bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A software framework for agricultural and forestry robots
Authors: Hellström Thomas , Ringdahl Ola 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a generic software framework for development of agricultural and forestry robots. The primary goal is to provide generic high‐level functionality and to encourage distributed and structured programming, thus leading to faster and simplified development of robots. A secondary goal is to investigate the value of several architecture views when describing different software aspects of a robotics system.Design/methodology/approachThe framework is constructed with a hybrid robot architecture, with a static state machine that implements a flow diagram describing each specific robot. Furthermore, generic modules for GUI, resource management, performance monitoring, and error handling are included. The framework is described with logical, development, process, and physical architecture views.FindingsThe multiple architecture views provide complementary information that is valuable both during and after the design phase. The framework has been shown to be efficient and time saving when integrating work by several partners in several robotics projects. Although the framework is guided by the specific needs of harvesting agricultural robots, the result is believed to be of general value for development also of other types of robots.Originality/valueIn this paper, the authors present a novel generic framework for development of agricultural and forestry robots. The robot architecture uses a state machine as replacement for the planner commonly found in other hybrid architectures. The framework is described with multiple architecture views.
Realization of turn‐over‐wok movement for cooking robot
Authors: Yan W.X. , Fu Z. , Zhao Y.Z. 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the realization of turn‐over‐wok movement for a cooking robot.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the authors introduce the cooking robot's movement mechanism and its realization methods and then analyze the movement geometric of the movement mechanism. The authors conduct the force analysis of the material in the wok motion and suppose the moving situation of mass point m when turning over the wok and shaking the wok.FindingsThe problem of the cooking robot simulating the special cooking motion made by a chef is solved.Practical implicationsThe robot is applicable to being a cooking robot for Chinese dishes.Originality/valueThe paper shows how to optimize the effect of material moving track and satisfies the requirements of wok motion of cooking robot.
Autonomous unmanned vehicles take over on land, sea and in the air
Authors: Bloss Richard 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the most recent AUVSI unmanned vehicle show, with emphasis on the new robot innovations and applications on display.Design/methodology/approachIn‐depth interviews with exhibitors of unmanned vehicles.FindingsUnmanned vehicles are being coming more autonomous and addressing an ever‐increase range of applications in military, law enforcement, and commercial applications such as agriculture, fishing and rescue operations.Practical implicationsCustomers will have to begin thinking of unmanned vehicle robots and able body helpers in all kinds of applications.Originality/valueThe paper presents a review of the latest innovations that one might have seen if they had been on the exhibition floor at the Las Vegas unmanned show.
Institutional analysis to understand the growth of microfinance institutions in West African economic and monetary union
Authors: Ashta Arvind , Salimata Fall Ndeye 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe extent to which microfinance succeeds varies greatly even among countries. The paper aims to look at why microfinance develops in some countries rather than others. It aims to identify institutional factors that can be introduced to enable microfinance to succeed in a country.Design/methodology/approachA small‐sample comparative approach is used, combined with correlation analysis. The research methodology was dictated by the need to find countries that are culturally similar and have the same regulation in order to be able to study other elements.FindingsThe authors find that the success of microfinance is linked to its economic performance, in terms of both levels of per capita income and growth, as well as regulatory and public governance, with the amount of remittances being received in a country and with life expectancy at birth.Research limitations/implicationsDifferent sources provide different data. So, the findings may not be robust but it is the best available data.Practical implicationsThe data shows a high correlation between aid and the development of microfinance and also more so between remittances and the growth of this sector. This has some implications for policies aiming at developing entrepreneurship through microfinance.Originality/valueMost papers when looking at the success of microfinance across regions have failed to take into account differences in cultures and regulations; thus there is a residual bias. The paper's originality stems from the fact that it explains the success of microfinance while controlling for cultural and regulatory factors, and also goes into public governance indicators. This kind of comparative institutional analysis has not been performed for this region.
Creating shared value as a differentiation strategy – the example of BASF in Brazil
Authors: Spitzeck Heiko , Chapman Sonia 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThis paper aims to create empirical evidence regarding shared value strategies recently propagated by Michael Porter and Mark Kramer.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyze a single case study of a collaboration between BASF, André Maggi Group and Fundação Espaço Eco in Brazil. The objective is to evaluate whether the applied strategy can be considered as a case of shared value creation.FindingsThe case study on the collaboration between BASF, FEE and the André Maggi Group does qualify as a shared value strategy, more precisely as a case of redesigning productivity in the value chain.Research limitations/applicationsThis single case study creates some evidence for shared value strategies; however, more research is needed to generalize the results.Practical implicationsThe socio‐eco‐efficiency analysis offered by Fundação Espaço Eco creates a differentiation strategy for BASF in Brazil. The work enables BASF's clients to reduce negative impacts while increasing their financial, social and environmental performance.Originality/valueThis paper is the first empirical verification of the shared value concept. It demonstrates that shared value strategies do enhance financial as well as socio‐environmental performance and build stronger client relationships.
