bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Results sky high: “DAMN”ing marking forever
Authors: Lewin Claire 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to stimulate further discussion on divergent institutional and academic needs for effective marking processes to evaluate student work in Australian universities. This is in specific response to institutional stated goals and emerging policies under current economic realities. After identifying the three significant areas of marking that must be addressed: content, consistency and cost; the author proposes that the use of the AERO‐dynamic model of marking will reduce academic workloads and provide institutions with an effective marking process to meet corporate budgets.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper is a synthesis of researcher participation and discourse interpretation. It is based on a cynical response to changing realities and resides in the arena of the “Theatre of the Absurd”.FindingsThe AERO‐dynamic model of marking was found to be highly cost effective for institutions with large student cohorts and ever diminishing budgets. Critical analysis identified areas of concern in marking consistency and assignment content and recommends specific actions to address these but also identifies that no process will be perfect and that some tradeoffs between cost, consistency and content need to be made. The role of the academic within this marking process is redefined and the implications of this for both institution and individual acknowledged.Originality/valueThis paper offers a starting point for further debate into the widening gap between student expectations on assignment marking and institutional resource allocation and support.
The effects of contingency factors on perceived values of casual sportswear
Authors: Chi Ting 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose and empirically examine a consumer perceived value (CPV) formation model in the context of the US casual sportswear market. The effects of investigated contingency factors on perceived values are empirically determined.Design/methodology/approachCPV was measured by four dimensions: price, quality, social and emotional values. The investigated contingency factors included gender, age, race, income level, and retailer type. The primary data were gathered by a nation‐wide survey of US consumers and the applied statistical techniques were exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe statistical analysis of 4,949 eligible survey responses shows that four value dimensions accounted for 77 percent of CPV variance. For the effects of contingency factors, race did not significantly affect the formation of any perceived values. In contrast, gender, income level, and retailer type significantly affected perceived price and emotional values, while perceived quality value was significantly affected by all contingency factors except race, and perceived social value was only significantly affected by age and income level.Practical implicationsIncorporation of gender, income level, and retailer type information in developing marketing strategies can help companies more effectively convey price and emotional values to consumers. In contrast, information relating to gender, age, income level, and retailer type should be considered in marketing quality value to consumers, while age and income level information is more critical for properly marketing social value to consumers.Originality/valueCompanies need to know, more than ever, about how consumers are redefining their values, as the current economic crisis has dramatically changed consumer preference. This study responded to this emerging need and provided timely empirical evidence.
Analysis of propagation delay and power with variation in driver size and number of shells in multi walled carbon nanotube interconnects
Authors: Singh Duksh Yograj , Kaushik Brajesh Kumar , Sarkar Sankar , Singh Raghuvir 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of driver size and number of shells on propagation delay and power for multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) interconnects at 22 nm technology node.Design/methodology/approachAn equivalent circuit model of MWCNT is used for estimation and analysis of propagation delay and power. The delay and power through MWCNT and Cu interconnects are compared for various driver sizes and number of MWCNT shells.FindingsThe SPICE simulation results show that the MWCNT interconnect has lower propagation delay than Cu interconnects. The delay ratio of MWCNT to Cu decreases with increase in length for different driver size and number of MWCNT shells. However, the delay ratio increases with reduction in number of MWCNT shells. The ratio of average power consumption (MWCNT/Cu) also decreases with the variation in driver size and numbers of shells with respect to the length of interconnect. The theoretical study proves CNTs to be better alternatives against copper on the ground of performance parameters.Research limitations/implicationsSeveral challenges remain to be overcome in the areas of fabrication and process integration for CNTs. Lowering of metal nanotube contact resistance would be vital, especially for local interconnect and via applications. Moreover, rigorous characterization and modeling of electromagnetic interactions in CNT bundles; 3‐D (metal) to 1‐D (CNT) contact resistance; impact of defects on electrical and thermal properties; and high‐frequency effects are being seen as additional challenges.Originality/valueThis paper investigates, assesses and compares the performance of carbon nanotubes (CNT) based interconnects as prospective alternatives to copper wire interconnects in future VLSI chips. Multi walled CNTs assure for long/global interconnect applications.
Increasing public healthcare network performance by de‐hospitalization
Authors: Ignone Gianfranco , Mossa Giorgio , Mummolo Giovanni , Pilolli Rosa , Ranieri Luigi 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to support public decision‐makers in a local healthcare agency (LHA) in evaluating the effects of different de‐hospitalization strategies and the potential for outsourcing clinical services.Design/methodology/approachThe approach adopted is based on the “patient pathway” perspective. Starting from the identification of specific care pathways, all the feasible care paths in a given LHA in Italy are investigated in order to evaluate the practicability of the de‐hospitalization of some phases with a particular focus on co‐ordination of hospitals and territorial services. A heuristic approach based on discrete‐event simulation modelling is proposed. The methodology and the simulation model have been validated with reference to field data derived from a full‐scale case study carried out within a LHA in southern Italy.FindingsThe results show where, in terms of care pathways, de‐hospitalization is practicable, valuable in terms of better resource utilization, and eligible for outsourcing. The outsourcing option appears to be more sustainable from a social point of view. It specifies that there would be no dismissal of employees, and that there would be recruitment of specialized workers such as nurses and doctors, employed under more flexible conditions. Savings in overheads would be achieved by means of patient de‐hospitalization.Originality/valueThe existing scientific literature, to the best of the authors' knowledge, deals with patient flow management at the hospital level. However, in the European countries, the public healthcare system is generally organized in terms of the territorially based allocation of service centres. Given the scarcity of public resources, the main difficulty seems to be a mismatch among actions needed to improve territorial and residential care for outsourcing, and the interventions needed to contain hospital costs.
Examining the effect of TV advertising appeals on brand attitudes and advertising efforts in Iran
Authors: Feiz Davood , Fakharyan Meysam , Reza Jalilvand Mohammad , Hashemi Marzieh 
Published: March 2013

