples of patients have identified a high false‐negative rate if the Cognistat is administered using the ‘screen metric’ approach. Assessing the Cognistat based on its intended design can ensure consistency and accuracy among occupational therapists for this commonly administered tool. Thus, this study examined the accuracy of administering the entire Cognistat in comparison to the screen‐metric approach and the factor analytic structure within stroke patients.MethodsThe full Cognistat was administered to stroke patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation.ResultsSeventy‐five patients who experienced a recent stroke met inclusion criteria. An inconsistency between the screen and metric items was found for five of 10 subscales. Additionally, a principal component analysis (PCA) found the Cognistat to be a two factor structure with six of the subscales loading on Factor 1, while the remaining subscales loaded on Factor 2.ConclusionsOur findings confirm that occupational therapists should administer the full Cognistat to stroke patients rather than the original screen‐metric approach. A two‐factor structure was also supported in our results, suggesting that occupational therapists' scoring practices should reflect this finding and use the differentiated score out of 10 rather than a global sum. However, additional research is necessary to consider the clinical and theoretical significance of the Cognistats' subscale clustering.
Sources of Business Cycles in a Low Income Country
Authors: Houssa Romain , Mohimont Jolan , Otrok Christopher 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWe examine the role of global and domestic shocks in driving macroeconomic fluctuations for Ghana. We are able to study the impact of exogenous shocks, including productivity, credit supply and commodity price shocks. We identify the shocks using a combination of sign and recursive restrictions within Bayesian vector autoregressive models. As a benchmark we provide results for South Africa to document the difference between two economies with similar structures but at different stages of development. We find that global shocks play a more dominant role in South Africa than in Ghana. These shocks operate through three channels: trade, credit and commodity prices.
Foreign Institutional Ownership and the Global Convergence of Financial Reporting Practices
Authors: FANG VIVIAN W. , MAFFETT MARK , ZHANG BOHUI 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates whether foreign institutional investors affect the global convergence of financial reporting practices. Using several measures of reporting convergence, we show that U.S. institutional ownership is positively associated with subsequent changes in emerging market firms’ accounting comparability to their U.S. industry peers. We identify this association using an instrumental variable approach that exploits exogenous variation in U.S. institutional investment generated by the JGTRRA Act of 2003. Further, we provide evidence of a specific mechanism—the switch to a Big Four audit firm—through which U.S. institutional investors affect reporting convergence. Finally, we show that, for emerging market firms, an increase in comparability to U.S. firms is associated with an improvement in the properties of foreign analysts’ forecasts.
Traceback Investigation for Salmonella Contamination at Egg Processing Plants in South Korea: Prevalence, Antibiotic Resistance, and Epidemiological Tracing by Rep‐PCR Fingerprinting
Authors: Kim Young‐Jo , Chon Jung‐Whan , Lim Jong‐Soo , Song Bo Ra , Seo Kun‐Ho , Heo Eun‐Jeong , Park Hyun‐Jung , Wee Seong‐Hwan , Oh Deog Hwan , Moon Jin‐San 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWe conducted a survey of Salmonella from 8 egg‐breaking plants and a farm to determine the prevalence and the source of the bacteria. The contents of 2400 shell eggs (20 eggs per pool), 75 pasteurized liquid egg products, and 120 unpasteurized liquid egg products from 8 egg‐breaking plants in South Korea were examined. In liquid egg samples, 4 Salmonella‐positive samples from 120 unpasteurized ones (3.3%) and 5 positive samples from 75 pasteurized ones (6.7%) were identified; no eggs were positive for Salmonella among shell egg samples. To trace the source of Salmonella, we revisited the 2 Salmonella‐positive plants (plants A and C). We investigated the equipment and environments of the plants and a henhouse (farm A) that supplied shell eggs to plant A, and collected additional liquid eggs and shell eggs from plants A and C. All Salmonella isolates from plant A and the associated farm A, except for a single Typhimurium strain from farm A, were serotyped as Bareilly. Three serovars, including one Bareilly, four Tennessee, and one Richmond, were isolated from plant C. Most Salmonella isolates were susceptible to tested antibiotics. To identify differences between isolates, molecular subtyping by using the automated rep‐PCR system was conducted. All Salmonella Bareilly (S. Bareilly) strains from plant A exhibited high similarity, indicating possible contamination by Salmonella strains from the henhouse A. Meanwhile, 2 S. Bareilly strains from plant C, one from liquid egg at the 1st visit and the other from container at the 2nd visit, exhibited identical antibiotic resistance and similar subtyping pattern, but clearly discriminated from the ones of plant A.