Enabling healthcare services for the rural and semi‐urban segments in India: when shared value meets the bottom of the pyramid
Authors: Esposito Mark , Kapoor Amit , Goyal Sandeep 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe access to high quality, a reliable and affordable basic healthcare service is one of the key challenges facing the rural and semi‐urban population lying at base of the pyramid (BoP) in India. Realizing this as a social challenge and an economic opportunity (shared value), there has been an emergence of healthcare service providers who have bundled entrepreneurial attitude and passion with available scarce resources to design and implement cost‐effective, reliable and scalable market solutions for the BoP. The purpose of this research paper is to understand the underlying operating principles of these self‐sustainable business models aimed at providing healthcare services to the BoP segment in India.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical context involves the use of case study research methodology, where the source of data is published case studies and the company websites of four healthcare organizations who have made a socio‐economic difference in the lives of the rural and semi‐urban population lying at the BoP in India.FindingsThe analysis and findings reflect the key operating principles for sustainable healthcare business ventures at the BoP. These include focus on 4A's (accessible, affordable, acceptable and awareness), local engagement, local skills building, learning by experiment, flexible organizational structure, dynamic leadership, technology integration and scalability.Research limitations/implicationsThis research study has focused mainly on the published case studies as source of data.Originality/valueThe intent is to understand and bring forth the learning and guiding principles, which act as a catalyst for the future researchers and business ventures engaged in BoP context.
CSR in industrial clusters: an overview of the literature
Authors: Lund‐Thomsen Peter , Pillay Renginee G. 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe paper seeks to review the literature on CSR in industrial clusters in developing countries, identifying the main strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in this literature, pointing to future research directions and policy implications in the area of CSR and industrial cluster development.Design/methodology/approachA literature review is conducted of both academic and policy‐oriented writings that contain the keywords “industrial clusters” and “developing countries” in combination with one or more of the following terms: corporate social responsibility, environmental management, labor standards, child labor, climate change, social upgrading, and environmental upgrading. The authors examine the key themes in this literature, identify the main gaps, and point to areas where future work in this area could usefully be undertaken. Feedback has been sought from some of the leading authors in this field and their comments incorporated in the final version submitted to Corporate Governance.FindingsThe article traces the origins of the debate on industrial clusters and CSR in developing countries back to the early 1990s when clusters began to be seen as an important vehicle for local economic development in the South. At the turn of the millennium the industrial cluster debate expanded as clusters were perceived as a potential source of poverty reduction, while their role in promoting CSR among small and medium‐sized enterprises began to take shape from 2006 onwards. At present, there is still very little conceptual and empirical work that systematically investigates the linkages between industrial clusters and CSR in developing country contexts. Hence, the authors recommend that future work in this area should focus on conceptually developing and empirically testing “cluster and CSR” impact assessment methodologies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This will provide insights into whether joint CSR interventions in clusters bring about their intended consequences of improving economic, social, and environmental conditions in the South.Originality/valueThis article is likely to be the first systematic review of the literature on industrial clusters and CSR in developing countries.
A framework of conscientious corporate brand – a South African validation
Authors: Bogaards Marlene , Mpinganjira Mercy , Svensson Göran , Mysen Tore 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to validate previous research in ethical branding by testing a conceptual framework on corporate branding using “the conscientious dimension”.Design/methodology/approachThis article tests a framework for conscientious corporate brands (CCBs) by investigating environmental and climate change issues as well as internal and external corporate codes of ethics as CCB dimensions. The empirical context is based upon South African business‐to‐business relationships.FindingsThe findings indicate that four distinctive conscientious corporate brand dimensions exist.Research limitations/implicationsThis current study contributes to the better understanding of and more knowledge on conscientious corporate brand values. Opportunities for future research are provided as the study has explored new aspects of corporate branding.Practical implicationsThis study offers managerial implications particularly for practitioners located in emerging markets such as South Africa.Originality/valueThis study validates the multidimensional nature of CCBs.
Portfolio selection: does corporate governance matter?