PurposeIn recent years, increasing competition in communicational network of Iran has led to attracting more attention to marketing and particularly, advertising activities. The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of TV advertising appeals of communication companies (in this study, MTN Irancell Company) on customers' attitude towards their advertising efforts and their brand.Design/methodology/approachThe aim was achieved through an empirical study involving a survey. Of 400 questionnaires sent out, 384 were returned. The dataset from the sample underwent series of statistical analyses, i.e. reliability test, factor analyses (exploratory and confirmatory) and structural equation modelling (SEM).FindingsFactor analyses extracted seven dimensions, i.e. one‐sided appeal, two‐sided appeal, humour appeal, fear appeal, comparative appeal, attitude toward advertising and brand attitude. All related indicators manifested their constructs, respectively. The results show that there is a positive, direct, and significant relationship between: advertising appeals and attitude towards advertising; advertising appeals and brand attitude; and attitude towards advertising and brand attitude.Originality/valueThe paper empirically justified the interrelationship among advertising appeals, attitude toward advertising and brand attitude in an integrated model. Communication companies may find this paper useful as perceptual measures can be empirically substantiated using SEM.
Living with a child whose behaviour is described as challenging
Authors: Davies Kerri , Honeyman Gemma 
Published: March 2013

PurposeFamilies of those with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour often do not receive the practical support, training and information they need. As a result living with a child with behaviour described as challenging can be a profoundly hard and isolating experience. This paper aims to discuss the impact of challenging behaviour on families who have a child with intellectual disabilities.Design/methodology/approachThe experiences of three families are used to highlight the impact of challenging behaviour and this is supported by existing literature.FindingsDifficulties families experience include physical and mental health problems, sleep disturbance, social isolation, financial hardship and unemployment. Strategies families use to overcome difficulties are explored including seeking information and practical support and building family resilience. Positive aspects of living with a child whose behaviour is described as challenging is a topic that is often neglected in the academic literature, but caring can result in becoming a stronger family unit, increased personal growth and forming new friendships.Practical implicationsThe paper concludes with practical implications for professionals supporting families who live with a child whose behaviour is described as challenging. Families need information, training and practical support to fulfil their caring role effectively while maintaining the wellbeing of the family unit.Originality/valueThe paper stresses that all have a role to play in supporting families, all can make a positive difference, and that people must be more proactive in identifying and meeting the needs of families.
Acicular, but not globular, titanium dioxide nanoparticles stimulate keratinocytes to produce pro‐inflammatory cytokines
Authors: Hiroike Mizuho , Sakabe Jun‐ichi , Kobayashi Miwa , Shimauchi Takatoshi , Ito Taisuke , Hirakawa Satoshi , Inoh Akinori , Tokura Yoshiki 
Published: March 2013

AbstractTitanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, widely used for daily products, are believed to be biologically inert, but they may cause adverse effects on cells, presumably depending on the particle size and shape. One of the critical targets of TiO2 particles is epidermal keratinocytes, and their initial response to TiO2 may be production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. We therefore investigated the effects of four types of TiO2 particles on cytokine expression/production by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunoassay. The TiO2 particles included three acicular types, FTL‐100 (length, 1.68 μm; diameter, 130 nm), FTL‐200 (2.86, 210) and FTL‐300 (5.15, 270), and one globular type, PT‐301 (diameter, 270 nm). Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) were cultured with each of the TiO2 particles. During cultivation, the acicular forms of TiO2 were seen by scanning electron microscopy to be internalized by NHEK. The three acicular particles increased the mRNA expressions and supernatant productions of interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α and IL‐8 in particle number‐dependent manners, whereas globular PT‐301 had very weak activity. Thus, TiO2 particles may induce skin inflammation depending on the size and shape, providing knowledge on their health usage.
Strong radial variation in wood density follows a uniform pattern in two neotropical rain forests
Authors: Hietz Peter , Valencia Renato , Joseph Wright S. 
Published: March 2013

