bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Culture and the importance of usability attributes
Authors: Wallace Steve , Reid Adrian , Clinciu Daniel , Kang Jin‐Su 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThis study into cultural usability aims to identify whether the importance of usability attributes varied between nationalities, and whether this variance was related to cultural dimensions.Design/methodology/approachA total of 144 subjects from four countries were surveyed on the importance they placed on the usability attributes of cell phones. Results were compared by country, and relationships with cultural dimensions were investigated.FindingsFor each country, usability attributes were not rated equally. Across countries, no difference in the rating of effectiveness was found, while ratings of efficiency and satisfaction varied significantly. In addition, the study identified significant relationships between the importance given to efficiency and satisfaction and cultural dimensions identified by Hofstede and the World Values Survey, with values relating to task‐orientation influencing efficiency, and non‐task oriented values affecting the importance users place on satisfaction.Practical implicationsProduct designers and usability practitioners need to consider these cultural differences when designing products and when evaluating, measuring, and making recommendations on product usability.Originality/valuePrevious studies in this area have shown the existence of differences in preference for usability attributes based on nationality. No studies known to the authors have connected this to cultural dimensions. Understanding of this connection supports usability practitioners in their work not just in specific countries but also in cultural regions. It also allows the more precise modeling by researchers of culture's interaction with usability.
Human aspects of information security
Authors: Komatsu Ayako , Takagi Daisuke , Takemura Toshihiko 
Published: March 2013

PurposeA significant amount of empirical research has been conducted on the socio‐economic (sociological, psychological, economic) aspects of information security, such as the phenomenon of individuals who are willing to take security measures, but often do not. There is a growing body of research relating to individual behaviour and decision making and the purpose of this paper is to analyze a survey on the behaviour of individuals who implement information security measures.Design/methodology/approachTo promote effective information security measures, this paper refers to research on the psychology of persuasion from the field of social psychology. A survey was conducted into determinants for changing attitudes through persuasive messages, and the results were analysed. A questionnaire was used and the authors built a demonstrative experimental environment, which analysed in detail attitudinal changes in an individuals' behaviour.FindingsThe authors found differences in behaviour regarding the intent to implement measures discovered from the responses to the questionnaire as well as from actual conduct in the demonstrative experiment.Originality/valueIt is original to adopt a model defined by social psychology, especially Protection Motivation Theory and Elaborative Likelihood Model. The authors conducted both questionnaire survey and the psychological experiment.
Usable secure email communications: criteria and evaluation of existing approaches
Authors: Thiago Moecke Cristian , Volkamer Melanie 
Published: March 2013

PurposeEmail communication has been used for many years, and has begun to replace traditional, physical correspondence more and more. Compared to a traditional postal service, email services are easier, faster, and free of charge. Standard email, however, is, from a security point of view, more comparable to post cards than letters. Some security techniques and services exist, but few people use them due to lack of awareness, low usability, and a lack of understanding of Public Key Infrastructures (PKIs). A comprehensive comparison is missing, which makes it difficult for users to decide which email service to use. The purpose of this paper is to identify evaluation criteria covering security, usability, and interoperability aspects of email, and to apply them to existing email services.Design/methodology/approachThe authors first define criteria based on literature review, threat analysis and expert consultation. These criteria are then applied, when applicable, to existing approaches including DKIM, SPF, PGP, S/MIME and Opportunistic Encryption, and to common secure email providers including Gmail, Hushmail, and De‐Mail.FindingsNone of the existing analysed services meets all the derived criteria. Based on the result of the application of these criteria and the corresponding comparison, the authors propose future directions for usable secure email communication.Originality/valueThe criteria proposed are original and allow an evaluation and a comparison of different email systems that not only considers security aspects, but also the relation and trade‐offs between security, usability and interoperability. Moreover, the trust assumptions involved are also considered.
Impact of the optic fibre network and increased bandwidth on e‐resources access in Malawi
Authors: Mapulanga Patrick 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe paper seeks to explore the impact of a fibre optic network and increased bandwidth on access to electronic resources for libraries in Malawi.Design/methodology/approachThis research adopted a case study methodology. Online interviews were conducted with ICT Directors in colleges of the University of Malawi and Mzuzu University. The ICT Directors provided information on bandwidth levels and estimated costs for libraries using VSAT and fibre optics for internet connectivity. User statistics from INASP for the years 2006, 2011 and 2012 were the main sources of information.FindingsLibraries in Malawi have been affected by the fibre optic network. The fibre optic network has increased bandwidth from a maximum of 1,024 in Kbps around 2006 to between 4 and 8 Mbps per month. Bandwidth costs have been reduced from an average of $US3,000/Mbps in 2006 to around US$1,700/Mbps per month in 2012. The number of articles downloaded has increased from 6,075 in 2006 to 50,860 in 2011, representing a 737 per cent increase. Half‐year statistics for 2012 reveal that the number of articles downloaded increased from 50,860 in 2011 to 81,633, representing a 60.5 per cent increase.Practical implicationsThe paper has practical implications on the impact of a fibre optic network and improved bandwidth on access to e‐resources in libraries.Originality/valueThere is an information gap on the impact of fibre optic internet connectivity and improved bandwidth on access to e‐resources in libraries in Africa, and in Malawi to be specific. This research paper seeks to fill and bridge the gap.
