bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The sustainability of small businesses in recessionary times
Authors: Battisti Martina , Deakins David , Perry Martin 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to consider empirical evidence on the strategic behaviour of rural SMEs compared to urban SMEs in times of difficult economic conditions. The authors build the paper from a theoretical discussion that suggests that there will be distinctive differences in SMEs’ strategic behaviour across different settlement patterns, utilising resource‐based and opportunity‐based theoretical perspectives. This leads to three research questions which are concerned with three elements when comparing urban and rural SMEs; their characteristics, their performance and their strategic behaviours. The paper argues that the role and strategic behaviour of SMEs in the literature has been neglected.Design/methodology/approachFor this study, the paper is able to draw upon a data set of 1,411 SMEs from an annual survey of New Zealand's SMEs. This is a national survey of SMEs and the paper has analysed the data to draw out distinctive differences with firms located in different urban or rural locations.FindingsThe paper has shown that SMEs in independent urban areas/small town settlements have distinctive characteristics, performance and strategic behaviour. The important findings are that geographical location matters; that impacts of changing economic conditions cannot be assumed to be homogenous across economies and that SMEs across different settlement patterns will adopt different strategic response and behaviours.Originality/valueThe paper provides an original contribution to knowledge through the following: a primary focus on the comparison of urban and rural SMEs’ strategic behaviour in challenging and turbulent economic conditions, providing for the first time empirical evidence on the sustainability of rural SMEs in recessionary times compared to urban firms across three different locational settlement patterns; urban, independent urban and rural.
Constructing a multilevel spatial approach in ethnic entrepreneurship studies
Authors: Wang Qingfang 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to review and synthesize an interdisciplinary literature on ethnic entrepreneurship studies from a spatial perspective. The major goal is to develop an analytical framework for understanding how place plays a role in ethnic entrepreneurship processes at different geographic scales.Design/methodology/approachThe article starts with a review of perspectives on ethnic entrepreneurship from multiple disciplines in social sciences, mainly from a non‐spatial approach. It then critically discusses the spatial inquiries on ethnic entrepreneurship, with a focus on identifying the gaps across disciplines. Based on these discussions, a comprehensive, multilevel spatial framework is finally conceptualized. Following that, the concluding remarks highlight future directions and public policy significance by implementing this suggested social‐spatial approach.FindingsAs the central social actors, ethnic entrepreneurs weave through multiscaled geographic contexts in the process of creatively mobilizing and capitalizing entrepreneurial resources in the labor markets. The multiscaled geographic contexts provide a milieu of social, economic, political, cultural, and regulatory factors and forces. The interaction between the social actors and their social‐spatial contexts further influences entrepreneurs’ values of entrepreneurship, perception of entrepreneurial opportunities, practical management strategies, and ultimately their business performances.Practical implicationsThis study provides significant policy implications for entrepreneurship related public policies on regional development, economic recovery, and neighborhood revitalization especially when race and ethnicity are concerned.Originality/valueBy identifying gaps of knowledge in ethnic entrepreneurship and incorporating a multidisciplinary literature, this paper extends the discussion of “contextual effects” from spatial dimensions, explicitly brings race and ethnicity to the spatial framework of entrepreneurship.
It's really out there: a review of the critique of the discovery view of opportunities
Authors: Korsgaard Steffen 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the recent critique of the discovery view of opportunities and by implication the current state of the so‐called creation view of opportunities.Design/methodology/approachA systematic review of articles published from 2000‐2010 which feature a critique of the discovery view of opportunities. The review uses an open coding approach to identify central themes in the critique. Four central themes are identified, and from within‐theme patterns three distinct groups within the literature are identified.FindingsThe four themes suggest that the discovery view is incomplete, that social and relational interactions are more pervading and important than the discovery view suggests, that opportunities are created and that the role of individuality and subjectivity needs to be emphasized more. Three distinct groups within the literature are identified, each presenting different critiques of the discovery view, theoretical foci and implications for method and practice. Furthermore, the discussion suggests that the opportunity concept is a focal point for important debates in the entrepreneurship field, that the creation view is diverse and should not be referred to in the singular and that seeking reconciliation between the discovery and creation views is a problematic strategy. Finally, it is suggested that a continued dialog exploring differences both between the discovery and creation views as well as between the creation views is a fruitful strategy for the development of the field.Originality/valueThe article presents a review of both the critique of the discovery view and the so‐called creation view, thereby supplementing and advancing from existing reviews of the opportunity concept in entrepreneurship. This furthers our understanding of the role of opportunities in entrepreneurial processes.
Adherence to brief parent training as a predictor of parent and child outcomes in real‐world settings
Authors: Kjøbli John , Bjørknes Ragnhild , Askeland Elisabeth 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThis study aims to examine the predictive validity of an adherence measure to Brief Parent Training (BPT) delivered in real‐world settings. BPT promotes effective parenting practices in families with children who either are at an early stage of problem behaviour development or have developed conduct problems.Design/methodology/approachIn a sample of 108 families who received BPT, whether adherence predicted parenting practices and child conduct problems after intervention completion was examined.FindingsThe results showed that high ratings of adherence predicted low levels of inconsistent discipline and high levels of appropriate discipline and positive parenting. The combined effect of inconsistent discipline and positive parenting mediated the relationship between adherence and child conduct problems. When the indirect effects were separated, inconsistent discipline functioned as a mediator, whereas positive parenting did not.Originality/valueFindings indicate that it is possible to develop a sound and feasible parent‐reported measure of adherence to BPT.
Plant traits in relation to the performance and distribution of woody species in wet and dry tropical forest types in Panama
Authors: Brenes‐Arguedas Tania , Roddy Adam B. , Kursar Thomas A. 
Published: March 2013