Authors: Lassoued Naima , Elmir Ali 
Published: April 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether corporate governance has an impact on portfolio selection within the usual mean‐variance framework, the idea being that by reducing agency conflicts, corporate governance increases the value of the firm.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of 460 American firms between 1995 and 2004, the authors first determine the optimal mean‐variance portfolio. The authors then test whether governance characteristics explain the optimal portfolio weights.FindingsThe results show that the optimal portfolio weights are sensitive to internal control mechanisms, ownership concentration, managerial entrenchment and incentive compensation.Originality/valueThe results are relevant to academicians and investors concerned with portfolio selection. In fact, they underline the importance of including governance characteristics in their portfolio selection.
Rethinking the primacy of board efficacy for governance: evidence from India
Authors: Gill Suveera 
Published: April 2013

PurposeIf proficient boards result in better governance, as the literature on the subject generally suggests, engaging independent directors and having in place an effective audit committee would certainly facilitate productive corporate functioning and enhanced accountability. Motivated by such a viewpoint, the purpose of this paper is to unravel the reporting quality and performance of the Indian central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) and its private counterparts.Design/methodology/approachThe well premeditated propositions of the study resulted in a final sample comprising 47 CPSEs and 30 peer companies. The auditors' report on financial statements was scanned to determine the quality of company's accounting and financial reporting systems. The BSE‐500 Index companies were ranked on select financial parameters to gauge relative performance of the sample companies.FindingsAn analysis of the CPSEs shows that non‐compliance with the corporate governance provisions with regards to the required number of independent directors on the board did not have any concomitant effect on their performance. Further, an examination of auditors' report revealed that the CPSEs provide a better insight into books of accounts, unlike the private sector.Originality/valueThe study is timely and relevant, given the expanded role of the state and renewed interest in boards. A case for collaborative engagement between the government and the corporate sector is proposed to address legal as well as regulatory lacunae for building trust and fostering good corporate governance. To ensure better compliance and enforcement of financial regulations it envisions an integrated accounting/auditing and taxation administration platform.
Effects of local densities and abiotic microenvironments on reproductive outputs of a biennial, Lysimachia mauritiana var. rubida
Authors: Suzuki Ryo O. , Kachi Naoki 
Published: April 2013

AbstractTo understand the relative importance of density‐dependent and density‐independent factors on plant fitness, we examined the effects of local densities and surrounding ground surface conditions on the reproductive output of a monocarpic biennial plant, Lysimachia mauritiana var. rubida in a natural population. Observations were conducted during five successive years in open dry habitats on rocky coastal cliffs of the subtropical Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands, Japan. Local density and ground surface conditions, categorized by gravel size, were remarkably heterogeneous in the study population. Therefore, we hypothesized that number of flowers per plant was affected by local density, ground surface condition, and their interaction. During 3 of 5 years, the number of flowers per individual L. mauritiana var. rubida plant was only negatively affected by the local density around the plant. The interaction effects of local density and ground surface conditions were observed in two years. Taken together with the results of previous studies, these results suggest that density effects are dominated survival in the early growing season and reproduction, while the effects of ground conditions are important for seedling recruitment and survival in the late growing season. Thus, interactive effects between density‐dependent and density‐independent factors on the life cycle from germination to reproduction regulate populations of L. mauritiana var. rubida in spatially heterogeneous habitats.
A shift in energy metabolism anticipates the onset of sarcopenia in rhesus monkeys
Authors: Pugh Thomas D. , Conklin Matthew W. , Evans Trent D. , Polewski Michael A. , Barbian Hannah J. , Pass Rachelle , Anderson Bradley D. , Colman Ricki J. , Eliceiri Kevin W. , Keely Patricia J. , Weindruch Richard , Beasley T. Mark , Anderson Rozalyn M. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryAge‐associated skeletal muscle mass loss curtails quality of life and may contribute to defects in metabolic homeostasis in older persons. The onset of sarcopenia occurs in middle age in rhesus macaques although the trigger has yet to be identified. Here, we show that a shift in metabolism occurs in advance of the onset of sarcopenia in rhesus vastus lateralis. Multiphoton laser‐scanning microscopy detects a shift in the kinetics of photon emission from autofluorescent metabolic cofactors NADH and FAD. Lifetime of both fluorophores is shortened at mid‐age, and this is observed in both free and bound constituent pools. Levels of FAD and free NADH are increased and the NAD/NADH redox ratio is lower. Concomitant with this, expression of fiber‐type myosin isoforms is altered resulting in a shift in fiber‐type distribution, activity of cytochrome c oxidase involved in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is significantly lower, and the subcellular organization of mitochondria in oxidative fibers is compromised. A regulatory switch involving the transcriptional coactivator PGC‐1α directs metabolic fuel utilization and governs the expression of structural proteins. Age did not significantly impact total levels of PGC‐1α; however, its subcellular localization was disrupted, suggesting that PGC‐1α activities may be compromised. Consistent with this, intracellular lipid storage is altered and there is shift to larger lipid droplet size that likely reflects a decline in lipid turnover or a loss in efficiency of lipid metabolism. We suggest that changes in energy metabolism contribute directly to skeletal muscle aging in rhesus monkeys.
