bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender Differences in Rates of Carriage and Bloodstream Infection Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Are They Real, Do They Matter and Why?
Authors: Humphreys Hilary , Fitzpatick Fidelma , Harvey Brian J. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
There is increasing interest in sexual and gender dimorphism in disease. We reviewed the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage and bloodstream infection (BSI), which shows a male predominance, and explored some of the possible reasons. Males are more prone to bacterial sepsis, but some studies suggest females may have a poorer prognosis from BSI. Hand-hygiene behavior varies according to gender. Males are less compliant, which in turn may predispose them to higher colonization and infection rates. Female hormones such as estrogen affect the expression of virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and although not studied, this may also apply to S. aureus. Further research is required on the relationship between gender and risk of infection, the reasons for higher MRSA carriage and BSI rates in males, the value of gender-specific infection prevention campaigns, and other factors such as the possible role of contact sports and occupation.
Ocean acidification affects productivity but not the severity of thermal bleaching in some tropical corals
Authors: Noonan Sam H. C. , Fabricius Katharina E. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are raising sea surface temperature (SST) and causing ocean acidification (OA). While higher SST increases the frequency of mass coral bleaching events, it is unclear how OA will interact to affect this process. In this study, we combine in situ bleaching surveys around three tropical CO2 seeps with a 2-month two-factor (CO2 and temperature) tank experiment to investigate how OA and SST in combination will affect the bleaching susceptibility of tropical reef corals. Surveys at CO2 seep and control sites during a minor regional bleaching event gave little indication that elevated pCO2 influenced the bleaching susceptibility of the wider coral community, the four most common coral families (Acroporidae, Faviidae, Pocilloporidae, or Poritidae), or the thermally sensitive coral species Seriatopora hystrix. In the tank experiment, sublethal bleaching was observed at 31°C after 5 d in S. hystrix and 12 d in Acropora millepora, whereas controls (28°C) did not bleach. None of the measured proxies for coral bleaching was negatively affected by elevated pCO2 at pHT 7.79 (vs. 7.95 pHT in controls), equivalent to ∼780 µatm pCO2 and an aragonite saturation state of 2.5. On the contrary, high pCO2 benefitted some photophysiological measures (although temperature effects were much stronger than CO2 effects): maximum photosystem II quantum yields and light-limited electron transport rates increased in both species at high pCO2, whereas gross photosynthesis and pigment concentrations increased in S. hystrix at high pCO2. The field and laboratory data in combination suggest that OA levels up to a pHT of 7.8 will have little effect on the sensitivity of tropical corals to thermal bleaching. Indeed, some species appear to be able to utilize the more abundant dissolved inorganic carbon to increase productivity; however, these gains offset only a small proportion of the massive bleaching-related energy losses during thermal stress.
EstimatingKin Genetic Mixture Models
Authors: Verity Robert , Nichols Richard A. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTA key quantity in the analysis of structured populations is the parameterK, which describes the number of subpopulations that make up the total population. Inference ofKideally proceeds via themodel evidence, which is equivalent to the likelihood of the model. However, the evidence in favour of a particular value ofKcannot usually be computed exactly, and instead programs such as Structuremake use of simple heuristic estimators to approximate this quantity. We show – using simulated data sets small enough that the true evidence can be computed exactly – that these simple heuristics often fail to estimate the true evidence, and that this can lead to incorrect conclusions aboutK.Our proposed solution is to use thermodynamic integration (TI) to estimate the model evidence. After outlining the TI methodology we demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach using a range of simulated data sets. We find that TI can be used to obtain estimates of the model evidence that are orders of magnitude more accurate and precise than those based on simple heuristics. Furthermore, estimates ofKbased on these values are found to be more reliable than those based on a suite of model comparison statistics. Our solution is implemented for models both with and without admixture in the software TrueK.
The generation of adaptive assembly from predicting change propagation
Authors: Qiao Hu , Mo Rong , Xiang Ying 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to establish an adaptive assembly, to realize the adaptive changing of the models and to improve the flexibility and reliability of assembly change. For a three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided design (CAD) assembly in a changing process, there are two practical problems. One is delivering parameters’ information not smoothly. The other one is to easily destroy an assembly structure.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper establishes associated parameters design structure matrix of related parts, and predicts possible propagation paths of the parameters. Based on the predicted path, structured storage is made for the affected parameters, tolerance range and the calculation relations. The study combines structured path information and all constrained assemblies to build the adaptive assembly, proposes an adaptive change algorithm for assembly changing and discusses the extendibility of the adaptive assembly.