Summary

Understanding the factors that limit species distributions along environmental gradients is a central question of ecology. Here, we evaluate the hypothesis that the traits that result in performance trade‐offs between habitats contribute to the turnover of woody species along a rainfall gradient in the Isthmus of Panama.

We studied 24 plant species with contrasting distributions along this rainfall gradient. We measured 18 morphological and physiological traits, and three performance variables in seedlings planted in common garden experiments in two contrasting sites across the Isthmus.

We found evidence for a trade‐off suggesting that better survival during the dry season corresponded to a lower growth rate in the forest understorey. This trade‐off correlated well with the distribution of the species along the rainfall gradient and was explained mostly by variation in photosynthetic capacity.

While not all species fit into this trade‐off, most dry‐distribution species, which we had previously reported to have higher drought survival, were associated with higher stem hydraulic conductance and higher capacity for CO2 assimilation. Our interpretation is that this combination of traits may be associated mostly with desiccation avoidance (deep roots) or desiccation delay (deciduousness) rather than desiccation tolerance. Despite their higher photosynthetic capacity, these species had lower growth in the low‐light understorey, probably because of higher maintenance costs (dark respiration rates).

Wet‐distribution species, on the other hand, had lower photosynthetic capacity and higher leaf area ratio. This strategy is typical of shade‐tolerant species and may explain their higher growth rates in the low‐light understorey.

In conclusion, our results suggest that habitat associations along the rainfall gradient in the Isthmus of Panama may result in part from a trade‐off between traits that are favourable to species that avoid or delay desiccation but that otherwise limit shade tolerance. This trade‐off may limit the capacity of some dry‐distribution species to colonize wet forests.
How many seabirds do we need to track to define home‐range area?
Authors: Soanes Louise M. , Arnould John P. Y. , Dodd Stephen G. , Sumner Michael D. , Green Jonathan A. 
Published: March 2013

Summary

In recent years, marine predator and seabird tracking studies have become ever more popular. However, they are often conducted without first considering how many individuals should be tracked and for how long they should be tracked in order to make reliable predictions of a population's home‐range area.

Home‐range area analysis of two seabird‐tracking data sets was used to define the area of active use (where birds spent 100% of their time) and the core foraging area (where birds spent 50% of their time). Analysis was conducted on the first foraging trip undertaken by the birds and then the first two, three and four foraging trips combined. Appropriate asymptotic models were applied to the data, and the calculated home‐range areas were plotted as a function of an increasing number of individuals and trips included in the sample. Data were extrapolated from these models to predict the area of active use and the core foraging area of the colonies sampled.

Significant variability was found in the home‐range area predictions made by analysis of the first foraging trip and the first four foraging trips combined. For shags, the first foraging trip predicted a 56% smaller area of active use when compared to the predictions made by combining the first four foraging trips. For kittiwakes, a 43% smaller area was predicted when comparing the first foraging trip with the four combined trips.

The number of individuals that would be required to predict the home range area of the colony depends greatly on the number of trips included in the analysis. This analysis predicted that 39 (confidence interval 29–73) shags and 83 (CI: 109–161) kittiwakes would be required to predict 95% of the area of active use when the first four foraging trips are included in the sample compared with 135 (CI 96–156) shags and 248 (164–484) kittiwakes when only the first trip is included in the analysis.

Synthesis and applications. Seabird and marine mammal tracking studies are increasingly being used to aid the designation of marine conservation zones and to predict important foraging areas. We suggest that many studies may be underestimating the size of these foraging areas and that better estimates could be made by considering both the duration and number of data logger deployments. Researchers intending to draw conclusions from tracking data should conduct a similar analysis of their data as used in this study to determine the reliability of their home‐range area predictions.
Clinical implications from drug–drug and drug–disease interactions in older people
Authors: Gnjidic Danijela , Johnell Kristina 
Published: March 2013

Summary

This clinical review summarizes the evidence in relation to clinical outcomes from drug–drug and drug–disease interactions in older people.