Updates from the field: impressive library systems and a pivotal judicial ruling
Authors: Medeiros Norm 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to describe the impressive features of the new integrated library systems in development.Design/methodology/approachThe article highlights this next wave of ILS development, and its alignment with library practices and workflows.FindingsThe article is optimistic about the nature of these technology developments.Originality/valueThe article provides an overview of these new systems. The article also updates readers on the status of the copyright infringement case pending against Georgia State University.
The role of entrepreneurship education and start‐up experience for handling communication and liability of newness
Authors: Ulvenblad Pia , Berggren Eva , Winborg Joakim 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe aim of this study is to test the assumption that ability to handle communication and liability of newness (LoN) is enhanced by academic entrepreneurship education and/or previous start‐up experience.Design/methodology/approachThe data collection includes a questionnaire with a total sample of 392 responding entrepreneurs in Sweden. Statistical analyses are made between entrepreneurs with academic entrepreneurship education respectively previous start‐up experience.FindingsThe findings show that entrepreneurs with experience from entrepreneurship education report more developed communicative skills in the dimensions of openness as well as adaptation, whereas the dimension of other‐orientation is found to be learned by previous start‐up experience. When it comes to perceived problems related to LoN the differences between the groups were not as strong as assumed. However, the differences observed imply that also for handling LoN the authors identify a combined effect of possessing start‐up experience as well as experience from entrepreneurship education. Consequently, entrepreneurs with experience from both, show in total the most elaborated skills.Practical implicationsOne way to improve future entrepreneurship educations is to make students more aware of the mutual profit in a business agreement and how to communicate this in a marketing situation. Another suggestion is to include starting business as a course work.Originality/valueThis study not only meets the call for actual outcome from entrepreneurship educations in terms of changed behaviour but also for interdisciplinary research in the entrepreneurship field in integrating leadership research with focus on communication.
Inter‐agency cooperation between services for children and families in Ireland: does it improve outcomes?
Authors: McKeown Kieran 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the processes and outcomes of a five‐year initiative to develop inter‐agency working between services for vulnerable 10‐ to 18‐year‐olds in a disadvantaged area of Dublin, Ireland.Design/methodology/approachA case study methodology included: review of documentation on 32 formal meetings of the network; 43 interviews with agency personnel involved in the network; in‐depth review of nine randomly selected cases which had been treated according to the network's agreed protocol of inter‐agency case management.FindingsThe initiative created a vibrant inter‐agency process in terms of developing and implementing an agreed protocol for inter‐agency care planning. However, assessment of the outcomes for young people and their families showed that only a few made any improvement. Four reasons are suggested for this relatively modest result: the target group of 10‐ to 18‐year‐olds had experienced neglect and abuse over many years and this made it difficult to achieve positive outcomes for them; the quality and standard of work by some staff in some agencies was questionable; agencies did not seem to include inter‐agency work in assessing their overall performance, or the performance of individual staff; and most agencies did not seem to have adopted an outcome‐oriented, evidence‐based approach to their work.Originality/valueThe paper points out that an effective and inclusive inter‐agency process is necessary but not enough for improving child outcomes; the sufficient condition for improved child outcomes is effective intra‐agency processes to deliver high‐quality services and a policy environment that supports and requires it.
The non‐use of services: adolescents and sexual health provision in Ankara, Turkey
Authors: Çelik Kezban , Esin Ayşegül 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain the sexual and reproductive health needs, barriers to accessing services as well as the expectations of the youth who do not use the services provided by the Youth Counseling and Health Service Centres in Ankara Province, Turkey.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on the results of 12 focus group discussions conducted with young people in the 8th (14‐ to 15‐year‐old) and 12th (aged 17‐ to 18‐year‐old) grades who are not service users.FindingsThe findings suggest that gender, socio‐economic level of the family, religion, the condition of the facilities and the visibility of the centres are factors affecting service usage.Originality/valueThe paper analyses factors that affect the use of services, such as male vs female, primary school vs high school, centre vs periphery, and shows how religion, region, gender, education and socio‐economic dimensions have to be taken into account in understanding the sensitivity of sexuality‐related issues among adolescents.
