bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A cross-cultural investigation of email communication in Peninsular Spanish and British English
Authors: Lorenzo-Dus Nuria , Bou-Franch Patricia 
Published: March 2013

This paper examines the email discursive practices of particular speakers of two different languages, namely
Peninsular Spanish and British English. More specifically, our study focuses on (in)formality and (in)directness therein,
for these lie at the heart of considerable scholarly debate regarding, respectively (i) the general stylistic drift towards orality
and informality in technology-mediated communication, and (ii) the degree of communicative (in)directness – within broader
politeness orientations – of speakers of different languages, specifically an orientation towards directness in Peninsular
Spanish vis-à-vis indirectness in British English. The aim of this paper is thus to investigate the role of (in)formality and
(in)directness in email messages sent by members of two groups of undergraduate students to their university lecturers.
To this end, a corpus of 100 impromptu emails was compiled and analysed. Results revealed complex, fluctuating patterns
regarding levels of (in)formality and (in)directness that underlined cross-cultural variation in the way that different
sociopragmatic principles found expression in a specific computer-mediated communicative situation.
Transcriptomic Analysis of the Role of Carboxylic Acids in Metabolite Signaling in Arabidopsis Leaves
Authors: Finkemeier Iris , König Ann-Christine , Heard William , Nunes-Nesi Adriano , Pham Phuong Anh , Leister Dario , Fernie Alisdair R. , Sweetlove Lee J. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
The transcriptional response to metabolites is an important mechanism by which plants integrate information about cellular energy and nutrient status. Although some carboxylic acids have been implicated in the regulation of gene expression for select transcripts, it is unclear whether all carboxylic acids have the same effect, how many transcripts are affected, and how carboxylic acid signaling is integrated with other metabolite signals. In this study, we demonstrate that perturbations in cellular concentrations of citrate, and to a lesser extent malate, have a major impact on nucleus-encoded transcript abundance. Functional categories of transcripts that were targeted by both organic acids included photosynthesis, cell wall, biotic stress, and protein synthesis. Specific functional categories that were only regulated by citrate included tricarboxylic acid cycle, nitrogen metabolism, sulfur metabolism, and DNA synthesis. Further quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of specific citrate-responsive transcripts demonstrated that the transcript response to citrate is time and concentration dependent and distinct from other organic acids and sugars. Feeding of isocitrate as well as the nonmetabolizable citrate analog tricarballylate revealed that the abundance of selected marker transcripts is responsive to citrate and not downstream metabolites. Interestingly, the transcriptome response to citrate feeding was most similar to those observed after biotic stress treatments and the gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor paclobutrazol. Feeding of citrate to mutants with defects in plant hormone signaling pathways did not completely abolish the transcript response but hinted at a link with jasmonic acid and gibberellin signaling pathways. Our results suggest that changes in carboxylic acid abundances can be perceived and signaled in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) by as yet unknown signaling pathways.
Evaluation of selected library associations' web sites
Authors: Ahmadian Yazdi Fahimeh , Deshpande N.J. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe aim of the study reported in this paper is to evaluate 71 library association web sites using 15 selected Webometric criteria.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses Webometric analysis and ranking based on a scaling method and comparative means analysis (One Way ANOVA), and homogeneous subsets using criteria from SPSS13 and Excel2007.FindingsThe majority of library association web sites have “contact us” links, but few have Frequently Answered Questions (FAQ) links. Library association web sites are categorised into three groups: high, medium and low, with significant differences between and within the three groups. A combination of criteria scores and classified groups shows that among the 15 criteria, only four criteria have no significant difference between the three groups and the classified groups are heterogeneous based on 11 criteria.Research limitations/implicationsOnly 71 library association web sites were analysed is this study.Originality/valueThe paper provides a three category classification for library associations web sites.