Findings
– The approach would improve the flexibility and reliability of assembly change and be applied to different CAD platform.

Practical implications
– The examples illustrate the construction and adaptive behavior of the assembly and verify the feasibility and reasonability of the adaptive assembly in practical application.

Originality/value
– The adaptive assembly model proposed in the paper is an original method to assembly change. And compared with other methods, good results have been obtained.
Design of a novel dexterous robotic gripper for in-hand twisting and positioning within assembly automation
Authors: Chen Fei , Carbonari Luca , Canali Carlo , D'Imperio Mariapaola , Cannella Ferdinando 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to design a novel jaw gripper with human-sized anthropomorphic features to be suitable for precise in-hand posture transitions, such as twisting and re-positioning. The growing demand from traditional high-mix low-volume and new massive customized manufacturing industry requires the robot with configurability and flexibility. In the electronic manufacturing industry particularly, the design of the robotic hand with sufficient dexterity and configuration is important for the robot to accomplish the assembly task reliably and robustly. It is important for the robot to be able to grasp and manipulate a large number of assembly parts or tools.

Design/methodology/approach
– In this research, a novel jaw-like gripper with human-sized anthropomorphic features is designed for online in-hand precise positioning and twisting. It retains the simplicity feature of traditional industrial grippers and dexterity features of dexterous robotic hands.

Findings
– The gripper is able to apply suitable gripping force on assembly parts and performs reliable twisting movement within limited time to meet the industrial requirements. Manipulating several cylindrical assembly parts by robot, as an experimental case in this paper, is studied to evaluate its performance. The effectiveness of proposed gripper design and mechanical analysis is proved by the simulation and experimental results.

Originality/value
– The main originality of this research is that a novel jaw gripper with human-sized anthropomorphic features is designed to be suitable for precise in-hand posture transitions, such as twisting and re-positioning. With this gripper, the robotic system will be sufficiently flexible to deal with various assembly tasks.
Resilience in the modern career
Authors: Lyons Sean T. , Schweitzer Linda , Ng Eddy S.W. 
Published: July 2015

Purpose– Career resilience (CR) is an increasingly important, but under-researched aspect of modern careers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating effect of CR on the relationships between personality factors, career self-evaluations and modern career orientation and the outcome of career satisfaction (CS). The authors hypothesized that CR would be positively associated with the “big-5” personality factors, career self-evaluations (self-efficacy and external locus of control) and modern career orientations (protean and boundaryless orientations) and that CR would mediate those variables’ relationships with CS.Design/methodology/approach– The participants in the study were 1,988 employed managers and professionals. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed relationships and mediation model.Findings– CR mediated the relationships between CS and emotional stability, conscientiousness, emotional stability, openness to experience, internal work locus of control, career self-efficacy and protean career attitudes. Contrary to expectations, being values-driven was negatively associated with CR, producing a negative net indirect effect on CS.Research limitations/implications– The study extends previous work concerning CR by examining the role of CR as a mediator between various psychological career factors and CS (i.e. subjective career success). An important issue is whether CR is a unique construct relative to psychological resilience. The results suggest that this may be the case, but direct comparison between the two constructs is required to answer the question definitively.Practical implications– Strengthening CR through career development interventions can have important impacts on CS, particularly for those individuals who are values-driven or have boundaryless mindsets and preferences for organizational mobility.Originality/value– This is the first study to examine the relationship between CR and “new career” attitudes (i.e. boundaryless and protean career orientations), which have been the topic of much research. The authors contribute to the career success research by linking CR and modern career orientation to CS and demonstrating that CR mediates the relationships between career-related psychological factors (personality, self-evaluation and modern career orientation) and CS.
Corporate governance and its reform in Hong Kong: a study in comparative corporate governance
Authors: Michael Bryane , Goo S.H. 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper was to determine to what extent Hong Kong’s experience proves (or disproves) theories from corporate governance in the areas of family ownership, concentration, self-dealing in Hong, executive compensation and other issues. This paper – written in the comparative corporate governance tradition – uses data from Hong Kong to discuss wider trends and issues in the corporate governance literature.