Outcomes among young adults placed in therapeutic residential care as children
Authors: Gallagher Bernard , Green Adam 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to advance knowledge concerning outcomes among the former residents of therapeutic children's homes, especially those located in England.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 16 young adults who had been resident in one of seven therapeutic homes took part in interviews.FindingsIt appeared, from the information they gave in these interviews, that their outcomes were good in terms of their emotional and behavioural well‐being, physical health, accommodation, and absence of early parenthood and substance use. Some of the young adults also had good outcomes in respect of their education and absence of criminal convictions. A small number of the young adults did less well on these latter two measures but few of them were particularly poor in either of these respects. The young adults had limited contact with their family members.Originality/valueThe evidence from this research is that young adults who have been in therapeutic residential care can have good outcomes.
Towards an Agenda for Post‐carbon Cities: Lessons from Lilac, the UK's First Ecological, Affordable Cohousing Community
Authors: Chatterton Paul 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis article explores an agenda towards post‐carbon cities, extending and deepening established debates around low‐carbon, sustainable cities in the process. The label post‐carbon builds upon issues beyond those of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, energy conservation and climate change, adding a broader set of concerns, including economic justice, behaviour change, wellbeing, land ownership, the role of capital and the state, and community self‐management. The article draws upon a case study of an embryonic post‐carbon initiative completed in early 2013 called Lilac. Based in Leeds, Lilac stands for Low Impact Living Affordable Community and is the first attempt to build an affordable, ecological cohousing project in the UK. Its three aspects each respond to significant challenges: low‐impact living and the challenge of post‐carbon value change; affordability and the challenge of mutualism and equality; and community and the challenge of self‐governance. I conclude the article by exploring six lessons from Lilac that tentatively outline a roadmap towards post‐carbon cities: the need for holistic approaches that deal with complex challenges, prioritizing self‐determination rather than just participation, engaging with productive political tensions, adopting a process rather than an outcomes‐based approach, developing strategy for replicability, and finally, embracing a non‐parochial approach to localities.
Comparing Sexuality, Aggressiveness, and Antisocial Behavior of Alleged Juvenile Sexual and Violent Offenders,
Authors: Driemeyer Wiebke , Spehr Aranke , Yoon Dahlnym , Richter‐Appelt Hertha , Briken Peer 
Published: March 2013

AbstractSexual delinquency in juveniles is insufficiently explored in regard to the specificity of offender characteristics. The aim is to investigate relevant areas for juvenile sexual offending in a precourt, pretreatment group. Thirty‐two alleged juvenile sexual offenders (ASO) referred to by police were compared with 32 juvenile nonsexual violent offenders (VNO) on standardized measures of aggressiveness and psychopathology, antisocial behavior, substance use problems, and sexuality. Less externalizing disorders and antisocial behavior were found among the ASOs than among the VNOs. The ASO group was sexually less experienced, had less trust in their relationship abilities, fewer victimization experiences, and reported more sexual deviance, while pornography use and obscene calls were reported less often. Few juvenile sexual offenders had severe problems in the investigated areas. Including groups of offenders before court, treatment or incarceration in research appears crucial to understand the full spectrum of sexual deviance in youth and avoid misguidance due to selection factors.
Evaluating and Predicting the Oxidative Stability of Vegetable Oils with Different Fatty Acid Compositions
Authors: Li Hongyan , Fan Ya‐wei , Li Jing , Tang Liang , Hu Jiang‐ning , Deng Ze‐yuan 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe aim of this research was to evaluate the oxidative stabilities and qualities of different vegetable oils (almond, blend 1‐8, camellia, corn, palm, peanut, rapeseed, sesame, soybean, sunflower, and zanthoxylum oil) based on peroxide value (PV), vitamin E content, free fatty acid, and fatty acid composition. The vegetable oils with different initial fatty acid compositions were studied under accelerated oxidation condition. It showed that PV and n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) changed significantly during 21 d accelerated oxidation storage. Based on the changes of PV and fatty acid composition during the oxidation process, mathematical models were hypothesized and the models were simulated by Matlab to generate the proposed equations. These equations were established on the basis of the different PUFA contents as 10% to 28%, 28% to 46%, and 46% to 64%, respectively. The simulated models were proven to be validated and valuable for assessing the degree of oxidation and predicting the shelf life of vegetable oils.
