bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementation and performance evaluation of a scheduling algorithm for divisible load parallel applications in a cloud computing environment
Authors: Ismail Leila , Khan Latifur 
Published: March 2014

SummaryCloud computing is an emerging technology in which information technology resources are virtualized to users in a set of computing resources on a pay‐per‐use basis. It is seen as an effective infrastructure for high performance applications. Divisible load applications occur in many scientific and engineering applications. However, dividing an application and deploying it in a cloud computing environment face challenges to obtain an optimal performance due to the overheads introduced by the cloud virtualization and the supporting cloud middleware. Therefore, we provide results of series of extensive experiments in scheduling divisible load application in a Cloud environment to decrease the overall application execution time considering the cloud networking and computing capacities presented to the application's user. We experiment with real applications within the Amazon cloud computing environment. Our extensive experiments analyze the reasons of the discrepancies between a theoretical model and the reality and propose adequate solutions. These discrepancies are due to three factors: the network behavior, the application behavior and the cloud computing virtualization. Our results show that applying the algorithm result in a maximum ratio of 1.41 of the measured normalized makespan versus the ideal makespan for application in which the communication to computation ratio is big. They show that the algorithm is effective for those applications in a heterogeneous setting reaching a ratio of 1.28 for large data sets. For application following the ensemble clustering model in which the computation to communication ratio is big and variable, we obtained a maximum ratio of 4.7 for large data set and a ratio of 2.11 for small data set. Applying the algorithm also results in an important speedup. These results are revealing for the type of applications we consider under experiments. The experiments also reveal the impact of the choice of the platforms provided by Amazon on the performance of the applications under study. Considering the emergence of cloud computing for high performance applications, the results in this paper can be widely adopted by cloud computing developers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An actuator sector method for efficient transient wind turbine simulation
Authors: Storey R. C. , Norris S. E. , Cater J. E. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis paper investigates a new method for transient simulation of flow through a wind turbine using an actuator technique. The aim, in the context of wind turbine wake simulation, is to develop an alternative to the widely used actuator disc model with an increased resolution and range of applications, for the same or less computational expense. In this new model, the actuator sector method, forces applied to the fluid are distributed azimuthally to maintain a continuous flow solution for increased time‐step intervals compared with the actuator line method. Actuator sector results are presented in comparison with actuator disc and actuator line models initially for a non‐dimensionalized turbine in laminar onset flow. Subsequent results are presented for a turbine operating in a turbulent atmospheric boundary layer. Results show significant increases in flow fidelity compared with actuator disc model results; this includes the resolution of diametric variation in rotor loading caused by horizontal or vertical wind shear and the helical vortex system shed from the turbine blade tips. Significant reductions in computational processing time were achieved with wake velocities and turbulence statistics comparable with actuator line model results. The actuator sector method offers an improved alternative to applications employing conventional actuator disc models, with little or no additional computational cost. This technique in conjunction with a Cartesian mesh‐based parallel flow solver leads to efficient simulation of turbines in atmospheric boundary layer flows. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysts’ Forecast Accuracy in Germany: The Effect of Different Accounting Principles and Changes of Accounting Principles
Authors: Ernstberger Jürgen , Krotter Simon , Stadler Christian 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis paper assesses the influence of an adoption of IAS/IFRS or US GAAP on the financial analysts’ forecast accuracy in a homogenous institutional framework. Our findings suggest that the forecast accuracy is higher for estimates based on IFRS or US GAAP data than for forecasts based on German GAAP data. Moreover, in the year of switching from German GAAP to US GAAP the forecast accuracy is lower than in other years. The paper contributes to prior research by providing evidence about the usefulness of international accounting data and about the adoption effects of a change to such accounting principles.
The Monotonicity Puzzle: An Experimental Investigation of Incentive Structures
Authors: Brosig Jeannette , Lukas Christian , Riechmann Thomas 
Published: March 2014