USA300 methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Norway
Authors: Fossum Moen Aina E. , Tannæs Tone Møller , Leegaard Truls Michael 
Published: April 2013

Moen AEF*, Tannæs TM, Leegaard TM. USA300 methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Norway.Community‐associated methicillin‐resistant S. aureus USA300 is known for its ability to disseminate and colonize and the clone has been detected globally. We studied the most populated area in Norway in search for the strain and for signs of endemic establishment. Strain typing techniques such as spa‐, SCCmec‐ and dru‐typing, pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis and detection of USA300 molecular markers, lukS/F‐PV and arcA, were performed. USA300 has been present in the study area since 2003 and has increased in incidence in parallel with the total MRSA incidence. Most USA300 isolates were found in the community, but isolates were also detected in health care institutions.
A meta‐analysis of adult‐rated child personality and academic performance in primary education
Authors: Poropat Arthur E. 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundPersonality is reliably associated with academic performance, but personality measurement in primary education can be problematic. Young children find it difficult to accurately self‐rate personality, and dominant models of adult personality may be inappropriate for children.AimsThis meta‐analysis was conducted to determine the validity of the Five‐Factor Model (FFM) of personality for statistically predicting children's academic performance.SampleLiterature search identified 12 reports, with cumulative sample sizes ranging from 4,382 (19 correlations) to 5,706 (23 correlations) for correlations with Emotional Stability and Conscientiousness respectively.MethodHunter–Schmidt random‐effects meta‐analysis was used, and moderators were tested using sample‐weighted regression.ResultsWhen compared with self‐rated measures, adult‐rated Conscientiousness and Openness were more strongly correlated with academic performance, but adult‐rated Agreeableness was less strongly correlated. Q‐set‐based assessments had lower validity, which appeared to explain moderating effects of rating source. Moderating effects were not found for age, year of education (grades 1–7), or language within which the study was conducted.ConclusionsConscientiousness and Openness had two of the strongest correlations with academic performance yet reported, comparable with previous meta‐analytic correlations of academic performance with instructional quality, cognitive ability, and feedback. The FFM appears to be valid for educational research with children. Openness, which has no counterpart in models of children's temperament, should be further researched with children. Future research should examine the measurement of childhood personality, its relationship with intelligence, the extent to which it is malleable in primary education, and its causal relationship with academic performance.
EGFP Tags Affect Cellular Localization of ATP7B Mutants
Authors: Zhu Min , Ni Wang , Dong Yi , Wu Zhi‐Ying 
Published: April 2013

SummaryAimsWilson's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism due to mutations within ATP7B gene. Clinical investigations indicate that ATP7B truncations are associated with an early age of onset when compared to its missense mutations. In vitro studies show that mislocalization of ATP7B mutants is involved in disease‐causing mechanisms. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) tags are commonly used in in vitro studies of cellular localization of ATP7B mutants. However, there is still much unknown about cellular localization of ATP7B truncations.MethodsHere, we subcloned full‐length human wild‐type, a missense mutation (T935M), and four truncating mutants (E332X, Q511X, Q547X, Q819X) of ATP7B into pEGFP‐C1, pEGFP‐N2 and pCMV–myc, and transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and SH‐SY5Y cells with them, respectively.ResultsATP7B truncations all showed a diffuse and homogenous distribution pattern within the cytosol of CHO and SH‐SY5Y cells, whereas its wild‐type proteins and T935M mutation were clustered in the Golgi apparatus. Furthermore, we found that EGFP tags at N‐ or C‐terminal would severely affect cellular localization of ATP7B truncations, and EGFP tags at N‐terminal also have an influence on T935M localization.ConclusionEGFP tags may not be suitable for the detection of cellular localization of ATP7B mutants.