Personal information management practices of students and its implications for library services
Authors: Osae Otopah Francis , Dadzie Perpetua 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate the personal information management (PIM) practices of students and its implications for library services at the University of Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThis was a survey research, and questionnaires were administered to 150 students across their various programs of study. Questionnaire design was based on the literature reviewed and research objectives.FindingsResults showed that, format, skills, size of collection, memory, and habits accounted for diverse PIM practices among students. Among the major drawbacks were inadequate skills, information fragmentation, inappropriate habits, and imperfect memory. These aspects when improved, would enhance the effectiveness of students' PIM practices tremendously.Research limitations/implicationsThe study adopted the PIM framework developed by James and Teevan and focused on the core activities of PIM namely: keeping, organizing and re‐finding. In order to provide a fair rounded picture of the PIM situation of students, it is expected that subsequent studies would cover the remaining variables notably‐ information maintenance; selection and implementation of a scheme; managing privacy and the flow of information; matters of security; measurement and evaluation; and making sense of things.Practical implicationsThe study concludes that, through comprehensive information literacy training programmes offered by libraries; student‐oriented PIM researches; the formation of PIM clubs spearheaded by librarians and supported by university administrators, benevolent organizations and individuals, the PIM practices of students can be made better. PIM efforts should aim at shaping, improving, integrating and supporting students' PIM habits, skills, personal information collections and memories respectively.Originality/valuePIM practices of students is among the least explored topics in the field of library and information studies in Ghana. This research would not only create awareness about PIM practices, but would also draw attention to the efforts that can be made to improve PIM practices of students in Ghana.
The implementation of internet filtering in Scottish public libraries
Authors: Brown Graeme , McMenemy David 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the way that Scottish public library authorities are implementing filtering software as a public access internet management tool. The aim of the study is to determine the extent to which filtering systems are used as a public access internet management tool and to examine the nature of this implementation. This constitutes an analysis of the actual policies and procedures in place within each library authority to manage public access to the internet.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilizes a literature review and an analysis of data supplied by the public library services. The data required was gathered through Freedom of Information requests sent to all Scottish public library authorities.FindingsA total of 31 of the 32 public library services operating within the 32 Scottish local authorities utilized some form of filtering software to control internet access. The main justifications cited for this were to prevent access to illegal or inappropriate materials; however it was found that in the majority of cases the decision to implement the software was not made by the management of the library but external IT staff. This raises major issues related to the historical role of the librarian as selector of content for their community.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper presents results from a subset of local authorities in the UK, thus cannot claim to be anything more than indicative of the geographic sample.Practical implicationsThe findings can help inform the rationale utilized by public library services in implementing filtering policies.Originality/valueThis paper is the only paper to directly address the issue of internet filtering in all public libraries in Scotland.
A pilot study on food composition of five Turkish traditional foods
Authors: Biringen Löker Gül , Amoutzopoulos Birdem , Özge Özkoç Semin , Özer Hayrettin , Şatir Gülçin , Bakan Ayşe 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe methodology and practices undertaken during a pilot study on food composition of Turkish traditional foods (TTF).Design/methodology/approachThe pilot study was conducted under the European Food Information Resource Network (EuroFIR) Project for the systemic investigation of traditional foods. As a partner country of the EuroFIR, Turkey has selected five traditional foods, tarhana soup, yoğurtlu kebap (kebab with yoghurt), hamsi buğulama (anchovy stew), pastırma, and baklava. The traditional recipes of the selected foods were recorded by field studies. Nutritional composition of foods was determined by chemical analyses.FindingsInformation on the identification, sampling, sample handling, and analysis was collected for each of the selected foods. The food composition data were evaluated by using EuroFIR standards, and the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for nutritents. Five TTF were meeting with various nutrient recommendations.Originality/valueThis pilot study on the systemic investigation of traditional foods would be an example for further traditional food studies in Turkey and would enable the generation of reliable, representative and sufficient quality data on TTF.