AbstractNon-monotone incentive structures, which — according to theory — are able to induce optimal behavior, are often regarded as empirically less relevant for labor relationships. We compare the performance of a theoretically optimal non-monotone contract with a monotone one under controlled laboratory conditions. Implementing some features relevant to real-world employment relationships, our paper demonstrates that, in fact, the frequency of income-maximizing decisions made by agents is higher under the monotone contract. Although this observed behavior does not change the superiority of the non-monotone contract for principals, they do not choose this contract type in a significant way. This is what we call the monotonicity puzzle. Detailed investigations of decisions provide a clue for solving the puzzle and a possible explanation for the popularity of monotone contracts.
Knowledge Exchange in Intra-Organizational Innovation Communities: The Role of Cognitive and Affective States
Authors: Bansemir Bastian , Neyer Anne-Katrin , Möslein Kathrin M. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractMany aspects in the area of designing platforms for intra-organizational innovation communities are not well understood. In this article, we examine the impact of technologically induced psychological factors on knowledge exchange in such communities. Using two experimental pretest-posttest experiments, we find that the implementation of (i) technologically induced self-efficacy (expressed by a ‘hurray’ message) and (ii) technologically induced positive affect (expressed by playing some 30 seconds of rock-’n’-roll music) in the design of the platform results in an influential increase of knowledge exchange. Importantly, the studies suggest that the integration of technologically induced self-efficacy leads to a higher extent of knowledge exchange than technologically induced positive affect. The implications of these results for future research and practice as well as for the design of a platform for such communities are discussed.
How the Entrepreneurial Top Management Team Setup Influences Firm Performance and the Ability to Raise Capital: A Literature Review
Authors: Maschke Konstantin , zu Knyphausen-Aufseβ Dodo 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis paper reviews research findings on entrepreneurial top management teams within the last 20 years. It concentrates on team-based management factors and their influence on a new venture’s growth and ability to raise capital. This paper integrates recent findings and provides an overview of the current state of research. Moreover, it contributes to the overall topic by proposing five clusters of major team-specific influences, derives determinants of success and failure, and reveals recommendations for further research.
MAS Integration and Controllership Effectiveness: Evidence of a Preparer-User Perception Gap
Authors: Weißenberger Barbara E. , Angelkort Hendrik , Holthoff Gero 
Published: March 2014

AbstractRecent evidence suggests that managers establish a positive link between management accounting system (MAS) integration and controllership effectiveness, which is fully mediated by the perceived consistency of financial language. Our paper extends this research by analyzing whether controllers have similar perceptions on MAS design. Testing a series of multi-group structural equation models, we find evidence for a preparer-user perception gap with respect to the mediating impact of a consistent financial language. Our results contribute to the still-ongoing controversial debate on MAS integration by indicating that the effectiveness of MAS design cannot be evaluated solely from an instrumental perspective independent from users’ perceptions.
Generalizability and Applicability of Model-Based Business Process Compliance-Checking Approaches — A State-of-the-Art Analysis and Research Roadmap
Authors: Becker Jörg , Delfmann Patrick , Eggert Mathias , Schwittay Sebastian 
Published: March 2014

AbstractWith a steady increase of regulatory requirements for business processes, automation support of compliance management is a field garnering increasing attention in Information Systems research. Several approaches have been developed to support compliance checking of process models. One major challenge for such approaches is their ability to handle different modeling techniques and compliance rules in order to enable widespread adoption and application. Applying a structured literature search strategy, we reflect and discuss compliance-checking approaches in order to provide an insight into their generalizability and evaluation. The results imply that current approaches mainly focus on special modeling techniques and/or a restricted set of types of compliance rules. Most approaches abstain from real-world evaluation which raises the question of their practical applicability. Referring to the search results, we propose a roadmap for further research in model-based business process compliance checking.
Corporate Social Responsibility in Buyer-Supplier Relationships: Is it Beneficial for Top-Tier Suppliers to Market their Capability to Ensure a Responsible Supply Chain?
Authors: Leppelt Thomas , Foerstl Kai , Hartmann Evi 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis study assesses how top-tier suppliers market their capabilities to ensure a responsible upstream supply chain to their downstream buyers, and how the marketing of corporate social responsibility (CSR)-related supply management practices affects the reputation of top-tier suppliers in business-to-business (B2B) markets. In a cross-functional multiple-case study involving marketing, purchasing, and sustainability executives of five supplier organizations in Central Europe, we explored four distinct approaches for marketing superior CSR management abilities in B2B markets that potentially foster long-term comparative advantages: (1) Fact-based communication of measurable CSR capabilities, (2) targeting of indirect customers and influencers, (3) marketing through education, and (4) marketing of CSR as a service. Moreover, our inductive results provide evidence that the effective marketing of CSR capabilities enhances a supplier’s reputation only if it sends consistent signals to the market. Therefore, a close integration of marketing and purchasing is crucial for achieving signaling consistency. Building on an established framework of purchasing-marketing integration in the particular context of CSR we developed a crossfunctional theory on the link between marketing, supply chain alignment and reputation, which is expressed in four sets of testable research propositions.
Integrated Strategic Planning of Global Production Networks and Financial Hedging under Uncertain Demands and Exchange Rates
Authors: Koberstein Achim , Lukas Elmar , Naumann Marc 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn this paper, we present a multi-stage stochastic programming model that integrates financial hedging decisions into the planning of strategic production networks under uncertain exchange rates and product demands. This model considers the expenses of production plants and the revenues of markets in different currency areas. Financial portfolio planning decisions for two types of financial instruments, forward contracts and options, are represented explicitly by multi-period decision variables and a multi-stage scenario tree. Using an illustrative example, we analyze the impact of exchange-rate and demand volatility, the level of investment expenses and interest rate spreads on capacity location and dimensioning decisions. In particular, we show that, in the illustrative example, the exchange-rate uncertainty cannot be completely eliminated by financial hedging in the presence of demand uncertainty. In this situation, we find that the integrated model can result in better strategic planning decisions for a risk-averse decision maker compared to traditional modeling approaches.
The Meniscus Arrow® as a Fixation Device for the Treatment of Mallet Fractures: Results of 50 Cases
Authors: Aarts Fenne L. M. , Derks Rosalie , Wouters Diederick B. 
Published: March 2014