Spontaneous postnatal growth is reduced in children with CHARGE syndrome
Authors: Dörr Helmuth G , Madeja Julia , Junghans Claudia 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAimThere is a scarcity of data on postnatal growth in children with CHARGE syndrome, a genetic disorder. This study analysed spontaneous growth and weight in German children with CHARGE from birth to the age of 6 years.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of 19 children, nine females and 10 males, using data from child health records. Standard deviation scores (SDS) were calculated based on Swiss references.ResultsThe median birthweight was 2950 g (−0.78 SDS), and the birth length was 49 cm (−0.5 SDS). There was a significant loss of median body length, at around 4 weeks of age from −0.5 to −2.3 SDS (p < 0.05). At 1 year, the median length was −2.6 SDS and it remained low until 5 years of age when the lowest value was found to be −2.8 SDS. There was a significant increase in median body mass index (BMI) from −1.15 SDS at 1 year to −0.15 SDS at 5 years (p < 0.01).ConclusionChildren with CHARGE syndrome displayed almost normal length and weight data at birth, with just one of the 19 infants having below average length for gestational age. However, postnatal growth was retarded during infancy and childhood, and the increase in BMI‐SDS did not correlate with growth.
Genetic variant of IL28B rs12979860, as predictive marker of interferon‐based therapy in Pakistani population
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Manzoor Sobia , Azam Sikandar , Resham Saleha 
Published: February 2015

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and genetic variants of interleukin 28B (IL28B) are significantly associated with interferon plus ribavirin treatment of HCV infection. We investigated the distribution of HCV genotypes and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL28B (rs12979860 and rs8099917) in Pakistani population. IL28B genotyping was performed by allele‐specific PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR in 140 chronic hepatitis C patients (CHC) and 120 healthy controls. HCV genotype 3 (HCVG3) was the most prevalent genotype, 71.4% (n = 100/140) and with the highest treatment response of 90% (n = 90/100). The overall treatment response of all the HCV genotypes was 82% (n = 115/140). The distribution of IL28B rs12979860CC genotype in treatment responder and non‐responder groups was 40.8% (n = 47/115) and 16% (n = 4/25) respectively. IL28B rs12979860CC genotype demonstrated a significant correlation (p = 0.019) with interferon‐based therapy of HCV infection. However, there was no observed association of IL28B rs8099917 polymorphism with treatment response in CHC patients (p = 0.264). In conclusion, HCV genotypes and IL28B rs12979860 are predictive markers for the efficiency of interferon plus ribavirin combinational therapy of HCV infection. We recommend the inclusion of testing for these markers in the clinical criteria for decision making for HCV therapy in Pakistani population.
Rock With Me: The Role of Movement Synchrony in Infants' Social and Nonsocial Choices
Authors: Tunçgenç Bahar , Cohen Emma , Fawcett Christine 
Published: February 2015

Matching the timing of one's movements to the movements of others has been proposed to increase affiliation and prosociality. Although coordinated movements facilitate early social interactions, not much is known about the mechanisms and effects of movement synchrony throughout development. Two studies investigated 12‐month‐olds' (Study 1, N = 40) and 9‐month‐olds' (Study 2, N = 41) preferences for synchronous others in a social as opposed to a nonsocial context. It was found that movement synchrony exclusively guides infants' social choices at 12 months. In contrast, 9‐month‐olds did not show any preferences for synchronous movements in social or nonsocial contexts. Results suggest that movement synchrony is important in guiding infants' social preferences and its effects emerge toward the end of the 1st year of life.