Summary

Wood density (WD) affects plant biomechanics, drought and decay resistance. As a consequence, WD is an important functional trait related to plant demography and ecosystem processes, which is also used to estimate tree biomass. Radial variation in WD (changes from the centre of the stem to the cambium) affects the strength of the entire stem, but also reflects any changes in wood functional properties that might occur during a tree's lifetime.

To understand how WD and radial WD gradients, which were defined as the slope of the relationship between WD and distance to the centre, are related to demographic traits of species, we investigated WD in 335 tree species from a Panamanian moist forest and 501 species from an Ecuadorian rain forest and radial density gradients in 118 and 186 species, respectively, and compared WD with tree growth, mortality and size.

WD was negatively related to tree growth and mortality. WD tended to increase towards the outside in trees with low initial density and to decrease towards the outside in trees with high initial density. Radial WD gradients were largely unrelated to tree size and demographic traits, but some families had higher or lower WD gradients at a given inner WD.

Inner WD was by far the best predictor of radial WD gradients (r2 = 0·39 for Panama and 0·45 for Ecuador) and this relationship was indistinguishable between the two rain forests. This suggests a broadly uniform function of WD variation, likely responding to mechanical requirements during ontogeny. We discuss the factors potentially driving radial increases or decreases in WD and suggest ways to elucidate the relative importance of tree mechanics, hydraulic safety or decay resistance.

We also discuss that not accounting for radial WD gradients may result in substantial errors in WD of the whole stem and consequently biomass estimates, and recommend sampling density gradients when obtaining density data from tree cores.
Effects of ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, and piroxicam on the course of pregnancy and pregnancy outcome: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Nezvalová‐Henriksen K , Spigset O , Nordeng H 
Published: March 2013

ObjectiveTo investigate the individual effects of ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, and piroxicam on pregnancy outcome.DesignCohort study.SettingNorwegian population.PopulationA total of 90 417 women and singleton child pairs.MethodsThe Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study and Medical Birth Registry of Norway data sets were used.Main outcome measuresInfant survival, congenitalmalformations, structural heart defects, neonatal complications, haemorrhage during pregnancy and postpartum, asthma at age of 18 months.ResultsOne or more of the four nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were used by 6511 pregnant women (7.2%). No effect on rates of infant survival, congenital malformation, or structural heart defects was found. The use of ibuprofen in the second trimester was significantly associated with low birthweight (adjusted OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3–2.3), and ibuprofen use in the second and third trimesters was significantly associated with asthma in 18–month—old children (adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–1.9; adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.1). The use of diclofenac in the second trimester was significantly associated with low birthweight (adjusted OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.1–9.0), whereas diclofenac use in the third trimester was significantly associated with maternal vaginal bleeding (adjusted OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–3.0). No associations with other neonatal complications were found.ConclusionsThe lack of associations with congenital malformations is reassuring. The significant association between diclofenac and ibuprofen use late in pregnancy, and maternal bleeding and asthma in the child, respectively, is consistent with their pharmacological effects. The increased risk of low birthweight may partly have been caused by underlying inflammatory conditions, and was reassuringly similar to the expected baseline risk of low birthweight.
Evaluating the capacity of plant DNA barcodes to discriminate species of cotton (Gossypium: Malvaceae)
Authors: Ashfaq Muhammad , Asif Muhammad , Anjum Zahid Iqbal , Zafar Yusuf 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAlthough two plastid regions have been adopted as the standard markers for plant DNA barcoding, their limited resolution has provoked the consideration of other gene regions, especially in taxonomically diverse genera. The genus Gossypium (cotton) includes eight diploid genome groups (A–G, and K) and five allotetraploid species which are difficult to discriminate morphologically. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of three widely used markers (matK, rbcL, and ITS2) in the discrimination of 20 diploid and five tetraploid species of cotton. Sequences were analysed locus‐wise and in combinations to determine the most effective strategy for species identification. Sequence recovery was high, ranging from 92% to 100% with mean pairwise interspecific distance highest for ITS2 (3.68%) and lowest for rbcL (0.43%). At a 0.5% threshold, the combination of matK+ITS2 produced the greatest number of species clusters. Based on ‘best match’ analysis, the combination of matK+ITS2 was best, while based on ‘all species barcodes’ analysis, ITS2 gave the highest percentage of correct species identifications (98.93%). The combination of sequences for all three markers produced the best resolved tree. The disparity index test based on matK+rbcL+ITS2 was significant (P < 0.05) for a higher number of species pairs than the individual gene sequences. Although all three barcodes separated the species with respect to their genome type, no single combination of barcodes could differentiate all the Gossypium species, and tetraploid species were particularly difficult.
Mulberry Leaf Diet Protects Against Progression of Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis to Dilated Cardiomyopathy Via Modulation of Oxidative Stress and MAPK‐Mediated Apoptosis
Authors: Arumugam Somasundaram , Mito Sayaka , Thandavarayan Rajarajan A. , Giridharan Vijayasree V. , Pitchaimani Vigneshwaran , Karuppagounder Vengadeshprabhu , Harima Meilei , Nomoto Mayumi , Suzuki Kenji , Watanabe Kenichi 
Published: March 2013