Background The treatment of mallet fractures is a controversial and challenging problem. Generally, mallet fractures are treated conservatively except those involving more than one third of the base of the distal phalanx. Many different surgical fixation techniques have been published. This paper describes a new fixation procedure using ultimate bioresorbable meniscal fixation nails (Meniscus Arrows®). Methods Mallet fractures in 50 digits of 49 patients were fixed with this nail in an outpatient surgical procedure, mostly under local (Oberst-block) anaesthesia. The average operation time was 21 min. Results According to the Crawford criteria, patient outcome was graded as excellent in 48 %, good in 22 %, and fair in 28 %. In one patient, the outcome was graded as poor, but the fracture was in a pre-existent arthritic joint. All fractures were consolidated without recurrent dislocation. Complications included one wound infection, which was successfully treated with antibiotics and without further consequences. No nail deformities occurred. Two times, the nail spontaneously and gradually dislocated during intensive use of the hand after, respectively, 3 and 6 months and could easily be removed under local anaesthesia without any functional sequelae. Conclusion The bioresorbable meniscal nail fixation technique provides a fast and successful surgical treatment for mallet fractures with a minimum of adverse events.
Outcomes Assessment of Lunate Replacement Arthroplasty with Intrinsic Carpal Ligament Reconstruction in Kienböck's Disease
Authors: Henry Mark 
Published: March 2014

Background With advanced Kienböck's disease, hyaline cartilage delamination or bone fragmentation render the lunate unsalvageable. Common surgical options are proximal row carpectomy, scaphotrapeziotrapezoid fusion, scaphocapitate fusion, or total wrist fusion. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of one alternative: lunate prosthetic replacement arthroplasty combined with reconstruction of the scapholunate and lunotriquetral interosseous ligaments using the flexor carpi radialis tendon. Methods Eligible patients with advanced Kienböck's disease and an unsalvageable lunate were included in this prospective study on a self-selected basis, forming a study group of 13 consecutive patients, 6 males and 7 females with a mean age of 40. Clinical and radiographic measurements were compared at a mean follow-up of 30.3 months from surgery with a paired, single-tailed, Student's t test using a p value of 0.05 as statistically significant. Results Mean preoperative/postoperative clinical measurements were as follows: wrist flexion 29.2°/43.3°, wrist extension 24.2°/53.3°, absolute value grip strength 12.3/31.5 kg, grip strength vs. contralateral 36.5/85.2 %, and DASH scores 39.1/7.7. Mean initial/immediate postoperative/final ***radiographic measurements were the following: scapholunate angle 64.2°/46.7°/46.4°, radioscaphoid angle 64.6°/42.1°/45°, and modified carpal height ratio 1.20/1.62/1.59. Preoperative to postoperative differences were all statistically significant. Conclusions Although these subjective and objective results reflect substantial improvement, there remain recognizable deficiencies in both prosthetic design and surgical strategy that require further modification.
Estimating rheumatic fever incidence in New Zealand using multiple data sources
Authors: OLIVER J. , PIERSE N. , BAKER M. G. 
Published: March 2014