Understanding efficiencies behind logistics service providers' green offerings
Authors: Isaksson Karin , Huge‐Brodin Maria 
Published: March 2013

PurposeAwareness of environmental impacts on society is increasing among companies. In order to turn environmental problems into business opportunities, many companies are beginning to consider how environmental, or green aspects can be integrated into their service offerings. This opportunity can be of specific interest to logistics service providers, whose core business is an environmental impact in itself. The purpose of this article is to indicate where green‐labelled logistics service providers are positioned today in their development, and to seek the underlying rationale in development of green service offerings.Design/methodology/approachThis article takes a logistics service provider's perspective and is based on a multiple case study of six companies. The analysis is based on cross‐case analysis, and empirical, as well as theoretical, pattern matching.FindingsThe attitude towards a green approach differs among the case companies: while some are working towards a green integration throughout the entire business, others offer green alternatives to the original service offering. The results point to possible explanations for these differences, and include differences in range of service offerings, size, and to different management principles for green aspects.Practical implicationsThe article can inspire logistics service providers in their continuing work to integrate green initiatives into the company. By introducing alternative green approaches in the development of service offerings, logistics service providers can match their own business and context with alternative rationales.Originality/valueWhile most of the green logistics research focuses on the logistics system's characteristics, this article offers initial insights into how the integration of green aspects into logistics services can impact logistics service providers.
The impact of physical changes on customer behavior
Authors: Mobach Mark P. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThis paper's aim is to determine whether shopping facilities in a waiting area influence customer behaviour and whether these behaviours positively influence their satisfaction and related sales of the displayed products.Design/methodology/approachThe approach used was a field experiment. At two sites patient behaviours were directly observed before a reconstruction of waiting areas during two weeks; at both sites a two‐week follow‐up was performed after the reconstruction. The responses of patients were surveyed in a convenience sample in the same periods of weeks and the data on sales were collected with desk research.FindingsIn comparison with waiting areas that were almost empty, customers in a waiting area with shopping facilities had more interaction with the physical environment, experienced a shorter wait, were more satisfied with the prompt taking of orders, and spent more money.Practical implicationsOrganizations seeking to positively influence patient behaviour during the wait should take into account the quality of facility design of waiting areas and, if well chosen, these facilities can also be used to positively influence satisfaction and sales.Originality/valueThis paper integrates theories from environmental psychology, marketing, and operations management in facility design to improve the properties of a waiting area, and by doing so, improve behaviour, satisfaction, and sales of customers. The study aims to inform marketers in the pharmacy shop sector allowing them to increase interaction with the shopping environment, improve customers' satisfaction, and raise customers' expenditures with facilities.
Knowledge management in Islamic and conventional banks in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Cader Yoosuf , Kathleen O'Neill K. , Blooshi Ayesha Ali , Bakheet Al Shouq Amena Ali , Hussain Mohamed Fadaaq Barra , Galal Ali Farah 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to gain insight into the extent that knowledge management (KM) is practiced by Islamic and conventional banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Design/methodology/approachFollowing secondary research, structured in‐depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with CEOs, senior managers, and department heads of eight banks in the UAE.FindingsIslamic banks in the UAE were found to be relatively more actively engaged in KM than conventional banks. However, both Islamic and conventional banks were found to be focused on knowledge capture, knowledge transfer, and knowledge sharing. Most of the banks in this study could be classified as being in the pre‐ or early implementation phase of KM. The study found scant knowledge‐based marketing taking place in either type of bank. None of the banks was found to have a dedicated knowledge champion (KM Officer). Similarly, none of the banks was identified as possessing a strong organization‐wide KM culture.Research limitations/implicationsCultural norms concerning privacy limited willingness to participate and information sharing. Although the sample was small, it was deemed reliable, as participants not only understood the importance of research to the development of the UAE, a country very keen to participate in the knowledge‐based economy, but they also held key positions in their banks which allowed them full knowledge of the scope of KM implementation, utilization, and practice in their organizations and they agreed to full disclosure and transparency in their responses. The implication of this research is that best practice in KM can be implemented in banks in the UAE once KM gaps are identified.Originality/valueThe banking sector is an important element of the UAE economy. Successful and appropriate implementation of KM practices in UAE banks may buttress the Emirati economy, especially during the current banking crisis. The insight gained from the initial findings of this research can assist KM implementation, utilization, and practice in UAE banks, thereby aiding organizations' learning and the development of a knowledge culture in banks which, in turn, may lead to increased productivity and gains in competitive advantage, growth, and profit.