Design/methodology/approach
– The authors use the comparative corporate governance approach – exposing a range of corporate governance theories to the light of Hong Kong data. The authors purposely avoid over-theorising – leaving the data to speak for themselves for other researchers interested in such theorising.

Findings
– The authors find that Hong Kong presents corporate challenges that are unique among upper-income jurisdictions – in terms of potentially harmful (shareholder value diminishing) family relationships, shareholder concentration and self-dealing by insiders. The authors also show that excessive executive compensation, accounting and audit weaknesses do not pose the same kinds of problems they do in other countries. The authors provide numerous comments on theoretical papers throughout the presentation in this paper.

Research limitations/implications
– The authors chose a relatively unused research approach that eschews theory building – instead, the authors use data from a range of sectors to build an overall picture of corporate governance in Hong Kong. The authors subsequently affirm or critique the theories of others in this paper.

Practical implications
– The original analysis conducted by the authors provided 22 recommendations for revising listing rules for Hong Kong’s stock exchange. Others – particularly Asian officials – should consider Hong Kong’s experience when revising their own corporate governance listing rules and regulations.

Originality/value
– This paper offers new and original insights in four directions. First, the authors use the empiricist’s method – presenting data from a wide range of corporate governance areas to comment on and critique existing studies. Second, the authors provide a system-wide view of corporate governance – showing how different parts of corporate governance rules work together using concrete data. Third, the authors provide a new study in the comparative corporate governance tradition – another brick in the wall that is “normal scientific progress”. Fourth, the authors pose tentative resolutions to highly debated questions in corporate governance for the specific time and place of Hong Kong in the early 2010s.
A triple bottom line construct and reasons for implementing sustainable business practices in companies and their business networks
Authors: Høgevold Nils M. , Svensson Göran , Klopper H.B. , Wagner Beverly , Valera Juan Carlos Sosa , Padin Carmen , Ferro Carlos , Petzer Daniel 
Published: July 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this study is to test a Triple Bottom Line (TBL)-construct as well as to describe the TBL-reasons for implementing sustainable business practices in companies and their business networks. This study explores how linking these seemingly disparate pillars of sustainability may be facilitated through a TBL construct. The notion of sustainable business practices has been evolving and is increasingly understood to encompass considerations of economic viability, as well as environmental sustainability and social responsibility.Design/methodology/approach– The research is quantitative in nature, exploring and analysing how companies in different Norwegian industries implement and manage sustainable business practices based on TBL. The survey results are reported here.Findings– The relevance of TBL to different aspects of sustainable business practices is outlined. The study generally supports the view that a heightened propensity for sustainable business practices ensures that organisations are better equipped for meeting the challenge of integrating TBL in companies and their business networks.Research limitations/implications– The study tested a construct of TBL in the context of sustainable business practices. It may be incorporated in further research in relation to other constructs. Suggestions for further research are proposed.Practical implications– Useful for practitioners to get insights into TBL-reasons for implementing business-sustainable practices in companies and their business networks. It may also be valuable to assess the general status of business-sustainable practices in a company and their business networks.Originality/value– Linking two traditionally separate and encapsulated areas of research, namely, the area of business sustainable practices and the area of TBL. The current study has contributed to a TBL-construct in relation to other constructs in measurement and structural models. It has also contributed to provide insights of priority into the main reasons to implement the elements of TBL within companies and their business networks.
The effectiveness of zakat in alleviating poverty and inequalities
Authors: Abdullah Naziruddin , Mat Derus Alias , Al-Malkawi Husam-Aldin Nizar 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of zakat (the Islamic tax) in alleviating poverty and inequality in Pakistan using a newly developed index, namely, the Basic Needs Deficiency Index (BNDI).

Design/methodology/approach
– The study formulates an index (BNDI) to measure the deficiency and effectiveness of zakat as one of the different items of government expenditure/spending to alleviate poverty. In this paper, Pakistan is chosen as a case study for two reasons: the availability and accessibility of data required for computing BNDI; and, in the past, no index such as this had been used to measure poverty in Pakistan.