Exposure to drug–drug interactions is associated with increased risk of hospitalization‐related outcomes in older people. Drug–disease interactions have been linked with adverse drug interactions and adverse drug events in studies of older people.

Although the prevalence of drug–drug and drug–disease interactions is common in older people, there are very limited empirical data on important clinical outcomes from drug–drug and drug–disease interactions.

Clinical implications of interactions between drugs and geriatric syndromes such as frailty, falls, cognitive impairment, immobility and urinary incontinence should also be considered in older people.
Familial risk of obstetric anal sphincter injuries: registry‐based cohort study
Authors: Baghestan E , Irgens LM , Børdahl PE , Rasmussen S 
Published: March 2013

ObjectiveTo investigate the aggregation of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) in relatives.DesignPopulation‐based cohort study.SettingThe Medical Birth Registry of Norway from 1967 to 2008.PopulationAll singleton, vertex‐presenting infants weighing 500 g or more. Through linkage by national identification numbers, 393 856 mother–daughter pairs, 264 675 mother–son pairs, 134 889 mothers whose sisters later became mothers, 132 742 fathers whose brothers later became fathers, 131 702 mothers whose brothers later became fathers and 88 557 fathers whose sisters later became mothers were provided.MethodsComparison of women with and without a history of OASIS in their relatives.Main outcome measureRelative risk of OASIS after a previous OASIS in the family.ResultsThe risk of OASIS was increased if the woman's mother or sister had OASIS in a delivery (aRR 1.9, 95% CI 1.6–2.3; aRR 1.7, 95% CI 1.6–1.7, respectively). If OASIS occurred in one brother's partner at delivery, the risk of OASIS in the next brother's partner was modestly increased (aRR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.4). If OASIS occurred in one sister at delivery, the risk of OASIS in the brother's partner was also increased a little (aRR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.4). However, there was no excess occurrence in sisters whose brothers' partners had previously had OASIS (aRR 1.1, 95% CI 0.9–1.3).ConclusionsThere appears to be increased familial aggregation of OASIS. These risks are stronger through the maternal rather than the paternal line of transmission, suggesting a strong genetic role that shapes aggregation of OASIS within families. These observations must be cautiously interpreted because of bias from unmeasured confounding factors may have impacted the findings.
Marine angling tourism in Norway and Iceland: Finding balance in management policy for sustainability
Authors: Solstrand Maria‐Victoria 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis paper presents empirical data from a comparison of the management strategies governing marine angling tourism (MAT) in Norway and Iceland. Marine angling tourism has been steadily growing in popularity in the coastal fjord communities of Norway and Iceland over the last several years, and as regulations stand now, MAT is consumptive wildlife tourism, dependent on the extraction of living marine resources. Iceland's management system is based on the individual transferable quota (ITQ) and total allowable catch (TAC) management policies, designed for the commercial fishing fleet. These policies can be considered too restrictive with regard to laws and regulations for the appropriate management of MAT; however, Iceland found a way to compensate for this through active stakeholder participation which includes mutual and open communication, and actively engaging feedback loops which empirically demonstrates how interactive governance could work in practice. Norway's system gives more freedom to tourists, and the consequences of this impact both the vulnerable fjord stocks and the local communities. Findings suggest that the environmental and socio‐cultural sustainability of MAT requires a complex socio‐ecological systems perspective, with interactive governance strategies leading management policies. Sustainability requires that a management strategy not only focus on the economic aspects; priority must also be given to minimizing multi‐stakeholder conflicts and providing sufficient resource data to protect vulnerable fish stocks.
Analysis of the Effects and Relationship of Perceived Handwritten Signature's Size, Graphical Complexity, and Legibility with Dynamic Parameters for Forged and Genuine Samples
Authors: Ahmad Sharifah Mumtazah Syed , Ling Loo Yim , Anwar Rina Md , Faudzi Masyura Ahmad , Shakil Asma 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis article presents an analysis of handwritten signature dynamics belonging to two authentication groups, namely genuine and forged signature samples. Genuine signatures are initially classified based on their relative size, graphical complexity, and legibility as perceived by human examiners. A pool of dynamic features is then extracted for each signature sample in the two groups. A two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) is carried out to investigate the effects and the relationship between the perceived classifications and the authentication groups. Homogeneity of variance was ensured through Bartlett's test prior to ANOVA testing. The results demonstrated that among all the investigated dynamic features, pen pressure is the most distinctive which is significantly different for the two authentication groups as well as for the different perceived classifications. In addition, all the relationships investigated, namely authenticity group versus size, graphical complexity, and legibility, were found to be positive for pen pressure.
Determination of Enterotoxigenic and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Ice Cream
Authors: Gücükoğlu Ali , Çadirci Özgür , Terzi Göknur , Kevenk T. Onur , Alişarli Mustafa 
Published: March 2013