SummaryAim of the studyTo examine the protective effects of dietary administration of Mulberry leaves (ML) on postmyocarditis dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) focusing on oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stresses and adverse myocardial remodeling.Materials and methodsIn this study, we used a rat model of cardiac myosin‐induced experimental autoimmune myocarditis to test the effects of ML diet (MLD) (5%) on various markers of cardiac remodeling and function. After 4 weeks of immunization, the rats were fed with 5% MLD for 4 weeks. By the end of the study, echocardiography was performed to assess the myocardial dimensions. The heart tissue was used for histopathology and Western blotting analyses.ResultsOur study showed that the postmyocarditis rats exhibited increased oxidative stress when compared with the control rats. MLD supplementation suppressed this change, compared with vehicle treatment. In addition, postmyocarditis rats showed significant elevation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress markers, which were prevented by the MLD supplementation. Similarly the vehicle‐treated rats suffered with the adverse myocardial remodeling in the form of fibrosis as evidenced by the Azan–Mallory staining and immunohistochemistry for collagen‐III levels, compared with the control rats. However, MLD treatment not only markedly attenuated cardiac fibrosis, but also improved the left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening. Interestingly, the myocardial levels of endothelin‐1, activated members of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were significantly attenuated by MLD, indicating that the antihypertrophic effects of MLD are partially mediated via endothelin‐1, MAPK, and VEGF pathway.ConclusionCollectively, these results suggest that supplementation of rats with 5% MLD has the ability to regulate cardiac remodeling and improves cardiac function and hence contributes to prevent the development of postmyocarditis dilated cardiomyopathy.
Does the effect of revealed private information on initial public offering (IPO) first trading day return differ by IPO market heat?
Authors: O'Connor Keefe Michael 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBy IPO market regime, I decompose the effect of revealed private information on the initial return of IPOs (initial public offerings) into adjusted and unadjusted private information and find (i) investment banks partially adjust the offer price in return for revealed private information in all but the non‐hot IPO market; (ii) the economic importance of private information associated with IPOs (and hence agency costs) is procyclical; and (iii) industry information spillovers between IPOs occur only in the hot and very‐hot IPO markets.
Does fundamental indexation lead to better risk‐adjusted returns? New evidence from Australian Securities Exchange
Authors: Basu Anup K. , Forbes Brigette 
Published: March 2013

AbstractWe investigate the claims of superiority of fundamental indexation strategy over capitalisation‐weighted indexation using data for Australian Securities Exchange listed stocks. While our results are in line with the outperformance observed in other geographical markets, we find that the excess returns from fundamental indexation in Australian market are much higher. On a rolling 5‐year basis, the fundamental index always outperforms the capitalisation‐weighted index. Our results suggest that superior performance of fundamental indexation could not be entirely attributed to value, size or momentum effects. The outperformance persists even after adjusting for slightly higher transaction costs related to turnover.
Cross‐region and cross‐sector asset allocation with regimes
Authors: Dou Paul Y. , Gallagher David R. , Schneider David , Walter Terry S. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractCross‐region and cross‐sector asset allocation decisions are one of the most fundamental issues in international equity portfolio management. Equity returns exhibit higher volatilities and correlations, and lower expected returns, in bear markets compared to bull markets. However, static mean–variance analysis fails to capture this salient feature of equity returns. We accommodate the nonlinearity of returns using a regime switching model across both regions and sectors. The regime‐dependent asset allocation potentially adds value to the traditional static mean–variance allocation. In addition, optimal allocation across sectors provide greater benefits compared to international diversification, which is characterized by higher returns, lower risks, lower correlations with the world market and a higher Sharpe ratio.