Efficacies of Garlic and L. sakei in Wine‐Based Marinades for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. in Chouriço de Vinho, a Dry Sausage Made from Wine‐Marinated Pork
Authors: Linares María Belén , Garrido María Dolores , Martins Conceição , Patarata Luis 
Published: March 2013

Abstract Chouriço de vinho is made from roughly minced (10 to 30 mm) pork and fat, seasoned with a marinade made from wine, salt, garlic, and other facultative seasonings used according to the recipe of each producer. The batter is maintained at 4 to 7 ºC for 24 to 48 h. It is then stuffed into natural thin pork gut, cold smoked and matured at a low temperature for 1 to 4 wk. The effect of garlic used in wine‐based marinade and a starter culture of indigenous Lactobacillus sakei on the behavior of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. in the processing of chouriço was investigated. The garlic (as powder and fresh juice) was found to contribute (P < 0.05) to the control of both pathogens in broth. Garlic dose, as tested within the usual limits used for seasoning, did not impact the reduction of pathogens. Garlic‐wine‐based marinade and a starter culture of indigenous L. sakei contribute to controlling L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. in the processing of chouriço. Their presence was responsible for the loss of viability of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. following 5 d of drying, even sooner than situations where no garlic was used. The results of the present work show that the use of a wine‐based marinade with garlic has an important role in ensuring the safety of the product.
Mifepristone Pretreatment Reduces Ethanol Withdrawal Severity In Vivo
Authors: Sharrett‐Field Lynda , Butler Tracy R. , Berry Jennifer N. , Reynolds Anna R. , Prendergast Mark A. 
Published: March 2013

BackgroundProlonged ethanol (EtOH) intake may perturb function of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in a manner that promotes dependence and influences EtOH withdrawal severity. Prior in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that corticosteroids, in particular, may be elevated during EtOH intoxication and withdrawal, suggesting that intracellular glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) may promote the development of EtOH dependence.MethodsAdult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to a 4‐day binge‐like EtOH administration regimen (3 to 5 g/kg/i.g. every 8 hours designed to produce peak blood EtOH levels (BELs) of <300 mg/dl). Subgroups of animals received s.c. injection of the GR antagonist mifepristone (20 or 40 mg/kg in peanut oil at 0800 hours on each of the 4 days prior to withdrawal). BELs were assessed at 0900 and 1500 hours on Days 2 (D2) and 4 (D4) of the regimen. BEL, blood corticosterone levels (BCLs), and EtOH withdrawal–associated behavioral abnormalities were assessed 10 to 12 hours after the final EtOH administration.ResultsDaily mean EtOH doses for D1 to D4 of the regimen were 14.4, 9.9, 7.1, and 8.6 g/kg, respectively. The EtOH gavage regimen produced mean BELs of 255 mg/dl at 0900 on D2 and 156.2 mg/dl at 0900 on D4 of the regimen. Withdrawal from the EtOH exposure regimen, beginning 10 hours after the last EtOH administration, produced significant elevations in BCL and behavioral abnormalities including tremors, stereotypy, and “wet dog shakes.” Mifepristone administration did not alter food intake or weight during the 4‐day regimen, nor were there drug‐dependent differences in BEL or BCL on withdrawal day. Although mifepristone produced no significant changes in behavior of EtOH‐naïve animals, pretreatment with mifepristone (40 mg/kg) significantly reduced the severity of EtOH withdrawal.ConclusionsFindings suggest that activation of GRs promotes neuroadaptation to binge‐like EtOH exposure, contributing to the development of EtOH dependence. Further, GRs may represent therapeutic targets to be exploited in reducing the severity of EtOH withdrawal.
Activation of Cardiac Fibroblasts by Ethanol Is Blocked by TGF‐β Inhibition
Authors: Law Brittany A. , Carver Wayne E. 
Published: March 2013

BackgroundAlcohol abuse is the second leading cause of dilated cardiomyopathy, a disorder specifically referred to as alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM). Rodent and human studies have revealed cardiac fibrosis to be a consequence of ACM, and prior studies by this laboratory have associated this occurrence with elevated transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) and activated fibroblasts (myofibroblasts). To date, there have been no other studies to investigate the direct effect of alcohol on the cardiac fibroblast.MethodsPrimary rat cardiac fibroblasts were cultured in the presence of ethanol (EtOH) and assayed for fibroblast activation by collagen gel contraction, alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) expression, migration, proliferation, apoptosis, collagen I and III, and TGF‐β expression. The TGF‐β receptor type 1 inhibitor compound SB 431542 and a soluble recombinant TGF‐βII receptor (RbII) were used to assess the role of TGF‐β in the response of cardiac fibroblasts to EtOH.ResultsTreatment for cardiac fibroblasts with EtOH at concentrations of 100 mg/dl or higher resulted in fibroblast activation and fibrogenic activity after 24 hours including an increase in contraction, α‐SMA expression, migration, and expression of collagen I and TGF‐β. No changes in fibroblast proliferation or apoptosis were observed. Inhibition of TGF‐β by SB 431542 and RbII attenuated the EtOH‐induced fibroblast activation.ConclusionsEtOH treatment directly promotes cardiac fibroblast activation by stimulating TGF‐β release from fibroblasts. Inhibiting the action of TGF‐β decreases the fibrogenic effect induced by EtOH treatment. The results of this study support TGF‐β to be an important component in cardiac fibrosis induced by exposure to EtOH.