Findings
– The results obtained from the computation of the BNDI have been able to explain the effectiveness of zakat in alleviating poverty and inequality in Pakistan.

Practical implications
– The findings of the study can be used by policymakers to measure and improve the effectiveness of zakat in reducing poverty and inequality.

Social implications
– As the ultimate beneficiaries of zakat are the poor people, the outcome of this study may help improve their quality of life.

Originality/value
– The paper develops a new methodology to measure poverty alleviation in Pakistan, focusing on the poor households’ consumption/expenditure on basic needs, government spending in terms of zakat and the number of zakat recipients as the three main determinants. The index developed in the present study can be applied to measure the performance of all Muslim countries whose provision of zakat is embedded in the national agenda to alleviate poverty.
Realizing knowledge sharing in strategic alliance: case in Islamic microfinance
Authors: Wahyudi Imam 
Published: July 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to understand the influence of social capital, trust and commitment in fusing the various elements in a strategic alliance through the knowledge-sharing process. The unit of analysis is the relationship between Islamic banks and baitul maal wa tamwil (BMT), where each carries with it a back-ground of differing institutional culture and management style. The theory regarding knowledge sharing and interdependence will be developed in the model and tested with structural equation modelling (SEM) to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of the connection between relationship bonding (social capital) and trust and commitment in a formed alliance.Design/methodology/approach– In this study, we have used a confirmatory approach through survey using a structured questionnaire distributed to 131 BMT throughout the region of Central Java and Yogyakarta. The sampling criteria used are: has operated for a minimum of two years and does not experience any financial problems in those two years; has been in a financing contract with an Islamic bank; has channelled a part of their funds to micro, small and medium enterprises; and is in the form of a cooperative and not micro financial institution. The data treatment used is list-wise deletion. From the initial sample, 89 BMT were found that fulfilled the sampling criteria. Data are analyzed using SEM with linear structural relations (LISREL) software version 8.80. To validate the data analysis result, we have also run a focus group discussion (FGD) with the Directorate of Islamic Banking – Bank Indonesia, as well as in-depth interview (IDI) with the BMT parent cluster (Inkopsyah).Findings– Empirically, conflict, coordination and trust are a positive and significant contributor in the success of transfer of knowledge. A strategic alliance relationship between Islamic banks and BMT is still contractual in character, where trust is tied down by a contractual agreement. Other than that, trust and transfer of knowledge is significantly influenced positively by the building of coordination, agreement, interdependence and social capital.Originality/value– The unit of analysis is the relationship between Islamic banks and BMT, where each carries with it a background of differing institutional culture and management style. The theory regarding knowledge sharing and interdependence will be developed in the model and tested with SEM to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of the connection between relationship bonding (social capital) and trust and commitment in a formed alliance.
Collaborative marketing in a premium wine region: the role of horizontal networks
Authors: Lewis Gemma Kate , Byrom John , Grimmer Martin 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this article was to explore why small wine producers in one of Australia’s premium wine regions engage in horizontal networking within both their sub-regions and at a state-wide level. The benefits of these formal network relationships are investigated from a collaborative marketing perspective.

Design/methodology/approach
– Qualitative data were collected via in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 33 wine producers. Industry informant interviews and secondary data collection enabled triangulation of the research findings.

Findings
– Overall the study found that producers join horizontal networks for commercial, social and strategic reasons. These motivations evolve over time as the owner/managers gain experience and presence in the region. Horizontal networks assist regions to build goodwill and industry norms, and share knowledge. Such social capital encourages collaboration among wineries and enables networks to effectively pursue shared objectives. Horizontal networks at a sub-regional level also play a key role in establishing and promoting wine tourism.

Practical implications
– The paper shows how horizontal wine networks develop over time and the key motivations for membership. Those looking to establish networks can benefit from knowledge of the key drivers which influence and enhance participation.

Originality/value
– To date most network studies in the sector have focused on informal relationships between wineries, or networks and clusters comprising firms vertically integrated in the supply chain. The paper contributes to understanding why small wine producers join horizontal networks and examines how collaborative marketing can assist boutique and developing wine regions to increase the competitiveness and market penetration of their products.