Marketing of Shari'ah‐based financial products and investments in India
Authors: Jamaluddin Nasiruddin 
Published: March 2013

PurposeMost conventional financial products currently on offer to Muslims in the Indian market are incompatible with Islamic religious principles; there is a recognized demand for alternatives within this niche community. India has the third largest Muslim population in the world – 155,477,386 in 2011. The purpose of this paper is to present the status of marketing activities of Shari'ah‐based investments and a comprehensive analysis of avenues for Islamic investments in India.Design/methodology/approachIn India, Islamic investment is gathering pace as Muslims in the country are becoming more vocal in their demands for greater self expression. Hence, there is a great potential in India itself. Even if a small percentage of this population can be pressured to invest in the Islamic investments, the amount of money that can be brought into the system could be enormous.FindingsThe findings reveal the emergence of Islamic investment opportunities on Shari'ah‐based investments in India. This paper also provides suggestions for enhancement of Islamic investment opportunities in India.Originality/valueWith a sound economic base and with hundreds of companies complying with Shari'ah norms, India offers a huge opportunity for Islamic equity investment. If performance as a parameter is considered, it is observed that Shari'ah‐compliant investments, being low in debt and having sound fundamental principles, tend to perform better, hence large non‐Muslim investors should take the benefit of these socially responsible and above par performing Islamic investments.
2‐D finite‐element modeling of electrostatic sensor for tomography system
Authors: Tizhe Thuku Iliya , Fua'ad Rahmat Mohd , Abdul Wahab Norhaliza , Tajdari Teimour , Amuda Yusuf Abdulrahamam 
Published: March 2013

PurposeCircular pipelines are mostly used for pneumatic conveyance in industrial processes. For optimum and efficient production in industries that use a pipeline for conveyance, tomographic image of the transport particles is paramount. Sensing mechanism plays a vital role in process tomography. The purpose of this paper is to present a two‐dimensional (2‐D) model for sensing the characteristics of electrostatic sensors for electrical charge tomography system. The proposed model uses the finite‐element method.Design/methodology/approachThe domain is discretized into discrete shapes, called finite elements, by using a MATLAB. Each of these elements is taken as image pixels, on which the electric charges carried by conveyed particles are transformed into equations. The charges' interaction and the sensors installed around the circumference, at the sensing zone of the conveying pipeline are related by the proposed model equations. A matrix compression technique was also introduced to solve the problem of unevenly sensing characteristics of the sensors due to elements' number's concentration. The model equations were used to simulate the modeled electrostatic charge distribution carried by the particles moving in the pipeline.FindingsThe simulated results show that the proposed sensors are highly sensitive to electrostatic charge at any position in the sensing zone, thereby making it a good candidate for tomographic image reconstruction.Originality/valueTomographic imaging using finite element method is found to be more accurate and reliable compared to linear and filtered back projection method.
New methodologies for precise building boundary extraction from LiDAR data and high resolution image
Authors: Li Hui , Zhong Cheng , Hu Xiaoguang , Xiao Long , Huang Xianfeng 
Published: March 2013

PurposeLight Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) offers a fast and effective way to acquire DSM and extract ground objects such as building, trees and so on. However, it is difficult to extract sharp and precise building boundary from LiDAR data, because its ground sample distance (GSD) is often worse than that of high resolution image. Recently, fusion of LiDAR and high resolution image becomes a promising approach to extract precise boundary. To find the correct and precise boundary, the aim of this paper is to present a series of novel algorithms to improve the quality.Design/methodology/approachTo find the correct and precise boundary, this paper presents a series of novel algorithms to improve the quality. At first, a progressive algorithm is presented to register LiDAR data and images; second, a modified adaptive TIN algorithm is presented to filter ground point, where a region growth method is applied in the adaptive TIN algorithm; third, a novel criterion based on the density, connectivity and distribution of point cluster is developed to distinguish trees point; fourth, a novel method based on the height difference between neighbor points is employed to extract coarse boundaries; at last, a knowledge based rule is put forward to identify correct building boundary from parallel edges.FindingsThorough experiments, it is conducted that: the registration results are accurate and reliable; filtered ground points has good quality, without missing or redundancy; all tree clusters bigger than one grid are detected, and points of walls and edges are eliminated with the new criterion; detected edges exactly locate at real building boundaries, and statistics show the detection correctness is 98 percent, and the detection completeness is 95 percent.Originality/valueAll results prove that precise boundary can be extracted with fusion of LiDAR and high resolution image.