SUMMARYRheumatic fever (RF) is an important public health problem in New Zealand (NZ). There are three sources of RF surveillance data, all with major limitations that prevent NZ generating accurate epidemiological information. We aimed to estimate the likely RF incidence using multiple surveillance data sources. National RF hospitalization and notification data were obtained, covering the periods 1988–2011 and 1997–2011, respectively. Data were also obtained from four regional registers: Wellington, Waikato, Hawke's Bay and Rotorua. Coded patient identifiers were used to calculate the proportion of individuals who could be matched between datasets. Capture–recapture analyses were used to calculate the likely number of true RF cases for the period 1997–2011. A range of scenarios were used to correct for likely dataset incompleteness. The estimated sensitivity of each data source was calculated. Patients who were male, Māori or Pacific, aged 5–15 years and met the Jones criteria, were most likely to be matched between national datasets. All registers appeared incomplete. An average of 113 new initial cases occurred annually. Sensitivity was estimated at 80% for the hospitalization dataset and 60% for the notification dataset. There is a clear need to develop a high-quality RF surveillance system, such as a national register. Such a system could link important data sources to provide effective, comprehensive national surveillance to support both strategy-focused and control-focused activities, helping reduce the incidence and impact of this disease. It is important to remind clinicians that RF cases do occur outside the well-characterized high-risk group.
A review of invasiveHaemophilus influenzaedisease in the Indigenous populations of North America
Authors: TSANG R. S. W. , BRUCE M. G. , LEM M. , BARRETO L. , ULANOVA M. 
Published: March 2014

SUMMARYHistorically, the highest incidence rates of invasiveHaemophilus influenzaedisease in the world were found in North American and Australian Indigenous children. Although immunization againstH. influenzaetype b (Hib) led to a marked decrease in invasive Hib disease in countries where it was implemented, this disease has not been eliminated and its rates in Indigenous communities remain higher than in the general North American population. In this literature review, we examined the epidemiology of invasiveH. influenzaedisease in the pre-Hib vaccine era, effect of carriage on disease epidemiology, immune response toH. influenzaeinfection and Hib vaccination in Indigenous and Caucasian children, and the changing epidemiology after Hib conjugate vaccine has been in use for more than two decades in North America. We also explored reasons behind the continued high rates of invasiveH. influenzaedisease in Indigenous populations in North America.H. influenzaetype a (Hia) has emerged as a significant cause of severe disease in North American Indigenous communities. More research is needed to define the genotypic diversity of Hia and the disease burden that it causes in order to determine if a Hia vaccine is required to protect the vulnerable populations.
Linking TEM Analytical Spectroscopies for an Assumptionless Compositional Analysis
Authors: Kothleitner Gerald , Grogger Werner , Dienstleder Martina , Hofer Ferdinand 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe classical implementation for putting quantitative figures on maps to reveal elemental compositions in transmission electron microscopy is by analytical methods like X-ray and energy-loss spectroscopy. Typically, the technique in use often depends on whether lighter or heavier elements are present and—more practically—which calibrations are available or sample-related properties are known. A framework linking electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) signals such that absolute volumetric concentrations can be derived without assumptions made a priori about the unknown sample, is largely missing. In order to combine both techniques and harness their respective potentials for a light and heavy element analysis, we have set up a powerful hardware configuration and implemented an experimental approach, which reduces the need for estimates on many parameters needed for quantitative work such as densities, absolute thicknesses, theoretical ionization cross-sections, etc. Calibrations on specimens with known geometry allow the measurement of inelastic mean free paths. As a consequence, mass-thicknesses obtained from the EDX ζ-factor approach can be broken up and quantities like concentrations and partial energy-differential ionization cross-sections become accessible. ζ-factors can then be used for conversion into EELS cross-sections that are hard to determine otherwise, or conversely, connecting EDXS and EELS in a quantitative manner quite effectively.
Wastewater as a point source of antibiotic-resistance genes in the sediment of a freshwater lake
Authors: Czekalski Nadine , Gascón Díez Elena , Bürgmann Helmut 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) are currently discussed as emerging environmental contaminants. Hospital and municipal sewage are important sources of ARGs for the receiving freshwater bodies. We investigated the spatial distribution of different ARGs (sul1, sul2, tet(B), tet(M), tet(W) and qnrA) in freshwater lake sediments in the vicinity of a point source of treated wastewater. ARG contamination of Vidy Bay, Lake Geneva, Switzerland was quantified using real-time PCR and compared with total mercury (THg), a frequently particle-bound inorganic contaminant with known natural background levels. Two-dimensional mapping of the investigated contaminants in lake sediments with geostatistical tools revealed total and relative abundance of ARGs in close proximity of the sewage discharge point were up to 200-fold above levels measured at a remote reference site (center of the lake) and decreased exponentially with distance. Similar trends were observed in the spatial distribution of different ARGs, whereas distributions of ARGs and THg were only moderately correlated, indicating differences in the transport and fate of these pollutants or additional sources of ARG contamination. The spatial pattern of ARG contamination and supporting data suggest that deposition of particle-associated wastewater bacteria rather than co-selection by, for example, heavy metals was the main cause of sediment ARG contamination.