Evaluating whether nature's intrinsic value is an axiom of or anathema to conservation
Authors: Vucetich John A. , Bruskotter Jeremy T. , Nelson Michael Paul 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThat at least some aspects of nature possess intrinsic value is considered by some an axiom of conservation. Others consider nature's intrinsic value superfluous or anathema. This range of views among mainstream conservation professionals potentially threatens the foundation of conservation. One challenge in resolving this disparity is that disparaging portrayals of nature's intrinsic value appear rooted in misconceptions and unfounded presumptions about what it means to acknowledge nature's intrinsic value. That acknowledgment has been characterized as vacuous, misanthropic, of little practical consequence to conservation, adequately accommodated by economic valuation, and not widely accepted in society. We reviewed the philosophical basis for nature's intrinsic value and the implications for acknowledging that value. Our analysis is rooted to the notion that when something possesses intrinsic value it deserves to be treated with respect for what it is, with concern for its welfare or in a just manner. From this basis, one can only conclude that nature's intrinsic value is not a vacuous concept or adequately accommodated by economic valuation. Acknowledging nature's intrinsic value is not misanthropic because concern for nature's welfare (aside from its influence on human welfare) does not in any way preclude also being concerned for human welfare. The practical import of acknowledging nature's intrinsic value rises from recognizing all the objects of conservation concern (e.g., many endangered species) that offer little benefit to human welfare. Sociological and cultural evidence indicates the belief that at least some elements of nature possess intrinsic value is widespread in society. Our reasoning suggests the appropriateness of rejecting the assertion that nature's intrinsic value is anathema to conservation and accepting its role as an axiom.Evaluar si el Valor Intrínseco de la Naturaleza es un Axioma o un Anatema para la Conservación
Towards a framework for assessment and management of cumulative human impacts on marine food webs
Authors: Giakoumi Sylvaine , Halpern Benjamin S. , Michel Loïc N. , Gobert Sylvie , Sini Maria , Boudouresque Charles‐François , Gambi Maria‐Cristina , Katsanevakis Stelios , Lejeune Pierre , Montefalcone Monica , Pergent Gerard , Pergent‐Martini Christine , Sanchez‐Jerez Pablo , Velimirov Branko , Vizzini Salvatrice , Abadie Arnaud , Coll Marta , Guidetti Paolo , Micheli Fiorenza , Possingham Hugh P. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractEffective ecosystem‐based management requires understanding ecosystem responses to multiple human threats, rather than focusing on single threats. To understand ecosystem responses to anthropogenic threats holistically, it is necessary to know how threats affect different components within ecosystems and ultimately alter ecosystem functioning. We used a case study of a Mediterranean seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) food web and expert knowledge elicitation in an application of the initial steps of a framework for assessment of cumulative human impacts on food webs. We produced a conceptual seagrass food web model, determined the main trophic relationships, identified the main threats to the food web components, and assessed the components’ vulnerability to those threats. Some threats had high (e.g., coastal infrastructure) or low impacts (e.g., agricultural runoff) on all food web components, whereas others (e.g., introduced carnivores) had very different impacts on each component. Partitioning the ecosystem into its components enabled us to identify threats previously overlooked and to reevaluate the importance of threats commonly perceived as major. By incorporating this understanding of system vulnerability with data on changes in the state of each threat (e.g., decreasing domestic pollution and increasing fishing) into a food web model, managers may be better able to estimate and predict cumulative human impacts on ecosystems and to prioritize conservation actions.
Spine and test skeletal matrices of the Mediterranean sea urchin Arbacia lixula – a comparative characterization of their sugar signature
Authors: Kanold Julia M. , Guichard Nathalie , Immel Françoise , Plasseraud Laurent , Corneillat Marion , Alcaraz Gérard , Brümmer Franz , Marin Frédéric 
Published: February 2015

Calcified structures of sea urchins are biocomposite materials that comprise a minor fraction of organic macromolecules, such as proteins, glycoproteins and polysaccharides. These macromolecules are thought to collectively regulate mineral deposition during the process of calcification. When occluded, they modify the properties of the mineral. In the present study, the organic matrices (both soluble and insoluble in acetic acid) of spines and tests from the Mediterranean black sea urchin Arbacia lixula were extracted and characterized, in order to determine whether they exhibit similar biochemical signatures. Bulk characterizations were performed by mono‐dimensional SDS/PAGE, FT‐IR spectroscopy, and an in vitro crystallization assay. We concentrated our efforts on characterization of the sugar moieties. To this end, we determined the monosaccharide content of the soluble and insoluble organic matrices of A. lixula spines and tests by HPAE‐PAD, together with their respective lectin‐binding profiles via enzyme‐linked lectin assay. Finally, we performed in situ localization of N‐acetyl glucosamine‐containing saccharides on spines and tests using gold‐conjugated wheatgerm agglutinin. Our data show that the test and spine matrices exhibit different biochemical signatures with regard to their saccharidic fraction, suggesting that future studies should analyse the regulation of mineral deposition by the matrix in these two mineralized structures in detail. This study re‐emphasizes the importance of non‐protein moieties, i.e. sugars, in calcium carbonate systems, and highlights the need to clearly identify their function in the biomineralization process.