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of enterotoxigenic and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in ice creams. After culture‐based identification of isolates, the presence of 16S rRNA and nuc was confirmed by mPCR. S. aureus was identified in 18 of 56 fruity (32.1%), 4 of 32 vanilla (12.5%), and 1 of 12 chocolate (8.3%) ice creams. S. aureus was identified as 38 isolates in 23 ice cream samples by culture‐based techniques, but only 35 isolates were confirmed by PCR as S. aureus. To determine the enterotoxigenic properties of PCR‐confirmed S. aureus isolates, a toxin detection kit was used (SET RPLA®). Of the 12 enterotoxigenic S. aureus isolates, 9 SEB (75%), 1 SED (8.3%), 1 SEB+SED (8.3%), and 1 SEA+SEB+SED (8.3%) expressing isolates were found. The presence of enterotoxin genes (sea, seb, sed) was identified in 13 (37.1%) out of 35 isolates by the mPCR technique. In the ice cream isolates, the sea, seb, and sed genes were detected: 1 sea (7.6%), 9 seb (69.2%), 1 sed (7.6%), 1 seb+sed (7.6%), and 1 sea+seb+sed (7.6%), respectively. The sec gene was not detected in any of these isolates. One of the 35 (2.8%) S. aureus strain was mecA positive.
Radiation treatment compliance in the Indigenous population: The pilot Northern Territory experience and future directions
Authors: Le Hien , Penniment Michael , Carruthers Scott , Roos Daniel , Sullivan Thomas , Baxi Siddhartha 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIntroductionThere is a perception that Indigenous patients are less likely to attend radiotherapy treatment. This study sought to determine if a difference in radiotherapy treatment compliance rates exists between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous patients. Secondly, we aimed to ascertain which patient, disease and treatment factors affect compliance in Indigenous patients.MethodsAll patients treated with radiotherapy at the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre between March and October 2010 were analysed. Data regarding compliance rates (defined as those who chose and completed the recommended course of treatment), patient, disease and treatment factors were collected, and chi‐squared and Fisher's exact tests were applied.ResultsA total of 41 courses were delivered to Indigenous patients and 224 courses delivered to non‐Indigenous patients in this period. There was no difference in compliance between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous patients (83% vs. 81%, P = 0.75). Of the factors assessed, it was found that there was an association between toxicity grade and compliance (P = 0.048).ConclusionsFrom this cohort, we cannot support the perception that Indigenous patients have overall poorer compliance with recommended radiation treatment courses. In this study, the only factor which correlated significantly with compliance was toxicity grade. It is felt that a number of factors, which negatively impact on compliance, can potentially be counteracted by a culturally sensitive model of care.
Do the honeybee pathogens Nosema ceranae and deformed wing virus act synergistically?
Authors: Martin Stephen J. , Hardy Jennifer , Villalobos Ethel , Martín‐Hernández Raquel , Nikaido Scott , Higes Mariano 
Published: March 2013

SummaryThe honeybee pathogens Nosema ceranae and deformed wing virus (DWV) cause the collapse of honeybee colonies. Therefore, it is plausible that these two pathogens act synergistically to increase colony losses, since N. ceranae causes damage to the mid‐gut epithelial ventricular cells and actively suppresses the honeybees' immune response, either of which could increase the virulence of viral pathogens within the bee. To test this hypothesis we exploited 322 Hawaiian honeybee colonies for which DWV prevalence and load is known. We determined via PCR that N. ceranae was present in 89–95% of these colonies, with no Nosema apis being detected. We found no significant difference in spore counts in colonies infected with DWV and those in which DWV was not detected, either on any of the four islands or across the entire honeybee population. Furthermore, no significant correlation between DWV loads (ΔCT levels) and N. ceranae spore counts was found, so these two pathogens are not acting synergistically. Although the Hawaiian honeybees have the highest known prevalence of N. ceranae in the world, with average number of spores been 2.7 million per bee, no acute Nosema related problems i.e. large‐scale colony deaths, have been reported by Hawaiian beekeepers.
Contracts for dummies? The performance of investors in contracts for difference
Authors: Lee Adrian D. , Choy Shan 
Published: March 2013

AbstractInvestors widely use contracts for difference (CFDs) to leverage and short sell underlying financial assets. We investigate the after cost performance of investors in Australian Securities Exchange listed share CFDs, and find that market order CFD trades earn small positive returns at the daily horizon, with negative returns reported for one month to one year horizons due to financing costs. Market orders also net sell positions, which suggests that investors use CFDs for shorting opportunities. Overall, we find that liquidity demanders in CFDs obtain favourable execution, which is inconsistent with the view that CFDs are used by naive individuals.